Chapter 37: A Man's True Nature - Repay kindness and avenge grievances!

  Ye Haodong's uninhibited and yet resolute and steady personality won the old master's favor, and the more they interacted, the more they felt that their personalities were similar. Ye Haodong also had a sense of belonging to an organization, and finally figured out whose temperament he had inherited. Even the two big shots from the military region couldn't help but praise the old general for having a worthy successor.

  If it wasn't for her own eyes, He Ruoxi wouldn't have believed that a prisoner who should be in custody was riding a horse with an assault rifle and leading a team of soldiers chasing prey across the desert. What she saw that afternoon when she went hunting at Ye Haodong's invitation made He Ruoxi completely let go of her worries about Ye Haodong - this kid was no ordinary person wherever he went. After returning, he also told other cadres from the former cotton factory who were concerned about Ye Haodong, and everyone felt relieved and admired the strong and intelligent young prisoner even more.

  Things are always circulating in contradictions. Generally speaking, Ye Ying's eccentricity has reached a degree that ordinary people can't understand. Having lost his freedom for nearly thirty years, it's only natural to be overjoyed when facing his own grandson, and he would likely be moved to tears. Ye Ying was truly happy, but he soon felt a twinge of unease with the arrival of Ye Haodong, just as he had said himself - he thought he was an unlucky person. Every time he saw Ye Haodong excitedly learning horse riding and shooting like a cavalry soldier, he would feel anxious, always thinking that something unexpected might happen at any moment. Out of this worry, the old man began to think of ways to drive Ye Haodong away.

  One day, after Ye Haodong had spent three months of heavenly days by his side, the old man suddenly called Ye Haodong to his front and had a discussion with his grandson on the topic of how men should stand in the world.

  "Your kid's business is doing very well?"

  Ye Haodong: "Hmm, it's okay, I guess. Now the fixed assets are close to 1 billion yuan in scale, and I occupy 45% of that."

  Ye Ying nodded: "That's also considered a huge fortune, your grandfather's monthly allowance is only over 900."

  Ye Haodong: "You're not going to discuss with me how much money I have, are you?"

  Ye Ying: "What makes you think you deserve to earn all this money? What makes you qualified to have so many people sacrifice their lives for you?"

  "He pointed to his own brain and heart: 'I rely on myself, I can always lead them to find the right route, I rely on myself, I have always put my brothers in my heart.'"

  Ye Ying nodded: "It's the same reason why we lead soldiers in battle, there's no good way to just lose battles, nobody will follow you. When fighting, if you only think about letting your subordinates charge forward, still nobody will follow you to sacrifice themselves. What you said is basically not wrong, but I feel like it's missing something."

  Ye Haodong: "You say!"

  Ye Ying: "I think a general, apart from the two things you mentioned, also needs to have personal charisma. He must be able to repay kindness and not forgive enemies! A daring and unyielding personality is equally important. If you only achieve the first two points, then you are just a division commander at best. But if you possess this kind of character that I'm talking about, then you would be a Zhang Zuolin in times of chaos or a Du Yuesheng in times of prosperity."

  Ye Haodong's eyes lit up, he had never lacked bloodiness, it was just that these days he finally met someone who could let him rely on, let him take a breather, his heart had been worn down by the comfortable and easy days, making him a bit lazy.

  Ye Haodong: "I understand, I'll go find Old Man Gao tomorrow."

  "What did you find him for?"

  Ye Haodong replied: "Back to the cotton mill team, grievances are reported and grudges are avenged!"

  Yue Ying burst out laughing: "Little rabbit, this is the kind of male chivalry that I should have. If you continue to be so timid, you'll become a fragile porcelain that will break at the slightest touch."

  Yeh Hao Dong scratched his head and smiled: "If I continue like this, I'll really think of myself as a fragile porcelain that will break at the slightest touch."

  On July 1st, the cotton mill team welcomed a very special prisoner. Four months ago, Ye Haodong, who had just killed the deputy captain of the cotton mill team, Huang Yangmu, was back! He will complete his remaining sentence of more than half a year here. (Huang Yangmu has been confirmed brain dead by doctors two months ago and has been unplugged)

  The day he returned, the prison's squadron leader Xu Shi had to personally go to the gate to welcome him. No way, Xu Shi's old father Xu Daotang personally escorted the prisoner back, and even the instructor He Dashan accompanied the escort. Facing such a luxurious escort lineup, Xu Shi had to come to the gate to welcome him, even if he was as uncomfortable as swallowing a fly.

  The big men left, and Xu Shi, who had just received his father's repeated instructions, called Ye Haodong alone to the squadron department. The two of them had an open and honest conversation here.

  Xu Jue asked: "First of all, thank you for accepting my apology earlier, but I still want to ask you, why did you come back here? The Huang Yang tree is dead, isn't it good that everyone is at peace?"

  Ye Haodong replied: "I'll forgive you because of your father's face, your father and Gao Dage are sworn brothers who have gone through life and death together. When he says something to me, I must respond. Let's not talk about this, let's talk about Feng Tao's matter. In one sentence, how much did Feng Tao give you? Multiply it by ten and report the number to me."

  Xu Jie shook his head: "It's not just about the money, nor is it about entrusting him to someone. He does have someone he trusts, but compared to yours, that person can't even compare to a servant in your household. There are other things at play here. In short, I won't let you do as you please and deal with him. Don't blame me later if I decide to transfer you or him to another squadron."

  Ye Haodong frowned: "You think you can send me to another squadron, but I won't be able to send him over too?"

