Page 352

The commander from Southern State Country immediately lowered his head, even though there was much reluctance. However, the chief commander from Xuan State had spoken, and they had no choice but to comply.

One cannot allow the peace of the international competition to be disturbed on account of three women.

Aili, Dai Qi, and one other had not expected that their contempt and impoliteness would cause such a commotion. In the end, not only were the three of them humiliated, but the commander was also left with a disheveled appearance.

Gu Xiaoxi succeeded in causing a great deterrence at this banquet.

Long after the incident, Gu Xiaoxi’s words still lingered in everyone’s ears.

"To offend our nation’s authority is to invite retaliation. You are not yet worthy to disdain us!..."

Such an arrogant tone and the confidence she displayed were enough to make people remember her deeply.

They remembered that soldiers from Liuli Country were indeed not to be trifled with.

It took a long time for Dai Qi to realize the shock—Gu Xiaoxi was actually the captain of Liuli Country’s team. Being in such a position meant she was not to be taken lightly. They had unwittingly kicked an iron plate and now had to swallow the bitter consequences of their actions.

The banquet continued, but now the people from Southern State Country had already gone to pay their respects under the Liuli Country’s flag.

The chief commander looked deeply at Gu Xiaoxi a few times, then turned to Quan Shaoqing with a smile and said, "Your father told me you are not an easy man to deal with, but I didn’t expect your wife to be even more formidable.

The two of you have certainly deterred all the competitors today—be careful that they might unite against you during the competition. "

"Commander, you are mistaken. If I allow them to bully us, they might target us first during the competition. It’s better to seize the initiative and deter them, which also saves us trouble in the match.

Besides, I am a soldier who does not tolerate my people being looked down upon with disdain.

Being short doesn’t necessarily mean one is weak," Gu Xiaoxi fearlessly retorted.

"Ha-ha-ha! You have a point there. I see that they indeed need to tread carefully around you. Girl, I’ve always felt that there’s nothing simple about you.

I think even Shaoqing can’t keep you in check.

I just want to ask, who manages the household between the two of you?

" The topic abruptly changed, prompting the chief commander to ask with nosy interest.

Gu Xiaoxi’s face darkened at the question—what an inappropriate thing to ask at such an important occasion.

Quan Shaoqing wrapped an arm around Gu Xiaoxi’s waist, smiled tenderly, and said, "I manage the household. It’s enough for her to just manage me."

Gu Xiaoxi’s cheeks warmed up, and she immediately pushed away the man’s large hand from her waist. Such a public display of affection wasn’t appropriate in such an important setting and could incite jealousy.

Everyone saw that Jing Haoran’s eyes were practically shooting fire as he glared at Quan Shaoqing, like a volcano on the verge of erupting.

Danny Jay looked at Gu Xiaoxi and seemed to see the woman who had shown off her skills on the racetrack again.

What a pity, she was already married, and Quan Shaoqing got there first. No wonder he couldn’t find any information about her.

Because of this, Long Yi could not help but admire Gu Xiaoxi.

At first, he had some doubts about choosing her as captain, but now he had no choice but to respect her.

In such a situation, facing some despicable characters with calm and composure and defending the national honor, her words were enough to win him over.

Had it been him, he would have had to swallow his pride! Instead, she handled it straightforwardly and forcefully, defending everyone’s dignity.

Those who looked down on them before now looked at them with vigilance, a touch of respect, and wariness in their eyes.

Yun Xiao smiled at Gu Xiaoxi—she always knew Gu Xiaoxi was not an easy person.

And today, she realized for the first time just how astonishing Gu Xiaoxi’s courage and boldness were.

She not only had the demeanor of a leader but also an undeniable military spirit, as well as a clever and sharp mind with quick reflexes.

Such advantages were not comparable to just anyone.

The evening banquet ended!

The ruckus caused by Dai Qi became a hot topic among everyone. As for the women from Liuli Country, they could only say that they might look innocuous but were formidable, even frightening, in their methods.

A dangerous species!

Quan Shaoqing was taken to a private villa. Initially, the commander from Western State Country was supposed to stay with him, but Danny Jay insisted on swapping with that person. As a result, Quan Shaoqing and Danny Jay ended up living under the same roof.

After the banquet, Quan Shaoqing received a call from his father asking him to bring Gu Xiaoxi for a video chat that evening.

As he entered with Gu Xiaoxi, he saw Danny Jay sitting on the sofa, leisurely drinking tea, as if he were waiting for them.

