Special Forces: At the beginning, An Ran pulled him to get his certificate.

Chapter 1444 The Country's Trash

"Pfft... Hahaha... My God, I'm dying of laughter..."

Wang Hao clutched his stomach, laughing so hard he could barely breathe. His shoulders heaved exaggeratedly, and a few tears even welled up in his eyes. He pointed a trembling finger at Chen Jun, then turned to An Ran, his voice broken by laughter, filled with undisguised mockery: "An Ran, An Ran, your husband... hahaha... he's hilarious! He's a soldier, what, does he also do stand-up comedy in the army? Does he spend all day in the barracks telling monologues to his comrades? He can even use national affairs to glorify himself, making it sound so real, and what's the result? None of us have ever heard of this 'big shot'! Isn't this just making us laugh to death?"

His laughter was particularly jarring in the private room, like a dull knife scraping the air. Several classmates who had long wanted to curry favor with him and go abroad with him to "see the world" exchanged glances and immediately joined in the laughter.

With a soft creak, the heavy solid wood door of the private room was pushed open from the outside. A middle-aged man wearing a well-tailored dark gray suit and with his hair neatly combed peeked in.

His gaze had been casually sweeping across the area, but it suddenly froze as it passed over Chen Jun's profile, his pupils contracting slightly.

"General Chen...?" His voice wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear because of the sudden surge of surprise, instantly drowning out the lingering laughter in the private room. "It really is you! I was making a phone call in the corridor just now, and I caught a glimpse of a figure from afar. It looked so familiar, and I was wondering if I was seeing things. I never expected... I never expected it to be you!"

The unexpected visitor at the door possessed a calm and dignified demeanor. Even before he had fully entered the room, an invisible aura of authority emanated from him, involuntarily drawing everyone's attention to him.

Wang Hao, who was laughing so hard he was doubled over, suddenly stopped laughing as if his neck had been grabbed. The muscles on his face were still in the arc of laughter, but his eyes were instantly replaced by astonishment. When he saw the person's face clearly, he was so shocked that he jumped up from his seat. His face quickly put on a fervent smile that was completely different from his previous arrogance. He rushed to the door in three steps, his waist unconsciously bending slightly.

"Chairman Wang! Oh my, what a coincidence, what a coincidence!" Wang Hao's voice was filled with deliberately crafted surprise and respect. "I am Wang Hao, the newly appointed Business Development Director for Asia at Goldman Sachs. I was recently transferred back from headquarters. I have long admired your name, Chairman Wang, and have been looking for an opportunity to visit you. I never expected to meet you here. It's truly fate, an incredible coincidence!"

Seeing Wang Hao, who was always arrogant and superior to his old classmates, now behaving so respectfully, even with a hint of cautious flattery, everyone in the private room was taken aback, exchanging shocked glances. Needless to say, this "Chairman Wang's" status was far beyond their previous imagination.

In the corner, someone gasped and whispered to their companion, "I remember now! I've seen him on the financial channel and the news! Wang Dong, the founder and chairman of Dongsheng Capital, a true representative of entrepreneurs, I heard his net worth is well over tens of billions! And he's not just a businessman, he has many social titles, his influence is terrifying..."

"As expected, Wang Hao has connections. He knows big shots of this caliber and can even speak to them."

"Following Brother Wang seems to have a real future..."

Amidst the whispers, everyone's thoughts began to race, and their gazes towards Wang Hao became more complex. However, the address of "General Chen" at the door earlier was not clearly heard by everyone due to Wang Hao's sudden interruption and the shift in everyone's attention. Only a few people vaguely heard it, feeling uneasy and hesitant, yet not daring to be certain.

At this delicate moment, Wang Dong seemed completely oblivious to Wang Hao, who was standing in front of him with a beaming smile. He casually, even with a hint of impatience, reached out his left hand and gently pushed Wang Hao aside. His entire attention, like a spotlight, was fixed firmly on Chen Jun, who remained seated. He strode forward and, under the astonished gazes of the crowd, extended both hands to Chen Jun with a respectful posture, even displaying a genuine sense of excitement.

"General Chen, this is Wang Dong!" His voice was loud and clear, ensuring that everyone in the private room could hear him clearly. "At the donation ceremony and gala at the National University of Defense Technology last time, I was sitting in the back row and had the privilege of seeing you from afar and listening to your speech. It was truly inspiring and I benefited immensely! I never expected... I never expected to see you again today in such a small private room in an ordinary hotel. I... I am so honored and surprised!"

"boom--"

This time, Wang Dong's words struck like a thunderbolt, hitting everyone's ears without hindrance. The private room fell into a deathly silence; you could hear a pin drop. The students, who had been whispering and lost in their own thoughts, froze, as if struck by lightning. The color drained from their faces, replaced by an incredulous flush. Those who had just been chuckling along with Wang Hao now had their smiles completely frozen, looking both comical and stiff.

"I...I didn't hear wrong, did I? What did Chairman Wang just shout? General Chen...General Chen? Was he calling An Ran's husband?"

"My God... what... what does this mean? An Ran's husband is a general? Are you kidding me? How old does he look? In his early thirties? There's no such thing as a general that young!!"

