Chapter 38

Gu Chao asked a professional sound engineer to set the audio system to a romantic tone. He then called for servers to bring in premium imported spirits, draft beer, and fruit platters, and invited several beautiful, singing hostesses to add to the ambiance.

At eight o'clock, Wang Fang called to ask about the baby in my womb. I told her it had been born at eleven last night, and it was a girl.

Although Jiang Chuchu wanted a low-key birthday, her previous argument and breakup with Gu Chao had alarmed both their families. Consequently, the Gu family hosted a grand birthday banquet specifically for her, inviting well-known local chefs and a band, all in an attempt to reconcile the two.

However, Liu Qing showed no reaction at all. Alas, perhaps he was too weak, or perhaps he had fallen unconscious again.

"So, my dear General Xiao, what is the matter that has you rushing into my boudoir so urgently?" Isha asked, drawing out the word "boudoir" significantly.

Before heading to the top floor, Zhang Ming'ai spotted Li Wei from a distance. A warmth surged in her chest, and not knowing how to face him, she pulled Cui Xiaoxiong to take a detour to the top floor, leaving the dojo master, Cui Hancheng, to greet Li Wei.

"Go, go," Wei Suo waved his hand, dismissing him. If he didn't need this shameless fellow to do some swimming, Wei Suo would have finished him off long ago.

Major film platforms released the detailed, post-calculation box office figures on time. Once published, the industry was shaken.

The torpedo officer, the first mate, and all others were filled by experienced commanders; the second gunnery mate and the third ship-mechanics mate were filled by battalion commanders; the third sampan mate and the primary gunnery officer were filled by battalion commanders; the head of the sailors, the three deputy gunnery officers, and all others were filled by extra-establishment officers, along with one inspector.

"Me? If you let Nian Jiuling die today, I will use the entire Holy Dragon Empire as his funeral pyre and sacrifice him with the blood of the common people."

Supporting her chin, Han Ya looked out the window, her thoughts already drifting far away. Langye, I really hope to see you meet my father soon.

***

Xiuyao carefully explained to him the benefits of intercropping forestry and agriculture. When trees and crops are planted together with specific row spacing, it not only makes rational use of the land but also regulates temperature and humidity, protects the soil from erosion, and creates a symbiotic relationship that suppresses weeds and pests.

Xiuyao squatted down, holding the sweet potato vine with her left hand while pressing the end slightly into the moist soil with her right. She then began to mound the earth, covering the vine from the tip up to the leaves. After mounding, she pressed it down slightly with both hands to make it firm and airtight.

Qingming bore the weight of various gazes from foreign guests, leaders, and fellow students—especially those of the leaders—and could not help but feel heavy. He stood up slowly and paced the aisle, everyone watching him nervously.

She had suffered too many blows; could I really not protect her? If Shao Tong also turned into a "cold beauty" like Yun Li, would I be responsible for that too? Is that fair? When I disciplined them back then, their behavior was so detestable; wasn't I standing on the side of justice?

Xia Xue had long seen through this guy's true colors. To be able to smile so ingenuously while saying such things, Ye Xuan was truly shameless to the core. Abruptly pulling her hand back, Xia Xue walked toward the room.

Qinghe remained silent at these words. Perhaps her father's words were slightly exaggerated, but he did so because he didn't want her to carry too heavy a psychological burden, and he feared she would be taken advantage of in the Prince's mansion, leaving him no choice but to provide such a heavy dowry.

Qin Mingzhu said with gratification, "Thank you, dear sister. If there is anyone to blame, it is only that I, your sister, trusted the wrong person. I thought that by sending her, she could retrieve the remains of our parents, but that wretch only cared about seducing the Emperor and didn't take my business to heart at all. Now that she has been injured for the Emperor, this merit of saving the throne is enough for her to be named a consort."

Huangyuan City was the capital of the Dust-Sealed Empire, naturally incomparably prosperous, with countless streets and roads, so much so that Han Yu lost his way within it.

The cult leader slowly opened his eyes, and upon looking up, he saw a massive, supreme stone statue of a god. Although it was stone, it was carved with the beauty of white jade, as delicate as silk, and as lifelike as a living thing.

"Roar... No, I am the Supreme Mountain God, the King of the Misty Forest." Zhongjian's head glared with fierce light as it turned to look at the head on the right.

"Alright, it's settled then. It's getting late now, so stay and have a meal at my house!" Jiang Yuanyuan said.

***

He Yifei's expression finally changed when he heard Ye Xi's words; he had not expected her to be so impervious to reason.

After resting for a full day, Han Yu finally pulled an exhausted Lin Fei toward the otherworldly rift within the city the following morning.

Yue Guangcheng's hand, which had been drawing circles, clenched into a fist, then slowly relaxed and placed over his chest, palm facing his heart. It looked like Old Qin had guessed correctly.

At the pier, the reporter was surrounded by several burly men. His camera had been smashed, his face was bruised, and he was looking at the people surrounding him with sheer terror.

"Wanning does not know." Wanning glanced at the Empress Dowager, hoping she would stop the Emperor from continuing. She did not want to know so much. But the Empress Dowager, who usually doted on her, was now only frowning at the floor. Ever since the incident with Qi Feng, the Empress Dowager seemed unable to lift her spirits these past few days.

The two bumped into each other often. After a few times, Xiao Yan was gradually moved by Lin Ke'er's kindness, optimism, and perseverance, and he began to take an interest in her.

Hearing that Gu Cijun was willing to take over, the second-in-command breathed a sigh of relief. However, he recalled that when he had personally asked Gu Cijun to take charge, he had been flatly refused; yet, after Su Chen whispered two sentences, Gu Cijun had agreed.