Tang Ke hurriedly stepped into the military headquarters building in District A of Base B. For the past week, he had been constantly busy, giving instructions and deployments in preparation for unexpected situations.
Liu Zhengnan of District B had recently been stirring restlessly, and his interactions with Base M had also been growing more frequent.
He rubbed his forehead. There shouldn’t be any trouble while he was away; everything had already been arranged properly. He had already boarded the plane, but his uncle had called him back to the office at the last minute. He had no idea what it was about.
He quickly walked into a common room on the third floor. The one who opened the door was his older cousin Tang Qi, who was signaling him with his eyes. When he lifted his gaze to the people in the room, Tang Ke’s brows tightened even more.
There were already several people inside: his uncle, and even his younger uncle’s son, Tang Zhi, who studied medicine. Liu Zhengnan and his subordinates were also present, and standing in the room was a young girl wearing a white dress.
What were they trying to pull by coming here?
“Little Ke is here. Come meet your Uncle Liu’s daughter,” Uncle Tang Yi said warmly when he saw Tang Ke enter.
Tang Ke stepped into the room, greeting steadily and calmly, “Commander Liu, what brings you to District A as a guest?” Normally, this old fox never left his territory for even a step, afraid something dangerous might happen.
Liu Zhengnan replied with a smile, “Little Ke, we’re all family now, no need to be so formal. Just call me Uncle Liu. Come, come, Little Yue, this is your… Older Brother Tang Ke.”
From the moment Tang Ke walked in, Liu Yue had recognized him. After so many years, she had thought she had long forgotten that face, yet unexpectedly she recognized him at a glance.
Liu Yue felt unusually excited and called out shyly, “Older Brother Tang Ke.” If it was this man, he was actually worthy of her.
Seeing the reaction of the two, Tang Ke more or less understood what was going on. He turned to glance at his uncle seated behind the desk, then said to Liu Zhengnan and his daughter, “Please sit, no need to be so restrained.”
Liu Yue’s thoughts spun endlessly. She had already sent people to investigate Tang Ke, but she hadn’t expected Tang Ke to be that person. Her heart felt conflicted as she raised her eyes to examine him.
He wore a sharp, well-fitted military uniform, his features as if carved from stone, cold and defined; his dark eyes deep and mesmerizing; thick brows, a high nose bridge, and exquisitely shaped lips, everything exuded nobility and elegance.
Yan Bin was like a wolf, cold-blooded and emotionless, but Tang Ke was different, deeply affectionate. Why hadn’t she met him earlier? A man this handsome couldn’t possibly be bent. She had always been unable to get that fool Qi Yue, who had probably already gotten himself killed in most lifetimes.
Had she been pursuing the wrong target all along? Tang Ke should be hers. Heaven must have destined this man to be left for her. Tang Ke was now a high-ranking officer in Base B’s military. In a few years, with her support, all of Base B would be in her hands. At that time, Yan Bin, Han Fei, she would make them suffer one by one.
Liu Zhengnan wore a falsely pleasant smile. “Old Tang, you’re much better than me. Your son is so capable, and even your nephews are outstanding. Unlike my own, who’s so disappointing.”
Tang Yi replied politely, “Not at all. Kids all have their own ideas when they grow up. I envy you, having both a son and a daughter, and such a beautiful, talented girl too.”
Liu Yue blushed. “Uncle Tang, don’t tease me. I’m not as good as you say.”
Liu Zhengnan laughed. “Look, Little Yue is embarrassed,” stirring a wave of cheerful laughter in the room.
Tang Ke felt restless. Just then, the communicator at his waist beeped, a signal from the helicopter, the pilot waiting on standby. He immediately stood up. “I still have matters to handle. If there’s nothing else, I’ll step out first.”
Tang Yi asked, “What’s going on? Why the rush?”
Tang Ke replied, “Training matters.”
“Since it’s nothing urgent, stay a bit longer to keep your Uncle Liu company. And Little Yue rarely visits, take her around for a walk later,” Tang Yi said.
Seeing Liu Yue’s attitude toward Tang Ke, and how different it was from her earlier demeanor, everyone understood what this meant.
Tang Ke frowned and said nothing, switching his communicator to silent. His uncle had previously told him that he wanted to arrange a marriage alliance with Liu Zhengnan’s family and had asked for his opinion. He hadn’t given an answer then, thinking it didn’t matter who he ended up with.
But now things were different. He had seen Qi Yue. The joy inside him had been uncontrollable. What started as teasing had, after years of lingering, become genuine feelings. He realized it was love, short-lived but deeply engraved. He liked Qi Yue. He wanted only to be with him. He had only one thought now, to see him as soon as possible.
But now his uncle and the others clearly intended to match him with Liu Yue. With everyone watching, he couldn’t say anything. He stayed silent.
Seeing Tang Ke’s quiet attitude, the people in the room assumed the marriage was practically settled.
Even Liu Yue was delighted. She had come precisely for this marriage alliance, to strengthen the Liu family’s position and gain control over Base B. Tang Yi had called his son and nephew over so she could choose one. Now that she had chosen Tang Ke, she no longer cared about Yan Bin.