“Wang Dong…Wang Dong is someone who deserves to be called ‘honored’ or ‘fortunate’? And he’s so…so respectful?”

Countless gazes, filled with shock, doubt, and inquiry, focused on Chen Jun like searchlights. This man, dressed in ordinary casual clothes, taciturn, and whom they had just secretly observed and even looked down upon, now seemed to be enveloped in an indescribable, suffocating aura under Wang Dong's almost reverent attitude. Wang Dong gripped Chen Jun's hands tightly, not with a simple social handshake, but with a slight bow, shaking them vigorously up and down. The posture was not that of someone treating a peer or business partner, but rather like someone treating a highly respected elder or idol.

Chen Jun then slowly stood up, his movements unhurried and measured, carrying a steady strength accumulated over the years. He shook Wang Dong's hand in return, his tone calm yet polite: "Chairman Wang, you're too kind. It was indeed a coincidence. I'm here with my wife to attend her class reunion."

"A class reunion? Oh, I see! Haha, that's great!" Wang Dong immediately realized what was going on, his gaze shifting to An Ran, who was clinging tightly to Chen Jun, her face still showing surprise and confusion. His smile grew even warmer, but the underlying respect remained unchanged. "This must be your wife! My apologies! Hello, wife. You can call me Wang Dong, or Old Wang, it's all fine! I'm only able to meet General Chen here today because of you!"

His words were exquisitely crafted, flattering An Ran while simultaneously elevating Chen Jun's status to an extremely high level. Within Wang Dong's elite circle, who didn't know Chen Jun, the youngest general? He was a legendary figure, wielding formidable weaponry, achieving numerous feats, breaking through Western technological blockades, and defeating his opponents in several major international power struggles—a universally acknowledged pillar of the nation's future. Yet, this man was extremely low-key, rarely appearing in public, making it impossible to find a way to ingratiate himself with him. This chance encounter was, for Wang Dong, an opportunity that seemed to have fallen from the sky.

“Sister-in-law,” Wang Dong turned to An Ran, his tone sincere, “If you ask me, among all the women in the country, you have the best taste and are the most fortunate! To find a life partner like General Chen, a one-in-a-million role model who is dedicated to the country and the people, is truly enviable! Since today is your class reunion, you must give me a chance to express my gratitude—this meal must be on me! Please don’t be shy, everyone, order whatever you like. I own shares in this hotel, so make yourself at home!”

An Ran was taken aback by the sudden enthusiasm and exceptionally high level of treatment. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly waved her hands, saying, "Chairman Wang, this is too much trouble, really, it's not necessary, we..."

"Sister-in-law, please don't stand on ceremony with me!" Wang Dong interrupted her, his tone urgent and sincere. "I have long admired General Chen and have always wanted to have the opportunity to invite him to a meal, even if it's just to hear a word or two of his teachings. That would be a great blessing. Today, God has given me this opportunity, and I absolutely must invite him! General Chen, what do you say?" He then cast an expectant glance at Chen Jun, his expression one of cautious invitation.

Chen Jun glanced at An Ran, who looked somewhat embarrassed beside him, and then at the various expressions on the faces of the people in the private room. After a moment's thought, he nodded to Wang Dong and said simply, "Then thank you for your kind offer, Chairman Wang." His tone was calm, yet it carried an undeniable authority.

This brief conversation and interaction, like a series of heavy blows, left the students around them dizzy and disoriented. They looked at Wang Dong, who was so respectful and enthusiastic that he was almost humble, then at Chen Jun, who accepted it calmly as if it were a matter of course, and finally at An Ran, whose face was flushed. They felt as if their worldviews were collapsing and being rebuilt.

"Wait... isn't An Ran's husband just an ordinary soldier? The kind who gets a job after being discharged?"

"A general? Such a young general? Are you kidding me... But does Wang Dong look like he's joking?"

"Wang Dong is so eager to treat them to a meal, and he even looks like he's afraid the other party won't agree... What kind of influential person must this be?"

Wang Hao, who had been casually pushed aside by Wang Dong and left standing at the door for half a day, now had a face that alternated between pale and red, as colorful as a palette.

Just then, Chen Jun seemed to notice his presence. He looked up, his gaze calmly sweeping over Wang Hao's distraught face, before turning to Wang Dong and asking in a casual tone, "Chairman Wang, do you know this... um, young man?"

"Young...young man?"

The address sent a shiver down Wang Hao's spine as he heard it, as if he had fallen into an ice cave. Chen Jun's tone was calm and even, but the condescending detachment and invisible pressure he exuded were more terrifying than any harsh words.

Wang Dong was an extremely shrewd man, having navigated the business and political worlds for decades, his ability to read people was unparalleled. He immediately discerned the deeper meaning in Chen Jun's seemingly casual question—coldness, and a hint of barely perceptible displeasure. He instantly suppressed his smile towards Chen Jun, turning to Wang Hao, his eyes sharpening and turning cold, filled with scrutiny and distance: "Him? I'm sorry, General Chen, I don't know him. And this gentleman is…?"

