Chapter 34: Fifteen Years Ago Part 1

Very soon, Shangguan Yu’s car also pulled up.

Only then did Ye Fengwan let go of Ruan Ming’s hand. The two of them got out of the car.

Seeing the two approach, Shangguan Yu smiled at Ruan Ming. “Little Ruan, I haven’t seen you for quite a few days.”

The day Ruan Ming had caught bamboo rats on the mountain and tried to contact her, she hadn’t been in her territory, so the bamboo rats hadn’t yet been delivered.

Ruan Ming blinked and called out, “Sister Yu.”

Just then, another person stepped out of the car Shangguan Yu had arrived in. It was a young man with a pale complexion and a thin, frail build. One could tell immediately he was the scion of a wealthy and powerful family—refined and noble, yet with a languid air.

Several bodyguards followed from the cars behind.

At that moment, Qu Ning, Zhang Ci, Wei Heng, and a few others, who had been inside the house, came out to greet the young man. They hadn’t known when they’d come out.

Ruan Ming’s suspicions were confirmed: this person was Meng Xin, the second son of Central City’s Commander.

Meng Xin coughed lightly twice and said unhurriedly to Qu Ning: “I heard Dean Qu is hosting a banquet. Figured there’d be good stuff. I was just craving this sort of thing, so I invited myself. I hope you don’t mind.”

Qu Ning’s smile was gentle: “What kind of talk is that? Had I known you were in New Land, I’d have sent an eight-man sedan chair to invite you over.”

Meng Xin was roughly Ruan Ming’s age, while Qu Ning was already 32. Facing the son of Central City’s Commander—nearly ten years his junior—his expression was natural and utterly unfazed. Behind his gold-rimmed glasses, a pair of deep-set eyes narrowed slightly, bearing a faint smile.

Qu Wu, however, was different. Proud by nature, he had always maintained a lofty, superior posture within Base One. Now, facing an esteemed young master like Meng Xin, who was even younger than himself, he felt somewhat resistant. Still, he stepped forward and greeted Meng Xin as “Second Young Master.”

Meng Xin’s gaze swept past Qu Wu without pausing and followed Qu Ning into the reception room.

Qu Wu clenched his jaw tightly, the veins on his neck faintly visible, and bowed his head as he quickly followed.

The three women, unhurried, walked behind.

Behind them were also two bodyguards—one man, one woman—who had accompanied Shangguan Yu into Territory 32 that day, their expressions cold and stern.

All the way until seating. Qu Wu lagged a step behind, wanting to sit between Ye Fengwan and Ruan Ming. But he saw the two were seated shoulder to shoulder, having taken their seats together, leaving no gap to squeeze into.

He settled for second best, trying to squeeze in to Ruan Ming’s right. Unexpectedly, Shangguan Yu had already preempted him and sat down directly.

“What is Second Young Master Qu standing here for? Could it be that at our gathering, there’s some seating protocol—men and women must be seated separately?” Shangguan Yu’s voice was neither too loud nor too soft, but just enough for everyone to hear.

A flicker of imperceptible anger flashed in Qu Ning’s eyes, yet his tone was still gentle as he called out: “Qu Wu, come sit over here.”

Qu Wu was inwardly furious but could only suppress his emotions and sit down beside Qu Ning.

The dishes were soon brought to the table one after another: chicken, duck, fish, meat—all present. Even the green vegetables looked especially fresh, tender, and enticing. Over a dozen dishes covered the tabletop, their aromas wafting enticingly.

Everyone’s eyes were dazzled. Beside them, Meng Xin’s nostrils flared slightly. With a lazy demeanor, he said flatly: “Though the dishes are plentiful, the good stuff isn’t among them.”

Qu Ning laughed. “Brother Meng, your Olfactory Ability is truly admirable.”

Meng Xin gave a self-deprecating smile. “It’s merely a ‘dog’s nose.’ Not even a shred of self-preservation capability.”

As he said this, he glanced at Ye Fengwan and remarked: “Does Director Ye share my sentiment?”

Ye Fengwan put on a helpless expression. “You really asked the right person.”

Meng Xin curled his lip. “But you have a Dual Ability. What do you need to worry about?”

The others, hearing this, all shifted expressions slightly and turned their gazes uniformly toward Ye Fengwan.

Ye Fengwan raised her eyebrows, feigning surprise. “I have a Dual Ability? How come I didn’t know?”

Shangguan Yu, beside them, teased: “You do. It’s called the ‘Sister’s Baby’ ability.”

The others instantly burst into laughter.

Someone even seized the opportunity to add: “If we’re counting that way, Young Master Meng also has this ability.”

The Qu brothers visibly breathed a sigh of relief. Qu Ning regained his usual gentle and refined poise and said: “Now you’re all making me wish I had a strong older sister too.”

“With an older brother like you, how many people would be begging for it?” Zhang Ci chimed in.

Qu Wu, upon hearing this, remained silent.

The smile at the corner of Qu Ning’s mouth was rather strained. “Let’s not talk about that. First, let’s eat.”

