Zheng Qing gave him a look.
"You talk too much. When you were in the army, didn't your mom nag you every day?"
Lu Hai chuckled, not responding further.
They waited in the living room for a long time, but neither Grandpa nor Dad appeared.
Lu Mingyu quickly asked,
"Mom, where are Dad and Grandpa?"
Zheng Qing heard him and replied,
"Where else could they be? The usual place, the study."
"Your dad just flew back from the base this afternoon."
"As soon as he came in, he went straight into the study with your grandpa. I don't know what they're up to."
Lu Mingyu nodded, then stood up.
"I'll go take a look."
Zheng Qing instructed,
"Go ahead, but just say hello to them and come down to rest early. You look exhausted."
"Okay."
Lu Mingyu responded, then turned and walked towards the study on the second floor.
The Lu family's study was more like a small command center.
The wall-to-wall bookshelves were not filled with literary classics.
Instead, they held various military theories, war histories, and weapon manuals.
On another wall hung a huge world map.
It was covered with densely packed symbols marked in different colors.
At this moment, the main light in the study was off.
Only a large projection screen was lit, emitting a faint glow.
The light illuminated two figures sitting on the sofa.
One was tall and straight, sitting like a pine tree; it was Lu Mingyu's father, Lu Qi.
The other, though his hair was graying, still held his back straight.
He exuded an aura of quiet authority.
This was the pillar of the family, the retired Commander Lu Wei, who had served for many years.
Lu Mingyu walked to the door and gently knocked.
"Grandpa, Dad."
The two in the study turned their heads at the sound.
Seeing that it was Lu Mingyu, Lu Qi's serious face softened slightly.
Lu Wei, however, simply waved him over, a kind smile on his face.
"Mingyu is back. Come and sit."
Lu Mingyu walked in, his gaze immediately drawn to the image on the projection screen.
It seemed to be real-time footage taken from high altitude by a drone or satellite.
The screen showed rolling mountains and deserts, with a winding border clearly visible.
On both sides of the line, small military camps and moving personnel and vehicles could be seen.
The atmosphere appeared unusually tense.
He walked to the sofa and sat down, his eyes still fixed on the screen.
"Grandpa, is this the southern foothills of the Pamirs?"
Lu Wei nodded approvingly.
"Good eyesight."
"You can still recognize the terrain here at a glance."
Lu Qi spoke in a deep voice from the side, beginning to explain.
"There's been a situation on the border."
"Our geological exploration team, about thirty kilometers inside the border line,"
"discovered a super-large rich iron ore deposit."
Lu Qi's tone was somewhat grave.
"The reserves are astonishing. Initial estimates suggest it's enough for us to use for at least fifty years."
"Somehow, the news leaked."
"Now, the other side is refusing to recognize the original border demarcation."
Lu Mingyu's brows furrowed slightly.
"What do they want to do?"
"Publicly tear up the agreement?"
Lu Wei picked up the teacup beside him, took a sip, and said calmly,
"They don't have the guts for that."
"They're just constantly creating friction in the border area."
"Sending small groups of armed personnel to harass our exploration team."
"And they've unilaterally declared that half of that iron ore belt is on their territory."
"It's simply preposterous."
Lu Mingyu's eyes grew cold.
He knew better than anyone the dangers of these small-scale border maneuvers.
He was silent for a moment, then stated his judgment.
"A weak little country suddenly daring to challenge us must have someone backing them."
He looked up at his grandfather and father.
"Is it the beautiful country stirring things up behind the scenes?"
Lu Qi scoffed, clearly acknowledging it.
Lu Wei then spoke, his voice steady and forceful.
"Besides them, no one else is so fond of fanning flames around the world."
"This is their usual trick."
"Creating instability around us to tie up our energy and slow down our development."
Lu Mingyu understood.
The two core figures of the family, researching this as soon as they returned, indicated that the situation was already very serious.
He thought of his remote-controlled landmine project.
If it could be deployed along the border as soon as possible,
it would undoubtedly greatly deter those armed individuals who came to harass, reducing casualties on their side.
Just as he was about to bring up the matter again, Lu Wei seemed to read his mind.
The old man waved his hand, saying in an unshakeable tone,
"The higher-ups' intention is still to prioritize peace talks for now."
"To try and resolve the issue through diplomatic channels."
"We are in a critical period of development, and we must try to avoid escalating local friction."
"We cannot give certain countries an excuse to make a fuss and tarnish our image internationally."
Although Lu Mingyu had a different opinion in his heart,
he still nodded.
He knew that at the level of his grandfather and father, the issues they considered were more macroscopic and comprehensive.
Just then, the study door was pushed open a crack.
His mother Zheng Qing's voice came through,
"Dad, A-Qi, are you two done talking yet?"
"The food is getting cold, and Mingyu has been tired all day. Let him eat and rest early."
The serious expression on Lu Wei's face was instantly replaced by affection.
He stood up, smiling.
"Alright, coming."
He patted Lu Mingyu's shoulder.
"Come on, no matter how big the matter, you have to fill your stomach first."
"The family rules cannot be broken."
Lu Qi also stood up, and the group walked downstairs.
Lu Qi walked beside Lu Mingyu, as if he had remembered something.
He glanced at his son, whom he only saw a few times a year.
Then he looked at the old man walking ahead.
With a hint of annoyance and jest in his tone, he said to Lu Wei,
"Dad, you really are too partial."
"I'm here every day, drinking tea and playing chess with you."
"That bottle of good wine you've hidden for twenty years, you treasure it like nothing else."
"I've asked so many times, and you've never been willing to take it out."
"As soon as Mingyu comes back, you say you're going to take it out tonight to welcome him."
The meal was full of joy.
The atmosphere at the dinner table was completely different from the seriousness in the study.
Zheng Qing kept putting food on Lu Mingyu's plate.
She was afraid that her son, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, hadn't been eating or dressing well outside.
"Mingyu, eat more of this fish, it's good for your brain."
"And these ribs, Mom stewed them for several hours."
Lu Mingyu's bowl quickly piled up into a small mountain.
He didn't refuse.
He just quietly ate, responding to his mother's care with his actions.
Lu Wei watched this scene, a continuous smile on his face.
Then he took out that bottle of good wine he had hidden for twenty years.
The clear yellow liquid gently swirled in the glass, emitting a rich aroma.
Lu Wei personally filled a glass for Lu Mingyu.
He also poured for Lu Qi and his second son, Lu Hai.
Lu Hai looked at his older brother Lu Qi's slightly annoyed expression and couldn't help but tease him with a smile.
"Dad, you're really something. Brother and I have pestered you for so many years, and you wouldn't part with it."
"As soon as Mingyu comes back, out comes this prized possession."
"Our brothers are really basking in your grandson's glory!"