Chapter 45 Preparations Before Meeting the Parents
The Pinocchio incident has been temporarily resolved, and the train crew has returned to their previous lives.
Before they could enjoy a few days of peace, Jingyuan sent an invitation to the train crew, inviting them to Luofu to participate in a martial arts ceremony.
The Luofu Star Core had only been calmed for a few months, so holding such a grand military ceremony at this time felt a bit off.
The two children, however, were particularly enthusiastic about the ceremony, cheering that they could finally relax.
After discussion, the train crew was divided into two teams.
□□ and Himeko are going to Planet O'Neill to transport ancient fossils, while you and the others are heading to Luofu to participate in the martial arts ceremony.
After the meeting, you and Danheng returned to the think tank to help organize the data, and you expressed your concerns.
"The matter of Jianmu has only recently been resolved, and Luofu has not yet completed its internal reorganization. Holding a martial arts ceremony at this time makes me feel that Jingyuan has ulterior motives."
“Jing Yuan is meticulous and must have his own considerations.” Dan Heng paused, then added, “I’m with you on this trip. If anything happens, we can face it together. Don’t worry.”
"Hmm..." You nodded, still feeling vaguely uneasy.
During dinner time, you unexpectedly received a letter from Huaiyan.
With the martial arts ceremony about to begin, he will lead the Zhu Ming delegation to Luofu to attend the ceremony. His reasons are twofold: first, he wants to broaden the horizons of his granddaughter Yunli, and second, he wants to visit you.
Huaiyan's letter was sincere, and his words were full of concern for you.
Since you went to Xinghai, you've rarely contacted him, and you've only met him a handful of times. So many years have passed, and you still don't know how he is doing.
Huaiyan was heartbroken when you went to prison. He had hoped that after your release, you could stay in Zhuming and find a job and live a peaceful life.
But you have never been one to settle for the status quo. You insisted on interstellar travel, just as you insisted on going to Luofu to learn from a master back then.
Huaiyan couldn't stop you back then, and he still can't stop you hundreds of years later.
Longevity and long life are at hand, and Huaiyan is already old; the threat of the demonic spirit constantly hangs over his head. As his child, you should stay by his side to fulfill your filial duties and share the joys of family life with him, instead of wandering in a foreign land, homeless and without a fixed abode.
It seems I absolutely have to go to Luofu.
You sighed, picked up your pen, and wrote a reply to Huaiyan, telling him that you would be returning to Luofu to attend the martial arts ceremony.
You should prepare some small gifts, and don't forget Yun Li, the little girl you've never met.
As you think about this, make a gift list in your mind.
...
After much deliberation, besides the usual Louvre specialties, you also plan to bring some Pinocchio specialties.
Because of your special physical condition, you are unable to go to Pinocchio in person, so we asked Danheng to make the trip for you.
"General Huaiyan is coming in person?" Danheng grasped the key point after hearing your request.
"Yes, we haven't seen each other in a long time, so let's take this opportunity to meet."
"..." Dan Heng looked down at the gift list in his hand and became inexplicably nervous.
Does this count as meeting the parents?
He, who was usually calm and composed, was now somewhat flustered. Chiming had no parents; he was imprisoned from birth and rarely had contact with others, nor had anyone taught him how to deal with such situations.
Should we ask Ms. Himeko for advice?
Dan Heng's thoughts were a jumbled mess.
"Dan Heng?" You were a little puzzled by Dan Heng's absent-minded appearance.
"Huh?" Dan Heng finally snapped out of his daze, trying to hide his nervousness.
You stare at his unnatural expression and suddenly understand why he's acting this way.
Is that what you're worried about?
You smiled knowingly, then patted his shoulder: "Relax, my dad is very easy to talk to, don't be nervous."
"Hmm..." Xiaolong replied awkwardly, having his thoughts read, and then quickly changed the subject.
After finalizing the gift list, Danheng secretly sought advice from the elegant navigator.
"So that's the reason..." The navigator smiled slightly. No wonder this boy took the initiative to come to see her today; it turns out he wanted to meet his future father-in-law.
"I just wanted to make some preparations in advance..." Dan Heng said, trying to cover up his true intentions.
Himeko gave a knowing look and then shared some tips on how to get along with elders.
"Thank you, Miss Himeko. Please keep today's matter a secret."
"I will," Himeko replied with a smile, adding a word of encouragement.
“…I understand…” the shy little dragon stammered in response, then made an excuse and hurriedly left.
It's so good to be young.
Watching Dan Heng flee in disarray, the navigator took a sip of coffee and sighed inwardly.
