The Ignited Storm Ye Cheng's Archnemesis... The News Department

"Instructions? What instructions? I don't know anything about that."

Tang Jianjun was caught off guard for a moment, then snapped out of it before answering.

"Hey, Jianjun, we're all brothers here... don't worry, I won't say anything. You don't trust your big brother?"

"Uh... I really haven't heard anything on my end. Tell you what, I'll go ask the big boss for you. If there's anything, I'll give you a heads-up."

"Great! And uh, Jianjun, you know how Brother Tang is..."

"Don't worry, I know. I won't tell him you asked—I'll say it was my own curiosity."

The two chatted about this and that for a while longer before hanging up.

In the command center of a certain military district.

The man who'd just hung up, Tang Jianjun, looked puzzled. "I haven't heard anything about any instructions. Maybe the orders from above haven't come down yet?"

He thought it over for a moment, then decided to ask his older brother. His brother always had access to first-hand information—if there really were any instructions, it would only be a matter of time before he found out anyway.

Early or late, the difference was trivial. Since the other guy had already called and asked, he might as well ask a question or two himself. Besides, he was a bit curious too.

"Brrrring..."

"What's up, Jianjun? What makes you call me out of the blue?"

On the other end of the line came Tang Jianguo's steady voice, carrying a hint of warmth—the easygoing tone reserved for family.

Being in his position, especially at the level he'd reached, the only people he could talk to like this were his own kin. The loneliness was inevitable...

"Big brother, has there been any instruction from the higher-ups lately?"

Tang Jianjun got straight to the point without any beating around the bush. If anyone else had asked like that, Tang Jianguo would already be frowning.

It was a rather reckless move, especially given the sensitivities around their positions. Anyone with an ounce of discretion wouldn't ask so directly.

There weren't many fools in their circle—everyone was sharp as a tack. Tang Jianjun might seem blunt on the surface, but he was sharp too—just the kind of sharp hidden under a rough exterior.

Just like Wang Fugui had said earlier, it was because their families were close and Wang Fugui had always shown them plenty of consideration that he got that call at all.

Otherwise, Tang Jianjun wouldn't have given him the time of day.

Who did the guy think he was to demand anything of him?

Tang Jianguo thought for a moment, as if remembering something, and chuckled. "Yeah, actually there is. The list has come down. You're on it."

"List? What list? Bro, what are you talking about?" Tang Jianjun was confused.

Tang Jianguo frowned. "Aren't you asking about the promotion list?"

"No, I'm asking whether the higher-ups have any... you know, intentions..."

Tang Jianguo: "..."

"Come on, we're in peacetime, and we've always been committed to harmony and diplomacy..."

Tang Jianguo couldn't help but lecture his younger brother a bit. His brother's straightforward nature held him back—otherwise, he could have joined him in his line of work. But then again, that same straight-shooting personality was exactly what would take him far in the military.

"Ah? Really? Okay, got it. Oh right, big brother, what list were you talking about?"

"What else could it be? I've barely had the list in my hands—I was planning to call you later tonight to tell you and then go inform Dad of the good news. Looks like you beat me to it."

"So that means... I'm now a mid—"

Ahem. Tang Jianguo coughed twice, cutting his younger brother off.

Some things were better left unsaid until they were final. Never show anything premature—stability was what mattered most.

"Oh, oh, right, big brother, I get it, I get it." Tang Jianjun was quick on the uptake, understanding his brother's meaning immediately. He dropped the topic, though his tone couldn't hide his excitement.

In peacetime, a position that could be counted on one hand...

As for the highest rank—that was a pipe dream. It wasn't coming back, not unless something massive broke out.

But then again, there was no need to be too curious about it. They already had one in the family. A belt that had whipped him silly since childhood. Say what you want about the man being a top general—his belt hits hurt way more than anyone else's!

Tang Jianjun couldn't help but recall the days of getting "ten lashes" as a kid. Among the brothers, apart from his fourth brother, he was the one who got spanked the most. His big brother and third brother were the scholarly types—the cream of the crop.

Naturally, the spanking duties fell to him and his little brother. Every time he thought about it, Tang Jianjun would let out a wistful sigh. That little brother of his was pretty clever.

Why had he never thought of eating more, getting a bit chubbier, so there'd be some cushioning when the belt came down?

He was too honest back then. Sigh...

"Hard to say. I've got something on my plate over here; I might not be able to get away. Xiaowan and the others will head back. They can rest at home for a while. I'll come back with Uncle Su and the others when Dad's birthday comes around..."

"I see. Well then, if you're not going back, I feel a lot better."

Tang Jianguo: "???"

"I've got some stuff to deal with on my end too. I was still trying to figure out how to break the news. Hearing you say that, I don't have to worry anymore." Tang Jianjun let out a relieved breath, his voice dripping with satisfaction.

Tang Jianguo: "..."

When the sky falls, the tallest person has to hold it up. Tang Jianguo was that tall person in the family, and Tang Jianjun was the one hiding under him.

Hiding down below while yelling, "Go big brother, we're counting on you!"

"I heard our little sister has a boyfriend?" Tang Jianguo asked.

Tang Jianjun pulled himself out of his smug relief and thought for a moment. "Seems like it. Our daughter sent me a photo a couple of days ago, said it's her little uncle. I took a look. He's... not bad looking... just a bit less handsome than me."

