Earth-Shattering News

Arriving at Beijing International Airport, Ling Cheng didn't even bother acknowledging the fanfare he had brought along. With a flourish, and without any attempt at concealment, he dashed toward the VIP lounge.

"Eh? Ling Cheng, why are you here? Weren't you supposed to perform?" Qiu Nuo propped himself up and, upon realizing it was Ling Cheng who had barged in, relaxed his previously tense nerves and asked in confusion.

"Is he awake? Is the boss really awake?"

Seeing Ling Cheng's excitement, Qiu Nuo couldn't help but feel a bit elated himself. He nodded vigorously. "Yes, just now President Xiao called me and said the young master has really woken up."

Ling Cheng's burly frame suddenly seemed unsteady, his face contorted with raw emotion, making him appear almost ferocious in his joy.

Qiu Nuo, understanding his reaction, stepped forward to support him and said, "I thought celebrities had better self-control, but you're just like his older brother. Come on, let's go. The plane's already waiting for the two of us."

Thankfully, they were taking the VIP passageway and didn't encounter anyone. Otherwise, judging by their current state, it wouldn't be surprising to see headlines like these tomorrow in the entertainment sections: "New Singing Sensation Skips Performance for Secret Date," "The Real Reason Ling Cheng Won't Date," or "Is the Singing God Gay?"

Once they boarded the plane, Ling Cheng noticed that there were only three or four people in the large aircraft. As the plane began taxiing, he asked curiously, "Qiu Nuo, what's going on?"

"What do you mean?" Qiu Nuo looked at him, feigning confusion.

"Uh… I mean, why are there only four of us going back? Didn't you notify Maji, Yaoyao, and Liu...Liu Tang and the others?" Ling Cheng hesitated at the last name. Though he believed Liu Tang was responsible for what had happened to Zhuifeng, he also knew his boss well enough to understand that Zhuifeng wouldn't blame Liu Tang. Besides, now that Zhuifeng had woken up, Ling Cheng thought Liu Tang should be told, knowing how deeply Liu Tang had lived with guilt all these years.

"Them? I haven't been in contact with them for years. Are they even in Beijing?"

Ling Cheng glanced at Qiu Nuo, who was clearly playing dumb, and then at Zheng He, who was silently tending to someone nearby. He didn't press further. Though he still wasn't certain of Qiu Nuo and Zheng He's true identities, he was sure they weren't merely security personnel for the Oriental Group as they claimed.

Over the years, Ling Cheng had become somewhat famous, performing at almost every major event. Yet, at nearly every one of these occasions, he had spotted the same faces—Qiu Nuo and Zheng He. Once or twice could be dismissed as coincidence, but three or four times? That was something else. He had even speculated if the two might be working for the government—perhaps as CCP bodyguards or spies.

Still, Ling Cheng had no intention of exposing them. Having seen his share of the world, he knew what should and shouldn't be poked at. Moreover, they had never harmed him and had helped him countless times over the years, even if it was at the behest of his godmother.

Noticing Ling Cheng's silence, Qiu Nuo exchanged a glance with Zheng He before finally speaking. "Ling Cheng, you're not an outsider, so it's time you knew the truth. Do you know who this person is?" He pointed to the unconscious man nearby. "He's the young master's second brother."

"Second brother?" Ling Cheng froze. "But the boss… isn't he an only child?"

Qiu Nuo's expression turned serious. "We'll get to that later. Just remember, some of what I'm about to tell you is classified state information. Even if someone points a gun at your head, you cannot reveal it. Understand? That's also why I didn't notify the others."

Ling Cheng shivered under Qiu Nuo's intense gaze, avoiding his eyes as he murmured, "I promise."

Qiu Nuo let out a long breath. "I know you've been suspicious about our identities. You're right—Zheng He and I aren't just security personnel for the Oriental Group. We're also national security agents, part of the First Unit of the Ministry of State Security of the People's Republic of China—what you'd commonly refer to as Zhongnanhai bodyguards. We only take orders from the highest leaders of the nation and the two directors of the State Security Bureau. Your godmother happens to be our director."

Ling Cheng's mind went blank, as if a bomb had exploded in his head. His earlier suspicions had been right all along.

"Do you know about the 51st Military District?"

"The 51st Military District?" Ling Cheng's mind struggled to catch up. "Are you talking about the rumored alien base in the United States?"

