Li Lianyi was not the kind of shallow girl who relied on her status to bully others.
She was the furthest thing from shallow.
On the contrary, she was someone with inner pride and outward kindness, polite to everyone, but that was all.
The reason she mentioned Gu Tianlong and Qi Wufu to highlight Jiang Wuming, and even uttered the words "A king cannot be insulted," was because the young man beside her was humiliating Jiang Wuming.
She could tolerate the young man humiliating her, but she couldn't accept him humiliating her man!
This was because her man had endured humiliation and lived a precarious existence for twenty years. After his identity was revealed, he had faced all sorts of retaliation and suppression. He had stubbornly fought back time and time again, but due to his father, he had always maintained respect for the Martial Department and the Dragon Country.
He hadn't even pursued the matters of the past; instead, he had taken up the "battle flag" from his father, Jiang Zhan, fighting valiantly to protect the country and its people without seeking any reward.
Under such circumstances, some unknown nobody had appeared, arrogantly humiliating Jiang Wuming.
She couldn't stand it!
So, she retaliated against the young man beside her in the simplest, most direct way!
"I... I'm so sorry. I'm blind and didn't recognize your eminence. Please, both of you, be magnanimous and don't stoop to the level of commoners like me!"
Hearing Li Lianyi's words and feeling the sudden surge of her aura, the young man beside her trembled with fear.
Although he still didn't know who Jiang Wuming and Li Lianyi were, he knew of Gu Tianlong and the Dragon Country's Martial Department!
The former was hailed as the number one young master of the Dragon Country, yet he had once knelt at this young man's feet!
The latter was the most powerful department in the Dragon Country, and its leader referred to the young man as the future of the Dragon Country!
If such individuals wanted to kill him, it would be no different from crushing an ant, and they could even cause his family to fall with a wave of their hand!
"You can go now."
Upon hearing the young man's apology, Li Lianyi spoke again.
Instead of feeling humiliated, the young man felt a great sense of relief. He immediately hurried away, his calves still trembling as he walked.
If it weren't for the other patrons in the restaurant and his companions watching, he would have run away.
At the same time, the restaurant patrons also recovered from their shock. They dared not discuss what had just happened, nor did they dare to look at Jiang Wuming and Li Lianyi as they had before.
This was because their reason told them that anyone who dared to say those words in public was either drunk and boasting, wanting everyone to know that the entire Dragon Country belonged to him, or had a terrifying background that made him indifferent to whether his words reached Gu Tianlong's ears!
"Lianyi, there's really no need to bother with people like that."
After the young man left, Jiang Wuming said with a wry smile.
"It is necessary. My heart aches."
The girl gazed at the young man and spoke her true feelings.
The young man's heart trembled slightly, then he raised his wine glass and clinked it with the girl's, their unspoken understanding speaking volumes.
After a satisfying meal, Jiang Wuming and Li Lianyi left the Chinese restaurant.
"Manager, what's the background of those two people?"
As soon as Jiang Wuming and Li Lianyi had left, a patron asked the restaurant manager curiously.
Hearing the question, other patrons also pricked up their ears to listen.
"Their specific identities are unclear. I only know that the girl has booked the hotel's presidential suite. Furthermore, several important figures from Southern Zhejiang have visited the hotel in the past few days, but none of them managed to get into the presidential suite!"
Seeing that the inquirer was a regular customer, the restaurant manager replied.
He was the younger brother of the hotel manager and knew many inside stories.
"Hiss..."
Hearing the restaurant manager's words, many, including the patron who had asked, gasped.
Although they still didn't know the identities of Jiang Wuming and Li Lianyi, they began to believe that Li Lianyi's words earlier were by no means drunken boasting!
Meanwhile, Jiang Wuming and Li Lianyi did not return to the hotel directly. Instead, they walked side by side along the banks of Hang Lake.
Hang Lake was peaceful at night. There were no pleasure boats on the lake, and the lights along the shore were dim. Cicadas chirped occasionally. The air was fresh after the light rain, making it perfect for an after-dinner stroll.
In such a quiet environment, Jiang Wuming and Li Lianyi felt an unprecedented sense of relaxation.
This was the first time he had felt so relaxed since he learned of his true origins.
At the age of twelve, after learning about his background, he was taken to Longhu Mountain by Daoist Tianlong and trained for four arduous and monotonous years.
Four years later, under Daoist Tianlong's arrangements, he left Longhu Mountain and plunged into the dark world. He founded the Zhanlong Hall, leading its members to conquer the dark world, living a life on the edge of a knife every day.
After returning to the Dragon Country, he continuously encountered various troubles and crises. His life felt like it was being pushed forward by the torrent of fate, his entire being like a ceaselessly running machine, always in rapid motion, never having a moment of true relaxation.
