A middle-aged Secretary, wearing glasses and looking very capable, walked in quickly.
"Commander, you were looking for me?"
"Go, to the cabinet in my study, and get that bottle of special supply Maotai my old buddy gave me."
Lu Wei waved his big hand, full of vigor.
Secretary Zhang was startled, and said with some hesitation:
"Commander, that wine... wasn't it supposed to be saved for the most crucial moment?"
What he wanted to say more was that the doctor's instructions were for the Commander to drink less alcohol, especially strong liquor.
"Now is the most crucial moment!" Lu Wei's eyes widened.
"My eldest grandson is back and wants to drink with me. Is this not crucial enough?"
Secretary Zhang immediately understood, and a smile appeared on his face.
"Yes, I'll go get it right away."
Watching Secretary Zhang turn to get the wine, Lu Wei called out to him again.
"Wait."
"Does the Commander have any other instructions?"
"Call those two rascals, Lu Qi and Lu Hai."
Lu Wei's tone instantly became serious.
"Tell them, they all better get their butts back here for dinner tonight."
"Anyone who doesn't come back can explain it to the Military Law Department themselves!"
Secretary Zhang secretly clicked his tongue in wonder.
Lu Qi, the Captain of a main fleet in the Eastern Theater Command, a division-level cadre.
Lu Hai, the head of an important department in the General Armaments Department, also holding a high position.
These two big figures, who could cause a stir by just stomping their feet outside.
But in the Commander's mouth, they became "rascals."
And there was only one person who could make the Commander go to such great lengths, urgently recalling both his sons from all corners of the country.
That was the Commander's most beloved eldest grandson, Lu Mingyu.
Secretary Zhang was filled with emotion.
Everyone said that this young Grandson was the most favored in the Lu family, and now it truly seemed to be true to its reputation.
With just a word from him that he wanted to come home for dinner, the Commander not only took out his most treasured wine.
He also directly ordered that the entire Lu family had to "set a banquet" for him.
This kind of favor was unique in the entire compound.
"Yes, Commander, I'll go do it immediately," Secretary Zhang replied respectfully.
Then he turned and left quickly.
He first dialed Lu Hai's number. Although Lu Hai complained a few times after receiving the order.
He still readily agreed to rush back immediately.
Next, he dialed the confidential line of the Eastern Theater Command Naval Base.
The phone rang for a long time before it was picked up.
A noisy sound of sea wind came through the receiver.
As well as a slightly impatient male voice.
"This is Lu Qi, who is this?"
"Captain Lu, hello, I'm Secretary Zhang, the Commander's secretary," Secretary Zhang said politely.
"Oh, Secretary Zhang. What's up with the old man?" Lu Qi's tone softened a little.
"The Commander asked me to inform you that Young Master Mingyu is returning to the capital today."
"The Commander wants you to make sure to come home for dinner tonight."
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the line.
Then, Lu Qi's somewhat exasperated voice came through.
"It's that kid again?"
"He's just a special forces captain, a tiny official, but he puts on a bigger show than Lu Hai and I combined."
"He comes back once, and I have to rush back from the base?"
His words carried a hint of a soldier's unique complaint and defiance.
But Secretary Zhang could hear that behind the complaint.
There was an undisguised pride and a hint of envy.
"The Commander's exact words were, 'Anyone who doesn't come back can explain it to the Military Law Department.'"
Secretary Zhang had no choice but to repeat the Commander's order.
"Alright, alright, I get it," Lu Qi said helplessly.
"Tell the old man I'll take the fastest military flight back after I finish what I'm doing."
Hanging up the phone, Secretary Zhang shook his head.
He became even more curious about Lu Mingyu, this legendary figure.
As dusk fell, Lu Mingyu's off-road vehicle finally drove into the familiar compound.
The car stopped steadily in front of the main building. As soon as he got out, he saw a middle-aged man dressed in casual clothes.
But his figure was still tall and straight, leaning against a pillar by the entrance.
The man saw Lu Mingyu and a playful smile appeared on his face.
"Oh, isn't this our Lu family's most important big shot returning?"
The person who came was Lu Mingyu's second uncle, Lu Hai.
"With one order from you, I had to run back in the middle of a meeting here."
"Your father even has to fly back from thousands of miles away to welcome you."
Lu Hai walked forward, patted Lu Mingyu's shoulder, his tone full of teasing.
Lu Mingyu ignored his joke, just looking at him calmly.
"Second Uncle, I have something important to say."
The smile on Lu Hai's face receded a little. He observed Lu Mingyu's serious expression and nodded.
"I know you have something important. When do you ever come back without something important?"
"However, no matter how big the matter, we have to eat first."
"Let's go, your mother has been missing you for a long time, and the food has been reheated almost eight times."
Lu Mingyu followed Lu Hai into the living room.
Under the warm light, his mother, Zheng Qing, was sitting on the sofa.
Seeing him enter, she immediately stood up, her face full of maternal love.
After some warm greetings, Lu Mingyu sat on the sofa.
He glanced at the clock on the wall and felt he couldn't wait any longer.
He was about to speak, wanting to give his family a heads-up first.
"About that remote-controlled landmine thing..."
His words had just begun when Lu Hai interrupted him.
"Alright, don't say anything," Lu Hai picked up his teacup and blew on the hot steam.
He said slowly, "Isn't it that new gadget you guys are working on?"
"The test data is good, and the safety and stability have met expectations."
"But the subsequent approval process is very long, and you want to take a shortcut."
Lu Mingyu's pupils suddenly contracted.
He looked at his second uncle, Lu Hai, and waves stirred in his heart.
He had just returned from the testing ground.
Yet his family already knew the whole story clearly.
A sense of powerlessness surged in Lu Mingyu's heart, then turned into a bitter smile.
He sighed, realizing that he really couldn't hide anything from this family.
This family, composed of the most top-tier military personnel.
Their information network and influence far exceeded his imagination.
Lu Hai put down his teacup and looked at him.
"The old man's rule, no talking about work at dinner, did you forget?"
Lu Mingyu nodded, indicating he understood.
Since the family already knew, things would be easier to handle, and there was indeed no rush at this moment.
After he agreed, he no longer paid attention to Lu Hai.
He simply picked up the tea in front of him and drank it, reverting to his usual taciturn demeanor.
Lu Hai looked at his unyielding appearance, feeling both annoyed and amused.
He turned to Zheng Qing, who had just come out of the kitchen, and said.
"Look at his bad temper, it hasn't changed a bit over all these years."
"If the old man hadn't protected him since he was little, I would have beaten him long ago, wouldn't I?"
Zheng Qing looked at her son's face, which had become even more resolute from the wind and sand, and her heart ached repeatedly.
"Look at you, you're darker and thinner again."
"You don't know how to eat well outside. Every time you come back, it's like you've shed a layer of skin."
Zheng Qing's eyes were a little red, and her voice was somewhat choked.
Lu Mingyu looked up at his mother's worried eyes.
He wanted to say something comforting.
But the words, when they reached his lips, turned into that unchanging response.
"Mom, I'm fine, I'm strong."
Lu Hai watched from the side, amused. He poured himself a glass of water and said to Zheng Qing.
"Sister-in-law, don't worry."
"Our boy is made of iron."
"It would be strange if he didn't lose weight after being exposed to the elements on the training ground for several months."
"Besides, he's doing something important for the country. What's a little hardship?"