"What are you doing here?" Quan Shaoqing, holding Gu Xiaoxi’s hand, stood in front of Danny Jay, his tone brimming with wariness.

"I came to live with you! Although your father’s identity is a secret, I found out, you know!" Danny Jay laughed. Anyone with noble status invariably used some illegal means to inquire into a person’s background.

With a wealthy father, Quan Shaoqing’s social standing was definitely not lower than that of this nobleman.

"I never thought you would turn out to be such a pest! What are you planning on doing by running over here?" Quan Shaoqing said, his voice dripping with indifference, evidently unwelcoming.

"I naturally want to be friends with you! Our D state has always had good relations with Liuli Country. Shouldn’t we also form a bond and then join hands to achieve excellent results in the world competition?"

"Too bad, there’s only one first place. I never ally with competitors! If you’re willing to concede first place to us, then perhaps I would consider forming an alliance with your people," Quan Shaoqing said unabashedly.

Danny Jay didn’t get angry and immediately nodded in agreement. "As long as we can form an alliance, what’s the harm if you are first and we are second?"

"I refuse!" Gu Xiaoxi lifted her head, and her gaze, icy cold, landed on Danny Jay, "To be first, you have to defeat all the competitors. We have no allies! You too can compete for first place, just see if you’ve got what it takes."

Danny Jay felt a twinge in his heart, looking at the woman before him, he couldn’t help but find her words invigorating.

How arrogant!

Quan Shaoqing gave Danny Jay an indifferent glance and then laughed heartily three times, "My wife is right. Winning first place is a matter of skill; if you don’t have that skill, don’t even think about second place."

Saying that, Quan Shaoqing wrapped his arm around Gu Xiaoxi’s waist and strode upstairs.

Danny Jay felt a suffocating sensation in his chest; this Quan Shaoqing was simply too annoying.

How heartbreaking, Gu Xiaoxi was also so ruthless. He had helped her.

Yet she was still so faceless.

Back in Quan Shaoqing’s room, Gu Xiaoxi looked at him with curiosity and confusion, "Your dad specifically asked to talk to me?"

Gu Xiaoxi inexplicably began to feel nervous; after all, it was Quan Shaoqing’s father, the notorious head of a financial consortium. For a nobody like her to video chat with him, the pressure was naturally mounting.

It was as nerve-wracking as meeting her mother-in-law for the first time.

"You’re all family, relax. He’s already investigated you and now he wants to meet; he’s definitely looking forward to seeing his future daughter-in-law," Quan Shaoqing said as he turned on the computer, while holding Gu Xiaoxi in his arms and then stealing a kiss.

Gu Xiaoxi, her face flushed from his kisses, pushed him away and said angrily, "Stop fooling around, let’s call. I need to go back soon, they’re expecting me."

He opened the computer, and after a moment, an elderly gentleman with flecked hair and beard appeared on the screen. One thing was certain—this elder was robust, with keen eyes that held all the shrewdness and cunning typical of businessmen, as well as an innate noble aura.

He was dressed immaculately, right down to the expensive-looking reading glasses he wore.

Quan Gui noticed Gu Xiaoxi and nodded in satisfaction. Then, his face broke into a beaming smile, "Gu Xiaoxi, I’ve heard all about you. My daughter-in-law has performed very well. Call me ’Dad’. When you win first place this time, Dad will have a surprise for you."

Gu Xiaoxi, looking at the kindly old gentleman, felt deeply moved. She hadn’t expected that on their first meeting, even just via video, he would not only accept her but also be so kind.

"Thank you, Dad!" Gu Xiaoxi bit her lip, smiling brightly with pure joy.

In the future, she and Quan Shaoqing, along with Mom and Dad, would all be one family. She thanked them for their profound love.

"Silly girl, what’s there to be so moved about!

Since you’re married into our family, you’re a part of us.

Dad will have many things to entrust to you in the future.

Your chief commander called me earlier, praising you highly.

So, I also wanted to see for myself the grace of a woman from the Quan Family.

Now that I’ve seen, my heart is truly comforted.

I don’t have many expectations, only that when you love your country and its people, you also take good care of yourself.

Dad is getting old, and he doesn’t want to outlive his children.

So, Shaoqing, you must protect your woman well.

And you must be especially careful yourself. "

Quan Gui’s words conveyed the deep affection of an elder for the younger generation.

But also, they struck to the heart!