Chapter 367: A Favor
Whether they would truly reunite or the mother-son bond would ultimately remain severed, Yang Chen felt Lin Ruoxi's words were right. If he didn't go to see her, he might never get the chance again.
Yang Chen couldn't deny the internal struggle he felt. Therefore, he should face it head-on and do what needed to be done rather than pretending to be cold and indifferent, ignoring the Yang family.
However, according to Yang Gongming, Guo Xuehua had been confined by Yang Pojun, and the location was Yang Pojun's military district compound in Zhonghai. Regardless of Yang Pojun's reasons for stopping Guo Xuehua from seeing him, Yang Chen neither knew the place nor could he enter a highly secure military area without proper clearance.
Before setting out, Yang Chen had the Sea Eagle team help him find the address of Yang Pojun's compound. The coordinates were then uploaded to his car's navigation system via satellite.
After nearly an hour of driving, Yang Chen finally reached the location marked on the map.
It was a suburban area close to the southwestern hilly regions of Zhonghai. Aside from a few tall communication towers, the landscape was dotted with rolling hills.
It was winter, and the mountains were covered in yellowish vegetation, making the view quite expansive.
Yang Chen slowed his car and carefully looked around until he saw a residential area guarded by soldiers.
The entire area consisted of single-story houses with a slightly traditional design in grayish-blue tones, simple yet elegant.
Situated at the foot of the hill, the area looked somewhat desolate. Outside the tall walls were rows of military jeeps and some transport trucks.
Yang Chen parked his car in the lot outside the compound and got out. Looking at the complex, which appeared even larger up close, Yang Chen guessed it housed many military personnel, whether technical or armed forces. Otherwise, why build so many houses?
As he walked to the gate, he saw two stone lions flanking the large red gate. Behind two lush Japanese black pines stood two soldiers in thick military uniforms.
Seeing Yang Chen casually dressed and approaching the gate, the soldiers stepped forward, blocking his path without any change in expression.
"Stop. Who are you?" barked a square-faced soldier.
Yang Chen smiled. "I'm here to see your commander and visit someone."
"The commander isn't someone you can just see. If you want to enter, show your pass!" the soldier demanded sternly.
Yang Chen frowned. A pass? He didn't have one. No one had told him about needing a pass.
That old man really dropped the ball. He had told Yang Chen to come and visit but didn't leave him a pass. How was he supposed to get in? Climb over the wall?
Climbing over the wall would mean forcibly entering. Forcibly entering would lead to a confrontation with the soldiers inside. While Yang Chen wasn't afraid, there was no need to start a fight right away.
"No pass, no entry!" the soldier reiterated.
Yang Chen sighed, thought for a moment, and then reached into his pocket, pulling out a pack of cheap cigarettes he had left, barely two yuan. He reluctantly looked at it before offering it to the soldiers with a smile.
"Guys, can you do me a favor? These two cigarettes are for you."
The two soldiers exchanged glances, both silently questioning if this guy had a screw loose.
"Don't try to be friendly with us. We don't smoke, and you're not getting in!" The soldier said sternly, thinking to himself how anyone could try to bribe them with such cheap cigarettes.
Yang Chen quickly put the two cigarettes back in his pocket, scratching his head, thinking of what to say next. However, seeing the soldiers already impatiently reaching for their rifles, he realized he had better tread carefully.
"Are you done? If you keep causing trouble, we have the right to shoot you as a spy!" the square-faced soldier threatened.
Yang Chen felt frustrated, wondering if he really had to force his way in and knock these soldiers out. He couldn't just leave without accomplishing anything.
At that moment, two black Audi A6s flanked a black A8, slowly pulling up to the entrance of the compound.
Yang Chen turned around to see seven or eight men in bodyguard uniforms cautiously getting out of the A6s and surrounding the A8. A tall, young man emerged from the front passenger seat, opened the rear door, and a middle-aged man in a gray jacket stepped out.
Yang Chen was surprised to see that it was Premier Ning Guangyao and his son Ning Guodong, whom he had just met a few days ago.
