Qiao Shaoguo, upon receiving the news, dropped what he was doing and hurried down towards the foot of the mountain. Seeing that his nephew, among the other two educated youths, had all returned safe and sound, he was overcome with excitement. "It’s good that you’re back, it’s good that you’re back." After circling the three of them a few times, his excitement somewhat dissipated. Thinking of the wounded members of the security team who had been looking for them, he directly kicked his nephew in the buttocks. "You little rascal! Instead of doing something useful, you led them deep into the mountains." Qiao Wenyu, caught off guard, stumbled and nearly knelt down. "Uncle, I was wrong." Qiao Shaoguo was about to kick him again but was stopped by Wang Qianjin, the deputy captain of the security team. "Regimental Commander, you can’t kick them anymore. They might have caused trouble this time, but they have also performed a meritorious act." Qiao Shaoguo was confused. "Meritorious act? What merit did they achieve?" Wang Qianjin said with a smile, "The three of them were quite frightened in the mountains these past few days. Let’s talk about it when we get back to the group headquarters." Indeed, there were some things that were not appropriate to say in front of so many people from the group. Qiao Shaoguo glanced at his good-for-nothing nephew and strode towards the group headquarters. Wang Qianjin looked at Zheng Xuewen. "Aren’t you going to help him up and follow?" Once everyone had entered the group’s large conference room, Wang Qianjin quickly spoke up. "We ran into them on the mountain. The three of them, while chasing a rabbit, had accidentally wandered into the deep forest. They were then discovered by enemy special agents who were operating in the area and were tied up. They intended to use them as hostages at a crucial moment." Upon hearing this, Qiao Shaoguo immediately became enraged. "Look at the mess you’ve made, boy!" Then, a thought struck him, and he glared at Wang Qianjin. "How could you cover for them in front of so many people from the group, and even lie? Where is your party spirit?" Seeing the regimental commander get angry, Wang Qianjin slid the enamel water cup across the table to him. "Regimental Commander, don’t get upset. Listen to me as I explain slowly." Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by novｅlfire.net Qiao Shaoguo picked up the water cup and gulped down a large mouthful of water. "Speak. I want to see what kind of story you can spin." Wang Qianjin glanced at the three educated youths, who were hanging their heads like quails. "They certainly shouldn’t have lied to the group, but it’s not like they could predict the future, right? Who knew they’d be so unlucky as to run into enemy special agents in the mountains. However, Qiao Wenyu, your nephew, Regimental Commander, is indeed a clever lad. He knew to leave marks the moment he had a chance. It was precisely because of those marks that the troops were able to find them. So, in a way, he has performed a meritorious deed." Qiao Shaoguo felt somewhat relieved upon hearing this. At least this kid didn’t panic in a crisis and even knew to use what he’d learned when he was tossed into military training during the holidays. It wasn’t long before the news that the few people who had gone missing in the mountains for several days had returned spread throughout the Hua’an Agricultural Reclamation Group. Ye Wenjuan, working in the fields, heard the news and remarked, "They’re really lucky to be alive." Ye Wenhui, next to her, heard her words and said with displeasure, "What kind of thing is that to say?" Ye Wenjuan was most annoyed by Ye Hui’s constant lecturing and retorted, "Did I say something wrong? They were missing for days, and despite so many people searching, they weren’t found. Now that they’ve returned on their own, what’s wrong with me saying they’re lucky to be alive?" Ye Wenhui truly couldn’t understand her younger cousin. This cousin of mine is just like a stink bug, always resentful when others do well. If we didn’t share the surname Ye, I really wouldn’t want to bother with her. "When you’re out on your own, not everyone will indulge you like they do here," Ye Wenhui said. "Be careful, or your words will bring you trouble." After speaking, she ignored Ye Wenjuan’s angry stare and sped up her work. She had been sent down to the countryside for nearly a month and didn’t want to spend her days being ridiculed as an idler.