Chapter 54: Uncle by Marriage

In the grand hall, a man sat on the sofa, surrounded by more than a dozen fully armed soldiers. Meeting someone in the hall with so many soldiers present was clearly a sign that the man feared Li Wensheng might suddenly attack him.

Li Wensheng and his companion couldn’t help but twitch their lips at this sight.

The man scrutinized Li Wensheng and asked with a smile, "You must be Li Wensheng?"

"Your subordinate, Li Wensheng," Li Wensheng replied, raising his hand in salute.

"Not bad, not bad. You really do look quite like your father," the man said with a cheerful laugh.

Li Wensheng was stunned—did this man know his father?

The boss was equally baffled. What was going on here? He’d previously seemed intent on killing Li Wensheng, but now he was trying to establish a connection. Was he planning to poach him?

The fifty-something officer suddenly turned to Li Wensheng. He hadn’t known about their relationship before.

"You know my father?" Li Wensheng couldn’t help but ask.

"Of course I do. Your father and I are cousins; your great-grandmother was my aunt. By family ranking, you should call me uncle," the man replied.

Li Wensheng was astonished. He never imagined his family had such a connection with this man.

After a few seconds’ hesitation, Li Wensheng called out, "Uncle."

Everyone was taken aback. No one expected Li Wensheng to actually address him as uncle.

"Haha, good, good. Wensheng, you are the only one left in your branch of the family, aren’t you?" his uncle said, laughing heartily.

"Yes. The elders either died of illness or perished in the war."

The smile vanished from his uncle’s face. He sighed and said, "A nation in distress, war everywhere. For a soldier to die in battle, that is a worthy death. But it’s the civilians who are pitiful."

Li Wensheng pursed his lips inwardly and didn’t respond.

"These years, I’ve been so busy that I lost touch with your family. If the Bureau hadn’t reported your achievements in Jinling, and I hadn’t had your records investigated, I wouldn’t have known my cousin’s son had joined the Bureau," his uncle continued with a sigh.

"I wanted to defend the country. Originally, I was to enlist as a soldier, but the Revival Society selected me, and I joined them."

"Joining the Revival Society is good. On the front lines, bullets don’t discriminate—anything can happen."

"Wensheng, you’re the last of your branch. For the sake of the family line, you shouldn’t stay with the Bureau. Come work in my Adjutant’s Office," his uncle said with a chuckle.

Not long ago, the boss had reported to his uncle that Li Wensheng had blown up the enemy supply depot in Jinling.

His uncle hadn’t given it much thought. As long as Li Wensheng wasn’t involved with Yan Zhou, he didn’t care. But a few nights ago, while discussing it with his wife, she advised him: since Li Wensheng had no ties to Yan Zhou, it was better to foster a connection. Yan Zhou meant nothing, but as his uncle, surely he’d be close. It made sense—if the family bond was weak, more contact would strengthen it. With blood ties, closeness would soon follow.

That was why he’d told Yu Long that when Li Wensheng returned, he should bring him over.

Originally, he’d thought Li Wensheng could just stay in the mountain city and visit more often. But just now, he suddenly thought it would be best to bring Li Wensheng directly into the Adjutant’s Office.

If Li Wensheng worked there, they’d see each other every day; as their relationship deepened, Li Wensheng could even serve as his bodyguard.

Join the Adjutant’s Office?

Li Wensheng was momentarily stunned, then he understood—it was a bodyguard position.

“To hell with it, being your bodyguard would be like being imprisoned,” Li Wensheng muttered inwardly, then said, with evident reluctance, "Uncle, I’m not skilled at anything. I probably wouldn’t be able to handle work in the Adjutant’s Office. I’d better stay with the Bureau."

His uncle was about to say, “You can learn,” when footsteps sounded from upstairs. A noblewoman descended, her gaze settling on Li Wensheng. She spoke kindly, "This must be Wensheng. Such a fine young man."

"Wensheng pays his respects to Aunt," Li Wensheng said, bowing slightly.

His aunt smiled and sat down beside her husband, then asked Li Wensheng, "Wensheng, you aren’t married yet, are you? Is there a girl you fancy?"

"Aunt, I’m still young. I haven’t considered marriage yet."

"You’re nearly twenty-two, aren’t you? It’s time to think about it. You’re the only one left in your family—start a family soon, let the line continue. Your parents will rest easier."

His wife’s sudden appearance made his uncle realize she was intervening to prevent Li Wensheng from joining the Adjutant’s Office.

Though he was displeased, his uncle didn’t mention the matter again.

Instead, he kept chatting with Li Wensheng about personal matters—how, with his parents gone, his uncle and aunt were now his elders, and that they would arrange his marriage. If they found a suitable girl, they would help match them.

After a long conversation and a lunch at his uncle’s mansion, Li Wensheng and the boss finally left.

Outside, once they were in the car, Old Dai’s mood was complicated. Not only was his uncle trying to poach Li Wensheng, he’d also revealed their family connection.

How was he supposed to carry out the task he’d just assigned Li Wensheng? If he pushed Li Wensheng too hard, the young man might come here and complain as his cousin.

Now his uncle wanted to bring Li Wensheng closer—clearly his attitude had changed. And with his aunt repeatedly mentioning marriage, it was obvious they were trying to foster family ties.

If they found out about the task he’d given Li Wensheng, he’d be in for a severe scolding.

Feeling frustrated, Old Dai didn’t know his uncle was now asking his aunt why she’d stopped him from bringing Li Wensheng into the Adjutant’s Office.

"Having him join the Adjutant’s Office would certainly be good," she replied. "But the problem is, he concealed his identity before. That means he’s not completely loyal to the Party and the nation. Family ties aren’t established yet, and just now, he clearly didn’t want to join. If you force him, you’ll only push him away. Wait until the relationship is closer, then talk about the Adjutant’s Office."

Her words made his uncle realize he’d been too hasty.

"In fact, what I just said about marriage is what we should focus on now. Introduce him to a girl loyal to the Party and the nation, let her influence him. Pillow talk has the greatest impact on a man."

His uncle's eyes lit up. He smiled, "You take care of this. As his aunt, it’s only right for you to manage these family affairs."

"Very well, I’ll see if there’s a suitable girl and help match them."