Arranged marriage, love blossoms; a fiercely devoted soldier dotes on her alone.

"Clatter."

Xiao Zhan lit a cigarette, took a puff, and looked at Zhang Changshan, saying, "General Zhang, you'd better watch yourself."

When Zhang Changshan heard Xiao Zhan address him as "General," it meant that Xiao Zhan still respected him.

So he said gratefully, "Thank you, Young Master Xiao. I knew that finding you would be the only way to survive. I risked my whole family's lives to send Zong Quan to find you. It seems that I made the right move."

Xiao Zhan nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips, and said, "Actually, it was your last sentence, 'You're willing to retire from the military,' that moved me to pity. It shows that you know how to repent and realize that you made a mistake. I think of your hard-won military career, your many achievements, and the many times you've bled and been wounded. I don't want a soldier who has survived countless near-death experiences to fall into the abyss because of a momentary misplaced trust in someone else."

He paused for a moment and then continued, "Back then, my grandfather had a disagreement with Liu Shiyuan and others about the direction of the army's development. In the end, they fell out and he was forced to retire from active service. You didn't kick him when he was down, and you even spoke up for my grandfather under pressure."

"I have to repay this favor on behalf of my grandfather."

"So, I will do everything I can to help you get through this crisis safely, and you can live a peaceful and uneventful life from now on."

Zhang Changshan was so moved that tears streamed down his face. He never expected Xiao Zhan to be so loyal, righteous, and grateful.

"thump!"

Suddenly, Zhang Changshan's knees buckled, and he knelt before Xiao Zhan, choking back tears as he said, "I cannot thank you enough, Young Master Xiao. My entire Zhang family will forever remember your great kindness and virtue."

There's a saying: "A single thought can lead to calamity, or a single thought can lead to Buddhahood."

Right now,

Zhang Changshan's life and fortune were in Xiao Zhan's hands.

Xiao Zhan helped Zhang Changshan up and said, "Uncle Zhang, you absolutely mustn't. We soldiers kneel to heaven, kneel to earth, and kneel to our parents. Soldiers must live with dignity."

When Zhang Changshan heard Xiao Zhan call him "uncle," he became even more excited. He was already in such a state that everyone avoided him for fear of getting involved in his misfortune. Xiao Zhan not only did not take the opportunity to put him down, but also helped him. Such a person was definitely worth befriending.

So Zhang Changshan choked back tears and said, "Young Master Xiao, I have a favor to ask of you, but I don't know if I should say it."

Xiao Zhan raised an eyebrow and said, "Tell me about it?"

Zhang Changshan: "I'd like Zhang Zongquan to gain some experience by your side, and be at your disposal. Is that alright?"

Xiao Zhan looked up at Zhang Jingquan, who was standing to the side, and saw him looking at him with pitiful eyes.

Everyone knows that after this incident, it's questionable whether Zhang Changshan can escape unscathed. If he can find another way out, there might still be a glimmer of hope for Zhang Zongquan.

Having Zhang Zongquan stay by Xiao Zhan's side is undoubtedly the best choice, and there are two reasons for this.

First, Zhang Zongquan works for Xiao Zhan, and with Xiao Zhan protecting him, he can be safe and sound.

Secondly, those powerful families or individuals who had been eyeing the Zhang family and were ready to take advantage of their misfortune to gain a share of the spoils no longer dared to make any moves against them after seeing Xiao Zhan's endorsement.

Xiao Zhan pondered for a moment and said, "I need to think about this."

Zhang Changshan knew that he would have to resort to drastic measures to get Xiao Zhan to agree at this point.

So he whispered, "Young Master Xiao, I also know someone who has a very special relationship with Liu Shiyuan, but I have never told anyone about it. I don't know if I should say it now."

Zhang Changshan was negotiating with Xiao Zhan, or rather, exchanging conditions: if Xiao Zhan agreed to take his son, he would give him even more explosive information.

