Reborn as a Noble's Son

“Young man, can you… take off the jade pendant on your chest so I can have a look?” Nie Guoping seemed rather agitated at this moment, her outstretched hand trembling slightly.

Nie Zhenbang laughed softly, everything was going according to his plan, a feeling he had never experienced in his previous life. The feeling of holding his own destiny was just too wonderful. At this moment, Nie Zhenbang had an unprecedented confidence. He was drunk with power and responsibility. His life, and the fate of the Nie family, would be under his control.

“Please have a look. This was left to me by my mother. Back then, she was a sent-down youth who ended up in a rural village in Yanbei Jizhou. My mom said, this was given to her by my dad. After I was born, she passed it on to me.” Nie Zhenbang dropped another bombshell.

At this point, Nie Guoping was in no hurry. She scrutinized Nie Zhenbang carefully and asked solemnly, “Your name is Nie Zhenbang, right? Did your dad give you this name?”

Nie Zhenbang shook his head. Whenever he thought about his past, he would remember his grandparents and mother. Naturally, a tinge of loss and sadness seeped into his aura. He replied in a low voice, “No, I haven’t seen my dad since I can remember. As a child, people called me a bastard. Later, my mother and I returned to Tang City, back to my grandparents. After returning home, my mom got a job in Tang City. During the big earthquake, my grandparents and my mother died trying to protect me. I grew up substained by the compensation from my mother’s company, until this year when I got into Jingcheng University.”

Nie Guoping looked stern. This kid was sincere. He wouldn’t know anything about her family. His attire and demeanor were simple, it seemed unlikely that he was being manipulated by someone else. More importantly, the more Nie Guoping looked at Nie Zhenbang, the more he resembled her younger brother, Nie Guowei. Didn’t Guowei go to Jizhou back then? Could it be… that this was Guowei’s illegitimate child? It was a daring guess. How come Guowei never mentioned it? Could it be… Nie Guoping suddenly thought it possible that Guowei himself might not even know about the child.

“We both have the last name Nie, so I’ll call you Zhenbang. Come, good boy, sit here and let me check your injury.” Thinking of this, Nie Guoping’s tone changed.

After a careful examination of Nie Zhenbang’s injuries, Nie Guoping felt relieved. It was just a simple bruise to the cartilage tissue, nothing serious. Given the lad’s constitution, he probably would be fine with a week’s rest. It was at that moment that Nie Guoping stood up, smiled and said, “Zhenbang, you sit here and don’t go anywhere. I have something to attend to and will be right back.”

As she walked out, Yang Shengli and Yang Anna greeted her. Yang Anna had a worried look on her face, asking, “Aunt Guoping, how is big brother doing now?”

Nie Guoping looked at Yang Shengli. At this moment, apart from Yang Shengli’s secretary, there were no outsiders present. Thus, she wasn’t worried about eavesdroppers. She said gravely to Yang Shengli, “Shengli, the kid will be fine. He just needs a few days of rest in the hospital. You and Nana return first. Nana has been injured and must be in shock. Go home and rest.”

Yang Shengli nodded, gratitude crossing his face, “Sister Guoping, thank you for your help. Please bill all the medical expenses for the kid to my account. I’ll come pay later. I must leave you here to take care of things. There are still many matters to address back in the city. I’ll leave first, and come to thank you when you’re free.”

Listening to this, Nie Guoping smiled at Yang Shengli. The old man from the Yang family, with his contributions to the founding of the nation, paled in comparison to her own father, yet the Yang family was thriving. Apart from the capability of the old man from the Yang family, the ability of the second generation was also a key factor. Judging from the way Yang Shengli handled matters, the rise of the Yang family was inevitable.

Nie Guoping had no mood to ponder about the affairs of the Yang family at this moment. Her priority was Nie Zhenbang’s matter. If word got out about Nie Guowei’s illegitimate child, Nie Guowei would not only have trouble on the home front but also become the laughingstock in society, ruining his future. This was no joking matter. She returned to her office, locked the door, and immediately dialed the number of her younger brother, Nie Guowei.

“Hello, who is this?”

Nie Guowei was currently the deputy director of the State Planning Commission. Although only four years younger than Yang Shengli, their ranks differed greatly. One was vice-ministerial level, and the other was just deputy department level. The gap between Nie Guowei and Yang Shengli was not small, which was also why the elder Nie didn’t favor him much. Nie Guowei, the youngest in the family, was spoiled by the old lady.

“Guowei, are you free to talk? I have something to ask you.” Nie Guoping said gravely.

Nie Guowei was stunned at this, and then said, “Sis, what is it? Go ahead; there’s no one else present.”

Nie Guoping breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this and asked, “Guowei, I want you to tell me honestly, were you involved with a woman when you were sent down to the countryside?”

These words immediately silenced Nie Guowei. The image of the girl from over a decade ago suddenly appeared before his eyes.

