Yu Lian suppressed the slight agitation in his heart and said slowly, "A charitable organization specifically serving veterans indeed wants the support of a prestigious Old Marshal like you. However, I don't think you should get involved so early. After all, this foundation sounds like a civilian organization, and whether its procedures and regulations are complete and legal needs to be observed. Additionally, how many enterprises and wealthy businessmen are willing to provide support are all things that need to be handled. You can completely wait until it's officially established before showing up to endorse it."
Marshal Paris pondered seriously for a moment, then nodded, "Indeed. Although I'm willing to trust Lieutenant General Vincent, that was him eighteen years ago. It's true, I should observe carefully."
"By the way, they're holding a cocktail party the day after tomorrow, February 6th, in Mist Capital?"
"Yes, in Mist Capital. I'm not clear on the exact location. What, you want to go see it too?"
"February 6th in Mist Capital is the Round of 16 for the Celestial Sphere Third Suspension Arm Championship Cup. The Foggy City Arsenal team against the Tamil Red Knights. I'm planning to go see it, I've even bought tickets. As for cocktail parties, I guess it's more appropriate after I become a colonel or higher."
"With your talent, your ability, and your identity as a spiritual energy user, as long as you can get a tiger amulet, you might be able to do it before you're 25. The little girl from the Bonaparte family can do it, there's no reason you should lose to her."
Marshal Paris didn't doubt him and continued to drink tea and play chess. Around four in the afternoon, he politely declined Yu Lian's invitation to stay for dinner and prepared to leave.
"I actually came this time to cut the ribbon for the newly built Volunteer Army Museum in Jin City. The mayor still prepared a dinner for me, and if I don't show up, many people will let their imaginations run wild, and it will definitely make Keith difficult."
Yu Lian was even more helpless. He was already starting to wonder if he should just kill that Chairman too... But the problem was, it was too difficult! And there was no reason! At least for now, that guy was doing good things!
"Right, please, your uncle, well, preferably everyone in the whole restaurant, come and take a group photo as a souvenir. Such delicious food, I have never tasted it in my life, it's truly unforgettable." Old Marshal Paris called his uncle, aunt, and Feifei, plus all the restaurant staff, and then called over his aide, the major: "That so-and-so's little so-and-so. Yes, you, bring my military uniform and marshal's scepter."
The major left with a helpless smile, and soon returned holding the items.
After the group photo, the Old Marshal took separate photos with his uncle, with the Rongxia Restaurant sign, and with photos of previous owners, before bidding farewell with a satisfied smile.
Yu Lian knew this was the Old Marshal's protection for the restaurant. When his photo hung on the wall, ordinary local officials and businesses, even if they wanted to play dirty tricks, would have to seriously reconsider.
For a considerable period, Yu Lian wouldn't have to worry about his family.
Then, there was a whole host of subsequent miscellaneous matters. There were neighbors coming to inquire about news, late-arriving police and small government officials coming to apologize, reluctant reporters casually making a couple of reports, and also some shady characters who appeared out of nowhere, stealthily probing about Yu Lian's and Marshal Paris's, and even Defense Committee Chairman's, relationships.
They had no idea where they were pulling those connections from.
Defense Committee Chairman Keith Nishita, just as recorded in the history of his previous life, was a top-tier actor. Before his true nature was exposed, he was completely regarded as the hope of the Commonwealth; ordinary citizens, wealthy merchants, celebrities, and even the military all held considerable expectations for him.
He had to guard against him, and if possible, even set him up, but this was not the main contradiction at Present.
Then, there was the already-appeared Lieutenant General Minqi Vincent, the guy Yu Lian felt "must die."
He had returned to the country and appeared in Mist Capital. No need to guess, he must have started his actions. So, why don't I get rid of him while he's just returned and hasn't found his footing yet?
Of course, handing him over, along with complete evidence, to the higher-ups is also a method, even a better method! Once Vincent's conspiracy is exposed in the upper echelons, it will certainly cause a political uproar, but what does that have to do with the common people at the bottom?
Most of the participants in the "July 26th Incident" were either too hot-blooded or had their brains messed up and were exploited, but none of the planners above were innocent.
It's just that how to hand over the person is a troublesome matter. How to get himself out of it is another matter.
Finally, there was Miss Shali, whose whereabouts were unknown... She would be the main contradiction later, but not the main contradiction now, though they could be resolved together.
Anyway, I have to go to Big Apple City. And, I can only go alone.
It's easy to explain to my uncle and aunt, just say I'm participating in a school anniversary military exercise and have to recruit people. For Feifei, I need to find a suitable reason. I had promised to go hiking and camping with her.
But such a dangerous thing, I can't take Feifei, can I? She's indeed very capable in a fight, having received the true teachings of Uncle Wei's Atomic Fist, but like Eleanor, she's only capable within the realm of ordinary people, at most able to take down three to five people.
But Feifei is really hard to fool! Yu Lian was a little worried, so worried that he smoked two more cigarettes on the rooftop, and then saw Feifei enter the room with a small bowl.
"You're smoking more and more," the girl frowned.