With a wave of his hand, the attendants behind him quickly brought out a large platter.

The platter was placed directly in front of Meng Xin.

As the lid over the platter was lifted, a rich, intensely savory fragrance wafted out. A steamed snakehead fish, about three or four pounds, lay on the platter, its aroma so enticing it made one’s fingers itch to move.

Meng Xin sniffed gently and praised: “Truly the good stuff.”

The “good stuff” he mentioned was precisely organic food.

Several pairs of eyes at the table stared intently at him. Everyone assumed he would be the first to pick up his chopsticks, but unexpectedly, he turned the lazy Susan instead—spinning the dish of fish over to the three women. “Women should eat more fish. Good for the complexion.”

“A Lian, you should eat more too.” A Lian was the female bodyguard with Shangguan Yu.

“Young Master Meng is ever the gentleman.” Wei Heng and the others all chimed in with flattery.

Meng Xin raised an eyebrow. Shangguan Yu had already picked up her chopsticks, using a spoon along with them to scoop up the large chunk of meat at the fish’s belly.

Qu Wu immediately showed a look of disdain, thinking this woman had never seen the world—getting so greedy at the sight of something good.

But to his surprise, Shangguan Yu turned her chopsticks and placed that large piece of fish meat into Ruan Ming’s bowl.

“Little Ruan, eat some fish,” she said with a smile. “They all have older brothers or sisters. You’re the most pitiful one here. Let me be your sister for a bit and dote on you.”

Hearing this, Ruan Ming felt warmth in her heart. “Thank you, Sister Yu.”

The corner of Shangguan Yu’s lips curved up. “Good girl. Now eat.”

Watching this scene unfold before her, Ye Fengwan’s dark, bright eyes darted a glance at Shangguan Yu. Immediately after, she also picked up a piece of the crescent-shaped meat from beneath the fish’s gill cover and placed it into Ruan Ming’s bowl.

“This is the most tender and delicious part. Eat this.”

Shangguan Yu looked at her and teased: “What’s this? You want to be Little Ruan’s big sister too?”

Ye Fengwan glanced at Ruan Ming, then lowered her head to sip some soup. “She doesn’t need that many older sisters.”

Qu Ning said a few perfunctory words, and everyone began to eat.

After several rounds of drinks, Qu Ning smiled warmly at Shangguan Yu and said: “Miss Huang, you look very much like a friend of mine. Before coming to New Land, which district were you from?”

Shangguan Yu raised an eyebrow.

Her identity had long been meticulously arranged. She answered without any flaws.

To Qu Ning’s several probing questions, she responded fluently and with ease.

Zhang Ci, beside them, asked curiously: “I wonder, how did Miss Huang come to know Young Master Meng?”

Meng Xin frowned in displeasure. “What’s this? Need a background check just to have a meal?”

Zhang Ci immediately apologized: “I spoke out of turn. I was merely curious about the much-talked-about connection between you two. I beg Young Master Meng’s pardon.”

His words had barely faded when Qu Wu’s wristband rang abruptly.

He had been sitting ignored for a long while. Seeing it was a call from Qu Wanshan, he simply put it on speakerphone and answered without any attempt at discretion.

Yet, the moment he connected, Qu Wanshan’s roar came through from the other end: “Where did you run off to?! The base’s grain depot was hijacked by the Rebel Alliance people—burned to the ground! Get back here immediately!”

Qu Wu’s expression changed dramatically upon hearing this. Just as he opened his mouth to explain, having not even gotten halfway through, the other side cut him off directly: “Hurry back!”—and then ended the call.

Seeing all eyes focused on him, Qu Wu slammed his wristband heavily onto the table. Gritting his teeth, he said: “It’s those bastards again!”

Ye Fengwan took the opportunity to remark leisurely: “Good thing I’m not in the Safe Zone. Otherwise, I’d be implicated again this time for sure.”

Upon hearing this, Qu Wu’s fury blazed. His eyes wide, he roared: “Did I say it had anything to do with you?!”

Ye Fengwan shot back sarcastically: “And what do you think is the reason I’m out here in New Land? Isn’t it because you suspected I was involved with the truck hijacking, connected to the Rebel Alliance, and dragged me into this mess?”

“Ye Fengwan! Don’t think that just because Ye Jianggui is protecting you, I wouldn’t dare touch you!”

“Just try it!” Ye Fengwan looked at him, completely unyielding.

Qu Wu abruptly stood up and strode towards Ye Fengwan.

Seeing the man approaching ever closer, Ruan Ming instinctively shifted her stool back and stood up abruptly, blocking herself in front of Ye Fengwan.

“Qu Wu! Come back here!” Qu Ning, for once dropping his usual gentle demeanor, shouted a command to stop him.

Beside him, Meng Xin furrowed his brows in displeasure and said coldly: “We’re just eating a meal. What’s the meaning of this?”

Qu Wu’s chest heaved violently. He glared hatefully at Ye Fengwan and unwillingly returned to his seat.

Ye Fengwan, without any noticeable movement, took Ruan Ming’s hand and had her sit back down.