After a hearty al and plenty of drinks, everyone got back in the car and arrived at a high-end hotel to check in, one single room per person. Once settled, they gathered in Wu Miao's room for a check-up, which included blood pressure asurents, blood draws, listening to heartbeats, and more. It was a full hour of fuss before they could finally rest, and everyone went back to their rooms to continue their deep slumber.
As dinner ti approached, Lan Xue knocked on Luo Zheng's door. Assuming it was an invitation to have dinner together, Luo Zheng picked up a jacket and put it on, opening the door enthusiastically and saying, "Are we done with dinner? Let's go."
Lan Xue gave a light smile and rolled her eyes at Luo Zheng, saying, "All you think about is eating. After sleeping for so long, you should have recovered by now, right? Co out with tonight."
"Sure," Luo Zheng replied with absolute trust in Lan Xue, not even thinking before agreeing wholeheartedly.
"Aren't you going to ask where we're going?" Lan Xue asked curiously.
"Uh? What do you an?" Luo Zheng asked back, confused. Seeing that Lan Xue didn't want to elaborate, he beca anxious and whispered, "We're not going to et your parents, are we?"
"Hmm, you guessed right. Get ready, we're leaving soon," Lan Xue said, smiling faintly.
"Okay then," Luo Zheng readily agreed. After quickly getting ready, he followed Lan Xue downstairs. Seeing a military vehicle parked at the door, with a lieutenant jumping out to open the car door, Lan Xue thanked him and got in, and Luo Zheng followed suit.
With the strange driver present, Luo Zheng didn't feel comfortable asking too many questions. Seeing Lan Xue resting with her eyes closed, he started to wonder. This didn't seem like a visit to the parents' house. Puzzled, he decided it was better to rest his own eyes as well.
A few minutes later, the military vehicle arrived at a military managent area. After passing through multiple checkpoints, it stopped in front of a quadrangle courtyard. Lan Xue opened her eyes and signaled for Luo Zheng to get out. As they disembarked and the driver drove away, Luo Zheng whispered, "This place is heavily guarded, looks like a military restricted area. What's going on?"
"eting the parents," Lan Xue said softly as she walked inside.
Luo Zheng hurried to follow her. When they reached the main building's living room, they saw it was furnished with Chinese-style furniture exuding an ancient charm. An elder was leisurely brewing tea for himself. Luo Zheng took a closer look, recognized him, and quickly realized who he was. He stepped forward and saluted respectfully, saying, "Hello, sir. Luo Zheng reporting for duty. Please give instructions."
"Sit down," the elder, who was the highest leader of the National Blade Special Combat Team, Mr. Li, and Lan Xue's grandfather, invited him to sit. Indeed, it was a eting with a family mber, but Luo Zheng did not dare to take it lightly. As he saw Lan Xue finding a casual place to sit, he also took a seat close by, sitting up straight and following military etiquette to the letter.
"I called you here just for a casual chat. We're not supposed to et in a formal office setting, but I really couldn't find any other ti. Relax, don't be so formal," Mr. Li said with a chuckle. "I've been briefed on the competition, and you did very well. You made a significant contribution, bringing honor to the nation and making this old man proud. I didn't expect to win first place during my tenure. Tell , what reward would you like?"
Luo Zheng glanced at Lan Xue, smiled sheepishly, his intentions clear. Lan Xue, upon seeing this, glared at Luo Zheng but felt sweet inside. Mr. Li understood Luo Zheng's hint and felt happy for his granddaughter Lan Xue. After looking at her, he laughed and said, "I've agreed to your matter previously, and our agreent still stands. Ask for sothing else."
"Could I get so bonus or sothing? I haven't been ho for three years, and to not make you laugh, sir, I don't even have the fare right now," Luo Zheng said, sheepishly lowering his head.
"You don't have any money, how are you going to support a wife and kids in the future?" Mr. Li joked, scolding him, but his heart clenched, and he silently lanted, what a good warrior he is, willing to shed blood for his country without counting the cost, unmoved by honor or disgrace, truly a seedling worth cultivating. He couldn't help but firm up so thoughts in his heart.
"Grandpa, do you think I'm the type to be vain? We'll just work hard and earn it together," Lan Xue ca out to smooth things over.
"Girls really do take up for their own, the word hasn't even been written yet, and she's already speaking up for him," Mr. Li teased, looking at Lan Xue with eyes full of affection.
"Please rest assured, Commander, I absolutely won't let Lan Xue suffer following , I swear on my honor as a soldier," Luo Zheng said earnestly.
The honor of a soldier is more important than life itself; with such an oath, Lan Xue smiled happily. Seeing the two of them exchanging looks, Mr. Li gave a wry smile and said, "You young people nowadays, we didn't have such openness back in our day, a few heartfelt words would leave us blushing for days, but let's get down to business."
At the ntion of business, Luo Zheng imdiately perked up, looking steadily at the spot between Mr. Li's brows, a position that could make the other person feel respected while also not making them uncomfortable, and he asked, "Please give your orders, Mr. Li."
"Captain Wu has granted you a month's leave, go back ho first. As for the bonus issue, the organization doesn't have much money, but they've decided to reward each of you fifty thousand. Co back in a month, and I have a mission for you," Mr. Li said.
"What mission?" Luo Zheng quickly stood up, asking earnestly.
"Don't be nervous, I'll tell you later. The reason I asked you here was to et our big hero. Your current rank is Lieutenant, and after consideration, the organization has decided to promote you one level, which ans you're now a Captain. Such a young Captain is unique in our team; I hope you'll continue to work hard," Mr. Li said with a smile, without any pretense, and a hint of admiration in his eyes.
"Thank you, organization; thank you, Commander," Luo Zheng was overjoyed and promptly saluted. As a Captain plus fifty thousand dollars, this reward was no small matter. Glancing at Lan Xue, he saw her loving smile.
"Commander, dinner is ready, shall we?" A guard ran over and saluted before speaking.
"Bring it over," Mr. Li answered, and as soon as the guard left, he smiled at Luo Zheng, "We've talked business, now for so everyday matters. Let's have dinner together."
"Thank you, Mr. Li," Luo Zheng heard the tone and choice of words from Mr. Li, it was clear that he had accepted his relationship with Lan Xue, considering him as family now, which overjoyed him. He quickly expressed his gratitude, even changing how he addressed Mr. Li.
Seeing Luo Zheng's quick response, Mr. Li was even more pleased and smiled, saying to Lan Xue, "Your judgnt is much better than your father's. He treasures rotten wood like it's gold; ah well, let's not talk about him. Since I've agreed to your matter, I'll certainly take care of it, of course, provided this young man keeps to the two-year agreent."
"Thank you, Grandpa. He's reached the strength of an Ordinary Soldier King in three years, a full three months ahead of the original agreent. I have confidence in him," Lan Xue said happily, her words no longer cold. In the presence of her doting grandpa, she naturally showed her true side.
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