Special forces soldier demobilization: Starting from the county government compound, a meteoric rise

The highest-ranking official produced in the history of Sishui Town, that remote little place, was only a deputy town mayor.

But in the past two days, the whole town has been in an uproar.

Every teahouse, mahjong parlor, and even the roadside breakfast stalls were talking about the same thing.

"Have you heard? That kid from the Liu family who's been missing for years, named Liu Ming, has become a high-ranking official in the capital!"

"What high-ranking official? My nephew, who works as a security guard in the provincial capital, told me that's a 'vice minister'! Someone who can appear on TV and ride in a Hongqi car!"

"Tsk tsk, the Liu family is really blessed this time. But I remember, when Liu Jianguo got into trouble, didn't his brothers not even let this mother and son into the door?"

Rumors spread like wildfire, reaching the brick courtyard in Sishui Town.

Liu Ming's uncle, Liu Jianye, was wearing a brand-new suit, but he couldn't hide his nouveau riche air. He was stuffing a thick stack of shopping cards into his briefcase while practicing his smile in front of the mirror.

"Honey, look at my tie, is it crooked?" Liu Jianye sounded a little flustered, but his voice was filled with barely concealed excitement. "When I see Liu Ming later, what should I say first? Should I call him 'Minister Liu' or 'Mingwa'?"

Aunt was sorting through a box of high-quality old ginseng when she heard this and curled her lip: "What do you mean, 'minister'? You're his uncle! Even if the bones are broken, the tendons are still connected. How could he not acknowledge you as his uncle? Besides, whether our Qiangqiang can get into the National Development and Reform Commission in Beijing this time depends entirely on what his older brother says."

Liu Qiang, Liu Ming's cousin, was squatting on the sofa smoking nearby, looking impatient.

After graduating from junior high school, he's been hanging around the streets, running rampant in town because his family has some money. He was recently detained for a few days for fighting and is now worried about having nowhere to go.

"Dad, are you sure that kid will listen?" Liu Qiang exhaled a smoke ring and asked with a sidelong glance, "I remember back then, when Aunt knelt at our door to borrow money for Uncle's medical treatment, you personally closed the door."

Liu Jianye's old face stiffened slightly, then a flash of anger and embarrassment crossed his face.

"You don't know anything!" he muttered under his breath. "Back then, the family was truly broke! Besides, reputation matters in officialdom. Liu Ming is a national idol now. If he gets labeled as 'disloyal, unfilial, and estranged from relatives,' does he still want to be an official?"

At the same time, Liu Ming's second uncle, Liu Jianjun, also brought his whole family, carrying large and small boxes of local specialties, and even two live roosters, and arrived in the capital after a long journey.

……

At the entrance of Liu Ming's unassuming courtyard house in Beijing.

In the early morning, the alley was usually quiet except for a few birds chirping.

But today, the entrance is like a bustling market.

The two brothers, Liu Jianye and Liu Jianjun, bumped into each other at the door. They glared at each other, their scheming thoughts echoing throughout the entire capital.

"Hey, second brother, you're here early." Liu Jianye greeted him with a forced smile, his gaze sweeping over the two roosters flapping their wings. "What, planning to send these two rotten chickens to the vice minister?"

Liu Jianjun, not to be outdone, puffed out his belly: "Brother, these two are from the hills behind our hometown, purebred. Mingwazi loved the chicken soup I made when he was little. But you, carrying all those fancy cards, aren't you afraid the disciplinary committee will be watching you?"

"What do you know? This is called sincerity!"

The two were arguing, while the lacquered red gate of the courtyard house remained tightly shut, exuding an aura of authority that kept people at a distance.

Liu Qiang squatted next to the stone lion, idly scrolling through his phone, looking at the photo of Liu Ming on the trending topics, which was blurred but still exuded a heroic aura.

"Damn, this kid's got a good life." He cursed inwardly, but couldn't help but fantasize that once he got into the National Development and Reform Commission, would those rich young masters in Beijing have to call him "Brother Qiang"?