"This... it seems all people who have served on the front lines of the military have this habit. But I'm fine, this little damage is nothing to a spiritual energy user," Yu Lian said.
But it must be something for ordinary people who are not spiritual energy users! Remember, smoking is harmful to your health!
Feifei was relieved when she heard it was nothing to a spiritual energy user, and she raised the small bowl in her hand, "Li Family's Secret Hangover Night Snack! Yu'er drank with Marshal Paris all day!"
Actually, it wasn't all day, he only drank until two o'clock, and after that it was tea. For a young person, a spiritual energy user, that amount of alcohol was really nothing.
Brown sugar, small tangyuan, sweet fermented glutinous rice, and some unknown medicinal herbs were brewed into a small dessert with the scent of osmanthus. Yu Lian gulped them down in a few mouthfuls, feeling a comfortable warm current flow into his body, instantly spreading to his limbs.
Feifei watched from the side, propping her chin with her hands, her peach blossom eyes narrowed into crescent moons, as if watching Yu Lian eat the supper she made with her own hands was her greatest pleasure.
This girl was too good. But precisely because she was too good, Yu Lian felt a strong sense of guilt whenever he thought about deceiving her.
He hadn't felt such a strong sense of guilt when he snatched the Atomic Light Spear from a certain Imperial Knight Commander in his previous life, or when he ripped off another Imperial Knight Commander in this life.
"Feifei, I have something..." Yu Lian stammered.
"I know," Feifei smiled. "Yu'er has been preoccupied since Marshal Paris left."
Yu Lian thought carefully. After the Old Marshal left, he had acted as if nothing was wrong, helping his uncle in the kitchen and even personally cooking a few dishes, helping his aunt and Feifei greet guests at the front, and tutoring An'an and Lele with their homework. He remembered smiling throughout, full of patience, and others should not have been able to tell he had anything on his mind.
"Because the usual Yu'er wouldn't be so patient. You would argue with Uncle in the kitchen, bicker with old customers at the front, and as for An'an and Lele... Hehe, I uploaded a short video of you tutoring them last time, do you know how many views it has now?"
"...So everyone found out?"
"Probably just me. Uncle and the others will just think Yu'er has grown up, after all, you haven't been home for two years."
Yu Lian didn't know whether to be touched or helpless at this moment, so he didn't even know what expression to make. At this moment, he heard Feifei say again, "But, I'm sorry, Yu'er, I can't go camping with you the day after tomorrow."
"...Why is that?" No, I can't laugh, I must show attachment and reluctance.
"My unreliable dad is exchanging ideas with a group of martial artists in Shuntian, and he said he hopes I can go too. I haven't seen him for a while, and I do miss him a bit."
"Hmm, Uncle Wei rarely calls, go ahead, go ahead," Yu Lian said with a smile.
"Then, I'm leaving now." Feifei prepared to leave, but just as she was about to reach the rooftop door, she suddenly stopped and turned back, saying, "Yu'er, if a person wants to inherit a will and complete a mission, but doesn't want to implicate family and friends, they must do it alone. Therefore, even to the closest and most trusted people, they can only choose to conceal it. Does this count as betrayal?"
Feifei's figure was hidden in the dim yellow light, her expression unclear, and her voice seemed a little subtle, with a hint of expectation, even a slight tremor.
Did she, did she discover something? Yu Lian felt a little like trembling. He knew this was a trick question, but fortunately, Feifei was a good girl and gave him a chance, so he had to answer well.
"I think... it can't be counted, can it? Whether it's a will or a mission, since it belongs to oneself, one must bear it alone. If one thinks of crying tired without even trying, isn't that equivalent to throwing the pressure onto the closest people? Isn't that also a form of evasion?"
"Is that so..." Feifei's voice seemed a little downcast.
"But he also has to know that he is never alone. Since he has family and friends, and the most trusted people, then he is not alone! When he can't bear it, he should frankly share it with his closest, most trusted, and also those he can entrust his back to and fight alongside, and then face it together." Yu Lian paused, then suddenly tapped his chest, and said with unprecedented determination, "At least, I believe that no matter what happens, Feifei will be on my side. If it were me, I would always hope to solve all the problems myself, and then proudly show off in front of Feifei. Precisely because of this, I need to work hard."
"Is that so..." This time, Feifei's voice suddenly gained a hint of brightness.
She walked forward and smiled sweetly under the light, "I'm going to pack my luggage. Yu'er, you should also rest early. After the holiday, we might see each other at the academy."
Feifei left with light steps, and Yu Lian waited until the girl's rhythmic footsteps disappeared down the corridor before opening his information terminal.
I have to buy tickets for Big Apple first thing tomorrow morning, and tickets from Big Apple to Mist Capital the day after tomorrow. My schedule is tight.
Why is my schedule so tight? Is it 72 Earth hours?
Then, Yu Lian returned to his room, closed the door, and took out the Courage Gem he kept close to him.
At this moment, Feifei, who had returned to her own room, also opened her phone and connected with someone she didn't usually contact much.
"Dad... Mm, yes. I'm ready!"
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