Chapter 20: Chapter 19 Elder Nie’s Rage_l
Translator: 549690339
“Anna!” Yang Shengli was feeling a mix of embarrassment and anger at this moment. After roaring, he looked at Yang Anna as if he just remembered that this wasn’t one of his sons but his daughter. He then reverted to a calmer tone and said, “Anna, you’re still a child. What do you know about marriage? I will thank Brother Zhenbang on behalf of you for saving your life. Your task is to study.”
Yang Anna ignored these words. As the only daughter and granddaughter of the Yang family, she was far braver than Yang Anbang and others. Looking at Yang Shengli, she said, “Father, doesn’t the book say, ‘I am so grateful to the hero who saved my life, and as a young lady I have nothing to offer in return other than myself.’ Brother Zhenbang saved my life, I insist on marrying him.”
At this moment, Nie Zhenbang was somewhat overwhelmed. He hadn’t seen this historical event coming. In his previous life, he hadn’t visited the Yang family. By June of the following year, Yang Shengli had brought Yang Anna to his house to express gratitude. At that time, Yang Anna also said the same words. However, in his previous life, Nie Zhenbang was just a crippled illegitimate son. Even though Yang Shengli didn’t say anything at the time, he had sent Yang Anna abroad afterward. The Nie family felt that the Yang family was looking down upon them, and the relationship had soured. Unexpectedly, the same thing happened when he visited the Yang family himself this time.
At this moment, Nie Zhenbang naturally kept silent. Any words he said would be deemed a mistake. Agreeing to the proposal, he would be seen as taking advantage and potentially accused of cheating a child. Disagreeing, the Yang family would perceive him, an illegitimate son, as arrogant for rejecting their cherished pearl.
“Nana, go back immediately. This isn’t the place for you to speak.” At this moment, Yang Shengli became angry. All his fondness for her aside, this was a significant issue, and he naturally had to make the stance of the Yang family clear.
Perhaps Yang Anna had never seen her father or her family act like this towards her. She felt extremely aggrieved. Tears brimmed in her eyes. Looking at Yang Shengli, Yang Anna said tearfully, “Father, I hate you!”
Nie Zhenbang stood up at this moment: “Mr. Yang, don’t be angry. Anna is still young and doesn’t understand what love is. When she grows up, she will understand. I will take my leave now.”
At this moment, everyone assumed this was just a child’s joke. But only Nie Zhenbang knew Yang Anna was serious. In his previous life, Yang Anna had always silently waited for him, staying single even till he committed suicide.
This was proof enough. Nie Zhenbang really wanted to make a promise to Yang Anna at this moment. But it clearly wasn’t the right time.
After leaving the Yang family, Nie Zhenbang went straight home. As he walked into the house, the atmosphere felt unusually heavy. The nannies, health workers, and security guards who had been working in the yard all stopped.
“Do you remember coming home? Do you remember you’re a member of the Nie family? You’ve overstepped your bounds. Who taught you to make decisions on such major matters on your own? Unruly child!” Old Master Nie was seated in the middle of the sofa, his face ashen and looking at Nie Zhenbang with angry eyes.
Next to him, his eldest brother Nie Guodong, his father Nie Guowei, and Nie Jialei were all seated on the sofa, looking solemn. Old Master Nie’s authority in the Nie Family was indisputable. Even his eldest brother, who was about to take up the position in the Yuezhou Military Region and become a major general, was also very respectful in front of Old Master Nie.
There are no secrets in Jingcheng; every family has numerous informants. The moment Nie Zhenbang went alone to the Yang family, those with the right connections knew. Given the circumstances, it had not gone unnoticed that a conservative stalwart element of the Nie family had visited the die-hard reformist Yang family. News traveled quickly to Old Master Nie. Many conservative bigwigs questioned him.
The previous article had already put the Nies on the defensive. The legitimate grandson’s article firstly, followed by the third grandson’s visit to the Yang family. Within the conservative group, Elder Nie was already experiencing an isolating trend. Although this third grandson was an illegitimate child and had a low status, the problem lay here. Outsiders saw that a child raised in the ordinary world, without the consent of the Nie family or Elder Nie, wouldn’t dare to make decisions on his own.
