While the three siblings were making their own guesses, Lin Zhen pointed to Lin Mucheng and introduced him to Ning Zhiheng: "This is Mucheng."
Then he gestured and introduced, "Ning Zhiheng! He's the director of the Second Operations Division of the Military Intelligence Bureau, and also a close friend of mine despite the age difference. You're alumni, so you should get to know each other better in the future."
Lin Zhen's words immediately startled Lin Mucheng. He had not expected that the close friend his father had mentioned would be a high-ranking official in the Military Intelligence Bureau. This was completely unexpected.
He knew his father very well. As a rigid and conservative veteran soldier, his father had never had any good feelings towards those intelligence agents. In fact, he despised and was wary of them. He had expressed this attitude to him many times in private. But today, his father treated Ning Zhiheng like one of his own, without any pretense or pretense. What had happened?
Lin Shulan was even more surprised. Although she had never met Ning Zhiheng, she knew a lot about him from Wei Liangbi. Ning Zhiheng was Wei Liangbi's junior fellow apprentice, and the two had a very close relationship. They supported each other and advanced together in the Military Intelligence Bureau, like brothers. She never expected him to suddenly come to her door today, and her parents treated him so kindly and naturally. She couldn't help but widen her eyes and look at Ning Zhiheng, wondering why they were treated so differently when they were both spies.
Ning Zhiheng spoke first, smiling as he said to Lin Mucheng, "Senior, you're from Class 2 of the 7th term, and I'm from Class 3 of the 11th term. I've wanted to get to know you for a long time, but I haven't had the chance. Today is a rare opportunity!"
Ning Zhiheng adopted a very humble attitude, acting entirely as a junior to Lin Mucheng in his attempt to curry favor, so Lin Mucheng naturally dared not be negligent.
The reason is simple: Ning Zhiheng's position is far above his. Although both are colonels, Lin Mucheng, a colonel and brigade commander, only commands a little over five thousand men.
However, Ning Zhiheng, as a colonel and section chief, was responsible for the comprehensive supervision of the military discipline and regulations of the National Army. At critical moments, he could exercise the supervisory and law enforcement powers over various combat units, making him a person of great power and influence. Not to mention now, even if Lin Mucheng were to become a general, he would still be subject to Ning Zhiheng's control. Lin Mucheng was very clear about this. From this perspective, Ning Zhiheng could also be considered Lin Mucheng's superior.
Lin Mucheng knew, of course, that Ning Zhiheng's attitude was only because of his father, Lin Zhen. Otherwise, given the vast difference in their positions, Ning Zhiheng would never have been so eager to curry favor.
"Director Ning, you're too kind. I've heard that you're a promising young man and have long wanted to pay you a visit. I never expected to meet you at your home today. It's a pleasure to meet you!"
The two shook hands briefly, and Lin Mucheng was quite enthusiastic.
He was neither a greenhorn nor a spoiled brat who simply relied on his family background.
He was assigned to the military early on, serving as a platoon leader, company commander, regimental staff officer, divisional staff officer, and even a confidential secretary. Eventually, he became a military commander. Over the years, he has come into contact with countless people and events, which has smoothed out his rough edges and made him a very experienced and worldly person.
Although he harbored strong resentment towards Ning Zhiheng, he maintained a kind and friendly demeanor, as if they were kindred spirits who had met too late.
Ning Zhiheng nodded to himself. This Lin Mucheng was no ordinary person after all. If he didn't know his background, he might have actually believed it.
Lin Zhen laughed and waved his hand, saying, "What do you mean by 'section chief'? Zhiheng is not an outsider. We're just talking about personal relationships. Mucheng, you can call him Zhiheng from now on. We won't talk about official positions here."
Upon hearing this, Ning Zhiheng quickly nodded. He was naturally sensible and followed Lin Zhen's words, saying, "You Gong is right. At home, we only talk about personal relationships. I call you 'brother,' and you can call me Zhiheng. That makes it seem more intimate, haha!"
Seeing Ning Zhiheng's enthusiasm, Lin Mucheng naturally dared not refuse him, so he nodded and agreed, "Alright, it would be impolite to refuse. Zhiheng, then I'll take your liberty!"
"Of course, of course!"
The two exchanged pleasantries, but quickly closed the distance between them. By this time, the welcoming banquet had been set up. Lin Zhen stood up and said with a smile, "Come on, today is a good day. Mu Cheng is back, and Zhi Heng has brought some fine wine. Let's have a good drink today!"
At the host's invitation, Ning Zhiheng naturally accepted the invitation and entered the restaurant with the Lin family, where they took their seats and had lunch together.
Lin Zhen ordered someone to bring over the Fenjiu liquor that Ning Zhiheng had given him, and pointed to the wine glass in front of Ning Zhiheng, saying, "Zhiheng, today it's all baijiu. Do you, a Zhejiang native, have any habit of drinking it? Or should I get you a bottle of huangjiu?"
Ning Zhiheng waved his hand and laughed, "Uncle You, don't laugh at me, although I'm from Zhejiang, I was never allowed to touch alcohol since I was a child. Later, when I went to military school, my teacher was from Shandong. I went to my teacher's house for meals every day and always drank baijiu. I'm not used to drinking huangjiu!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Zhen felt a sense of relief. Seeing that Ning Zhiheng was becoming more and more agreeable, he slapped the table and laughed, "That's right! I knew it! This yellow wine is too mellow and not enjoyable to drink. Baijiu is much stronger! He Yongnian has been in the military academy for so many years. I don't know about other things, but he managed to train you. That's a great achievement! Haha!"
The glasses were filled, and the whole family raised their glasses in celebration. After several rounds of drinks, Ning Zhiheng raised his glass to Lin Mucheng and said with a smile, "You Gong is highly respected, and you have surpassed your teacher. Now you are busy with military affairs, throwing yourself into the front line of the War of Resistance against Japan. I admire you the most. It is a pity that I cannot be like my brother, facing the enemy and fighting on the front line. I toast to you, wishing you a great victory, success, and even greater achievements!"
Lin Mucheng quickly raised his glass in response. He was wary of Ning Zhiheng, so he had to be careful in his dealings with him. He smiled and replied, "Zhiheng, you're too kind. Although you didn't fight on the front lines like us, you were still doing your best to defend the country. We just had different roles, so there's no need to take it to heart!"
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