Chapter 379: The Assigned Bodyguard

At the foot of the northern suburbs of Yan Jing, there was a place surrounded by high walls and guarded by armed soldiers at all times. This place had no signboards and couldn't be found on any map. The nearby residents only knew it was a military restricted zone. Given the presence of several such zones in the capital, it had become a norm, and no one paid much attention to it. Over the years, people had grown accustomed to its presence.

Such places often piqued curiosity, but those who tried to investigate them found their efforts fruitless. Over time, no one paid much attention to it anymore.

In reality, this was a highly secretive military prison, far more secure than the well-known Qin Cheng. Those who were imprisoned here were high-profile military criminals, including captured foreign spies and soldiers who had committed serious crimes, as well as other offenders difficult to manage in regular prisons.

On a morning at the end of December, two black Audi cars were driving one after the other on the main road towards this military prison.

Zhou Ming and Du Peng were in the car, accompanied by a rural woman dressed in colorful clothes, holding a baby. As the woman looked out at the vast, snow-covered expanse with few signs of life, she asked anxiously, "How much longer until we arrive?"

Zhou Ming replied, "It should be soon. A Xiu, don't worry. As you know, he's in a secret unit, and the place is highly confidential. We don't have details; we're just following the car in front."

Upon hearing this, A Xiu felt reassured and lowered her head to the baby in her arms, saying, "Jian Ming, just wait a bit longer. You'll see your daddy soon. Your daddy is amazing; he's one of the best soldiers in the army, a great hero who protects our country. You should be like him in the future, understand? No mischief."

However, the baby seemed displeased with his mother's words, wriggling and making discontented noises.

Zhou Ming smiled at her, but he wasn't happy inside. What she said was true; he indeed lived up to her praise. Unfortunately, some things in the world were just so messed up. Some people who should be shedding their blood for the country instead become its enemies due to unfortunate circumstances. The elite soldier was one such person.

Originally, this top-tier soldier with battlefield instincts, cultivated by the nation, should have been competing with elite soldiers and mercenaries on various special forces battlefields. However, due to enmity with the Tan family, he lost his sanity and committed acts that betrayed the country and its people. This was a tragic reflection of both himself and the era.

Such an elite soldier could only be imprisoned in a highly guarded and secretive military prison. Today, Zhou Ming was bringing his wife A Xiu and their newborn child to see him.

Of course, there were things Zhou Ming couldn't tell A Xiu. He had only informed her that he was on a secret mission and that they were in a secret military camp. Given her knowledge of his abilities, she believed Zhou Ming.

Soon, a large black gate appeared at the end of the road, its steel cold and seemingly separating two worlds.

Seeing the gate, A Xiu asked with some confusion, "Um… Comrade Zhou, is this really a military camp? It feels more like a prison."

It must be said that her intuition was sometimes spot on. Zhou Ming had to explain, "Of course, it's a military camp. I'm not sure why it looks this way; it might be due to some military needs. You trust me, right? And you trust Comrade Du Peng, and him as well?"

Upon hearing Zhou Ming's reassurance, A Xiu felt relieved. After all, Du Peng was a lifesaver for her and her child. If Du Peng hadn't arrived in time when she was beaten by family planning officials, her child would have been forcibly aborted. So she trusted Du Peng, and her husband was even more of a pride to their family.

After a thorough check at the gate, the car was allowed to enter the prison. They parked in the designated spot and were led to a reception room where he was waiting, along with several strong prison guards.

"A Xiu, since he's on a secret mission and to avoid unnecessary trouble, there will be guards here," Zhou Ming explained.

But he soon realized that his explanation was unnecessary because A Xiu, seeing him, immediately ran over excitedly, holding the baby in front of him and saying, "Look, this is your child. His name is Zhang Jian Ming, a name given by Dad."

The meeting between them was naturally touching, but prison regulations had to be followed. About fifteen minutes later, A Xiu was led out of the room.

