The night fell, and the lights of the city began to shine.
The bustling Donghai City, far from the hustle and bustle of the day, welcomed the tranquility of the night.
Some people began to enjoy their leisure after a busy day of work, binge-watching shows or playing games. Others started their nightlife, drinking and flirting with women. And still others were working overtime at the company, enjoying the 'blessings' of 996.
For ordinary people, it was just another ordinary day. They had no idea what Donghai had experienced today, nor that someone had secretly guarded the city and their lives.
The Donghai branch of the Martial Department had already completed the cleanup operations of the Donghai Martial Academy defense battle.
Qin Linhai returned to his residence, not far from his workplace. He sat at the dining table with his son, Qin Xiaozhi, to have dinner, which was also their first meal of the day.
After the news of the arrival of extraterrestrial enemies spread from Donghai Martial Academy in the morning, he had been busy. He hadn't even had a sip of water, let alone a meal.
On the table were two bottles of Laobai Gan wine, a plate of roasted peanuts, a plate of smashed cucumber, a plate of cold mixed pig's head meat, and a dish of braised pig trotters.
This was the dinner for father and son.
"Xiaozhi, Dad, I'll toast you."
Qin Linhai raised his wine glass first and toasted his son, wishing him growth and achievements.
"You are the father, and I am the son. Toasting is not appropriate; clinking glasses is more like it."
Qin Xiaozhi gave a wry smile, then picked up his wine glass, clinked it with his father's, tilted his head back, and downed the wine in one go.
"What are your plans for the future?"
After drinking the wine and taking a bite of food, Qin Linhai asked again.
"I will follow Wuming wherever he goes. I will do whatever he asks me to do," Qin Xiaozhi replied without thinking.
"Uh..."
Qin Linhai was stunned. He hadn't expected his son's life plan to be like this, but after a moment's thought, he felt relieved.
Firstly, in his opinion, his son's current success was largely due to Jiang Wuming.
Secondly, he had already heard about the rewards that the Martial Department would give to Jiang Wuming and the Battle Dragon team.
If nothing unexpected happened, Jiang Wuming would take over Qi Wufu's command and lead the Martial Department.
In that case, his son following Jiang Wuming would undoubtedly have a bright future!
"Your grandfather asked when you will return to the ancestral home. The whole clan is waiting to celebrate your victory." After a brief silence, Qin Linhai asked again.
"No need."
Qin Xiaozhi gently shook his head.
Once upon a time, gaining the recognition of that elder and becoming the pride of the family was his biggest dream.
Now, he had realized his dream, but he wasn't as excited as he had imagined. Instead, he felt calm.
Because he already had a new dream and embarked on a new journey!
...
Villa No. 8, Tan Palace.
This was Huangfu Qing's residence.
This villa was once known as the money-making house of Donghai. Anyone who could enter this villa could make a fortune daily.
At that time, Huangfu Qing was the most popular candidate for the next head of the Huangfu family and a figure who commanded the business world of Donghai.
However—
Later, due to a series of foolish actions, he lost all of it. Now, his status in the Huangfu family and the business world of Donghai had plummeted, and he was no longer as glorious as before.
While Qin Linhai and Qin Xiaozhi were having dinner, Huangfu Weixia was also having dinner with her parents at Villa No. 8, Tan Palace.
"Weixia, congratulations on your victory today."
As dinner began, Huangfu Qing raised a glass of wine and congratulated his daughter. He had learned about the Donghai defense battle through special channels.
However, Huangfu Weixia lowered her head and ate, not reaching for the wine.
Seeing this, Huangfu Qing quickly signaled his wife, who understood and said, "Weixia, although your father was wrong in many things back then and has wronged you, he already knows his mistake. Please forgive him."
"If I didn't forgive him, I wouldn't have come back to this home," Huangfu Weixia said while picking up food.
Previously, because Huangfu Qing adamantly refused to let Huangfu Weixia be with Jiang Wuming, causing negative repercussions for Jiang Wuming, Huangfu Weixia, in anger, almost severed ties with Huangfu Qing.
