Rebirth 78, the beginning of the marriage was broken off by the female educated youth

Chapter 1865 Grandma's Bodyguard?

Hao Jian's violent reaction, almost like a conditioned reflex, stunned Wang Defa and Song Ziming, who were standing nearby.

Li Xiangnan was deeply shocked, and his mind raced through all the memories he had shared with Hao Jian since they first met.

He clearly remembered that Hao Jian had met his grandfather before and knew him. In the past, Hao Jian's attitude towards his grandfather was that of a junior respecting and being polite to an elder.

Because Hao Jian himself was a soldier, and his grandfather had also fought in the war, there was naturally a soldier's unique cheerfulness and approachability in him. He would greet him with a smile, ask about his grandfather's health, and show concern for his grandfather's life. But at that time, Hao Jian's demeanor was relaxed.

But the scene before my eyes is completely different.

The tension in that instantaneous leap, the complex expression mixed with surprise, nervousness, and even... a hint of barely perceptible awe, and that ingrained, upright posture—it was far more than just simple respect!

This is more like a soldier's instinctive reaction, especially when a subordinate meets an important superior, which is formed through rigorous training!

Li Xiangnan's thoughts raced, and an idea popped into his head uncontrollably.

Could it be that during the time that Squad Leader Hao was away, as I suspected, he was indeed working for my grandmother Mu Huanying, and that it was there, in some mysterious coastal area, that Hao Jian learned some unknown stories about my grandfather Li Dequan?

Or perhaps some very substantial internal evaluation?

It was these remarkable evaluations or inside information that made Hao Jian's original pure respect unconsciously mixed with some more complex and reserved elements.

Did Hao Jian learn something about his grandfather?

Or did he learn about his grandfather's experiences from his grandmother?

Hmm, if that's the case...

This conjecture made Li Xiangnan's heart inexplicably race; he seemed to have touched the edge of some mystery shrouding his family's history!

At this moment, Hao Jian had quickly adjusted his facial expression, but his straight spine and the lingering respect in his eyes were still clearly visible.

He stepped forward, as if no one else existed, his tone filled with extraordinary respect, yet maintaining a restrained distance.

"Old Li, you're back!"

Li Dequan clearly took in Hao Jian's momentary loss of composure. His smile remained unchanged, still kind and gentle, but a deep glint flashed in his weathered eyes, as if he had already seen through Hao Jian.

He chuckled, his tone as usual: "Oh, it's Xiao Hao. Long time no see. When did you come back to Beijing?"

He didn't point out Hao Jian's unusual behavior, as if it were just a trivial interlude that wouldn't cause any harm.

"I just got back. I heard that Xiang Nan had a daughter, so I came back specifically to see her!"

Hao Jian smiled gently and answered respectfully. At this moment, his gaze turned to Qin Zongheng and Song Qiankun beside him. His posture remained as upright as a pine tree, and his attitude was equally respectful.

"Hello, Mr. Qin! And this is..."

His expression showed confusion.

Qin Zongheng then introduced with a smile: "This is Song Yi's grandfather, Comrade Song Qiankun! Qiankun, this is Xiang Nan's comrade-in-arms from the counterattack against Jiaotong, and also his squad leader back then, Comrade Hao Jian! His family lives in the next courtyard!"

"Oh, that's quite a rare sight!" Song Qiankun said with a smile, "Hello, Squad Leader Hao! This really is quite a coincidence!"

He nodded to Hao Jian with a warm smile as a return gesture, but his shrewd eyes subtly swept between Hao Jian and Li Dequan, a hint of doubt already rising in his heart.

He could naturally see that Hao Jian's attitude towards Li Dequan seemed to be... a little too respectful, and that extra respect clearly went beyond the scope of ordinary neighbors, comrades-in-arms, and former juniors.

"Xiao Hao, it's not easy for you comrades to get together again, cherish it! You're great, you came back to visit Xiang Nan right away!"

Qin Zongheng greeted him with a smile, his tone recalling his relationship with Xiang Nan. He was the most military-minded elder among Li Dequan and Song Qiankun, and naturally felt a bit closer to Hao Jian as well.

But it was precisely because he understood soldiers that his eyes, which had seen through countless storms, instantly caught the unusual tension in Hao Jian's body, as well as the deliberate restraint that still revealed his respect.

After saying this, he quickly exchanged a silent glance with Song Qiankun, and they both saw a hint of doubt in each other's eyes.

Both were seasoned and shrewd individuals who knew that some things were not suitable to be investigated at this time and place.

So what I said just now was actually meant to get Li Xiangnan and Li Dequan to back down gracefully and assess the situation.

Li Xiangnan stood aside, naturally observing the reactions of the three elderly people silently.

He knew that Grandpa Qin and Grandpa Song must have also noticed Hao Jian's unusual behavior. Their silence and seemingly ordinary response at this moment precisely illustrated one thing.

Hao Jian's performance was indeed different from before.

This respect carries with it a sense of restraint, knowing the inside story yet having to keep it a secret.

"Xiao Hao is so thoughtful!"

When it comes to tacit understanding, old man Li Dequan naturally understood the hint in his old partner Qin Zongheng's words. He laughed heartily, his tone calm, and immediately changed the subject, saying, "Look at how well Xiang Nan has developed since he came back from the war. It's all thanks to the help of you comrades. I should thank you! Nan Nan, go and call Xiao Zhou over too. Let's have a drink at noon!"

Hao Jian quickly replied, "Old Li, it's only right! Xiang Nan is a man of great loyalty and righteousness; it's fate that we can help him!"

After saying this, he said somewhat awkwardly, "Mr. Li, I've already eaten. If you don't mind, I can have a drink with you!"

"That's great!" Li Dequan laughed and invited, "Fugui, bring out my bottle of Wuliangye!"

"Yes!" Li Fugui responded and ran to the Intermediate People's Court.

After Li Dequan finished speaking, he glanced at his grandson discreetly.

Li Xiangnan immediately and sensibly called out, "Squad Leader Hao, please sit down first. Zimo and Defa, you two stay with me. I'll go call Brother Yuejin!"

After saying that, he hurriedly left the backyard.

"Ouch, my stomach," Qin Zongheng glanced at the grandfather and grandson's performance and immediately clutched his stomach. "You guys set out the wine, I'll be right back!"

After saying that, he grabbed a large handful of toilet paper from the dresser, hurriedly covered his stomach, and left.

Wang Defa and Song Ziming had already sandwiched Hao Jian between them and sat him down at the octagonal table, pouring wine, so they didn't notice this detail.

Qin Zongheng, slightly hunched over, hurried to the central courtyard. As soon as he stepped out of the hanging flower gate, he saw his grandson already waiting at the door. He went up to him, smiled, and patted the other's shoulder. He glanced back and then turned back to ask in a low voice, "Is there something wrong with Hao Jian? I've seen this kid quite a few times before. What's going on?"

He originally thought it was just a trivial matter, but his grandson-in-law's words almost made him lose his mind.

“Grandpa,” Li Xiangnan said seriously, frowning, “Hao Jian is probably Grandma Mu Huanying’s bodyguard!”

"???"