And today, after he and the girl he loved had confessed their feelings with a kiss, his wandering soul seemed to have found a home, experiencing unprecedented relaxation and peace for the first time.
...
Zhanlong Squad Secret Base.
Qin Xiaozhi, Xing Tian, Huangfu Weixia, and Dongfang Xiaoyao had also just finished their dinner.
Dongfang Xiaoyao had already left the restaurant, Xing Tian had gone to the kitchen to wash dishes, leaving only Huangfu Weixia and Qin Xiaozhi in the dining area.
"Brother Zhi, didn't you say the Captain is fine? Why isn't he back yet? Could he be spending some private time with Li Lianyi?"
Huangfu Weixia stealthily glanced at the kitchen, saw Xing Tian diligently washing dishes, and lowered her voice as she spoke to Qin Xiaozhi.
Over the past few days, after learning that Jiang Wuming was not in danger, although her worry had subsided, she had felt restless.
Especially today, she had a strong premonition—Jiang Wuming and Li Lianyi were having a romantic moment!
This was a woman's unique sixth sense, incredibly accurate!
"Dr. Li said all of the Captain's vital signs are normal and he is not in danger. As for why the Captain hasn't returned, I'm not sure. Why don't you give him a call?"
Qin Xiaozhi said, half-amused and half-exasperated.
After Jiang Wuming went to Donghai, Qin Xiaozhi, for Jiang Wuming's safety, had specifically investigated all the people around Jiang Wuming, including the Huangfu family.
He knew that Huangfu Weixia liked Jiang Wuming, and she hadn't even tried to hide it back at the Donghai Martial Academy.
At this moment, he sensed a strong hint of jealousy in Huangfu Weixia's words and naturally didn't want to get involved in this matter.
After all, this was Jiang Wuming's personal romantic affair.
"Fine, I'll call. I have something to ask him for leave about anyway."
Huangfu Weixia had a straightforward personality and couldn't stand being provoked.
For instance, when drinking, if someone said something like "I'll drink this, you can have yours if you want, are you a fish?" she would definitely make the other person vomit their gallbladder!
As soon as she finished speaking, Huangfu Weixia directly raised her wrist and contacted Jiang Wuming using the Zhanlong Squad's special communicator.
"Hello."
"Captain, what are you doing?"
Hearing Jiang Wuming's voice, Huangfu Weixia was first delighted, then blurted out the question.
Qin Xiaozhi, standing beside her, widened his eyes and looked at Huangfu Weixia: "???"
"I just finished eating, what's up?"
On the other end of the line, Jiang Wuming, who was strolling with Li Lianyi, was also a bit bewildered. He stopped and asked.
"Are you coming back to the base tonight?"
Huangfu Weixia continued to ask, holding her breath and listening carefully, unsure if she wanted to hear Jiang Wuming's answer or to discern from any other sounds coming through the receiver whether Jiang Wuming was alone.
"Is there something you need?"
Jiang Wuming retorted, finding Huangfu Weixia's behavior somewhat unusual today.
"It's like this, in three days, the academy will hold the graduation ceremony for this year's graduating class. The dean wants me to attend the ceremony and give a speech, sharing my experiences and insights from the Zhanlong Squad with my classmates. So, I need to ask for leave."
Huangfu Weixia had to set aside her gossipy thoughts filled with jealousy and get down to business.
"Then you go." Jiang Wuming said.
"Also, Captain, many classmates have asked me if you will attend our graduation ceremony. Besides them, some teachers have also asked. There was even a teacher who suggested to the dean that they borrow you for a day to attend our graduation ceremony, which would greatly inspire the students! But Dean Ren was worried it would affect your work and rejected that teacher's proposal. He probably didn't tell you either, did he?"
Huangfu Weixia thought of something and added.
"Grandpa Ren didn't call me."
Jiang Wuming first answered Huangfu Weixia, then thought for a moment and said,
"How about this, our entire Zhanlong Squad will attend your graduation ceremony together. That way, even if an emergency mission arises, we can depart immediately."
"Really? That's great! The classmates and teachers will be ecstatic to know this news!"
Huangfu Weixia was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. She then calmed down and said,
"No, they can't know this news, we have to give them a surprise! Also, Captain, I won't be going with you. I'll head back to school first."
"That's fine too."
Jiang Wuming agreed to Huangfu Weixia's suggestion. He knew that Huangfu Weixia didn't want to be treated specially in front of her classmates and teachers.
As he finished speaking, Jiang Wuming ended the call and turned to look at Li Lianyi.
The girl gently tucked a strand of hair behind her ear in the lamplight and asked with a smile,
"Are you going back tonight?"