Luo Zheng could have returned directly in the patrol car, but fearing that it would be investigated, he might also hail a ride back to the embassy, but that risked exposure or leaving so clue. Calling soone to pick him up would also be a good idea, but the problem was that he had no money on hand. After much thought, Luo Zheng decided to walk back, first to conceal his identity, and second, because the distance was not very far. However, the police were quick to act, imdiately sealing off roads and declaring martial law, making it impossible to pass through. Pretending to stumble back drunk beca the best option.
At the police station, the police searched him and found nothing that could prove his identity. They tossed Luo Zheng aside to sober up. Everyone was too busy to bother with him, and half an hour later, a policeman approached to inquire about him. In his broken Huaxia language, Luo Zheng knew it was about ti. Pretending to wake from his drunken stupor, he slurred that he was a staff mber at the Huaxia Country Embassy.
The mont the police heard his identity, they had no choice but to contact the embassy. The situation was imdiately relayed to the ambassador's secretary, who hurriedly drove to the station with Luo Zheng's identification docunts. With records and a backup on file, the police station couldn't object and had to let him go.
On the way back, Luo Zheng quickly shed his alcohol-laden overcoat, with not a trace of drunkenness left. He asked anxiously, "Is everyone back?"
"Everyone's back, resting at the guesthouse. They don't know I ca here. You guys really stirred things up, but it felt good to give them what for," the secretary said with admiration.
"As long as everyone's back," Luo Zheng said, relaxing his expression and closing his eyes to rest. The secretary was an outsider; it was acceptable for him to know a bit about the situation through his own channels and thods, but Luo Zheng could not reveal any details. That was discipline.
The secretary knew the rules too and didn't ask further. He drove carefully to the embassy, dropped off Luo Zheng, and left. Luo Zheng hurried to the guesthouse and knocked on Lan Xue's room. Lan Xue opened the door and saw Luo Zheng, the very person she'd been worried about. Overjoyed, she ignored her shyness, pulled Luo Zheng into the room, embraced him, hooked her foot around the door, and excitedly said, "It's good you're safe."
"Don't worry," Luo Zheng said, feeling the depth of Lan Xue's care and feeling reassured and touched.
After a heartfelt embrace, Lan Xue poured Luo Zheng a glass of water and began asking about the details, as it was her duty and obligation as the leader. Luo Zheng recounted the events truthfully, adding, "If there's an investigation, there's still evidence, like the clothes I took off and so on. Therefore, we must leave Japan as soon as possible."
"I'll arrange it," Lan Xue said earnestly, nodding. "By the way, Shadow has already returned."
"He's already back?" Luo Zheng was about to ask when the news caught him by surprise. After thinking it over, he said with a wry smile, "Actually, I shouldn't have gone to help him. The more I helped, the more I hindered."
"What happened?" Lan Xue asked in surprise.
Luo Zheng detailed the situation and his own speculation. Lan Xue also sighed, saying, "Snow Leopard and Mountain Eagle said the sa thing when they ca back. They too felt they were holding Shadow back, so they returned first. I didn't expect you'd say the sa. It seems we've all underestimated Shadow's strength. Now it looks like he was just going crazy from being cooped up for two months and found an opportunity to take revenge and vent his anger on the ninjas."
"It's highly likely. Otherwise, with his speed, he would've escaped long ago. Neither the Imperial Guards nor the ninjas could have caught up. But on his way back, he did kill quite a number of people, and he finished off a good number of ninjas too, letting out so foul air. Let's not discuss this further. We should focus on preparing to withdraw," Luo Zheng said with a sigh.
"Yes, you go wash up and sleep first; I'll make the arrangents right away," Lan Xue said, agreeing.
Back in his own room, Luo Zheng freshened up. He heard a knock at the door and opened it to find Shadow and Ye Laixiang. Surprised, he stepped aside and said, "Co in for a chat?"
"It'll be daylight soon, and we won't disturb your rest. We just wanted to thank you in person," Shadow said with gratitude, looking earnest.
"No need to thank ; just don't secretly admire Lan Xue," Luo Zheng joked.
"I won't. With Ye Laixiang, this life is enough," Shadow quickly said, fearing Ye Laixiang might get upset.
Ye Laixiang understood that Luo Zheng was helping Shadow to clarify things and close the distance between them. Grateful, she said, "Thank you."
Their eyes t and they both smiled in understanding.
After Shadow and Ye Laixiang left, Luo Zheng finally lay down and fell into a deep sleep. When he awoke, it was already noon. Feeling refreshed, they all had lunch together and, tacitly, returned to their rooms for a eting. Lan Xue inford everyone that the plane back ho would leave in two hours. Hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. With all the commotion in Japan, going back was the sensible thing to do to avoid further complications.
The embassy secretary saw them off, and at the airport, they were arranged to board the plane through the diplomatic channel. Once the plane took off, everyone completely relaxed. Lan Xue sat next to Luo Zheng, naturally leaning her head on his shoulder and holding his arm as if to nap. After a while, Lan Xue whispered, "They're really fortunate, aren't they?"
"We're fortunate too," Luo Zheng said affectionately. Seeing the wistful look on Lan Xue's face, he caught on. Lan Xue ant the obstacles between the two of them. Luo Zheng said with a wry smile, "Don't worry, I'll work hard on it. From the looks of it, your grandfather will support us. It's just your father now."
"After Song Yan got kicked out, the Song family's power was weakened, which really shook my father. I think he'll reassess our situation. If possible, can you co with when I go back?" Lan Xue asked seriously. Seeing Luo Zheng deep in thought, she explained, "You see, my father loves a lot. It's just that with my stepmother in between, it puts him in a difficult position, so I end up being the one compromised. He just wants the family to be harmonious."
"Let's find an opportunity, and I'll go back with you," Luo Zheng said earnestly.
"I knew you're the best to ," Lan Xue said gratefully, squeezing his arm tighter and smiling happily. "When we get back to Beijing, let's not rush back to the base. We'll get off the plane, and I'll ask the team leader for leave. Let's go back for a visit."
"Great," Luo Zheng was also eager to resolve this issue, so Lan Xue wouldn't be caught in the middle. He agreed without hesitation and, after thinking for a mont, asked, "Do we need to prepare anything? Also, should we inform your grandfather just in case sothing happens? It might help to have an elder diate."
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