"Of course, I was scared," Xia Liang shrugged. "But at that time, there was only one option. There was no time to defuse the bomb, and I was prepared to drive the car straight into the sea if I really couldn't make it."

Lu Guangyao gave her a thumbs-up. "Courageous! Responsible!"

At that moment, a kind and amiable elderly woman with graying hair emerged from the kitchen in the side hall, carrying a fragrant dish. She took a close look at Xia Liang.

"You must be Xia Liang, right? You're even younger than I imagined. Old Lu has been talking my ear off about you these past few days."

Without needing an introduction, Xia Liang politely stood up. "Hello, Grandma. I'm a bit embarrassed to be imposing like this on our first meeting."

"Not at all." The old woman appreciated Xia Liang even more when she saw that she didn't possess the usual impatience of young people. "There's just one more dish. Everyone, please, let's get to the table."

Just as Xia Liang anticipated, Lu Chuang, this big shot who appeared strict but was actually full of mischief, was ready to stir things up at the dinner table. Before they had even taken a few bites, he set out four bottles of specially supplied liquor. Then, without another word, he chugged one.

Lu Guangyao, showing no respect for his age, egged him on from the side.

Left with no choice, Xia Liang had to follow suit and down a bottle. Then another. In just a few minutes, two bottles of the special liquor were gone.

Unfortunately for them, they had underestimated Xia Liang's tolerance for alcohol.

Lu Chuang then brought out a huge barrel of draft beer. Yes, a barrel, one that was even a size bigger than a suitcase.

"I've finished mine. Your move," he declared.

GLUG, GLUG, GLUG...

"I'm done with another. Don't fall behind."

GLUG, GLUG, GLUG...

"I'll go for another—"

"Stop! Don't! Isn't that a bit much?" Xia Liang quickly grabbed Lu Chuang's arm as he reached for the draft beer tap. She had seen heavy drinkers before, but never anyone who drank like this.

She wasn't worried for herself, but Lu Chuang was a member of the Weiguo Army. How could he just chug alcohol like that?

It was a good thing Xia Liang didn't check, or she would have discovered that Lu Chuang's previous two bottles of special liquor had been tampered with; they were filled with tap water. The draft beer he was now drinking was real, but Lu Chuang had taken medication beforehand. Combined with his naturally high tolerance, he was only getting more fired up as the battle of drinks raged on.

Just then, the doorbell rang. After the grandmother went to open it, a surprised voice floated in.

"Xumei? Weren't you going to Shangjing on a business trip?"

"The trip was canceled at the last minute. Grandma, you made so much food! It smells amazing."

The voice was clear and crisp, like the call of a songbird, unforgettable after a single listen. Xia Liang turned her head to look.

"That's my daughter, about your age," Lu Chuang said, slinging a large arm around Xia Liang's shoulder. "Let's not mind her. We'll keep drinking, keep drinking."

With double eyelids, long eyelashes, pupils as dark as ink, and whites as pure as snow, the contrast was stark and flawless. When Lu Xumei walked into the dining room and saw an unfamiliar young woman keeping pace with her father in a drinking competition, she thought she was seeing things.

In her memory, it was incredibly rare for anyone, even military colleagues, to be invited to their home for a meal. But a closer look clarified the situation; Xia Liang's face was probably more recognizable than most celebrities' by now.

"Is that Xia Liang?"

Her grandmother nodded with a smile. "Indeed, it's her. Your grandfather has been watching the Starry sky and the moon, just longing for the day he would feel well enough to invite her over for a meal. It seems your father has a favor to ask of her, too, though I'm not sure what it is."

Even though Xia Liang is a great driver, what could Father possibly want from her? How strange. Lu Xumei thought, puzzled.

"You have no idea!" Lu Chuang boomed. "The latest Type 15 has already been deployed. I had to cry and throw a fit to get a company of them. The performance, the maneuverability, the firepower—in the light tank category, it absolutely trounces anything from Azure Star."

Xia Liang understood the gist of it. The Type 15 was a true fighter among light tanks. Other countries rarely researched this type of main battle equipment, and the performance of Dragon Country's Type 15 was insane. It had only been officially revealed a little over a year ago. The fact that Lu Chuang managed to secure an entire company's worth showed just how influential he was.

"Heh, heh, heh, interested? I guarantee you've never driven anything like it." Lu Chuang's smile was sly, and Xia Liang did her best to keep a safe distance.

"You're asking if I'm interested when I've never driven one? You must be drunk."

"What's the big deal? To put it simply, the Type 15 is just a lightweight version of the 99A. The principles are the same. When you get a chance, come to my place and take it for a spin. I hear that skilled drivers can even make it drift."

After sitting down next to her grandmother, Lu Xumei listened in a daze. Father must have had a lot to drink. Why else would he let a rideshare driver take our newest, most cutting-edge main battle equipment for a spin?

"Dad, maybe you should drink a little less," she advised.

Lu Chuang just chuckled. "I'm happy today! She doesn't need an introduction, does she? Even the troops know the great name of the 'Black Flash.' I'm sure you young people know it, too. And this is my daughter, Lu Xumei."

Xia Liang looked over, smiled, and introduced herself. "Nice to meet you. I'm Xia Liang, a rideshare driver."

"A pleasure. I'm Lu Xumei, a researcher."

The moment the introductions were over, before the two could get to know each other, Lu Chuang started pouring again. "She's a disobedient daughter. I wanted her to join the military, but she insisted on doing research with Old Master Lu. Isn't that infuriating? The Lu Family has only this one heir, and so many of my old comrades joke that Lu Chuang has no successor. Come on, let's have another!"

Lu Xumei seemed completely immune to such talk. They had argued about it countless times in the past, and she had learned from experience that the best response was no response at all.

Xia Liang's mouth twitched. "Also... also working on mushroom bombs?"

She really is Old Master Lu's descendant. To think such a young woman is also involved in dangerous research.

"Something like that," Old Master Lu interjected. "Lu Chuang, stop forcing drinks on her. Eat some food, eat some food."

He didn't say it outright, but Xia Liang knew it must involve top-secret information. Even if they were on friendly terms, matters of such national importance couldn't be discussed so casually.

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