Tang Yi created an opportunity for them. “Since you’re not in a hurry, let Tang Ke take Little Yue around. Little Yue, you haven’t been to District A before, right?”
“No, never. Then I’ll trouble you,” Liu Yue said, widening her watery eyes at Tang Ke, her bright face full of anticipation.
Tang Ke couldn’t help frowning again. Just as he was about to refuse, the communicator vibrated. Without changing expression, he shut it off. Quietly changing his earlier decision, he said, “It’s an honor to be a guide for such a beautiful lady. Please.” He put on a smile toward Liu Yue, walked to the door first, and opened it.
“Tang Qi and Tang Zhi, come too. Don’t stay behind and interrupt Uncle and Commander Liu catching up.” Tang Ke motioned for his cousins to follow him out.
Though others were a little dissatisfied that Liu Yue had to share their company, none showed it, instead smiling shyly. Liu Yue said to Liu Zhengnan beside her, “Dad, I’ll go take a look around. I’ll be back soon.”
“Go, go, you’re all young people, plenty to talk about,” Liu Zhengnan said, very pleased with this stepdaughter. With her looks, no man would reject her. The Tang family would surely fall into his grasp.
Tang Yi couldn’t object either. He had intended for Tang Ke and Liu Yue to spend time alone. The disharmony between Districts A and B had lasted for years; it was time to resolve it.
“Tang Qi, go on. All of you, take care of Little Yue,” Tang Yi said. Tang Qi, who took after his gentle mother, lacked the decisiveness required of a leader. Tang Ke was the ideal successor.
After leaving the building, Tang Ke pulled Tang Qi aside. Irritated, he took out a cigarette and lit it. “I’m leaving soon. Don’t know when I’ll be back. If anything happens, contact me via satellite.”
Tang Qi nodded. A few days ago, Tang Ke had already told him he’d be gone for several days. “That urgent? Does Dad know?”
“Not yet, but it should be fine. Just let him know later.” Tang Ke adjusted the collar of his uniform, glanced at Liu Yue and Tang Zhi walking ahead, and said, “Tang Zhi suits her better. Remember to mention it to Uncle.”
Tang Qi was surprised. “What? You’re not interested?” Liu Zhengnan’s daughter had clearly shown interest in Tang Ke.
The communicator rang again. He answered, “I’m coming. Proceed as planned.”
He patted Tang Qi’s shoulder. “I’m leaving the base’s matters to you. We’ll talk about the rest when I get back.” Then he turned to go.
“Hey, what about that?” Tang Qi asked, jerking his chin toward Liu Yue.
“Leaving that to you,” Tang Ke said, waving his hand casually before striding off toward the helicopter.
Ahead, Liu Yue stared in surprise as Tang Ke’s figure grew distant. Tang Qi stepped up, slightly awkward. “Tang Ke had urgent military matters and left first. He repeatedly told us that when he’s free, he’ll personally give you a full tour.”
Liu Yue nodded. “I see. It’s my fault. I was too forward.” She looked pitiful and innocent as she faced them.
Tang Qi and Tang Zhi smoothly shifted the topic. “Little Yue, come this way, this is the new cultivation facility.”
Liu Yue noticed their attempt to gloss things over but didn’t press the matter. She glanced once more at the direction where Tang Ke had disappeared, then turned back toward the path the Tang brothers indicated. In her heart, she silently decided, she would get Tang Ke no matter what.
Tang Ke quickly boarded the plane. He had wanted to bring a healing-type ability user along, but it was too difficult, among the whole Base B, only two could treat internal injuries, and neither could leave. He would bring them later to Base B where medical conditions were better.
Five hours later, the helicopter landed at the center of the grassland settlement.
Tang Ke and the five-person ability-user team assigned to protect him disembarked.
Familiar with the route, he headed directly toward where Qi Yue and the others lived. Each of them carried a satellite communicator. Over the past days, he had been in constant contact with Lin Yuze, asking about Qi Yue.
Lin Yuze had been at Base B for five years, ever since establishing the ability-user team. They had worked together many times. Privately, they were close friends. Although young, Lin Yuze was steady in conduct, and Tang Ke trusted him.
Qi Yue’s residence was an inconspicuous house. The one who opened the door was the blue-eyed youth he had seen in the co-pilot seat earlier. After hearing from Lin Yuze that this man and Sun Yang were a pair, Tang Ke had been relieved. Seeing the youth’s surprised expression upon seeing him, Tang Ke spoke first. “Hello, I’m Qi Yue’s friend. We’ve met before.”
“Mm, come in. Qi Yue and Lin Yuze went out hunting on the grassland. They might be back late,” Oak said, recognizing him as well and inviting him in warmly. After all, Little Fan counted as someone Tang Ke had sent to treat Sun Yang.
“Oh? When did they leave?” Tang Ke was puzzled. Why hadn’t Lin Yuze mentioned this? He had contacted him just this morning, and he had said nothing, he had even said he would be here today.
“Yesterday morning. Maybe they went far.” On the grassland, it was common to be out for several days. Oak answered casually.
Tang Ke’s initial excitement sank a little. What was Lin Yuze trying to do? Why hide from him that he and Qi Yue weren’t even in the settlement?
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