Chapter 1872 I beg for mercy

Mr. Zheng was quite honest. After checking that there was no one around, he took off his clothes and put them aside before entering the hot spring. "Xiao Xiao, you really know how to enjoy life. This hot spring is really nice."

After hearing this, Xiao Peng said, "This is paid for!"

His bathroom was built along the site's natural hot springs, with a half-ceiling made of special glass, allowing for both a view of the scenery outside and shelter from the elements. The hot spring's location on high ground offers unobstructed views of the entire coastline, and crucially, excellent ventilation, effectively dissipating the hot spring's strong sulfur odor—technology truly transforms our lives.

Of course, this is based on having money.

Mr. Zheng sat next to Xiao Peng: "What? Are you surprised to see me?"

Xiao Peng nodded: "Of course it's strange, how many people are following you outside to protect your safety?"

Mr. Zheng smiled and said, "I'm just a retired old man. It's not as exaggerated as you say."

Xiao Peng shook his head to show that he didn't believe him: "Mr. Zheng, what do you want from me?"

Mr. Zheng looked at the wine glass on the tray floating in front of Xiao Peng and said, "You won't pour me a glass of wine?"

Xiao Peng said lazily: "I'm too lazy to move. If you don't mind, use my cup?"

Mr. Zheng hummed, took Xiao Peng's cup, poured himself a glass of wine, and was taken aback: "Yellow wine?"

Xiao Peng smiled and said, "Yes, it's still cheap. But it tastes very good when heated in my hot spring. Mr. Zheng, you came all the way here just to drink with me, right?"

Mr. Zheng shook his head and said, "Xiao Xiao, why are you so anxious? If there's anything to be anxious about, shouldn't I be the one to be anxious about it?"

Xiao Peng said: "I really didn't expect to see you here."

But Mr. Zheng said, "I didn't expect your grandfather wasn't here."

Xiao Peng shook his head and said, "I don't even know where my grandfather is."

"Ah?" Mr. Zheng was stunned.

Xiao Peng said calmly, "It's not surprising that my 'step-grandmother' didn't come with my grandfather this time. After all, we can't separate the mother and daughter if they stay in China, right? But this incident also made my grandfather very depressed. He didn't really want to come out, but after learning the whole story, he felt that he was holding me back and even wrote a suicide note. If it weren't for Brother Chen's careful consideration, I might have been separated from my grandfather by now."

"Is there such a thing?" Mr. Zheng was shocked after hearing this.

Xiao Peng said, "Mr. Zheng, don't pretend you know nothing. Just because I'm in Russia doesn't mean I don't have sources. I heard my grandfather's departure from China was directly exposed? And it became evidence of my 'treason'? Mr. Zheng, your family is indeed capable. Although I know the media is a powerful tool, your family still opened my eyes."

Mr. Zheng looked a little embarrassed, then said, "Didn't you pay attention to the subsequent news?"

Xiao Peng shook his head and said, "Why should I watch it? Now that I've been labeled a 'traitor', why should I watch it? I'm just asking for trouble."

Mr. Zheng shook his head and said, "You should read the news later. There are major personnel changes in the country now."

"Oh?" Xiao Peng asked curiously, "Are you back in power? At your age, I'm not sure you can handle such heavy workload. Just be quiet. If you come to me now, I'm afraid you won't be able to return. Then I'll become a national sinner."

Old Master Zheng seemed oblivious to Xiao Peng's sarcasm as he continued, "Everyone in the Zheng family has withdrawn from both the military and political circles. Didn't you ask me if I could sacrifice my own family for the greater good? My eldest grandson and his wife are both in prison now. You've met his wife. As for Ou Hongcai, I'm afraid they'll never be released. As for the crew I assigned to you last time, you know without me telling you that they have someone behind the scenes. Now... their futures are bleak. The worst offenders who orchestrated this incident have been internally disciplined."

"Hmm?" Xiao Peng looked at Mr. Zheng after hearing this.

Mr. Zheng laughed and said, "Why do you look at me like that? Didn't you ask me if I would sacrifice my relatives for the sake of justice? This time I've given you the answer. Our country has never been just mine. It belongs to our 1.5 billion compatriots. If you do something wrong, you must bear the consequences."

After hearing this, Xiao Peng looked at Mr. Zheng without blinking.

"Don't doubt whether this is true or not. I'm too old to lie to you." Mr. Zheng said, "Where are the cigarettes? Haven't you heard that tobacco and alcohol go hand in hand?"

He said and pointed to the tray in front of Xiao Peng.

"Don't smoke at your age!" Xiao Peng did not hand the cigarette to Mr. Zheng.

Mr. Zheng wiped his hands, reached out for a cigarette, lit one and took a puff: "I haven't smoked in about twenty years."

Xiao Peng asked in confusion: "Why?"

Old Master Zheng smiled bitterly and said, "If I said it was for 'faith', would you believe me? I just want to see our country at the top of the world. I've taught my children since they were young to put the country first. I also believe that I have done my best for the country, and I believe that I have been strict enough in my supervision of my children. They have never done anything to disappoint me. But I didn't expect that in the end, my family would still be in trouble. Although I am not a great man, I still have the determination to cut off my own arm. If there is a problem at home, I will cut it off at the root!"

Xiao Peng gave a thumbs-up. "That's ruthless! 'Belief' isn't something you say, it's something you do. But I really don't think you're doing the right thing. After all, I understand your family's approach. Who doesn't want to be in control of everything? Just like my salvage company, I have to control everything. I can't accept anyone telling me what to do. From the perspective of the country, there's nothing wrong with what your family does. If I were a national leader, I might do the same, or even go even further."

"Hmm?" Old Master Zheng didn't expect Xiao Peng to answer like this. After hearing it, he looked at him with a surprised expression.

Xiao Peng also lit a cigarette and took a puff. "Of course, touching my property is definitely wrong. 'Private property must not be violated' can't just be a slogan. If the law can be trampled upon at will, then it has no reason to exist. But if you implicate other family members because of what your grandson and his wife did, that's a bit too much. 'Don't wrongly accuse a good person, and don't let a bad person go,' isn't it?"

Mr. Zheng suspected that he had heard it wrong and looked at Xiao Peng in disbelief.

Xiao Peng smiled and said, "Mr. Zheng, you heard me right. This is indeed my true thoughts. Although I have always lived outside, there is one thing that will never change - my patriotism. Look, I am also a person of faith. Let me plead for mercy. Whoever is at fault is at fault. Don't rubbish everyone with the same brush."

Mr. Zheng stared at Xiao Peng with wide eyes and looked him up and down repeatedly: "Can you tell me what you are thinking?"