The Devil's Path Chapter 4 (6)

  Xiao Hei put away the money, bowed to Lu Qiguo and said: "Instructor, I really didn't make a fuss about anything, thank you instructor. When I get paid, I'll invite you and your wife out for dinner."

  "It's getting late," Lu Qiguo patted Xiao Hei's shoulder, and for the first time, they seemed so close. "Get a good rest, I heard you're writing, don't overwork yourself."

  Lu Qiguo's words were understated, and after finishing speaking, he observed Xiao Hei's expression changes.

  Xiao Hei smiled complacently and rubbed his forehead, saying very sincerely: "No, but it's much better than the refined one."

  "Is it even better? What did you write?"

  Xiao Hei still didn't let up: "I've found some problems, but for now it's still a secret, you'll know what they are when I'm done writing."

  Lu Qiguo saw that he was being so mysterious, and it further confirmed his own speculation. "Grandma's bear, you're indeed writing this stuff, if you let you finish writing, that would be unbearable." He patted Xiao Hei's shoulder and said with a serious tone: "Listen to me, you are a typical example of the war zone, what an honor it is! As a cadre like you, steadily doing your job, in the future, becoming our battalion commander wouldn't be a problem. So, you should look at the mainstream, see the bright side, don't focus on some problems, this isn't good for your personal development. I've been a soldier for more years than you, I know more about what's going on in the army, if the situation you're reflecting has reason, that's one thing, but if it's just to vent your own anger, then...I think you've also heard of the consequences. So, whatever the situation is, you can reflect it to us, don't always stir up trouble for the higher-ups, they're busy too, let's not add chaos for them, besides, this behavior doesn't match the requirements of a harmonious military camp..."

  Lu Qiguo spoke with great enthusiasm, starting from the harmony of the military camp, to the friendship between officers and soldiers, and then to the famous historical figures who were known for their integrity. His words were like a storm of flowers, his tongue was as sharp as a jade hairpin, his saliva flew like a rainstorm piercing through rocks. At times, his tone was gentle and soothing, like a spring breeze or fine rain that caressed people's hearts; at other times, it was like a surging torrent that stirred the soul. Even the dead would be shocked into awakening by his words, while gods and ghosts would weep blood and bow in reverence.

  Lu Qiguo's speech entered a state of ecstasy, his lips fluttering up and down like a pair of wings, his tongue darting in and out like a treasured sword in its scabbard. What an unparalleled master! The entire process was like demonstrating a set of extraordinary sword techniques, with light snowflakes dancing gently, yet hiding a deadly intent within their beauty, and with a nimble elegance that inspired the audience's hearts to yearn for enlightenment.

  Lu Qiguo finished his move, gazing at the stunned Xiao Hei with infinite sympathy, as if looking at a lost lamb. His expression was solemn yet gentle, and he smiled slightly before asking softly, "Do you understand?"

  Xiao Hei was like waking up from a dream, and firmly shook his head.

  "Reporting instructor, I didn't understand a single sentence."

  Lu Qiguo let out a muffled cry, almost spitting blood, and gazed helplessly at the irreparably damaged Little Hei. As if seriously injured, he clutched his chest and fled in haste.

  In Zhao Tielong's office, Lu Qiguo disappointedly shared his gains and losses with his partner.

  "Rotting wood can't be carved, rotting wood can't be carved, what else do you want? The fruit in the cafeteria is no good, I brought some from home for him to eat. The food in the cafeteria doesn't taste right, I spent my own money to buy chicken and had a family member cook it for him, but he didn't show any appreciation at all..."

  "Don't even mention the fruit you brought from home, it gave me diarrhea." Zhao Tiedong retorted.

  "That's because he couldn't bear to eat it and let it go bad, the fruit went bad but the chicken didn't, he ate a whole block without leaving any leftovers. My own child wanted to eat some but I didn't even dare give him any, giving it to him led to this result. In all my years of being a soldier, I've never seen such an obstinate and unyielding cadre, with a heart as hard as iron, refusing to listen to either good or bad words, it's infuriating."

  Zhao Tielong said disapprovingly, "If reciting scriptures doesn't work on him, then use other methods. We're all old hands at this, if we can't even fool him, it'll be a joke when it gets out, and how will we manage the troops in the future?"

  Lu Qiguo said: "He can say that, he mainly writes about some problems, we can't be careless, this black lump looks silly, but it's actually very smart."

  "No matter how cunning the fox is, it can't outsmart a good hunter. We are veteran detectives, dealing with him will be a piece of cake." Zhao Tielong seemed to have full confidence.