Xia Wanqing herself said it.

To save someone, her parents thought of everything they could think of, borrowed from everyone they could borrow from, and if it weren't for Xia Wanqing stepping in, they even planned to transfer the only source of income, a well-run convenience store.

It was that kind of situation.

Indeed, it was something people would avoid at all costs.

The Xia family is an ordinary family, and their friends and relatives are ordinary people too.

It can be understood.

"Thank you."

Xia Wanqing suddenly said.

"For what? If you thank someone, it should be Jiang Chen."

Luo Peng replied indifferently.

"I'm thanking you for accompanying me back at this time."

Luo Peng stopped and turned his head.

Xia Wanqing also came to a halt.

Priceless treasures are easy to come by.

It's rare to find a true love.

As a former Qinyuan Huakui, she had seen countless wealthy people, so she understood what is truly precious.

At this critical moment, she became the pillar of the family, but she was just a woman.

"Just saying it doesn't mean much, you have to show it with actions..."

Their eyes met, and Young Master Luo habitually started to flirt again, but before he could finish, she stood on tiptoe, and his lips were sealed.

By rights, Master Luo should have been well-versed in this, but at that moment, he stood there stunned like a novice.

It was brief.

Xia Wanqing stepped back, without any embarrassment or shyness, as if nothing had happened, and continued to walk forward.

Luo Peng's gaze followed, watching the dust-free figure ahead, he smiled silently and then caught up.

"Make a promise?"

The two walked side by side again.

"Hmm?"

"If, I mean if, your brother isn't saved, I'll be a son to your family."

Xia Wanqing's pace paused slightly, but she didn't stop, even when hearing such an inauspicious curse, she didn't get angry.

"Wouldn't that be an injustice to you?"

"What injustice? Your parents have bought retirement insurance and even run a small business, they don't need me to support them."

Luo Peng walked beside her, nonchalantly said, without a hint of mature and steady demeanor?

No.

To be precise, it seems like he is overly mature and steady.

He's already considering other people's parents' retirement issues; isn't that forward-thinking enough?

Xia Wanqing stayed silent, not tilting her head to look at the person beside her, this oiran, who had seen the vicissitudes of life yet always remained elegant, for the first time had her eyes vaguely red, then she said.

"Alright."

————

As the end of the year approached.

All the warlords coincidentally ceased fighting for the year, this was an unwritten tacit understanding.

No matter how hard working people labored, they had to go home for the New Year.

It's the same logic.

After snatching money, food, and territories all year, one has to enjoy some peaceful days at the year's end.

As the year-end approached, plus under the "truce", the Allied Army leader Jin Zhu called for a customary assembly of military officers to hold a reward meeting, of course, this time it was more grand than ever.

The most direct reason being the visibly increased number of participants because the Allied Army had expanded massively this year, naturally increasing the number of officers at all levels.

Due to the surge in numbers and the expansion of the venue, the position of Deputy Officer Wei Yi, once considered a right-hand man, seemed less intimate.

In the boiling and joyous atmosphere, Wei Yi didn't completely blend in, he didn't even go to toast with General Jin Zhu, silently observing the scene.

Very easily, he noticed something very strange.

The greatest contributor, or rather the biggest financial backer, to the founding Alliance Army's grand success, did not show up.

Even Mr. Xu Kuan didn't come.

If they weren't present, that could be understood, but they were clearly in Myanmar.

General Jin Zhu was kind to him, and this cannot be obliterated. If not for the Allied Army's refuge, he might have long died under the Wei Family's pursuit, wouldn't have had the chance for later revenge, seeing the radiant face of the General, Wei Yi, who had rested for two months ahead of time, pondered and weighed, eventually stood up and walked over.

"General, Happy New Year."

"Haha."

The supreme leader of the tens of thousands of troops in the Allied Army laughed heartily, "Indeed worth celebrating, never in all these years have I been as happy as I am this year, come on, cheers."

