Chapter 524 - 258: You too?
In that moment, heaven and earth seemed exceptionally vast and boundless. An indescribable sense of awe surged through his heart.
’Man’s power has its limits. Only by yielding to heaven and adapting to the times can one find true freedom!’
Zhao Rui gave a carefree smile and slowly closed his eyes.
...
Great crises bring great opportunities, and great opportunities bring great change!
As Alien technology was gradually revealed, new inventions from Elder Ge and his team—created by combining remnant Alien technology with True Qi—were also slowly being released for civilian use.
A rhythm and way of life completely different from before began to emerge throughout society.
"Where on earth is my brother now?"
In a high-end residential complex in Cheng City, Zhao Ke pouted and mumbled as he ate sweet cherries.
"I don’t know. He didn’t say before he left."
Zhao Jincheng shook his head. His eldest son was a high-flying, elusive figure these days, rarely showing his face. Besides, the boy had his own affairs to attend to.
He couldn’t help much, so naturally, he wouldn’t meddle.
He’d come back for a visit a while ago and only said he was going on a long trip, but not where.
"Seriously, he’s so secretive all the time. I’m about to graduate, and I was hoping he could pull some strings for me to find a good job."
Zhao Ke sighed.
"Didn’t your brother tell you to keep studying for grad school instead of working?"
"I don’t really want to study anymore. I’m not cut out for research. I’d rather just leave school and get some real-world experience for a few years."
Zhao Ke shook his head.
"It’s your decision, but since your brother said that, you’d best ask his opinion first."
"But I can’t find him, can I?"
Zhao Ke said helplessly.
"If you can’t find him, then just be patient. I think you’re a bit spoiled from not having experienced enough hardship."
"Okay, okay, I get it, Dad!"
Zhao Ke didn’t like being lectured by Zhao Jincheng, so he gave a perfunctory agreement before lowering his head to eat his cherries, ignoring his old man.
While the two of them were talking, Xue Wenhui, Su Wanyun, Zhou Moshu, and Cao Yingcai were in the kitchen, bustling about as they prepared a table full of dishes.
Before Zhao Rui left, he had recalled Su Wanyun to stay by Zhao Jincheng and his wife’s side.
The situation was complicated now; the more security personnel they had, the better.
Zhao Ke was still being protected by Cao Yingcai.
With the top-tier Martial Arts provided by Zhao Rui, the three women’s skills had improved by leaps and bounds, far surpassing their level back in Gui Xu.
Protecting a few ordinary people was more than enough for them.
"Dinner’s ready!"
Xue Wenhui carried out a steaming plate of food and called her husband and son over to eat.
"Coming!"
Hearing this, Zhao Ke happily ran over, but not to his mother, Xue Wenhui. Instead, he made a beeline for Cao Yingcai and took the dish she was holding.
Seeing this, Xue Wenhui shot him an exasperated glare. ’He’s already like this, and they’re not even serious yet! What’ll happen if he actually marries her?’
It was a classic case of a son forgetting his mother the moment a woman enters the picture.
Cao Yingcai was made extremely awkward by his actions. She hurried forward, took the dish from Xue Wenhui’s hands, and carried it to the dining room.
After all, she was from the Song Realm. Even though she had received a modern education for some time, she was still traditional at heart.
Moreover, they were more like "servants" in this household—subordinates gathered by Zhao Rui. Their current freedom was only because Zhao Rui was lenient, and Zhao Jincheng and his wife were kind and easygoing.
Naturally, she didn’t dare forget her place.
It seemed only someone like Zhao Ke, who had never weathered any real storms, would act so thoughtlessly.
Just as everyone was bringing out the dishes and preparing to eat, the doorbell suddenly rang.
The abrupt sound made Su Wanyun’s expression change. She quickly silenced everyone, then used her power to summon the Treasure Sword from the corner of the room before cautiously approaching the door.
"Who is it?"
It was no wonder she was so cautious. As a Dharma Master, for her to not hear the person’s footsteps until they were right at the door ringing the bell could only mean one thing: their power far surpassed her own.
"I’m a friend of Zhao Rui!"
A clear female voice came from outside.
Upon hearing this, Su Wanyun turned to Zhao Jincheng and his wife with a strange expression and said, "It’s Brother Zhao’s... erm, female confidante."
She had already recognized the voice. The visitor was Mo Ling’Er.
’The woman I can’t beat in a fight, and whose temper is so mercurial.’