  Xu Jue suddenly remembered that his method was indeed a bit ostrich-like, he furrowed his brow and thought for a moment before asking: "Can't we have a bottom line? At least don't cripple or kill him."

  Ye Haodong suddenly felt a sense of absurdity, as if he felt very sad, yet also felt very relieved! What the hell is this world?!

  The charm of power was unprecedentedly great in Ye Haodong's heart at this moment. With the help of powerful figures, Xu Shao, who used to be invincible in front of himself, is now a law enforcement officer and is actually discussing with him who to spare and who to cripple.

  Ye Haodong nodded with satisfaction: "I never intended to make things difficult for him, I came back just to tell everyone not to think they're so great, being the top is indeed earned, but it requires real ability. I, Ye Haodong, was once the number one prisoner here, and that's because I'm top-notch in every aspect. Old Man Qian has a lot of money, all earned through his own abilities. As for people, my ancestor's legacy is unmatched throughout the entire Western Frontier, no one can rival it. I came back to let those who thought I wouldn't return know that I'm back, and I'll still be living a more comfortable life than them!"

  Before leaving, Ye Haodong turned back to Xu Shi and said: "Trouble Xu Ge to help me restore that office to its original state, I have a lot of business outside, can't do without it."

  Ye Haodong's return message spread quickly in the prison, and he was assigned to a small team of five groups. The group leader was Wang Yijun, and the deputy group leader was Lin Xudong. Ji Chenggang had been stripped of his deputy group leader position for beating up the janitor Feng Tao, and had lost 1000 work points, and had also spent three days in solitary confinement. Ye Haodong was led back by Lu Tianming with a nod and a bow. Huo Pingchao looked at his arrogant attitude compared to Lu Tianming's humility, and as they walked in the door, Huo Pingchao somewhat reluctantly took the lead in applauding. The prisoners of the five groups followed suit and applauded. Ye Haodong coldly looked at Lu Tianming, with a sinister tone: "Get out of here, go apologize to my brother, if he forgives you today, you can continue being a janitor, otherwise, I'll make sure you can't even be a ghost."

  Lu Tianming slowly walked up to Ji Chenggang and begged: "Gang, Gangzi..."

  Ye Haodong's voice: "Can you also call Zengzi?"

  Lu Tianming hastily changed his tone: "Gang brother, look at me, I'm just a small-minded person, shameless and thick-skinned. You're an upright and honest man, while Feng Tao is a scoundrel who forced me to go to the cadres to get you to take the fall for him. If I didn't go, he wouldn't let me off the hook. He's driven me to desperation! Please treat me like dirt and spare my life. Gang brother, I'll kowtow to you right here, please have mercy on me!" The scoundrel spoke with tears in his eyes, pretending to be pitiful, making those who saw him feel heartbroken and those who heard him tear up. After finishing speaking, he wanted to kneel down and kowtow.

  Everyone looked at him coldly, no one spoke, and they all knew that if he got into trouble this time, he would be out of the miscellaneous group from now on.

  Ji Chenggang was furious with this kid. After hearing about Ye Haodong's situation that day, he thought to himself that at worst, he would be sentenced to a few years in prison and use Feng Tao as a scapegoat to avenge Ye Haodong. However, before he could put his plan into action, the news was leaked because of his carelessness, and the person who spread the message was none other than Lu Tianming. Afterwards, things became simple: Feng Tao set up an ambush for him, Lu Tianming went to inform the authorities, Ji Chenggang was caught red-handed, and as a result, his original sentence of twenty years in prison was changed back to life imprisonment.

  Ji Chenggang finally gave Lu Tianming some face. He was originally a silly goods, now that Ye Haodong is back safely, Lu Tianming has also softened, his anger has dissipated, thinking that Lu Tianming still needs to get along in the future, the two of them have a long way to go together, he decided to forgive Lu Tianming.

  Ji Chengang suddenly pulled up Lu Tianming, gave him a big slap in the face, and said: "I had the heart to eat your flesh that time, but you're not loyal, brothers can't be equal with you, forget it, just this slap will do for that broken mouth of yours, and this matter is settled."

  Lu Tianming's teeth were all knocked out, but he still didn't forget to nod and bow his head in gratitude towards Ji Chenggang. His intestines are now green with regret, this is the Black Prison, no one knows better than Lu Tianming that killing a management officer is a big deal, such things can be done without any consequences, it must have taken a lot of backing. No wonder Ji Chenggang dared to say that Ye Haodong had a powerful backer protecting him, even if the sky fell he could withstand it. Ji Chenggang had approached him and asked for his help in luring Feng Tao out and making him fall alone, this kid thought it was an opportunity to curry favor with Feng Tao, so he sold out Ji Chenggang. Now seeing Ye Haodong's arrogant behavior at Xu Shao's place, this guy still doesn't understand that he has backed the wrong person.

  In the miscellaneous group's cell, Feng Tao held Huang Taomu's hand and they sat on a bed without any restraint. The others looked at them with disgust, but no one dared to say anything. Feng Tao could make even Xu Shao, the squadron leader, give him some face, so who else would dare to say anything about him? Huang Taomu had been following Feng Tao since his younger brother was turned into a vegetable by Ye Haodong, and he didn't care about losing face anymore. As someone in that line of work, he had long stopped valuing his dignity. These days, he had been eating and drinking well with Feng Tao, and sleeping with him at night had also gradually made him feel something. Now, except for occasionally feeling embarrassed about this, most of the time he was enjoying it.