"Damn it!"
Ouyang Lei jumped up in anger, "Great Hero Tian tricked me so badly! I knew our Ouyang family's cultivation method couldn't be this weak."
"Seventeen years! I've been stewing for seventeen years, and I was actually deceived."
"Heh."
Li Zhengguo chuckled, "Yan Yan has passed on the Ouyang family's cultivation method to Hao Hao and Xiao Bo. Both of them have already reached level nine, while Yan Yan is only level six."
"To protect Yan Yan's pride, the two kids have never dared to tell him. You've been cultivating for over forty years, right? What level are you at?"
"Shit! Holy shit, shit!"
Ouyang Lei swore incessantly, ignoring Li Zhengguo's sarcasm.
"Our Ouyang family's cultivation method cannot be practiced by outsiders. Did you ask Great Hero Tian to check them?"
Ouyang Lei's question dispelled Li Zhengguo's lingering resentment towards him.
"Don't worry! They are in the best possible condition. I have some theories about your Ouyang family's cultivation method, but it's not convenient to discuss on the phone. Are you coming?"
How could Ouyang Lei refuse such an enticing offer?
"Yes, yes, yes! I'll sort things out and head to the capital with the funds. You guys better wait for me."
"I'm not going back to my hometown to find you guys. I'm already old, and they're still rushing me to get married."
Li Zhengguo disagreed with him, "Since you're not getting married, why do you still care about the Ouyang family's cultivation method?"
Ouyang Lei chuckled, "Don't worry about that. Even if I don't get married, I have a son."
Li Zhengguo retorted, "Is he yours?"
Ouyang Lei said proudly, "He's of Ouyang blood. No need for a paternity test, as long as he can cultivate the Ouyang family's method, that's proof enough."
Li Zhengguo was curious, "Then, what about the mother of your son?"
Ouyang Lei said nonchalantly, "She's been staying by my side. No matter how much I try to chase her away, she insists on following me even without a formal title."
"You want to move me? No way! Let her stay, I'll give her some money to live on."
Li Zhengguo strongly disagreed, "Your attitude is that of a scumbag who's gone bad. This won't fly in the capital."
"Just bring the mother of your son with you. No looking for anyone else."
Ouyang Lei hated being lectured the most, so he quickly agreed, "Yes, yes, yes, I'll listen to you. No, I'll listen to Great Hero Tian. Who do you think you are?"
...
Upon returning, Li Zhengguo had a talk with his two sons.
"The first thing you'll do tomorrow upon joining the team is to tell Yan Yan about the cultivation method."
"Since you've joined the special skills team, you are not allowed to hide your abilities anymore."
"In any team, it's strength and intelligence that matter."
"Tell Yan Yan in advance to avoid him feeling like he's been deceived."
"There will be disputes everywhere. The three of you brothers must work together."
"When encountering problems, discuss them openly and honestly, don't let others exploit any loopholes."
"You are young and strong, and you are bound to be envied. Always be on guard, even during missions, and keep your wits about you."
"Do not have ill intentions towards others. Never harm your teammates or civilians. If conflicts arise, let your superiors resolve them."
"Understood."
"Understood."
Li Weihao and Li Weibo finally felt that they were about to fly out from under their parents' wings. They were both excited and scared.
...
Lu Xing came home after work. Not seeing his wife, he came straight here.
He was pleasantly surprised to see his comrade.
He was even more delighted to see his comrade's two sons.
"Your two sons are so spirited!"
"Hello, Uncle Lu."
"Hello, Uncle Lu."
"Good, good, good." Lu Xing wanted to pat his two nephews' heads, but they both ducked, and he only managed to touch their shoulders.
"Good heavens, such quick reflexes?"
Li Zhengguo told his two sons to go accompany their mother, while he talked with his old comrade.
"...So, coming to the capital was unexpected. Hao Hao and Xiao Bo will join the special skills team tomorrow. I'm telling you in advance."
"There's another important matter. We've invited a friend from the south."
"He was involved in real estate development in the south, and he's bringing capital with him."
"After registering the company, he will recruit staff and set up the company structure. Do you have any ideas?"