"Ah, is it Rui’er’s girlfriend? Quick, let her in, quick."
Su Wanyun acknowledged and casually opened the door.
’As for being on guard, there’s no point. Once I knew it was Mo Ling’Er, no defense would be of any use.’
’If that woman wanted to make a move, forget a single security door—the entire building wouldn’t be enough to withstand one of her palm strikes.’
As the door opened, a smiling Mo Ling’Er strode in, carrying several gifts.
Behind her was Miao Miaomiao, her face slightly flushed with shyness.
It was also her first time visiting, but Miao Miaomiao couldn’t be as natural and carefree as Mo Ling’Er.
"Oh my, what pretty girls! Come in, come in! Have you eaten? Come have a bite with us, we just finished cooking."
Xue Wenhui’s eyes lit up as she enthusiastically welcomed the two young women inside.
"I’ve been wanting to try your cooking for ages, Auntie. Zhao Rui said your food is delicious," Mo Ling’Er fibbed casually.
"That boy, always flattering me. I just make simple home-cooked meals, nothing special."
"Zhao Rui mentioned it so many times, I just had to come try. I’m so glad I finally have the chance."
"Oh dear, here I am just chatting away. Please, sit, sit!"
After the two exchanged pleasantries, everyone finally sat down at the dining table.
Su Wanyun glanced at Zhou Moshu and raised an eyebrow, her meaning perfectly clear.
’The main contender is here, so you’d better behave!’
After all, the old couple had been somewhat intent on setting up Zhao Rui with Zhou Moshu.
But it was a lost cause since Zhao Rui only saw her once or twice a year and had no feelings for her, so there was never a reason to bring it up.
Now, with Mo Ling’Er’s forceful arrival, even if nothing was stated outright, the old couple’s minds would naturally go there, hence their enthusiastic reception.
Everyone took their seats, and Xue Wenhui warmly encouraged the two young women to try her dishes. After a few minutes of eating, she curiously asked how long Mo Ling’Er and Zhao Rui had known each other.
She also asked for her full name and where she was from.
Mo Ling’Er didn’t hide anything and told them everything, down to the last detail.
Hearing her introduction, Zhao Jincheng and his wife were dumbfounded.
’Her father is a prince of Great Shang... Doesn’t that make her a Princess?’
’And a foreign woman, at that.’
"Where is Zhao Rui now?"
But while they were surprised, the old couple had been through a lot and knew the extent of their son’s capabilities now.
’When your son is that outstanding, what kind of woman could be out of his league?’
So naturally, they weren’t too concerned, just surprised.
"Zhao Rui is in outer space right now, protecting Blue Star..."
"Huh?"
Hearing Mo Ling’Er’s words, everyone in the room was stunned.
"What do you mean, ’protecting Blue Star’?"
"Will he be able to come back?"
Xue Wenhui asked anxiously.
"Of course Zhao Rui will be able to come back. He’s currently standing guard alone on the path of the Alien invasion... Auntie, Zhao Rui’s biggest worry is your safety. He asked me to take you to Qingcheng Mountain or to the Prince’s Mansion in Great Shang."
"To Great Shang? The Prince’s Mansion!"
"Zhao Rui is now a prince of our Great Shang."
Mo Ling’Er said with a smile.
"A prince?"
At this, everyone present was stunned silent.
But on second thought, it made sense. A person as formidable as Zhao Rui would be revered no matter where he went.
Zhao Jincheng pondered for a moment, calmed his emotions, and said evenly, "Let’s eat first. Let’s eat."
"Let’s eat first. We can talk after dinner."
As soon as he spoke, everyone stopped talking and began to eat seriously.
"And this is?"
After eating for a while, Xue Wenhui finally noticed Miao Miaomiao sitting beside Mo Ling’Er.
"Auntie, I... I’m also a friend of Zhao Rui’s."
"..."
"You’re both my brother’s girlfriends?"
At the entire table, no one was more surprised than Zhao Ke.
"This..."
Zhao Ke’s eyes lit up, and a peculiar sense of anticipation flickered within them.
’My brother can have two girlfriends.’
’This is fantastic news.’
’With a precedent set, why can’t I learn from his example and practice it myself?!’
"Oh dear, young lady, look at me, I..."
It took Xue Wenhui a long moment to react and compose herself, after which she enthusiastically placed a helping of food on Miao Miaomiao’s plate.
"Thank you, Auntie!"
A small smile couldn’t help but play on Miao Miaomiao’s delicate, rosy lips.