Special Forces Medic-Chapter 695 - 663 Father and Son Meet

In a shop with hardly any business, the clerk is dozing off, while an old lady crouches at the entrance, her face wrinkled. A cane leans against the wall, and in front of her is a metal pipe with a few scattered coins inside. The old lady's head droops; though it's June, she's still wearing a tattered cotton jacket with her hands crossed in her sleeves, appearing as if she's asleep.

A few clanging sounds, some coins drop into the metal can. The old lady thanks in a hoarse voice, bows her head lower, stretches out a hand to retrieve the coins from the can, and places them into a pouch beside her. A strange-looking Shih Tzu wags its tail at the old lady, then lies down on the pouch pretending to sleep.

People come and go on the street, ignoring everything but the man and dog under the eaves leave a very deep impression. The dog is dutiful, opening its eyes at the slightest noise to look around, sometimes barking. Only then does the old lady move, squinting and rubbing the dog's head with her hand.

A person stands in front of the old lady, donating money to the can without the clatter of coins and without leaving immediately after. He's intrigued, watching the dog and its owner intently.

"Pull your collar up a bit; your neck has betrayed you," the person tossing money into the can says humorously, eyeing a spot the size of a fingertip.

"Ah!" The old lady deliberately fiddles with the scarf around her neck, made of sheer fabric despite this warm weather—how could it not cause a rash!

"It's right here!" Seeing the old lady failing to find the correct spot, the man crouches down, helps her fix the scarf, then grins cheekily at her. "You truly did a convincing job."

"The old man is waiting for you downstairs."

"Aren't you coming down?" The old lady doesn't answer him, but instead bows her head, placing the paper bills from the can into the pouch, only then noticing there's quite a fortune inside. "Didn't my husband pay you enough salary? How about working with me, I guarantee you won't have to beg on the streets."

"Being a vagrant is quite alright!" Xiao Lin chuckled, never really understanding why someone with a face prettier than Qing Yi's would always disguise as a filthy old woman begging on the streets.

Without saying much more, Xiao Lin darted into the small restaurant, went straight into the inner hall, only to find his old man not underground, but sitting at a table, sipping on a small drink with several dishes in front of him. From his vantage point, he could just look up and see the old lady sitting at the entrance.

"Turns out someone still cooks here!" Having been here several times, there's usually no smoke, no customers, the kitchen seeming like a mere decoration.

"Your observational skills are slipping." Xiao Zhenfeng waved him over to sit opposite. "How did you notice the one sitting outside?"

"Ah!" With Xiao Zhenfeng's prompting, Xiao Lin realized he hadn't paid attention to the clerk at the door, always asleep.

"Running a business, naturally there would be guests, otherwise, this place would soon draw attention," Xiao Zhenfeng didn't seem in great spirits, his teacup holding aged warm wine. "Get another cup and fetch a pound of beef."

Looking at the dishes on the table, Xiao Lin took off his coat, realizing his father intended to have a long chat with him. Soon, the clerk outside brought food, along with a dish of peanuts. The beef steamed hot, and the peanuts were freshly fried, while the wine was a pound of warmed and spiced with an egg—exactly his father's taste.

Xiao Zhenfeng filled Xiao Lin's cup with wine. "I know you don't really drink; it's just one cup, no more."

"It's fine, rare chance to drink with you, quantity doesn't matter." Xiao Lin didn't care for alcohol, drank little, probably related to his body's tolerance, thus he rarely got drunk, the more he drank, the more the liquid seemed to flow through him, like passing through intestines.

"Why the rush to find me?" Xiao Zhenfeng raised his glass, glancing at the old lady at the entrance, noting her day's earnings were quite substantial!

"I want to climb to the top quickly!" Xiao Lin's words caused a change in Xiao Zhenfeng's expression.

"Why the sudden interest in that position?" Even with a secret sense of joy, Xiao Zhenfeng couldn't help but ask this inevitable question.

"You aren't completely unaware, why should I repeat myself?" Xiao Lin found his father's usual approach tiresome, everything always about appearances.

"Knowing is one thing, but hearing it from you might change my perspective," Xiao Zhenfeng's position as the head of Xiao Family wasn't just earned by force; his brain was his weapon, typically solving problems mentally rather than physically.

"Words from others often get embellished or reduced, never clearly heard or seen, with extra details or omissions. You surely have many people speaking on your behalf!" True in his words, Xiao Lin couldn't find room to argue. "Express your real thoughts, skip the facade."

"I have only one goal." Xiao Lin pondered. "Fourth Master!"

"So, you intend to stir up the north area?" Xiao Zhenfeng knowingly nodded. "Aligned with Qing Yi that young rogue, eh?"

"This has nothing to do with Qing Yi."

"For a woman then? If that's the case, I can't allow you to take over the Xiao Family." Xiao Lin hadn't expected Xiao Zhenfeng would reject his request, looking at him shocked as Xiao Zhenfeng showed no expression. "Killing Han Fei was a mistake! You want to move the north area, where's the evidence? Utilizing Xiao Family's power for that officer, just to pave a road for yourself? To me, it's all childish games."

Xiao Zhenfeng's bluntness left Xiao Lin speechless. "What qualifies you to move the north area—can you tell me that?"

"Underground factory, murder case!"

"Oh!" Xiao Zhenfeng feigned a nod, though it sounded plausible. "You dismantled the underground factory, but do you know who's behind it?"

"Fourth Master!" Xiao Lin blurted in agitation.

"Any evidence?" Xiao Zhenfeng eyed Xiao Lin's expression, reluctant to discourage him at this critical point, yet aware that mere intentions weren't enough. "Only you all know this Fourth Master's dealings, others are oblivious. You can only suggest issues in the north area but can't apprehend anyone."

"The murder case, isn't it?"

"Four individuals without backgrounds died, mostly they can easily pin the blame on someone else. As long as the procedure remains flawless, the case is closed, and what can you do?"

(To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for it with recommendations or monthly tickets. Your support is my biggest motivation.)