Daniel Dong took a sip of the tea brewed by his security aide with the finest leaves he had, but with so much weighing on his mind, Leon Qian found it tasteless.
"Leon, this tea's pretty good, isn't it?" Daniel Dong asked with a grin.
"It's excellent—the flavor really lingers," Leon Qian nodded, genuinely impressed.
Daniel waved cheerfully. "If you like it, I'll have my security guy pack up a couple ounces for you to take home."
"Haha, then I won't stand on ceremony!"
Leon Qian laughed, but he couldn't shake the feeling that Daniel Dong was acting differently today. A vague sense of foreboding crept into his heart—could something be up...?
He tested the waters, asking, "Daniel, I heard Marshall Feng's son came to see you in person?"
"I wouldn't call it a real visit. Sean and Donna are just friends, that's all," Daniel replied.
Daniel tried to sound casual, but his pride showed through, making Leon a bit uncomfortable. "Well, Daniel, you really raised a great daughter!"
"By the way, Leon, Sean brought me a bottle of good wine. Why not come by my place for a drink this afternoon?" Daniel offered.
He was being so generous—it was obvious Daniel was certain he'd locked down the commander position.
Thinking this over, Leon lost all interest in drinking. He said, "I've got a few things to take care of—let's have that drink another day. I'll head out now."
Watching Leon Qian walk off looking a bit downcast, Daniel Dong grew even more smug. He called after him, "Leon, don't forget your tea!"
---
Even though he knew he'd be taking over as commander, with the moment drawing near, Daniel Dong still felt a little nervous. At three o'clock, someone from the Huaiyuan Military District would come to officially announce the appointment.
At three sharp, Marshall Charles Feng and his entourage arrived at the 96th Division, catching Daniel and the others off guard.
Harvey Guan, Daniel Dong, and Leon Qian led the senior officers of the 96th Division in welcoming Marshall Feng and his group into the prepared auditorium.
The auditorium was already packed.
"Salute!"
All the officers in the auditorium stood and saluted Marshall Charles Feng.
"Everyone, please take your seats!"
After returning the salute, Marshall Charles Feng strode to the head of the room, sat down, took out the appointment papers, and read aloud, "As commander of the Huaiyuan Military District, I hereby announce the removal of Leon Qian from his post as division political commissar."
Leon Qian was stunned. Removed from his post? Was he about to be made commander? Wasn't Daniel Dong supposed to get that job?
Daniel Dong was also shocked. Why was Leon Qian being removed? Was he about to be promoted? Impossible—Sean Feng had promised the position was his!
Even though he'd guessed what was coming, Daniel Dong refused to accept it. He'd rather believe Leon Qian was just being transferred somewhere else.
Just then, Marshall Feng's voice rang out again: "I hereby appoint Leon Qian as commander of the 96th Division!"
He was ecstatic!
Even with his usual composure, Leon Qian couldn't help but break into a huge grin. The shock was overwhelming—he'd thought he was out of the running, but suddenly everything had flipped.
Meanwhile, Daniel Dong was filled with disappointment and anger—not only was he passed over for commander, but Sean Feng had lied to him.
For the rest of the ceremony, Daniel Dong was in a daze, until Marshall Feng's security aide came to summon him for a meeting.
Daniel Dong steadied himself, collected his thoughts, and followed the aide to a small office.
Inside, only Marshall Charles Feng was waiting.
"Good afternoon, sir." Daniel Dong saluted.
"Daniel, do you know why you weren't chosen as commander this time?" Marshall Feng asked, smiling.
"Why?" Daniel blurted out, then quickly corrected himself. "I'm sure you had your reasons, sir."
Marshall Feng chuckled.
Marshall Feng smiled. "Daniel, you let your cleverness trip you up. To be honest, I originally intended to appoint you as commander!"
Daniel's eyes widened. "Then why did it end up going to Leon Qian?"
"Because I don't trust your character!" Marshall Feng replied coldly, his smile tinged with sarcasm.
Before Daniel could say anything, Marshall Feng continued, "You broke through to War King level thanks to Landon Lu, didn't you?"
"How did you know?" Daniel Dong asked, surprised.
"I know more than that. I know you kicked Landon Lu aside after he helped you break through to War King, just to curry favor for the commander's seat. You even tried to split up your daughter and Landon. If you can betray Landon for a promotion, what's to stop you from betraying me for something bigger? With a character like that, why should I make you commander?" Marshall Feng shot back, his voice sharp.
By the end, Marshall Feng's face was full of mockery.
Daniel Dong had gone pale, his eyes full of regret.
"And another thing—Donna's a good kid, and she and Landon are a great match. My own son isn't worthy of her, so don't even think about marrying her off to Sean. If you keep scheming, you can forget about being deputy commander!"
With that, Marshall Feng stood and walked out, leaving Daniel Dong standing there, lost and broken.
There's a saying about trying to steal a chicken and losing the rice—Daniel Dong had played himself.
Back in Mesa City, Ian Song hung up the phone, a faint smile on his lips. The whole conversation between Marshall Feng and Daniel Dong had played out exactly as he'd planned.
Daniel Dong was just too calculating—if he didn't get a harsh wake-up call now, he'd never change.
With this lesson, hopefully he'll think twice before trying anything shady again.
The next day.
Donna Dong called, saying her dad wanted him over for dinner.
Evening, Villa No. 3, dining room.
Daniel Dong raised his glass to Ian Song. "Landon, I was wrong before. Let this drink be my apology. I hope you won't hold it against me."
"You're too kind, sir. I never blamed you," Ian Song replied, raising his own glass. "Let me toast you."
"Cheers!"
Seeing the two men get along so well, Donna Dong couldn't help but smile.
After dinner, Auntie Tian brewed a pot of tea and brought it out.
"Landon, have you ever thought about joining the army?" Daniel Dong asked.
"Not at the moment," Ian Song said, shaking his head.
Daniel Dong frowned slightly. "It's not that I look down on the Special Police, but honestly, that job doesn't have much of a future. With your skills and my support, you could make lieutenant colonel again in three years, tops!"
"I'll think about it," Ian Song said, leaving the door open.
"Alright, let me know when you decide—I'll help you get set up!"
"Sounds good!"
"Alright then, you two chat. I won't bother you anymore!" Daniel Dong said, putting down his teacup and heading upstairs to his study.
Daniel Dong left for the study upstairs, leaving Landon and Donna alone.