Chapter 138 Second-Class Merit Award for Couple! This is the honor you deserve!

A secret interrogation room in a certain unit of the State Security Bureau.

Under the glaring incandescent light, Lin Zixiong was handcuffed to the interrogation chair like a dead dog.

His once-proud demeanor and pretense vanished, leaving only resentment and madness in his eyes.

"Speak! Who is your superior? Who exactly is 'Sir'?"

The national security officer in charge of the interrogation demanded an answer in a stern voice.

Lin Zixiong just chuckled coldly and closed his eyes, looking like he would rather die than submit.

Outside the interrogation room, through a one-way glass window, Qin Lie and a dignified middle-aged man with a general's star on his shoulder watched everything silently.

This is Minister Li, the head of the national security department.

"Deputy Division Commander Qin, we really owe a lot to you and your wife this time."

Minister Li's face showed genuine admiration.

“We’ve been watching this line for a long time but haven’t found a breakthrough. We never expected that my sister-in-law would so easily dismantle it with a ‘family conflict’.”

"In this operation, we not only caught the big fish, Lin Zixiong, but also followed the clues to wipe out his liaison stations and intelligence agents in the capital! The harvest was enormous!"

Qin Lie looked at the arrogant enemy in the interrogation room with icy eyes.

"Minister Li's last words..."

“We heard it.” Minister Li’s expression also became serious. “Threatening military families, especially the families and children of meritorious servicemen, has crossed our bottom line.”

"Don't worry, I've already deployed my most elite personnel to protect your family 24/7. Furthermore, the investigation into that 'sir' and the Lu family will be immediately upgraded to the highest level!"

Qin Lie nodded, but his worries did not lessen.

Lin Zixiong's final threat was like a poisonous thorn deeply embedded in his heart.

...

The following day, an internal report on the "Yanjing Hotel counter-espionage case" was issued to the relevant departments.

Although the specific details were omitted in the report, Qin Lie and Jiang Wu's names appeared in the top credit!

The news, once it reached the military compound, instantly triggered a magnitude 12 public opinion earthquake!

The military wives who were lamenting the discord between the Qin couple just a few days ago, and even gossiping behind their backs, were all dumbfounded.

"What? The argument was all an act?"

"My goodness, Xiaowu is amazing! She actually went to be the bait?"

"I knew it! How could someone as good as Xiao Wu fall out with Deputy Division Commander Qin over money!"

"Stop talking! I was telling people just a couple of days ago that Xiao Wu is a gold digger. I want to crawl into a hole and disappear!"

The previous rumors were shattered in the face of irrefutable facts.

Those who had previously sympathized with, discussed, or even criticized Jiang Wu and Qin Lie now felt a burning shame on their faces, as if they wanted to disappear.

Jiang Wu's image in everyone's mind instantly rose from a "fallen gold digger" to an unprecedented, almost legendary height!

She is not only a heroic wife who saved her husband during the typhoon.

She is not only a genius designer who leads fashion trends.

She is also a heroine who dares to use herself as bait to outwit and outmaneuver vicious spies!

After learning the truth, Zhou Nianci hugged Jiang Wu and cried and laughed at the same time.

"You little rascal! You scared me to death! I really thought you were going to break up with Qin Lie!"

"Sister Zhou, I'm sorry, I can't tell you to keep it a secret." Jiang Wu patted her back apologetically.

"I understand, I understand! You did the right thing!" Zhou Nianci wiped away her tears, her face full of pride and joy. "Our Xiaowu is amazing!"

The Qin family was immersed in immense joy and pride.

Zhong Tinglan held Jiang Wu's hand, looking her up and down, her eyes red-rimmed.

"My good daughter-in-law! You've been wronged!"

Looking back on her "misunderstandings" and "worries" about her daughter-in-law a few days ago, she feels both sorry for her and amused.

Although Grandpa Qin Weijun didn't say anything, he took out a jar of specially supplied "Da Hong Pao" tea that he had treasured for many years and personally brewed a cup for Jiang Wu.

Even his two sons never enjoyed this kind of treatment.

A few days later, a small but solemn award ceremony was held in the military region's small auditorium.

The commander of the military region personally attended the meeting on the dais.

When the commander announced that, in recognition of Qin Lie and Jiang Wu's outstanding contributions to "Operation Sharp Sword," the couple was awarded a collective second-class merit with special approval from the Central Military Commission and the National Security Commission, thunderous applause erupted from the audience!

Qin Lie stood tall and straight as a pine tree, dressed in a crisp military uniform.

Jiang Wu, on the other hand, wore a well-tailored off-white dress of her own design, exuding a calm and elegant demeanor, and possessing unparalleled beauty.

The two walked side by side onto the stage and received the two red certificates of merit and the gleaming gold medals from the commander.

"Well done!"

The commander held Qin Lie's hand tightly and then turned to Jiang Wu, his eyes filled with praise and admiration.

"Sister-in-law, you make all the men in our military region feel ashamed! You are not only the pride of military families, but also a role model for all of us!"

"If anyone dares to say that our military families are just a burden, I'll slap them in the face with your story!"

Jiang Wu smiled and gave a slightly imperfect military salute, saying in a neither humble nor arrogant manner, "Reporting to the commander, protecting our country is everyone's responsibility."

A simple sentence once again won a round of applause.

The flashbulbs kept going off, capturing this historic moment.

The couple were both awarded the Second Class Merit Citation!

This is an unprecedented and unique honor in the entire history of the military region!

At the celebratory banquet after the ceremony, everyone surrounded Qin Lie and Jiang Wu, toasting them and offering their congratulations.

Jiang Wu undoubtedly became the most dazzling star of the entire event.

However, in a corner where no one was paying attention, Qin Lie pulled Jiang Wu aside, as if the noise and glory were shut out.

His face didn't show much joy; instead, it carried a hint of solemnity.

"Xiao Wu," he whispered, "Lin Zixiong mentioned that escaped evil cultivator during the interrogation."

Jiang Wu's heart sank.

"He said that the evil cultivator, codenamed 'Black Crow,' was 'Master's' most capable assassin. If this operation fails, 'Master' and the Lu family will definitely hold us accountable."

Qin Lie's voice carried a hint of barely suppressed murderous intent.

"His final threat was not unfounded."

"Our victory may have enraged a real, lurking beast."

The unparalleled glory they had just received was instantly overshadowed by a shadow.