"Then why don't you raise your glass when your father toasts you?" Huangfu Weixia's mother said.
"This is not something worth celebrating. Because the battle was brutal, and some of my teachers died on the battlefield."
Huangfu Weixia put down her chopsticks, her eyes slightly reddening. She thought of the fierce battle that morning and then added, "Moreover, I didn't play any role in the battle. I was just a bystander. What is there to celebrate?"
"I'm sorry, Weixia, Dad didn't think this through."
Hearing his daughter's words and seeing her sad expression, Huangfu Qing suddenly realized and quickly put down his wine glass to apologize.
Huangfu Weixia remained silent.
Seeing this, Huangfu Qing tentatively asked again, "I heard from your mother that you returned with Chu Feng and Jiang Wuming. Is Jiang Wuming eating at Chu Feng's house?"
Upon hearing this, Huangfu Weixia raised an eyebrow, instantly understanding her father's intention: to invite Jiang Wuming to their home as a guest!
As expected, Huangfu Qing continued, "Weixia, since Jiang Wuming is here, why don't you invite him over to sit for a while later?"
Huangfu Weixia ignored him.
"Weixia, back then, Dad shouldn't have..."
Seeing this, Huangfu Qing immediately regretted his past actions and apologized sincerely.
"Dad, I hope you understand that there is no possibility between Jiang Wuming and me. He can't be with me, let alone be your son-in-law, so give up this idea! As for you wanting to curry favor with him, or to use his current status, position, and resources to help you regain your position as the family heir, that's a pipe dream! Don't say he won't do it, even if he did it for my sake, I wouldn't agree!"
Huangfu Weixia said word by word with a cold face, her words like knives, instantly shattering her father Huangfu Qing's beautiful fantasies.
"Alas... Dad was foolish!"
Seeing his daughter's firm attitude, Huangfu Qing was heartbroken and deeply regretted his actions.
Huangfu Weixia said no more and picked up her chopsticks to eat again.
Huangfu Weixia's mother saw this and shook her head at Huangfu Qing, signaling him to give up his illusions and eat properly, otherwise, it would likely end unhappily again.
At the same time.
In the neighboring Villa No. 9.
Jiang Wuming was preparing to have dinner with Chu Wansong, Chu Feng, and Chu Weiyang, the family of three.
Since Jiang Wuming left Donghai, Chu Wansong had wanted to meet him, and today was finally the day.
At this moment, the dishes had just been served. Jiang Wuming, Chu Wansong, and Chu Feng were already sitting at the dining table. Chu Weiyang, dressed in homewear, walked down from the second floor of the villa.
"Sister, you should change your clothes."
Seeing his sister in homewear, Chu Feng immediately suggested.
"Why?"
Chu Weiyang walked to the dining table with a puzzled expression.
"Alas... Sister, you are truly muddled."
Chu Feng looked at his sister with an expression of regret for her lack of initiative – you're wearing homewear, and your beautiful long legs and sexy figure are all covered up. How can you showcase your charm and attract Brother Wuming?
Chu Weiyang looked at Chu Wansong with a dazed expression.
Chu Wansong secretly shook his head.
My daughter is indeed muddled!
In helplessness, Chu Weiyang finally looked at Jiang Wuming and asked, "Brother Wuming, what does Xiao Feng mean?"
"Weiyang, don't mind him. Sit down and eat," Jiang Wuming said with a wry smile.
The simple Chu Weiyang couldn't see the intentions of Chu Feng or even Chu Wansong. He naturally understood them perfectly – both of them wanted to set him up with Chu Weiyang!
"Okay, Brother Wuming."
Hearing Jiang Wuming's words, Chu Weiyang stopped dwelling on the intricacies and sat down next to Jiang Wuming.
This seat was specially reserved for Chu Weiyang by Chu Feng!
Seeing this, Chu Wansong and Chu Feng, father and son, had nothing more to say.