Seeing that Nie Guowei remained silent, Nie Guoping knew that it was highly likely to be true. She said seriously, “Guowei, I need you to come over here quickly. Be discreet; don’t let your wife know. Come over right now.”

Nie Guoping’s words made Nie Guowei’s heart race. Only he knew about the incident in Jizhou, but now that Nie Guoping was asking about it, it must have been exposed. Startled, Nie Guowei quickly stood up and said, “Xiao Zhang, get the car ready. We’re going to the Military General Hospital.”

Nie Guoping immediately dialed her father’s number. After a few rings, a voice sounded, “Hello, who are you looking for?”

Generally, when someone in a provincial or ministerial leadership position receives a call, they definitely won’t identify themselves immediately. This is usually the opening line. The aim? Mainly to avoid unwanted calls or crossed lines. If they were to identify themselves right away, their phone number could leak out.

“Secretary Wu? Hello. This is Guoping. Does the old man have a moment now? I have an urgent matter to discuss with him.” Nie Guoping immediately began.

Elder Nie, at present, has not yet retired. He serves a crucial role in the central government, assisting the head of state in maintaining the stability of the army. He is known as the lodestar of the military. He also holds a government deputy position and is a standing member of the Politburo, ranked fifth.

A moment later, Elder Nie’s hearty voice came over the phone, “Guoping, what’s the matter? Why are you in such a hurry?”

Elder Nie was well aware of his eldest daughter’s character. She would not dare disturb him at work unless it was a matter of great urgency.

“Dad, I have something to tell you, please don’t get too excited. A young man came to me today. He looks a lot like Guowei. He says he’s from Yanbei Province and his name is Nie Zhenbang. I’m thinking, this child is likely the one Guowei left behind when he went to the countryside.” Nie Guoping promptly spoke.

Upon hearing this, Elder Nie immediately stood, “What? Guoping, are you telling the truth?”

Nie Guoping firmly responded, “Dad, is this something I could joke about? The young man’s name is Nie Zhenbang. He’s sixteen, from Yanbei Tang City, and only has a mother, no father. He also has the dragon pendant you gave to Guowei. When Guowei came back that year, he said he lost the pendant. I think it’s not that simple. The boy is in my office right now. I’ve already called for Guowei. We’ll know when he arrives. It’s a matter of great importance so I thought I should call you.”

Elder Nie paused for a moment, then responded, “Stay there, all of you. I’ll come over immediately.”

Elder Nie was also worried. This was a critical time, as there’s currently a broad debate within the higher-ups about the reform. As the solid core of the military, Elder Nie had to be cautious.

In less than five minutes, a Red Flag car adorned with a Huaxia Military Commission license plate and a windshield filled with various special credentials rushed out of the Military Commission compound, heading straight for the Military General Hospital.

The door to the examination room opened, Nie Guoping was standing at the doorway, Nie Guowei was the first to enter, followed by Elder Nie with a grim face.

Seeing this scene, Nie Zhenbang understood what was going on. He stood up as well. He was of average height, had a robust body from long-term labor, sharp eyebrows, bright eyes, and a handsome face. He looked about ninety percent similar to Nie Guowei.

Just moments ago, Elder Nie had questioned Nie Guowei, as expected, Nie Guowei admitted that not long after he was sent down to the countryside, he became intimate with a female educated youth from Tang City. However, Nie Guowei was brought back home by Elder Nie, unaware that he had left a child behind.

The dragon pendant, which was personally seized on the Anti-Japanese battlefield by Elder Nie, was very familiar. It was personally given by Elder Nie to Nie Guowei. Seeing it now on this boy, who could mistake it? Despite what had transpired, Elder Nie couldn’t bring himself to lose his temper and kick the boy out despite his fury. Old revolutionaries like him have their bottom lines and principles that could never be changed.

Looking at Nie Guoping, Elder Nie whispered, “Guoping, didn’t your hospital collaborate with some British institution to conduct a DNA test? Do it quietly. Test it first.”

Nie Guoping nodded, walked over to Nie Zhenbang, who also figured out what was going on by then. In fact, in his past life, even though the facts were right in front of him, Elder Nie still insisted on conducting a paternity test to reluctantly accept the truth.

At that moment, Nie Zhenbang deliberately asked, “Auntie, who’s this man? He looks so much like me. Could he be my father?”

The question made Nie Guowei feel a little awkward. He embarrassingly smiled while Nie Guoping laughed, “Zhenbang, we aren’t sure yet. How about we talk about this after a few days?”

Nie Zhenbang’s intention was very clear. He was deliberately trying to pierce the veil of uncertainty. After staying in the hospital for five days, the test results came out. Upon seeing them, Elder Nie angrily threw the results at Nie Guowei, “Go explain this to your wife. If it were in the old days, I’d break your legs.”

Nie Guoping asked, “Dad, what about the child?”

Elder Nie coldly stared at Nie Zhenbang. He had no good impression of this illegitimate child from the start. He despised Zhenbang’s mother for her recklessness. Waving his hand, he said, “What to do? Take him home. What else?”