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Zhang Jingyue’s grandfather, Zhang Houde, lived in a large estate in the Western Suburb of City A. It was a high-ranking villa allocated to him by the government, tastefully decorated but not ostentatious, filled with the aroma of books.

Old Master Zhang enjoyed collecting various kinds of books, and his home was filled with bookshelves loaded with collected masterpieces, including some out-of-print world classics.

Of course, when giving gifts, everyone wanted to cater to his interests. Even if people were not invited to his birthday banquet, many would still come to offer greetings and modest presents.

But there were also those with ulterior motives, whom he kept firmly outside his door.

Forty minutes later, the car arrived at the Zhang family estate.

At the gate of the villa, Uncle Zhou was about to drive in, letting Quan Shaoqing and Gu Xiaoxi out of the car.

But just then, a black sedan suddenly rushed over from the side, beating them to the spot and stopping at the gate.

Gu Xiaoxi and Quan Shaoqing both frowned, staring at the sedan not far away.

"Who is this, so rude!" Gu Xiaoxi rolled down the window, her eyes revealing a shade of coldness.

At that moment, the door of the sedan slowly opened, and a middle-aged uncle in his forties stepped out.

He wore a dark green military uniform and sported a rugged Big Beard, towering in stature, with a fierce countenance.

After getting out of the car, he looked unabashedly at Quan Shaoqing and Gu Xiaoxi, chuckled with a hey, and a glint of cunning flashed in his eyes.

"Shaoqing, as the younger one, surely you ought to give way. Come on, I’m waiting to go in with you to see my dad." Zhang Fenglin was Zhang Houde’s youngest son and also Zhang Jingyue’s uncle.

Gu Xiaoxi eyed the man’s shoulder insignia and nodded in understanding. The highest commander, must be the boss of L Division. Holding a position similar to that of Quan Shaoqing, and being older, his way of doing things was also quite domineering.

Quan Shaoqing waited for Uncle Zhou to steady the car, then holding Gu Xiaoxi’s hand, stepped out, his tall and straight stature appearing even more imposing than Zhang Fenglin’s.

Gu Xiaoxi saw Quan Shaoqing pull her hand into his palm, the other hand stuffed in his pocket, as he looked with disdain, "It doesn’t matter, such trivialities, indeed the young should yield.

During the last national military exercise, your division lost to mine, I only hope Uncle Zhang won’t hold a grudge. "

"You jest, Shaoqing. How could I bear a grudge against you, victory and defeat are common in military affairs, I certainly won’t let such a trifle cause any ill feelings between us.

I’m fully prepared for this military competition, and I sure won’t be giving you the opportunity again," Zhang Fenglin said with a smile that did not reach his eyes.

He looked at Quan Shaoqing, his glance suddenly sweeping over Gu Xiaoxi, then disdainfully turned away.

"Speaking of which, it’s a little premature. Of course, for such matters, I will not shirk responsibility." Quan Shaoqing said, lifting his lips in a smile, leading Gu Xiaoxi with dignified steps towards the Zhang family’s living room.

Zhang Fenglin’s bushy brows shot up, clearly an arch-enemy of Quan Shaoqing.

Seeing them enter, he quickly strode forward, head high and chest out, walking to Quan Shaoqing’s side and said coldly, "Then let’s meet at the national military martial arts competition in a month, and I hope your men can win first place this time and enter the world competition."

"Then thanks for Uncle Zhang’s well-wishes.

I believe my subordinates definitely won’t disappoint me," Quan Shaoqing responded, seemingly oblivious to the sarcasm and challenge in Zhang Fenglin’s tone, playing dumb and talking his way up.

His words nearly infuriated Zhang Fenglin to the point of turning his face the color of ink.

Watching Quan Shaoqing’s retreating figure, Zhang Fenglin blew his beard and glared, hating most Quan Shaoqing’s act of playing dumb while being wise, which nearly drove him insane with anger, yet there was nothing he could do about it.

Now that he had reached his own doorstep, it was not appropriate to talk more with Quan Shaoqing, so he walked towards Old Master Zhang, who was sitting on the large sofa.

At that time, many people had already arrived at the Zhang household. Most were relatives and some students of the old master, many with prominent status.

Following Quan Shaoqing inside, Gu Xiaoxi instantly attracted everyone’s attention with her presence.

Zhang Jingyue was originally entertaining Old Master Zhang by his side, keeping the old man happy and content.

