Chapter 62 How can you face anyone after doing this?

"Brother Wu..."

Cao Yue wore a smile on his face, choosing not to dwell further on the matter. "Since you've come this way, are you satisfied with my father's work?"

Hearing this, a smile also surfaced on Brother Wu's face. "Not bad at all. Commander Cao is wholeheartedly devoted to the nation and possesses extraordinary achievements. He is precisely the kind of pillar of the country we need."

Upon hearing these words, Cao Yue cast a triumphant glance at Ye Yuan. "In that case, my father doesn't need to be suspended for investigation, right?"

"Investigation for what?"

Brother Wu waved his hand dismissively. "Just keep up the good work."

"Keep up the good work?"

Ye Yuan laughed out loud in extreme anger. "What a fine 'keep up the good work'! With an attitude like yours, how can you face the efforts of your ancestors and your father!"

Brother Wu finally took notice of Ye Yuan.

An expression of surprise appeared on his face. "Aren't you... that old man from the train station?"

Ye Yuan let out a cold snort and turned to Zhang Qun. "Little Zhang? What's the background of this brat?"

Before Zhang Qun could speak, Brother Wu broke into a sneer. "Asking about my background? Who on earth are you? How dare you stick your nose into my business?"

"Wu Kai, shut your mouth!"

Zhang Qun's expression changed drastically. "Don't talk nonsense!"

Wu Kai looked at Zhang Qun. "Grandpa Zhang, is this a friend of yours? Even if he is your friend, he has no right to speak to me like that."

Zhang Qun's face turned dark.

He had already put things so plainly, yet Wu Kai still failed to grasp the situation.

Through the exchange between Zhang Qun and Wu Kai, Ye Yuan realized that Zhang Qun must be well-acquainted with Wu Kai's grandfather.

"Whose grandfather is he?"

Ye Yuan looked at Zhang Qun, his voice exceptionally stern. "Old Wu?"

Zhang Qun wore a look of utter embarrassment and nodded slightly.

Wu Kai finally sensed that something was amiss.

As the supreme commander of the Longguo Southern Military Region, why would Zhang Qun show such deep respect to this old man?

Besides, his grandfather's nickname was known to only a tiny handful of people. How did this old man know it?

"You... you know my grandfather?"

Wu Kai looked at Ye Yuan with suspicion.

"Hmph!"

Ye Yuan snorted, ignoring Wu Kai entirely, and stared coldly at Zhang Qun instead. "Do you have Old Wu's phone number?"

"I do..."

Zhang Qun nodded slightly, took out his phone, dialed the number for Ye Yuan on the spot, and handed the phone over. "Old Regiment Commander, the call is through."

His expression was somewhat solemn.

The reason he had previously asked Little Li to bring Ye Yuan and Sun Ting to the cafeteria first was because he had learned that his old comrade-in-arms was leading an inspection team to visit. Therefore, he had stayed in his office, intending to meet Ye Yuan together once his old comrade arrived.

However, after making a phone call, he discovered that his old comrade had not come in person after all, but had instead sent his grandson to go through the motions. That was why he hadn't waited any longer.

Ye Yuan took the phone, held it to his ear, and immediately heard a voice from the other end.

"Old Zhang, didn't you just call me? Why are you calling again? Don't tell me... that little brat caused some trouble for you!"

Ye Yuan remained silent.

He hadn't expected that after so many years, the next time he heard the voice of his former subordinate would be under such circumstances.

Noticing the total silence on the line, the voice of Old Wu sounded again, "Old Zhang, say something. What kind of trouble has that kid stirred up this time?"

Ye Yuan finally spoke, his voice ice-cold. "He didn't cause trouble for Little Zhang. But he caused trouble for you."

The other end of the line fell dead silent instantly.

Three seconds later.

"Old... Old Regiment Commander... is that you?"

Old Wu's voice was trembling.

"Hmph!"

Ye Yuan let out a cold snort. "Old Wu, your official airs are getting bigger and bigger these days."

"Old... Old Regiment Commander, please let me explain..."

"Explain? The country has given you such immense power, comparable to an imperial commissioner in ancient times, yet how do you handle it? You sent some wet-behind-the-ears kid to take your place?"

The more Ye Yuan spoke, the angrier he became. "How can you look anyone in the eye after doing something like this!"

"I... I am coming right now. Old Regiment Commander, please wait for me!"

With those words, Old Wu hung up the phone.

By this time, Wu Kai finally realized that the old man before him was not of the same generation as his grandfather, but a full generation older!

He had never witnessed anyone reprimanding his father in such a manner.

"Old Regiment Commander, what did Old Wu say?" Zhang Qun asked curiously.

"He said he is on his way here right now," Ye Yuan replied with a blank expression.

Hearing this, Zhang Qun offered a soft suggestion, "Then how about we go to the dormitory prepared for you and Ting Ting first?"

"No."

Ye Yuan refused without a moment's hesitation. "I will wait for him right here. I want to see just when he gets here!"

"This... very well..." Zhang Qun chose to compromise.

"Then... then what about us..." Cao Zhengde asked in a timid voice.

"You wait here too. Do you think you can just leave?" Zhang Qun snapped irritably.

A while later, lunchtime arrived.

A large group of soldiers who had just finished training rushed into the cafeteria.

Then, those soldiers spotted Zhang Qun and the others.

"It's Commander Cao... and Chief Zhang!"

"Why are both commanders inside the cafeteria?"

"Wait, no, look at that old gentleman. Doesn't he look like the legendary Hero Ye from the video our instructor showed us?"

"It really is Hero Ye! Oh my god!"

A bolder soldier stepped forward, saluting Zhang Qun and Cao Zhengde first, and then looked at Ye Yuan with immense excitement. "Hero Ye, is it really you?!"

Looking at the vibrant young soldiers before him, Ye Yuan couldn't help but smile. "I suppose it is."

As soon as these words were spoken, all the young soldiers stared at Ye Yuan with overwhelming excitement.

Ever since the broadcast of *Retreading the Red Path*, it had caused a massive sensation across the entire country.

Except for the Eastern Military Region, which had not promoted Ye Yuan due to Zhao Ming's influence, the other four major military regions had vigorously publicized the program. Consequently, Ye Yuan's fame within the military regions was exceptionally high.

Realizing that the idol of their worship was standing right before them, all the young soldiers were thrilled and immediately swarmed around Ye Yuan.

In their excitement, these young soldiers even forgot about military discipline and overlooked the two commanders standing nearby.

They all began firing off various questions, and Ye Yuan patiently and kindly answered every single one of them.

Zhang Qun wore a smile and made no attempt to stop the commotion, only saying softly, "No matter how excited you are, don't forget to eat. You still have training this afternoon."

All the young soldiers burst into happy laughter.

Standing to the side, Cao Zhengde remained utterly bewildered.

He couldn't fathom how, out of all the veteran soldiers of the War of Resistance in Longguo, this particular veteran could command such deep love and respect from the young soldiers.

If only he had bothered to watch a single episode of *Retreading the Red Path*, he wouldn't be harboring such doubts...