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Quan Shaoqing had let her go.

On Jing Mingcheng’s side, they must also be hoping she could represent the country.

So, she had no reason not to go.

A brand new world, with a brand new life.

Leaving Liuli Country to reach the international stage was an extraordinary thing, something many people dreamt of!

*

The dining place was a hotel built within a bamboo garden, with a tranquil and beautiful environment.

Jing Rui had already made reservations.

He led Gu Xiaoxi into a private room, a bamboo house with windows that were finely crafted works of art.

The unique charm of this hotel was enough to draw people in to sit for a while.

"The best thing here is the crab. Don’t you love it the most? I like it too, so it’s perfect for us to have a good meal," Jing Rui sat opposite Gu Xiaoxi, his smile radiant.

"I didn’t expect you to find this place.

The atmosphere is so nice; not to mention dining, even just sitting here feels comfortable," Gu Xiaoxi said, resting her chin on her hand as she took in the surroundings.

Surrounded by verdant bamboo, little bridges over flowing water, it was even more suited for a romantic encounter.

It was all because Quan Shaoqing was too busy that they hardly had time to dine out and be romantic.

Gu Xiaoxi pursed her lips and took a sip of tea.

At that moment, a server brought a bowl of crab porridge to Gu Xiaoxi, saying, "This is for you, have a little to fill your stomach. The crab you asked for will be right up."

Under Gu Xiaoxi’s excited gaze, the server brought over a large platter with a giant king crab on it.

Gu Xiaoxi looked on eagerly and swallowed, the crab’s rich fragrance was distinguishable even from a distance.

Seeing the gleam in Gu Xiaoxi’s eyes for the crab, Jing Rui couldn’t help but laugh and say, "This kind of crab is rare and expensive in the country. In our place, it’s nothing special. It’s a common dish. If you like it, dig in. Pretend I’m not here."

"Really? Can I?" Gu Xiaoxi rubbed her hands together, her inner foodie completely on display.

Jing Rui handed her a pair of scissors, "Go ahead and eat! I invited you here for this."

Gu Xiaoxi took the scissors without any hesitation, cracked open a crab leg, and looked at Jing Rui, puzzled, as she ate, "Did you invite me just to have a meal?"

Jing Rui snapped his fingers, flashed a brilliant smile, and said, "Smart! Of course, there’s something else we need to talk about. Apart from the matter of you going to the World Alliance, there’s another important thing."

Gu Xiaoxi, biting into a big piece of meat and sipping the porridge, felt all the tiredness from her hangover dissipate.

Her body was filled with vigor!

Jing Rui hesitated a moment before he finally sighed and said, "There’s something I want to ask for your help with. I discovered an odd place on the border of West Zhou. The Spiritual Energy there is dense; I think there might be treasures. If you have time, let’s go check it out together."

Upon hearing this, Gu Xiaoxi paused and looked up at Jing Rui, "Why are you asking me instead of someone else?"

"If it’s a treasure, we shouldn’t let outsiders benefit. Shaoqing definitely won’t have time to go, so it’ll be you, me, and Jing Haoran together."

"How did you find that place?" Gu Xiaoxi countered. She didn’t hurry to agree. Places with Spiritual Energy were bound to be strange, and there might even be Ferocious Beasts.

Humans would claim treasures as their own, and animals that had developed Spiritual Wisdom would cherish treasures even more. Therefore, places with heavenly treasures were usually guarded by animals with highly developed Spiritual Wisdom.

"I accidentally chased a criminal there. I was alone and in a hurry to catch the person, so I didn’t get a chance to check it out.

Later I heard that the place is quite dangerous.

Having more people is also an added security," Jing Rui explained, "I have strong Inner Strength, but the Spiritual Energy I can utilize is limited. In the end, it’s because my foundation is not strong enough.

If I could find a treasure, I might be able to break through. "

Gu Xiaoxi nodded in understanding; Jing Rui was skilled with strong Inner Strength, but his Spiritual Energy was not profound.

She could relate.

Cultivation depended on one’s innate foundation; a strong foundation meant one could go further down that path.

"Okay! I’ll go with you. When do we set off?" Gu Xiaoxi continued to focus on her meal.

"In two days," Jing Rui also started eating a crab leg.

"Is the time for going to the International Alliance set?"

Jing Rui looked up, gazing at Gu Xiaoxi’s lovely face, and smiled, "There’s no rush for that.

Mr. President will make arrangements. In a month, there will be a selection competition at the International Center.

Any country that has people in the International Alliance can arrange for five people to participate in the trial. Those who pass the trial can stay."