In the evening, Danheng received the "Records of Customs and Geography of the Ming Dynasty" that you sent, along with a document that described Huaiyan's life achievements and hobbies.
[Qingqing: Giving someone a heads-up]
[Danheng: Thank you...]
[Qingqing: I'll be with you then, don't be nervous]
[Danheng: Hmm]
[Qingqing: Go Xiaolong! (jpg)]
Danheng silently replied with an OK emoji, then opened the "exam preparation materials" you sent and studied them carefully, taking notes as he read, and occasionally asking you questions he didn't understand.
...
A few days later, the train landed at Luofu Star Chahai.
You and Danheng went back to the hotel to drop off your luggage first, and then went out to buy a gift for your first meeting.
The streets were teeming with tourists, including many foreigners who came to watch the ceremony.
The last time I came here was during the New Year, and more than a month has passed in the blink of an eye.
Returning to this familiar place brought with it a touch of nostalgia.
"Senior, Mr. Danheng." Yanqing, who was ordered to greet you, spotted you and Danheng in the crowd at a glance and stepped forward respectfully to greet you.
"Long time no see, Yanqing Xiaowei." Although this is only the second time you've met him, he has left a good impression on you.
He is a promising talent; if carefully nurtured, he will surely achieve great things in time.
"The general sent me to greet you all. Miss March 7th and the teacher are already waiting ahead."
You don't know when the Pioneer became Yanqing's teacher; she must have met him when she came to Luofu before.
You nodded gently, and then followed Yanqing forward with Danheng.
When you arrived, the two children had been waiting for a long time.
"Now that everyone is here, please proceed to Sichen Palace."
The young man was well-mannered and showed a greater sense of composure.
"Mom, what did you buy?" The little raccoon noticed the two big bags you were carrying and asked curiously.
"It's a gift to mark our meeting."
Who is Mom going to give it to?
March 7th has also joined in, waiting for your reply.
Looking at the children's eager expressions, you smiled, and just as you were about to answer, you heard a commotion.
Several stray animals suddenly appeared out of nowhere, overturned the stall, and frightened everyone into fleeing.
The moment Yanqing heard the sound, she rushed over, wielding her flying sword with effortless grace, quickly dispatching the two Bu Liren.
The flying sword flew out again, but this time it didn't land on the enemy. Instead, it was grabbed by a little girl who appeared out of nowhere and then stabbed into Bu Liren's chest.
The young girl acted swiftly and decisively, her steps steady, and she quickly eliminated the enemy before preparing to leave.
"Thank you for your help, young lady. May I return the sword to you—" Before Yanqing could finish speaking, the girl had already run off with Yanqing's sword and disappeared without a trace.
This scene seems strangely familiar.
Back then, the first time you met Jingyuan was in a similar scene.
The difference is that you broke Jingyuan's sword and promised to fix it for him, while that little girl simply took Yanqing's sword.
"My sword..." Yanqing was still talking about his sword when Sanyueqi and Danheng stepped forward to comfort him.
“There aren’t many girls with such skills in Luofu, so it shouldn’t be hard to find one…” Dan Heng analyzed rationally.
"I'll report to the Cloud Cavalry first and see if we can find them as soon as possible," Yan Qing said, looking dejected.
You remembered the little girl you had just seen. She was dressed in Zhu Ming attire, and her sword-wielding style was the one commonly used by the Zhu Ming Cloud Cavalry. This inexplicably gave you a guess.
Could she be your never-before-seen junior, the granddaughter adopted by Huaiyan—Yun Li?
"Don't worry, I think that girl is from the Ming Dynasty. We can find her by investigating the Ming Dynasty delegations that have visited recently," you said to comfort Yanqing.
"Zhu Ming? Thank you for your guidance, senior." The young man's eyes lit up instantly, his previous dejection vanished, and he began to reassure the people and inquire about the nearby Cloud Cavalry.
Fortunately, he acted in time, preventing significant losses.
Not long after, you learned that the company's ships were hijacked by the fleeing Buli people, and that the passing Zhu Ming envoys rescued them, forcing them to dock at Luofu Wharf. They are now arguing with the Yunqi about whether or not to open the crates to inspect the cargo.
Your hunch was right.
The prisoners, who were supposed to be taken to Luofu Prison, attacked civilians in the street, especially in such a bustling area. This inevitably raised concerns about Luofu's security. With the involvement of the company and the envoy, the situation became even more complicated.
You were really worried for Jingyuan.
"Business is of utmost importance. I will take you all to Sichen Palace first."
You followed behind Yanqing, eager to know what grand scheme Jingyuan was planning.
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