He returned to his seat, and the guards re-secured his handcuffs. He wiped away a tear and said to Zhou Ming, "Boss Zhou, thank you very much. Seeing A Xiu and little Jian Ming today, I have no regrets in this life."

"But are you really without regrets?" Zhou Ming asked.

The question surprised him, but only briefly. He quickly responded, "I wanted to spend my life with A Xiu and my child, but I've made a grave mistake. I must take responsibility for it. No matter how the central government deals with me, I have no complaints."

Zhou Ming nodded, hearing the sincerity in his words. "I'm here today to represent the central government and announce its decision regarding you."

He was somewhat surprised. Why was Zhou Ming, an unrelated person, announcing the central government's decision? But he didn't think much of it and said, "Boss Zhou, go ahead. Whether it's dismissal from the military, imprisonment, or even execution, I can accept it."

"I believe you're a true man of integrity, and I believe you're someone who takes responsibility. But don't you think it's a pity for someone like you to end up like this? Don't you feel any unwillingness? Your child has just been born; he needs his father," Zhou Ming said.

His face showed a pained expression. He gritted his teeth and said, "I wouldn't say I'm unwilling, but I do feel regret. I wish I could hold my child more, but I've committed a grave mistake. What can be done?"

"Do you know why I'm the one announcing the central government's decision to you today?" Zhou Ming asked.

He looked at Zhou Ming, feeling a glimmer of hope. He had found Zhou Ming's initial presence strange but hadn't thought much of it, assuming Zhou Ming might be a descendant of a senior leader or someone working in the organization. However, now he wondered if the situation might not be as dire as he thought. Perhaps there was room for maneuver.

Testing the waters, he asked, "Boss Zhou, is the central government planning to pardon me?"

Zhou Ming shook his head and replied, "No, you've committed a crime, and the central government is not planning to pardon you. You are no longer on the list of the national military."

He sighed inwardly but accepted the answer. After all, no matter the reason, a mistake was a mistake. He had never sought to evade responsibility. The previous question was just a glimmer of hope sparked by seeing his family. But as he prepared to accept his fate, Zhou Ming's next words excited him once more.

"The central government's decision is that you will be given a chance to redeem yourself by protecting someone. Can you complete the task?" Zhou Ming asked.

He stared at Zhou Ming in surprise. "Protect whom? Where to?"

Zhou Ming smiled slightly, "Protect a guy named Zhou Ming. This guy, like you, has made mistakes—political errors, in fact. To set an example, the central government decided to exile him. But the situation abroad is complicated, and he's very scared. The central leaders, after careful consideration, decided to exile you as well to protect him, as a way of redeeming your crimes. If you complete the task well, the central leaders might reconsider your situation. What do you think?"

Zhou Ming's words were light-hearted, but to him, they were like a heavy bombshell.

If Zhou Ming's initial presence was a beacon of hope, his recent words opened a path to salvation.

He was stunned by Zhou Ming's statement. When he came back to his senses, Zhou Ming was still smiling, waiting for his response. He quickly said, "Okay, I accept this task and promise to complete it excellently. I won't let down the party and the central government's expectations!"

"Good, I'm a businessman and don't deal in lofty rhetoric. I'll just say we have a deal. From now on, you'll be my bodyguard," Zhou Ming said. "But to complete this task, you'll have to go abroad and won't be able to return for some time, so you won't see your family for a while."

"A while away is better than never seeing them again," he thought for a moment, then changed the subject and asked Zhou Ming, "But I'm a violent criminal who has committed crimes in the capital. Aren't you afraid of me?"

"Afraid, of course I am. I've already said that I'm a cowardly and scared person. But more than that, I trust my judgment. I'm confident you're not a bad person," Zhou Ming said.

Zhou Ming's trust touched him deeply. He immediately stood up and deeply bowed to Zhou Ming, saying, "Thank you very much!"