Tang Jianguo: "Less handsome than you? Since when did little sister's standards drop that low?"

Tang Jianjun: "???"

Bro, what's that supposed to mean...

"Send me the photo. Little sister's not getting any younger—it's about time she thought about settling down. Otherwise, Mom will keep worrying about it, and that's not good for anyone."

Tang Jianguo soon received the photo from his younger brother. The moment he laid eyes on it, his brow furrowed.

"He's got a fair complexion, almost too fair. That is our little sister's type, no doubt. But... he looks a bit young. How old is he?"

Tang Jianguo was being diplomatic about it.

After all, this guy might end up being his future brother-in-law. He knew his sister's temper well. If he said Ye Cheng didn't look like the trustworthy type, or that he seemed unreliable, she'd flip her lid.

"Uh... well..."

"What is it?"

"He's... a bit young?"

"Young? How young?" Tang Jianguo asked. It wasn't like he was blind—he could see it at first glance. Ye Cheng wasn't just young; he was practically radiating youthful energy.

He was definitely not the kind to play by the rules.

It wasn't that Tang Jianguo was judging by appearances, but Ye Cheng really did look like a born heartbreaker. He considered himself a man who had seen plenty in his time, but someone like Ye Cheng… even A-list celebrities would pale in comparison.

His looks were simply too devastating. No wonder their youngest sister was so smitten…

"Probably… just a bit older than my daughter," Tang Jianjun said, his tone somewhat awkward.

The moment those words left his mouth, the atmosphere grew strangely still… The only sound was that of breathing. It took a good while before Tang Jianguo on the other end finally snapped out of it.

About the same age as his second brother's daughter—meaning he had just barely reached adulthood…

Little sister, oh little sister, you really are something…

Sigh.

"Does Dad know about this?" Tang Jianguo's tone carried a hint of helplessness. He didn't dare say anything outright, so he tried to fish for information through other means.

"I think he does. From what my daughter told me, Dad seems to really like him…"

"Really now?" Tang Jianguo's voice shifted to one of shock.

He knew their old man's temperament better than anyone. If their father had given his approval, then this kid definitely wasn't just some pretty face. There had to be substance to him.

In that instant, Tang Jianguo's impression of Ye Cheng improved significantly. It wasn't that he trusted Ye Cheng—it was that he trusted their father's judgment!

"Alright, I've got the gist of it."

"Okay, big brother, I'll hang up now. I still have some things to take care of."

"Mm."

"Click, click, click…"

The two brothers ended the call, finishing their conversation.

After hanging up, Tang Jianjun immediately called Wang Fugui back.

"Drop it, fatty. I don't know where you heard that rumor, but there's no such thing. I've got stuff to do, gotta go."

"Click, click, click…"

Wang Fugui: "…"

Without even giving Wang Fugui a chance to speak, Tang Jianjun hung up directly.

"You little brat, messing with me, huh!" Wang Fugui blamed Wang Defa for this whole mess. Tang Jianjun would never lie, and the information had come from the eldest of the Tang family. Couldn't be more reliable than that.

Wang Fugui's anger piled up. He planned to head to the hospital after getting off work to have a proper "visit" with his son, and perhaps demonstrate some "love as heavy as a mountain."

Just casually do a ten-pull then!

"Rumble, rumble…"

Suddenly, Wang Fugui, still in his office, heard a helicopter sound similar to the one from the phone call earlier. But wait… he was in the middle of the city. Where would a helicopter come from?

Wang Fugui hurriedly left his office and stepped outside. Some of the people from the bureau had already gathered outside to watch the commotion.

Wang Fugui's eyes widened, his gaze filled with shock and disbelief. There was no war going on, but the scene outside looked just like one.

On a single street, on both sides of the road, two families were mobilizing—the Du family and the Dongfang Family—going door to door… They even had modified signal vehicles, as if hunting for something.

To push it even further, the signal vehicles might as well have strapped on iron plating, painted the outside green, and turned into military armored vehicles.

Wang Fugui: "???"

Silently, Wang Fugui walked back inside, intending to make another phone call to confirm things… Because this didn't look like everything was fine at all!

Meanwhile, at the Great Sea City Noble Academy, in the news department.

Unlike the other members of the department who had already run outside to watch the helicopter commotion—taking the chance to skip classes and dodge boring club activities—one person sat in an inconspicuous corner, hunched over a laptop, still editing a post.

He was going to make a name for himself!!!

He was going to run for the next president of the news department!

This news was definitely going to be front-page material. He refused to believe anyone had a story bigger than this!!!

Like a man possessed, heavy dark circles under his eyes showed how many nights he had stayed up. Despite the dark circles, the excitement in his eyes had not faded one bit.

"Click!"

With the final press of the enter key, his long-awaited post was finally published!

"[SHOCKING! A POWER FANTASY PROTAGONIST? THE TRUTH WILL BRING YOU TO TEARS—A TRAGIC HERO!]"

That was the most eye-catching, clickbait title he could think of. He had completely burned himself out. Still, it felt a bit lacking, but that was fine—his content would speak for itself!

With no beating around the bush, no dragging it out, the post opened with a video of Ye Cheng jumping off the building behind the hospital!

The click count kept rising…