Gu Xiaoxi nodded, thinking it sounded very strict.

But it made sense, considering how hard it was to get into the International Alliance.

Otherwise, why would everyone inside be an elite?

As the two of them were dining, savoring their food.

Gu Xiaoxi and Jing Rui smiled as they looked towards the small path not far away.

They happened to see a family of four passing by the small path close to them.

Gu Xiaoxi immediately recognized the man as Fu Qiuyi, as well as his current wife Dongfang Yanqing, daughter Fu Xin, and son Fu Xiuyi.

Compared to a few years ago, those two children had grown a lot.

Especially Fu Xiuyi, who had inherited his father’s handsomeness and charm, exuding an extraordinary aura with every move.

He would also be the heir to the Fu Family empire, already possessing a bit of a CEO’s demeanor now.

As for Fu Xin, having shed her childishness, she was more skilled at dressing and carried herself with the grace and nobility of Dongfang Yanqing in every smile and frown.

Seeing this family, Gu Xiaoxi suddenly lost her appetite.

The four people walked past them without noticing them in the small attic by the window.

Besides, the window was half-covered with a carved and hollowed-out design, which allowed one to see everything outside from the inside, but not the other way around.

Gu Xiaoxi instinctively lowered her head, chewing on the crab as if it were tasteless wax and later felt there was something wrong with her brain.

She had agreed not to go back, not to want her father, and to treat him as a stranger upon seeing him.

Why then torment herself?

Gu Xiaoxi reached for the wine bottle on the table, intending to pour herself a drink to forget the unpleasantness she had seen.

However, as she reached out, so did Jing Rui.

Their hands touched each other, and both were momentarily stunned.

Gu Xiaoxi noticed Jing Rui’s expression was off and asked in confusion, "What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

"It’s nothing! I just remembered something unhappy," she replied, taking the wine bottle and pouring a glass for Gu Xiaoxi, then pouring one for herself.

Gu Xiaoxi, still puzzled, looked at her, "Great, my mood isn’t good either. I’ll join you in not stopping until we’re drunk. We still have two days before you leave, right?"

Jing Rui drank the wine in her glass and couldn’t help shaking her head, "I can’t let you get drunk again. Otherwise, Shaoqing will have issues with me. Eat more and drink less. Later, we can practice boxing together."

"That’s a plan!" Gu Xiaoxi sipped her drink and then continued eating the crab.

L later, Jing Rui went to the restroom.

She was curious about how the Fu Qiuyi’s family got along.

So, seizing the opportunity, she slipped out of the room and stealthily followed them to a small attic.

The dense bamboo concealed Gu Xiaoxi’s figure.

She fiddled with the dagger in her hand, listening to their conversation from a distance.

"Dad, Mommy, please have a seat!" Fu Xin said politely, pulling out chairs for her parents.

Fu Qiuyi looked at his wife and said with a smile, "After you, my lady!"

"Alright, we’re all family here, no need for such formality. Sit down! Xinxin, you’ve graduated now, so what are your plans? Do you want to continue studying abroad, or are you looking for a job?"

"Mom, I’m only twenty. What’s the rush? I plan to get married first, then consider working," Fu Xin cooed. She had plenty of money to spend, and she wasn’t in a hurry to work. Besides, for a woman, marrying into a good family was the real future.

"Mom, just let her be. She’s my only sister, and I can handle the company affairs by myself. If she wants to have fun, let her," Fu Xiuyi said, looking completely indulgent.

"You two just spoil her, but a woman needs to be independent and strong. If you continue this way, I fear she will accomplish nothing in the future," Dongfang Yanqing said firmly while holding her cup of tea.

Fu Xin looked at her brother unconcernedly and said, "Mommy, don’t worry. Brother said he’s going to help me build a company that suits me. I’m going to be a CEO one day."

"Without real talent, all you’ll do is squander money. Xiuyi, you can’t spoil her like this," Dongfang Yanqing warned.

Fu Xiuyi replied with a smile, "How could I? With me as her brother, I’ll definitely take good care of her."

"Enough!" Fu Qiuyi glanced at his family, and at that moment, the waiter was serving dishes.

"This place serves the best crab in the capital; you guys should eat more. Let Xinxin have her fun, and if she can marry into a good family, that fulfills one of my wishes. However, your mother’s concerns are not without merit. A girl should be self-reliant."

"Alright, I get it! I’m learning traditional Chinese painting; I’m going to be a great painter," Fu Xin said with a smile, her voice full of contentment that could make anyone envious and jealous.