As dinner began, neither Chu Wansong nor the boastful Chu Feng mentioned the Donghai defense battle of that day. They just made small talk.
Given Chu Wansong's status, he naturally knew about the battle at Donghai Martial Academy today. However, when he was young, he plunged into the jianghu and survived countless life-and-death situations, so he knew the cruelty of battle.
As for Chu Feng, he had to abide by the secrecy regulations and strictly keep the battle at Donghai Martial Academy confidential today. He couldn't tell Chu Weiyang, not even his own sister!
"Brother Wuming, I heard my dad say that you've joined the Martial Department and will be killing enemies on the battlefield and defending the country like Uncle Jiang Zhan. I plan to compose a song for you, but I don't have any inspiration yet. I'll send it to you when I finish it."
Halfway through the meal, Chu Weiyang suddenly said.
When Jiang Wuming went to Hongzitou to participate in a gambling match for Chu Wansong, Chu Weiyang had accompanied him to Nanhai to attend a party, where she sang a song composed for Jiang Zhan.
Now, she wanted to compose a song for Jiang Wuming!
"Thank you, Weiyang."
Jiang Wuming did not refuse. Instead, he raised his wine glass and clinked it with Chu Weiyang.
Chu Weiyang tilted her fair neck and drank it all in one gulp. The view below her neck was completely hidden by her homewear.
"Sister is muddled."
Chu Feng also raised his wine glass and said with deep regret.
Chu Weiyang: "???"
Jiang Wuming: "..."
...
After the meal, Jiang Wuming did not leave. He stayed at the villa, planning to stay for the night.
"Ding—"
Jiang Wuming returned to his room. Before he could even take a shower, his phone rang. He picked it up and saw it was a video call request from Li Lianyi, so he answered immediately.
"Why is your face so red, like Guan Gong? Have you been drinking?"
As the video connected, Li Lianyi saw Jiang Wuming's flushed face and asked.
"Yes, I'm at Uncle Chu's house. I just had some drinks with them during dinner," Jiang Wuming nodded.
Although his martial arts skills were powerful, if he didn't use martial arts techniques to expel the alcohol, he would blush every time he drank because he was allergic.
"Is Chu Weiyang there?" Li Lianyi asked.
"Yes."
"Are her legs long?"
"Yes," Jiang Wuming replied instinctively.
Although Chu Weiyang was wearing homewear today, he had seen her wearing a short skirt and knew that she had a pair of beautiful long legs.
"Long and beautiful, right?" Li Lianyi asked again.
"???"
Hearing Li Lianyi's question again, Jiang Wuming realized something was wrong and half of his drunkenness vanished. He remained silent.
"That's true, she is the queen of beautiful legs."
Li Lianyi, seeing Jiang Wuming's silence and feigned ignorance, said on her own.
"Lianyi, why are you acting a bit strange today?" Jiang Wuming asked, mustering his courage.
"Such a big event happened today, and you only sent me a message. Should I still praise you?" Li Lianyi retorted.
"I was afraid you would worry."
Jiang Wuming's heart stirred, and he immediately understood that Li Lianyi should know the truth of the battle at Donghai Martial Academy.
"I was indeed quite worried."
Li Lianyi sighed softly. She was no longer as rarely teasing Jiang Wuming as before, but she didn't tell Jiang Wuming that she had witnessed the entire battle process, during which her heart had been in her throat.
Jiang Wuming remained silent, unsure how to respond.
"Don't push yourself so hard in the future."
Li Lianyi stared intently at Jiang Wuming on the screen and reminded him, "Heaven doesn't always favor one person. You only have one life. Once it's gone, it's gone. Sometimes, we have to learn to let go; there is gain only through loss."
"Don't worry, I will live to fulfill our promise!"
The young man smiled slightly, indirectly replying with unwavering determination.
The girl fell silent. She thought of a line the young man had once written:
If I ascend to the pinnacle of martial arts, I will slaughter all extraterrestrial enemies alone!