The helicopter hovered high in the sky. Ning Qiang gestured for Zuo Ling to look down and said with a smile:
"We're here. Take a look, does it look familiar?"
More than twenty super-large, large, and medium-sized warships were lined up in a row. On the decks, rows of naval guns, military trucks, and large containers were piled up to the brim.
The surrounding area is filled with countless boats of all sizes, including yachts and motorboats. At first glance, it looks a bit like a city made of ships. Even before getting close, you can already hear people talking.
The outermost part is surrounded by several lush green plots of land, and the vast sea surface is like a dazzling green gem.
Crowds of people could be seen passing by, a glimpse of the former prosperity.
"Did you notice?"
Zuo Ling was puzzled; she didn't remember being here before.
Pei Nansheng seemed to be deep in thought.
"The former site of Kyoto."
Zuo Ling was surprised, while Pei Nansheng had an expression that said he knew it all along.
Xiao Hao craned his neck and strained to look down, searching for Noah's Ark. But in the vast expanse of water, where could he possibly find it?
The Ning family's base was built on the ruins of Kyoto, revealing their blatant ambitions.
Ning Qiang chuckled: "Do you think my Ning family is too ambitious?"
Zuo Ling raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that right?"
"Why not say that my Ning family would rather die than leave our homeland, unlike Bai Jiaqiang who ran away as soon as things turned against us?"
Zuo Ling remained silent.
Ning Qiang smiled and said no more.
The helicopter landed on a medium-sized warship.
The arrival of Ning Qiang and his group attracted many curious glances, especially upon seeing a wolf, a dog, and a rabbit, which elicited expressions of surprise from all.
People would greet Ning Qiang from time to time, and he would respond calmly, perfectly embodying the aloofness of a scion of a reclusive family.
After going around in circles, we reached the third floor, where a naval lieutenant commander greeted us, "Second Young Master."
Ning Qiang nodded and asked him, "How is my uncle?"
The man's eyes swept over Zuo Ling and the others before he said, "We knew you were back. The master is already waiting."
Ning Qiang pushed the door open and entered, followed by Zuo Ling, while Pei Nansheng and Xiao Hao were stopped outside.
Zuo Ling remained silent and looked at Ning Qiang.
Ning Qiang, abandoning his usual playful demeanor, said, "My uncle is not in good health. He has something to say to you, and it's inconvenient for him to see too many people."
Pei Nansheng said coldly:
"If you don't want to see us, you don't have to. Don't think you can control us just because you're on Ning family territory."
Xiao Hao hummed loudly in agreement, the dog barked along, and A Si wagged its tail, its wolf eyes flashing with a cold light.
Seeing that things were not going well, the waterfall jumped onto the dog and then pounced on Zuo Ling.
The major drew his gun, and two soldiers outside the door raised their gun barrels, aiming them directly at Pei Nansheng and Xiao Hao.
Xiao Hao, young and impetuous, immediately tried to make a move, but was restrained by Pei Nansheng.
"My Ning family has no ill intentions towards you all. Sister Zuo will know this once she meets my uncle. There are some things and some people that are not convenient for too many people to know."
Ning Qiang's words were pointed.
After a moment of silence, Zuo Ling handed the rabbit to Xiao Hao, saying, "Wait for me here, I'll be right back."
Xiao Hao said urgently, "Sister..."
Zuo Ling waved her hand, "Don't worry, I'm not someone to be bullied. You all stay safe."
She glanced at Pei Nansheng and gave him a reassuring look.
Let's go.
Ning Qiang breathed a sigh of relief; he was genuinely afraid of a fight breaking out.
Others might not know, but he did know the abilities of Zuo Ling and her brother. He gave Xiao Hao a deep look, especially at this one, who could kill without leaving a trace—it was terrifying!
After following Ning Qiang through three doors, Zuo Ling was preoccupied and didn't pay attention to what was happening outside.
Finally, Ning Qiang stopped in front of a carved wooden gate.
I straightened my clothes, rang the doorbell, and a nurse in white carrying a medical tray opened the door.
The nurse was clearly familiar with Ning Qiang. She pointed inside, smiled and nodded to Zuo Ling, then tiptoed away.
Inside was a luxurious suite, with a row of sofas in the outer room covered with a thick, soft carpet that made no sound when you stepped on it.
Inside the reception room was a study filled with the fragrance of ink. On the walls of the study hung several unrestrained cursive scripts and many paintings of different sizes.
Upon seeing those paintings, Zuo Ling's heart skipped a beat.
Half of the painting depicts a young woman in her early twenties, whose features bear a six or seven-tenths resemblance to Zuo Ling.
The women, whether they are angry, laughing, fuming, or shy, are all depicted with lifelike realism.
The other half is landscape painting: sunrise over Huangshan, snow-capped Qilian Mountains, red leaves of Fragrant Hills, Guilin's landscape, Dai bamboo houses, the ancient city of Pingyao...
In each painting, there are one or two figures from behind. The figures are painted in inconspicuous places and are easily missed by the intense and realistic colors if you are not careful.
Zuo Ling doesn't understand painting, but she has been to many of the places depicted in the paintings, some of which she only caught a glimpse of during a big shopping trip.
At that moment, she understood the artist's intention; each stroke of the brush conveyed a poignant sense of trying to preserve the past.
Ning Qiang didn't rush to knock on the door of the innermost room, but patiently waited for Zuo Ling to finish looking at all the paintings.
Turning her gaze away, Zuo Ling suppressed her turbulent emotions.
Ning Qiang knocked on the door. "Uncle, I'm coming in."
Without waiting for a response from inside, Ning Qiang pushed open the door.
Several instruments were ticking, and two hospital beds were placed side by side.
On a bed, lay a woman whose body was covered in various tubes.
The woman was pale and thin, with sunken eyes, looking like a skeleton wrapped in skin.
Zuo Ling stared at her intently.
With just one glance, she knew that it was her... birth mother!
Zuo Ling had no memory of her, and seeing her like this, she felt no sadness or distress whatsoever.
My gaze shifted to another bed, where a gaunt old man lay half-reclined.
The old man was so thin that his cheekbones were prominent, his silver hair was neatly combed, and his eyes were deep.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
