Step by step, a gentle breeze leads to a smooth path

Chapter 192 A Heart-wrenching Chapter

"Don't talk nonsense! Du Heming, have you forgotten that if it weren't for me, a general, would you be able to become a bank manager?" Du Hexiang forced himself to remain calm and changed the subject.

"Really? Then tell me how you, General, helped me? Who did you speak to? I've been curious about that." Du Heming chose to confront him directly.

Du Hetian also looked over, wanting to know how his eldest brother exerted himself, since his second brother, the person directly involved, didn't know.

"You... do I really need to personally greet you? Just because I'm your older brother, and I'm a general."

"Hehehe... Thank you so much! General Du, I've been working here for many years, but I haven't heard a single word about you. The leaders don't react at all when they see my name. It's as if they can't associate me with you at all. Du Hexiang, your title of general isn't as dazzling as you imagine."

"Shut up! You dare call me Du Hexiang? You're so ungrateful!"

"Ha, ungrateful, huh? Then who is it? Du Hexiang, is that why you've always acted superior to me? You think we all benefit from your rank of general, so we all have to be respectful to you? Let me tell you today, you're wrong. I've never relied on you. On the contrary, your achievements today, besides being given by your parents, were earned by me and Li Yan with our lives! You are the one who should be grateful and repay this kindness—Du Hexiang!"

"You're talking nonsense! It's impossible! I don't believe it, Mother!"

"Stop calling me 'Mother.' Just because you're the eldest son, your parents have always favored you, indulging you in everything and spoiling you. Today, I'm going to talk to you about some facts that have been covered up. Back then, you made a big mistake in the army and ran home in fear, begging your father for help. You know what mistake you made, right? You weren't punished after you went back. Didn't you ever think about why?"

“That’s because the higher-ups value my talent…” Seeing Du Heming staring at him, he continued, “Perhaps my father intervened, or perhaps the war was too intense for them to notice such trivial matters. What, you want me to be punished?”

"Du Hexiang, do you even believe it yourself? Think about what talents you have. Did your father have that much power back then? You really know how to comfort yourself. Can you sleep at night?"

"What you mean is my business, it's none of yours to say!"

"Heh, Du Hexiang, I can actually say that, because you became a general because of us!"

"No, impossible. What's it to you?"

"Don't believe me? Let me explain in detail. Think about it. Among so many people, why did you become a general? Think about how many battles you've commanded, how many people you've saved, and what merits you've made. Everyone knows your own capabilities, but they're just too lazy to expose you. You're the only one who's complacent. You've been wearing 'The Emperor's New Clothes' for so long that you've started to believe it." After Du Heming decided he didn't care anymore, he could say hurtful things without hesitation, and he felt quite satisfied with it.

He continued, "Actually, you are indeed lucky. You have your parents protecting you at home, and you have incredible luck outside. People above are fighting for power and covering up things, and you just happen to be the one who benefits."

"Du Heming, don't talk nonsense. If you want to die, don't drag me down with you!"

"Really? General Du, you care a lot about your rank of general! But do you know that after the war, due to various reasons, you might not have been able to become a general? It was thanks to the strong recommendation of an important figure that you were able to become a 'general'. And that person who played a decisive role was someone I and Li Yan saved."

"No, it's impossible, you..."

"So you know that it was that person who strongly recommended you. Have you ever thought about why? Are you just fooling yourself into believing it's because you have extraordinary talent? Hahaha, let me ask you, didn't that person go on a mission in the winter of 1927? In the Xishi area?"