Ning Guangyao, noticing Yang Chen, frowned slightly, as if trying to recall who he was. Then he smiled warmly and, flanked by his bodyguards, approached Yang Chen. "You're from Yu Lei International, aren't you?"
Yang Chen was surprised that Ning Guangyao remembered him. It seemed that the Premier was particularly interested in Yu Lei. Yang Chen vividly recalled the eager looks Ning Guangyao and his son had given Lin Ruoxi that day.
"Premier, you have a good memory," Yang Chen responded casually.
Ning Guodong, not having a clear impression of Yang Chen, quickly connected the dots when he heard he was from Yu Lei International. His mind immediately flashed to Lin Ruoxi's image, and he asked Yang Chen, "Did you come here alone? Is your President Lin here too?"
Yang Chen felt a twinge of annoyance but couldn't very well deal with it openly in front of everyone. He responded dismissively, "What does my being here have to do with our President Lin?"
"Then what are you doing here?" Ning Guodong realized his question was inappropriate. Even if Lin Ruoxi were here, she wouldn't be outside a military district compound.
Yang Chen sighed. "I'm trying to get in to see someone, but they won't let me in."
Ning Guangyao gave his son a complex look, sighed slightly, and then asked Yang Chen, "Who are you trying to see?"
"I'm here to see Commander Yang Pojun, or more specifically, his wife," Yang Chen replied.
Ning Guangyao was a bit surprised. "You know Commander Yang? Why do you want to see his wife?"
"It's a personal matter. Premier, maybe you could do me a favor and let them allow me in," Yang Chen said with a playful smile.
Ning Guodong felt uncomfortable with Yang Chen's casual demeanor in front of his father and himself. He sneered, "Why should we take someone as glib as you inside? Do you think you deserve to be here? You're just a—"
"Guodong!" Ning Guangyao immediately cut his son off, scolding, "Who taught you to speak so rudely?!"
Yang Chen's eyes had already started to turn cold. If Ning Guangyao hadn't intervened in time, Yang Chen felt he would have already slapped Ning Guodong, likely knocking out several of his teeth.
Ning Guodong also realized that he had overreacted. Normally, he wouldn't behave this way, but Yang Chen was different from others. Usually, even high-ranking officials, when speaking to him, would be respectful and deferential. This was not only because Ning Guangyao, the Premier, was his biological father but also because the Ning family was one of the most powerful families in Yanjing, with deep roots and unmatched influence.
Accustomed to being superior since childhood, Ning Guodong felt a strong sense of imbalance when faced with Yang Chen, who ignored his status.
After educating his son, Ning Guangyao gave Yang Chen an amused look and said, "You're quite an interesting young man. I'm in a good mood today, so I'll help you out. Let's see what you're here to do."
"Father—" Ning Guodong started to protest but fell silent when Ning Guangyao gave him a stern look. Frustrated, Ning Guodong glared at Yang Chen.
Yang Chen ignored Ning Guodong and cheerfully thanked Ning Guangyao, "Thank you, Premier."
At the gate, one of Ning Guangyao's bodyguards presented a pass, a document bearing the national emblem, to the two soldiers.
The soldiers had already recognized Premier Ning Guangyao but conducted their routine check before saluting and greeting, "Good day, Premier!"
Ning Guangyao smiled and returned their greeting, adding, "I know this young man. Let him in with us."
The soldiers, though feeling contempt for the seemingly arrogant Yang Chen, couldn't refuse Ning Guangyao's request and allowed them to pass.
Inside the compound, Yang Chen realized the place was a maze of winding paths. Without guidance, it would have taken him at least half an hour to find who he was looking for.
Following a soldier, Yang Chen walked with Ning Guangyao's group toward Yang Pojun's office. Along the way, Yang Chen asked, "Premier, are you here for an inspection as well?"
Ning Guangyao chuckled, "This is a private visit, not official business. I've been friends with Commander Yang and his wife for many years."
"You might see him, but seeing her is not guaranteed," Yang Chen muttered under his breath.
Ning Guangyao didn't catch what Yang Chen said and didn't pursue it further. At that moment, a tall, muscular man in a beige vest, with a face as stern as stone, emerged from a dark green wooden door to greet them—Commander Yang Pojun himself.