Xiao Zhan asked curiously, "Who is he?"

Zhang Changshan first looked up and around, then whispered, "Young Master Xiao, you might not believe what I'm about to say, and I don't believe it myself, but I saw it with my own eyes and heard it with my own ears. This person is Yu Zhenguo, the current chief of staff of a division in the garrison."

Xiao Zhan exclaimed in surprise, "Uncle Yu's son?"

Zhang Changshan said with a serious expression, "Yes, Young Master Xiao, if it weren't for the fact that you saved my life, I would have kept this secret to myself."

Xiao Zhan thought to himself, "Another clue points to Yu Zhenguo, and behind Yu Zhenguo are Uncle Yu and Grandpa. It seems that the rumors outside are not unfounded."

Thinking of this, Xiao Zhan asked, "General Zhang, did you see any deal between Yu Zhenguo and Liu Shiyuan?"

Zhang Changshan whispered a few words in Xiao Zhan's ear.

As Xiao Zhan listened, his expression gradually became serious, and a look of shock appeared in his eyes...

After Zhang Changshan finished speaking, he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

One can imagine that even now, when he talks about this, he still feels apprehensive.

Zhang Changshan: "Young Master Xiao, I only found out by accident, which is why I dare not continue to collude with Liu Shiyuan and Yu Zhenguo."

Xiao Zhan said coldly, "General Zhang, don't tell anyone what you just said, or the consequences will be severe."

Zhang Changshan nodded and said, "Don't worry, Young Master Xiao. I understand the saying that trouble comes from the mouth. If I hadn't been tricked by Liu Shiyuan, why would I be living such a humble life?"

Xiao Zhan raised an eyebrow and said, "Let Zhang Zongquan work for me, but he must be absolutely loyal to me. Once he is disloyal, he will never be used again. This is my principle for employing people."

Zhang Changshan looked at Zhang Zongquan.

Zhang Zongquan understood and quickly stepped forward, saying, "Young Master Xiao, from now on my life belongs to you. I will follow you to the death, never leaving you or betraying you."

Xiao Zhan nodded.

At this moment, Xia Keke walked in quickly from outside the door and said, "Xiao Zhan, Yao Bing has finished explaining. What should we do with him?"

Xiao Zhan exhaled a puff of smoke and said, "Let Wang Ming'an handle this kind of trash. We don't need to waste our time and energy on this kind of person."

Xia Keke: "Okay."

Xiao Zhan looked at Zhang Zongquan and said, "Come find me to come to work after the Spring Festival holiday."

Zhang Zongquan respectfully replied, "It is Young Master Xiao."

Xia Keke looked at Xiao Zhan curiously. How did Zhang Zongquan become Xiao Zhan's little follower when she wasn't around?

Xiao Zhan strode out, saying as he went, "Director Xia, let's talk in the car."

Then he said to the Cheetah Commando team members who were standing guard around the perimeter, "Fall back."

Several special forces soldiers responded in unison, "Yes, sir!"

Two minutes later,

Two SUVs drove out of Zhang Changshan's yard.

Inside the carriage,

Xia Keke asked, "Xiao Zhan, what exactly happened with Zhang Zongquan?"

Xiao Zhan laughed and said, "Zhang Changshan traded a secret for his son to work for me. Hahaha, that's called a win-win cooperation."

Xia Keke was completely confused and asked, "What kind of secret would make you agree?"

Xiao Zhan looked up at the car window. The road was bustling with traffic, a scene of great activity. As if talking to himself, he said, "Do you remember how shocked we were when we accidentally stumbled upon that intelligence?"

Xia Keke: "Of course I remember."

Xiao Zhan: "It has now been confirmed that the intelligence from last time was true; it wasn't just a rumor, but that the person actually exists."

Xia Keke: "Who is he?"

Xiao Zhan: "Yu Zhenguo."

"Hiss..."

Xia Keke gasped, then said, "So you're saying he's involved in Project Mole?"