Qiu Nuo glared at him. "That's no rumor. It's real. Twenty years ago, intelligence revealed that the United States intended to use alien technology from the 51st Military District to strengthen its military power and potentially launch a third world war. At that time, the young master was just born. The then-director, Shangguan Ming, who was also the young master's father, realized the importance of the situation. After consulting with the current director, President Xiao, they decided to leave the young master with a trusted family friend in the country."

Qiu Nuo's voice grew heavy. "But five years ago, Director Shangguan passed away in the U.S. due to complications from CML."

"CML?" Ling Cheng asked mechanically.

"Yes, chronic myelogenous leukemia."

Ling Cheng looked at the unconscious man and stammered, "You're not saying… the boss… he…"

Qiu Nuo gave a bitter smile. "You guessed it. According to the latest blood tests, he's indeed been diagnosed with the same disease. And this second brother of his fainted upon hearing the news."

Ling Cheng's initial joy and shock vanished, replaced by a cloud of sorrow.

Turning to the window, he quietly wiped away his tears. "Does the boss know?"

"The director doesn't know how to break it to him, so she told me first. Do you think we should tell him?" Qiu Nuo sounded lost.

"There's no hiding it. Even as a trained actor, I couldn't pretend nothing's wrong. Could you?" Ling Cheng sighed helplessly. "Tell him. It's cruel, but he has to face it."

***

N City International Airport

Seeing a row of domestic Hongqi sedans at the exit, people couldn't help but feel curious. Judging by the setup, someone important was clearly arriving. But wasn't today the opening ceremony of the Olympics? Shouldn't all the bigwigs be busy?

When they saw the badges worn by the people standing near the cars, the crowd suddenly understood: they were from the Oriental Group. That explained everything.

Ever since the Oriental Group established its headquarters in N City three years ago, such scenes had become a common occurrence. With the city's rapid economic growth and its hosting of various international exhibitions, the residents of N City had grown used to spectacles like these.

Because of this, the people of N City held great respect and admiration for the Oriental Group. Merely mentioning that you worked for the company could elevate your social status.

Looking at the rapidly retreating scenery outside the car window, Ling Cheng sighed. "This city has changed so much, so quickly."

"We can change a city, even a country, but can we change a person's fate?"

Turning his head, Ling Cheng saw it was the second brother who had spoken. Knowing who he was referring to, Ling Cheng's mood turned somber as well.

"You're Ling Cheng?" The second brother broke the heavy atmosphere. "How did you meet Xiao Feng?"

Ling Cheng closed his eyes. "We met during a talent show… If the boss hadn't withdrawn from the finals, I wouldn't be where I am today."

"Xiao Feng can sing?" Seeing Ling Cheng's puzzled look, the second brother quickly explained, "Even though Xiao Feng and I were close growing up, he rarely opened up to us. I didn't even know he could drive until I noticed it myself." He then recounted stories of Zhuifeng's childhood.

"You're saying that, as a child, the boss was completely neglected by your family?" Ling Cheng's face darkened as he listened.

The second brother's face turned red. "No, no, you've got it wrong. I used to think that too, but after Xiao Feng's accident, I learned the truth—he wasn't my biological brother."

"You—"

Before Ling Cheng could react further, the second brother quickly clarified. "Let me finish. That's when my parents told me why they treated him that way. It was actually a request from Xiao Feng's biological parents. I think you understand the context of the time, right?"

Ling Cheng nodded.

"Director Xiao and her husband didn't know if they'd survive their mission, but they didn't want Xiao Feng to live an ordinary life. So they asked my parents to ensure he became independent from a young age. On the surface, my parents appeared indifferent, but they always had someone watching over him. How else could Xiao Feng have bought a multi-million-dollar DTM-spec Audi A4 race car with just a few hundred thousand yuan? Or how could he have had such a successful taxi business? From childhood, Xiao Feng was always surrounded by people arranged by Director Xiao and her husband to ensure his safety."

After hearing the explanation, Ling Cheng realized his earlier anger was misplaced. "Sorry, I misunderstood you earlier…"

The second brother patted his shoulder. "It's fine. That's a natural reaction from a friend."

Ling Cheng's eyes brightened with a sly thought. "How about this? Since the boss calls you second brother, I'll call you second brother too."

"Sure, I don't mind having another little brother… Ah, we're here."

Looking at the villa before him, Ling Cheng couldn't help but sigh. His barely lifted spirits sank again.

"Let's go, Xiao Cheng. Some things must be faced."

Didn't I just say that earlier? Ling Cheng froze, then gave a bitter smile as he nodded to the second brother. "Let's go."