The spirited Master Jin toasted with his trusted General, "The days ahead will only get better!"

Wei Yi didn't express an opinion, and after drinking, asked, "General, why hasn't Mr. Xu come?"

The short yet fierce Master Jin appeared unperturbed, "Mr. Xu has something to attend to."

"Mr. Jiang has been in Myanmar for several days now. Have you gone to see Mr. Jiang?"

"How did you know Mr. Jiang came to Myanmar?"

Immediately, Master Jin seemed to catch on, looking at his accomplished and meritorious officer, "Did Mr. Xu tell you? You have always been quite close with Mr. Xu."

Wei Yi did not explain and continued to ask, "Have you invited Mr. Jiang, General?"

Master Jin did not immediately respond and looked at the lively scene, saying nonchalantly, "Mr. Jiang likes tranquility."

Wei Yi hesitated to speak.

Liking tranquility is one thing.

But one's own attitude is another matter.

With such a prominent figure around, is it appropriate to leave him aside?

Of course.

This kind of matter is not his to question, as it would be overstepping boundaries and could easily provoke the displeasure of those in power, but due to the favor he owed, Wei Yi chose to offer his advice: "General, before the end of the year, you should meet with Mr. Jiang."

Master Jin glanced at him, perhaps knowing he spoke from sincere concern, replied with no visible emotion, "Rest assured, I am aware."

The matter having reached such a point with the superior's assurance, further insistence would be ungracious, no matter how close the relationship.

No matter how significant the contributions, a subordinate is always a subordinate.

Wei Yi was certainly not a hothead; he tactfully ended the topic, took a sip of wine, and retreated.

The atmosphere was jubilant, flourishing.

But his mood was somewhat low.

It didn't take an especially keen sense to notice that as early as a few months ago, when he was transferred back from the frontline for "leave," he realized the General, who had once trusted him so much, had changed.

The team had grown, talents capable in battle had increased, providing more choices, understandable, but he couldn't comprehend why there was such coldness towards the major benefactor?

What a pity.

In his position, he couldn't interfere much more.

"Deputy Officer Wei, what are you thinking about? Let's drink."

With glasses clinking and lively conversations, when Wei Yi took a moment to glance towards the host's position, the figure, short and robust, was nowhere to be seen.

Scanning the surroundings, he couldn't find him, and the crowd made it difficult to discern clearly.

In reality, Master Jin was no longer at the venue; upon receiving a report from his Personal Guards, he temporarily left, entering a room adjacent to the hall with a blank expression.

"We are in the midst of our annual reward banquet, sir, your timing is unfortunate."

There was only one person in the room.

Wearing a full-coverage black cloak designed for weatherproofing, covering his head and most of his face, combined with a bent posture, only his chin was barely visible.

"I heard it, the joyous laughter of the Allied Army's officers, it's very infectious, uplifting my mood as well."

As Master Jin entered, the room door was promptly closed by Personal Guards from outside.

"If you wish to drink, sir, I can have some wine and food sent over."

"I would indeed like to drink heartily with the General, but now is definitely not a good opportunity, as I'm sure the General feels too."

The chin beneath the cloak lifted slightly.

"So, General, have you thought over our discussed matter thoroughly?"

Master Jin's expression was indifferent.

"Not yet."

"You know too, sir, this decision is extremely difficult."

"I understand."

From their movements, the person in the cloak seemed to nod slightly, "But all great decisions in history have not been easy to make, requiring substantial courage, wisdom, and boldness."

"And I believe the General has no lack of these three."

Even if the face couldn't be seen, it was palpable that the person in the cloak was observing Master Jin.

Silence.

Long silence.

"Give me a little more time."

Master Jin said.

"Of course. This is a reasonable request. I just hope when the time comes, the response from the General will satisfy both sides."

Master Jin did not say more.

"Farewell."

"Creak."

The door opened.

The cloaked figure walked out of the room, quietly leaving, while the adjacent banquet continued in boisterous celebration.

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