"Yan Ge, free training later," Liu Zi whispered in his ear.
He had a premonition that someone would cause trouble for Qi Chengyan again.
Qi Chengyan hummed, his brows furrowed.
He knew what that meant.
Everyone formed a circle, leaving an open space in the middle.
The first person called out would step forward and choose anyone to challenge, to spar.
The exchanges were meant to be light and focused on learning, not winning or losing.
But this time, it was clearly aimed at Qi Chengyan.
Because the first person to step forward chose Qi Chengyan.
The fists were fierce, the steps pressing, every move aimed at his old leg injury.
Qi Chengyan didn't rush to counter. His leg had healed and was no longer a weakness.
His style was to understand the opponent's tactics and then strike decisively.
He never wasted effort.
He looked down at the person at his feet, his eyes like an eagle's, flashing with cold light.
"You are people I brought up."
Now they were turning against him.
The force of the blows was enough to break his leg again.
The person at his feet held their breath, but thought,
"They said Qi Chengyan was crippled, and now he's stepping on me. He doesn't look injured at all."
So he was faking it all along!
Qi Chengyan cast a cold glance at Zhang Fuqiang and returned to his seat.
Zhang Fuqiang's face darkened with anger. Qi Chengyan could truly endure!
His leg had clearly healed, yet he remained silent despite the taunts.
Zhang Fuqiang left in a huff, the subsequent results no longer needing observation.
It was practically self-inflicted humiliation!
Qi Chengyan became famous overnight, severely shutting up those who had mocked him.
Liu Zi's face lit up with excitement. He knew Yan Ge was the best!
When everyone dispersed, Qi Chengyan remained calm and collected, unfazed.
There was no trace of pride or smugness in him.
Just as he had shown his prowess in the military, someone cheerfully approached Qi Shengwen.
"Old Qi, you're not being honest, keeping this a secret for so long!"
Qi Shengwen looked at his old friend who had just entered, and was taken aback.
"What are you talking about?"
"When did Ah Yan's leg heal? Didn't the doctor say it wouldn't get better?"
Qi Shengwen frowned. "What?"
"You don't know yet? Your son's spirit is as strong as ever." He gave a thumbs-up.
Qi Shengwen's eyes narrowed, his fingers clenching into a fist under the table.
Was it what he thought?
Qi Chengyan's leg was a scar on his heart.
He knew he was wrong, but couldn't bring himself to admit it, because he had personally ruined Qi Chengyan's military career.
Originally, he had no hope for Qi Chengyan's return to the military.
But now...
"Old Yang, is this true?"
"Hey, why would I lie to you? I saw it with my own eyes, his leg is definitely fine!"
Qi Shengwen stood up abruptly and strode towards the door.
He wanted to see for himself.
After a few steps, he felt it wasn't appropriate.
With a wave of his hand, he ordered the person at the door, "Go and summon Qi Chengyan."
"Yes!"
Old Yang patted his shoulder and said earnestly, "Let the past be the past. Don't be stubborn with your son."
Qi Shengwen stiffened. It wasn't him and Qi Chengyan who were being stubborn.
He wiped his face and returned to his office.
A moment later, there was a knock on the door.
"Enter."
Qi Chengyan opened the door and walked in.
Head held high, standing perfectly straight.
Qi Shengwen sighed silently. "Sit down."
Qi Chengyan didn't move, still standing.
Qi Shengwen didn't press the issue and got straight to the point, asking, "Is your leg healed?"
"Report, Commander, it is healed."
Although he had prepared himself mentally, hearing these words still sent a tremor through Qi Shengwen, his hand trembling uncontrollably.
Healed! It had actually healed!
"No after-effects, completely healed? Did you get it checked at the military hospital again?"
Qi Chengyan: "Report, Commander, it is completely healed."
Qi Shengwen nodded, a heavy stone lifted from his heart.
"Good! I'll inform someone to reinstate you."
"No need," Qi Chengyan refused.
Qi Shengwen looked up at him, his eyes narrowing.
"Ah Yan, do you know how difficult it is to climb back to your previous position?"
Qi Chengyan remained silent. He knew better than anyone, having walked that path before.
While many acknowledged his abilities, his family background would always cast doubt on the reasons for his promotion.
Doing it all over again was not an issue.
Qi Shengwen felt a stifled frustration. He had always felt more helpless than anything towards this son.
He waved his hand, knowing that further words would be useless.
"You can go back."
Qi Chengyan saluted and walked out, head held high.
Because of his refusal, Qi Shengwen remained unsettled until he returned home.
Seeing his troubled expression, Song Qinglan asked, "Why do you look like that too? Who upset you?"
Qi Shengwen took off his coat and leaned back on the sofa, somewhat relaxed.
"Ah Yan's leg is healed."
Song Qinglan didn't grasp it immediately and was stunned for a moment.
"What did you say?"
Qi Shengwen repeated patiently, "Ah Yan's leg has completely healed."
Song Qinglan bit her finger in surprise, and when she felt the slight pain, it felt real.
"How do you know? Did he go to the hospital for a check-up? But back then, the doctor said..."
Qi Shengwen shook his head. "He said so himself. He didn't go to the hospital, so I'm not sure."
Song Qinglan murmured prayers of gratitude.
Thank goodness, thank goodness!
"Then can he be reinstated?" she quickly asked.
Qi Shengwen rubbed his temples. "He refused."
Refusal was indeed his character.
Song Qinglan bit her lip. He was still dwelling on what happened before.
"What is he doing? Doesn't he know how difficult it is to start from scratch? Why refuse! I knew he was blaming us, but if he hadn't done what he did, would we be like this? For the past two years, what have people outside been saying about our Qi family? Hasn't he heard it! Both sons are a handful, I'm so fed up!"
Qi Shengwen heard her last sentence and looked up.
"What happened with Zhou Qi?"
Song Qinglan snorted. "It's about Cheng You. He's been fired from the Agricultural Research Institute."
Qi Shengwen's expression turned cold. Ignoring the name "Cheng You," he only heard "fired."
"Out of the blue, why would the Agricultural Research Institute fire him? Did he do something excessive!"
Speaking of being a handful, Zhou Qi was by no means better than Qi Chengyan.
Song Qinglan deliberated for a moment and chose her words carefully.
"He just borrowed something from Cheng You, thinking they were family, and she wouldn't mind. Who knew Cheng You would directly report him to the police."
Qi Shengwen sneered. "Borrowed? Or stolen!"
Song Qinglan became anxious. "They're family, how can it be called stealing? Ah Qi only borrowed Cheng You's ginseng to help someone, not to steal! Why don't you talk to Cheng You and ask her to drop it, not to pursue it further."