Nie Zhenbang’s brain was whirling at a high speed at the moment. The year was drawing to a close. At the beginning of the next year, the conflict between the two factions would reach a conclusion. The reformists are at a disadvantage, while the conservatives are gaining momentum. In his previous existence, the Nie family did not benefit much from this strife. Instead, they were met with harsh retaliation after Xuri comrades took office. Because of fears about the power of the Nie family in the military, the leaders took decisive action. From then on, the Nie family went downhill. Now, the Nie Guodong brothers have been exiled to Yuedong, marking a shift. Regardless of the outcome, the Nie family will not suffer as terrible a loss as before. But that is not enough. What he needed was for the Nie family to emerge as victors, not losers.
Nie Zhenbang looked at his grandfather, fully aware of his temper. At this moment, if he could just endure and let things pass, he would be out of his grandfather’s line of fire. But Nie Zhenbang was not prepared to keep his peace. A problem can’t be resolved overnight. There was only one outcome to admitting his mistake—house arrest— and that would hamper all his plans. With this in mind, Nie Zhenbang glanced at the figures in the back of the living room, made a resolute decision and thought, this was a time to gamble.
“Grandfather, according to the family motto of the Nie family, we should return a small favor with a large one. The Yang family has done something significant for me. I do not see any problem with me going over to the Yang family to thank them.”
Before Nie Zhenbang’s voice even died down, even Nie Guodong’s expression froze in surprise. The audacity of this young man! He dared make such a claim public. By saying that the Yang family had a significant meaning to him, wasn’t that admitting that the Yang family helped him regain his status in the Nie family?
From an ordinary civilian, to becoming a member of wealthy family. This was indeed a huge favor. It was understandable. However, no one would outrightly speak about it. In the eyes of Elder Nie, a member of the revolutionary proletariat, they were all public servants, with no special privileges over the common people.
“Father, I was involved in Zhenbang’s decision to visit the Yang family.” At this moment, Nie Guowei also spoke up.
“Shut up! You useless thing!” Elder Nie, his face growing even darker, roared furiously at Nie Guowei.
Nie Zhenbang then spoke: “Father, enough. I do not think that I have made a mistake. Nor do I think there is anything wrong with reform.”
As he said this, Nie Zhenbang took a deep breath, “Grandfather, although I, Nie Zhenbang, come from a humble background, I have not received any favors or privileges from the Nie family. Throughout my sixteen-year life, I have been an ordinary citizen with no knowledge of privilege or matters of state.”
Nie Zhenbang’s words were calm, causing Elder Nie to cool down and look at him coldly. This reaction pleased Nie Zhenbang, who continued, “Before I was acknowledged, I was an orphan without a father, with my mother dead. That’s all. But then, I was admitted to Jingcheng University. Although my future can’t be said to be bright, at least my livelihood was assured. But now, I am labelled as an illegitimate child, against my will. That’s the reality. I have to accept it. Should I blame my father? No. Without him, I wouldn’t be in this world. Being resentful isn’t my style.”
“Grandfather, you are high above us all, one of the national leaders. But do you understand the needs of the people?” Nie Zhenbang paused before continuing, “During the Anti-Japanese War and the Liberation War, a generation of great men built the New China with the support of peasants and the entire nation. This was the will of the people. He who wins the favor of the people, wins the world. The past decade of the Great Revolution has led us here. Several years ago, in Small Gang Village, household contract was introduced for the first time. Since then, farmers across the country have been stimulated to produce more. I don’t know about other places, but in Tang City, the farmers are focusing all their attention on their land. Before the household contract was introduced, no one had enough to eat when the communes were in place. But now, every family has surplus grain and can afford chicken, duck and fish for New Year’s Eve meal. This is change. The reform and opening up is not just an exchange between the upper echelons of society. It represents the hopes and dreams of the entire nation. It is the will of the people. Anyone blocking this will be abandoned.”
As his words died away, there was a long silence in the living room. Elder Nie lay on the couch, looking at Nie Zhenbang for a long time before standing up. He uttered a cold huff and said, “Arrogant! Nie Guowei, manage your own son. I can no longer deal with him..”
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