His old comrade not only had a fulfilling love life and family but also saw his wish for his sons to become dragons fulfilled. Now, he was about to register a company and develop a great career.
Lu Xing Gang was incredibly envious. Comparing people truly killed people.
"That's truly great news. Your current state is what one calls thriving."
"I'm not leaving my current position. Let Hong Juan continue to work."
Li Zhengguo was slightly surprised, "You're really not retiring?"
"No. You know how enviable formal employment is, and we'll be interacting often in the future."
Interacting often? The departments one deals with in business are usually industry and commerce or taxation.
"Are you being transferred?"
"Yes!"
Lu Xing Gang nodded, "Ever since I knew you were still trying to achieve something in a mountain village, I decided not to just coast by in my old unit."
"The industry and commerce office here in the East City was short-staffed, so I worked some connections and got transferred in. Feel free to ask for help anytime in the future."
Li Zhengguo nodded, "That's great. Don't pretend not to know me from now on."
Lu Xing Gang playfully punched him, "What are you saying? You can pretend not to know others, but how could you not know your old friend Li?"
Li Zhengguo punched him back, and the two of them started sparring in a corner.
After dinner, the Li Zhengguo family of four checked into a hotel.
Because of Wang Huan's age, it wouldn't be appropriate for her to stay with either family.
Li Zhengguo also wanted to spend more time with his wife and sons, so they stayed out for the night.
He also asked Du Hong Juan to find people to tidy up the two adjacent courtyards tomorrow.
Du Hong Juan then learned that Boss Tian planned to invite friends to invest and register a company.
She was a bit worried, not knowing the personality of Boss Tian's friend.
Lu Xing Gang told her she was overthinking, "No matter who you work for, you are still an employee."
"It doesn't matter what kind of person Boss Tian's friend is. He won't fire you. Just work diligently."
Du Hong Juan thought about it and agreed. After registering the company, there would be rules and regulations. As long as she didn't violate the company's rules, no one could fire her arbitrarily.
...
The next morning after breakfast, Tian Jing and Li Zhengguo took their two sons to the reception area of the special skills team.
The reception area had already received the news that these two teenagers were not only possessors of strength-based special abilities but had also cultivated internal energy.
They were rare talents who, with systematic training, could become top contenders in the team.
Therefore, upon seeing the two teenagers who looked almost like twins, the reception staff recognized them.
"Li Weihao, Li Weibo, right?"
"Yes."
"Yes."
The brothers nodded, "We're here to report."
The receptionist glanced at Li Zhengguo and Tian Jing, "And these two are?"
"They are our parents. They were worried about us and came to take a look."
"Oh." The receptionist understood, but, "Outsiders are not allowed in the special skills team. Parents, please wait here."
Tian Jing understood, but she was still worried, "We only brought autumn and winter clothes. We haven't prepared any bedding or toiletries."
The receptionist smiled, "Please don't worry, madam. All daily necessities will be provided by the team."
"Shoes, clothes, and bedding are also issued, with better welfare than in the regular army."
"You don't need to prepare anything. Just give them some money."
Tian Jing was then relieved. Last night, she had asked Du Hong Juan to withdraw thirty thousand yuan.
She gave ten thousand yuan to each son and ten thousand to her nephew, fearing they would need to purchase items themselves.
"Don't be stingy with spending. Keep your stipends. Your parents will send you money regularly."
"Keep an eye on Yan Yan. You two help him manage his stipend. Let him spend the money we give him freely. Your aunt should have also prepared money for him."
Li Weihao and Li Weibo didn't understand their mother's logic.
Li Zhengguo explained to his sons, "Your stipends are earned through your hard work. We don't want them, no matter how much they are."
"We don't want you to spend them carelessly either, as they represent your sweat and blood."
"We have enough money at home. Your mother wants you to spend freely the money she earned for you. Do you understand?"
Li Weihao and Li Weibo opened their arms and hugged their mother, "Thank you, Mom. You are the best mother in the world."
Tian Jing pulled her arms free and hugged her sons back, "You must be well. No matter when, try to protect yourselves and don't let your mother worry."
"Mm-hmm. We remember."
The receptionist watched the scene with envy. He wished his mother could be as selfless as this mother.