Liu Jianye straightened his clothes, stepped forward, and patted the copper ring forcefully.

"Mingwa! Is Mingwa here? It's your uncle! I've brought your second uncle to see you!"

His voice was loud and carried far in the deep alley, attracting the attention of several passersby.

The courtyard was quiet, without any response.

Liu Jianye looked a little embarrassed, clapped several more times, and raised his voice a few decibels.

"Mingwa, stop working! Your family has come to see you! Your second uncle even brought your favorite free-range chicken, it's still warm!"

Just then, an older woman wearing a red armband walked over and looked at the group of people suspiciously.

"Who are you looking for? The owner of this house is away on a business trip. Don't make a scene here."

Liu Jianye puffed out his chest, pointing proudly at the door: "Auntie, do you know who lives in this house? That's Director Liu from the National Development and Reform Commission! He's my own nephew! Do I, as his uncle, have to report to you when I come to visit my nephew?"

The woman paused for a moment, then pursed her lips and said nothing more, but there was a hint of amusement in her eyes.

Half an hour passed.

An hour has passed.

The group of people, who were all smiles at the beginning, gradually became a little anxious.

The late autumn in Beijing was still quite chilly, and the two roosters that Liu Jianjun brought were so cold that they stopped crowing and huddled together.

"Brother, is this kid deliberately avoiding us?" Liu Jianjun rubbed his nose, which was red from the cold, and complained in a low voice.

"Shut up!" Liu Jianye glared at him, though he wasn't entirely confident himself. "He's a vice minister, he's definitely busy. Let's just wait here. Sincerity can move mountains, surely he'll see us?"

Just then, a black Audi A6 slowly drove into the alley.

The car stopped at the entrance of the courtyard house. Tank jumped out of the driver's seat first and gave the group a cold look.

Liu Jianye's eyes lit up, and he quickly stepped forward, bowing and scraping as he offered a cigarette.

"Young man, you must be Mingwa's secretary? I'm his uncle, Liu Jianye! Look, we've come all the way from our hometown..."

Tank didn't even look at him, and simply turned sideways and opened the back door.

Liu Ming stepped out of the car.

Today he wore a very simple black overcoat, which made his figure appear even more upright. In his deep, pool-like eyes, there was not a trace of joy at the reunion, only a chilling indifference.

He stood there like an insurmountable Great Wall.

The once noisy crowd fell into a deathly silence the moment Liu Ming stepped off the bus.

Liu Jianye's hand, which was offering the cigarette, froze in mid-air.

He suddenly realized that the nephew in front of him was no longer the frail boy he had pushed down the steps in the rainy night, crying and begging him to lend him some money for medical expenses.

This is a powerful figure who holds the fate of countless people in his hands.

"Ming... Mingwazi?" Liu Jianye swallowed hard, his face once again plastered with that extremely obsequious smile, even somewhat servile.

Liu Ming didn't speak, she just looked at him quietly.

That look in his eyes was like looking at a complete stranger, or like looking at a ridiculous clown.

"Mingwa, I'm your second uncle!" Liu Jianjun also came over, pointing to the cage on the ground, "Look, these two chickens, I specially..."

Liu Ming finally made a move.

He ignored the noise and walked straight to the front door.

Tank took out a key from his pocket and silently opened the gate.

Just as Liu Ming was about to step through the door, Liu Jianye suddenly became anxious and reached out to grab Liu Ming's clothes.

"Mingwa, now that you're a high-ranking official, you can't forget your relatives! Your aunt has been talking about you every day for years. By the way, your younger brother Qiangqiang, he graduated from university (actually, he's a hoodlum and doesn't have a job), do you think he could..."

Liu Ming stopped and slowly turned around.

That icy gaze made Liu Jianye abruptly withdraw his hand, his whole body turning ice-cold as if he were being stared at by a venomous snake.

Looking at this group of so-called "relatives," Liu Ming curled up a mocking sneer.

"Who did you just say was your nephew?"