Suddenly seeing Quan Shaoqing arrive with Gu Xiaoxi, her face instantly changed. She clenched her hands tightly, her lips turning pale.

"Grandpa, she is the one who often bullied my female soldiers in the army. If it weren’t for her, Shaoqing wouldn’t have sent me back," Zhang Jingyue clung to the old man’s arm and whispered in his ear.

Old Master Zhang’s face was full of wrinkles, his hair gray but he was still full of vigor, wearing reading glasses, and his eyes showed wisdom, his ears very sharp.

The instant he laid eyes on Gu Xiaoxi, his expression turned extremely cold, even ignoring Zhang Fenglin, who was speaking beside him.

In his heart, Zhang Jingyue was obedient and sensible, gentle and quiet since childhood, honest and kind, a good girl who would never lie. Hearing she had been bullied, how could he, as a grandfather, show a good face to the one who bullied her?

Gu Xiaoxi also felt two particularly unfriendly gazes among those exploring her, and it felt as if they were suppressing anger.

At that moment, Quan Shaoqing gripped her hand even tighter, protecting her by his side, giving her courage.

Afterward, he stepped forward and smiled slightly at Master Zhang, "Grandpa, my father asked me to deliver a congratulatory gift on his behalf, and to wish you good health and longevity."

Old Master Zhang’s cold gaze shifted from Gu Xiaoxi to Quan Shaoqing, his tone and expression warmed a lot, and even showed a bit of special indulgence and fondness, "Shaoqing, come sit by my side. We haven’t seen each other for many years.

I remember when your father was still doing business in the country, our two families were often in touch.

Now that he has established his headquarters abroad and rarely returns once a year, meeting him has become rare, and seeing you is even rarer.

I didn’t expect that the young man from those years has become even more handsome and mature. "

Quan Shaoqing just smiled and did not move forward, politely saying, "Father also says he misses you and will come to visit if he has the time." At that moment, Uncle Zhou came in with the gift, then handed it to Master Zhang.

Quan Shaoqing immediately explained, "This is a famous sheepskin scroll that records Greek culture, obtained by my father from someone else. Knowing you would like it, he specifically sent me to deliver it to you, hoping you would accept it with pleasure."

Zhang Houde opened the gift, and inside was an ancient sheepskin scroll with Greek letters and depictions of people’s lives in the 18th century. It was truly an antique, and he was extremely pleased with it.

True to form, the young man he once greatly admired knew exactly what he liked. Knowing he had an interest in these ancient texts and historical culture, he sent over this magnificent book.

"Good, good, your father is thoughtful," Zhang Houde caressed the book, unable to put it down. After a while, he reluctantly laid the book aside, handed it to the butler, and beckoned to Quan Shaoqing again, "Come, bring the girl by your side and sit with me."

Only then did Quan Shaoqing turn back and give Gu Xiaoxi an indulgent look, holding her hand tightly as he walked up.

The seats beside the old man, which were previously occupied by Zhang Jingyue and another grandchild, were now emptied for Quan Shaoqing and Gu Xiaoxi.

Zhang Houde was a smart man, and Quan Shaoqing’s stance was very clear; since he brought someone with him, it must be a person of great importance to him.

The first time he called Quan Shaoqing to sit by him, and he hadn’t responded, had silently conveyed the significance of the girl by Quan Shaoqing’s side, and he took it seriously.

Master Zhang was a clever man and would not foolishly engage in thankless tasks.

Having been in the bureaucratic circles for so many years, if nothing else, dealing with people was something he never fumbled, even in old age.

Gu Xiaoxi politely congratulated the old man. She was just accompanying Quan Shaoqing to the banquet, without a stand to speak much.

Thus, she was always steady, following quietly behind Quan Shaoqing, silent.

Not until sitting beside Master Zhang did Quan Shaoqing and the old man exchange pleasantries. After a while, the old man then inquired about Gu Xiaoxi, "Who is this girl with you?"

Quan Shaoqing chuckled lightly, "Not to hide from you, this is my wife. Xiao Xi, say hello to Grandpa."

"Hello, Grandpa!" Gu Xiaoxi smiled with squinting eyes. She put away her genuine feelings, and then used a smile to disguise herself. She felt such things must have been commonplace.

"The girl is beautiful and since she is someone Shaoqing likes, there is no need to be reserved. Jingyue, I heard that one of your former comrades was also called Xiao Xi. Is it her?"