Chen Jun's lips twitched almost imperceptibly, his tone remaining calm, but his words struck Wang Hao like a thunderbolt: "Oh, I heard he's from some foreign company, a high-ranking executive sent by Goldman Sachs. Quite interesting, always talking about how advanced and free foreign countries are, seemingly oblivious to our own country's recent breakthroughs in science, defense, and diplomacy—such as breaking the technological blockade of certain Western countries, winning over some neighboring nations, and even forcing a certain superpower to adjust its strategy to show respect for these facts. He seems to be completely blind to these decades-old, foreign-worshipping ideas, thinking the moon is always brighter in foreign countries. I don't quite understand, isn't this kind of person, this kind of thinking, a kind of…outdated garbage of our time?"

The word "garbage" was spoken casually by Chen Jun, yet it was like two icicles piercing Wang Hao's heart.

Upon hearing this, Wang Dong's expression changed drastically, his eyes instantly brimming with anger. He abruptly turned to Wang Hao, his gaze seemingly piercing him: "So that's how it is! Goldman Sachs? The one that's been desperately trying to squeeze into the domestic market, submitting cooperation proposals everywhere, and even trying to get in touch with our Dongsheng Capital? I originally thought it was a major international investment bank worth checking out, but I never expected the person in charge to be such a traitor, utterly devoid of any sense of national identity! What trash!"

His words were merciless, and he then turned to Chen Jun, his anger still simmering, but replaced by a mixture of gratitude and admiration: "General Chen, thank you so much! You have such keen insight, you've truly awakened me from my dream! I, Wang Dong, pride myself on being a patriotic businessman, striving to make every penny I earn accountable to the country and society. To cooperate with such foreign-worshipping scum who fundamentally despises his own country? Absolutely not! That would not only tarnish my own reputation, but also betray the trust placed in me by the nation and its people!"

He became increasingly agitated as he spoke, and on the spot, he pulled out his phone from his suit pocket and dialed a number right in front of Chen Jun and everyone else. His tone was resolute and carried an unquestionable authority:

"Secretary Li, this is Wang Dong. Listen, immediately issue the order: all ongoing or soon-to-be-involved collaborative projects with Goldman Sachs are to be terminated, and the evaluation process is to be frozen immediately! In particular, all senior executives they have dispatched to Yan Country, and any business led or associated with these executives, will be excluded from cooperation by Dong Sheng Capital and all its affiliated companies, and they will be added to the blacklist! Yes, right now, execute it immediately! The reason? Just write: incompatible philosophies, fundamental conflict of values! I'll discuss the specific details with you later!"

The phone call ended, and the crisp "beep" sound was particularly jarring in the deathly silent private room.

At this moment, Wang Hao was deathly pale, his body trembling uncontrollably, as if all his energy had been drained away. He was Goldman Sachs's carefully selected vanguard general, entrusted with high hopes and sent to explore the most important market in Yan Country! His career, his grand ambitions, his dreams of wealth—everything hinged on this trip. But now… just because of a single sentence from the man before him, whom he had so blatantly mocked a few minutes ago, everything was about to end before it even began? What was Dong Sheng Capital's standing in the industry? Its leading refusal to cooperate, the resulting chain reaction and negative reviews, were enough to completely ruin his future at Goldman Sachs, and even make it difficult for him to gain a foothold in the entire industry!

No! This can't be done!

Extreme fear overwhelmed everything. Face, dignity, pride—all crumbled to dust before the cruel pressure of reality. Wang Hao jolted awake, as if grasping at a last straw, stumbling and lunging towards Wang Dong. His voice, distorted by extreme terror and pleading, cried out, "Chairman Wang! Chairman Wang! It's a misunderstanding! This must be a huge misunderstanding! You can't…you can't negate the efforts of everyone at Goldman Sachs just because of a casual remark! Our group came seeking cooperation with the utmost sincerity, and I personally have a very positive outlook on the Yan country market…"

"Get out of my way!" Wang Dong took a half-step back in disgust, as if avoiding something filthy, his contempt undisguised. "Don't give me that 'sincerity' nonsense! What I find most repulsive is someone like you, a spineless traitor! Goldman Sachs using someone like you as a vanguard shows they have poor judgment, or they simply don't value genuine respect! General Chen said your thinking is garbage, and that's absolutely garbage! There's no mistake!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Hao felt as if he had been doused with a bucket of ice water. The bone-chilling cold instantly sobered him up, but also filled him with utter despair. He understood that Wang Dong was using him as a "pledge of allegiance," using the most ruthless way to show his goodwill and loyalty to Chen Jun. The root of the problem had never been with Wang Dong, but rather with the person he had offended—Chen Jun—whom he simply couldn't afford to offend.

His last shred of hope vanished. Wang Hao whirled around, staggering to the table where Chen Jun and An Ran were. His face was devoid of any of his previous arrogance and superiority; instead, it was filled with tears and a desperate pleading. He dared not touch Chen Jun, and could only clasp his hands together, repeatedly bowing to Chen Jun and An Ran, his voice hoarse and broken:

"General Chen! I was wrong! I really know I was wrong! An Ran! An Ran! We were old classmates, you...you must say a word for me..."