Snowflakes fell in a flurry, covering the world in soft, white snow, turning streets and alleys into a silver-clad wonderland.
Children were playing and chasing each other, throwing snowballs, while young couples strolled hand in hand. The food street was filled with the cheerful calls of the stall owners.
The small street was bustling with life, and the shadow cast by the insect swarm had faded with time, leaving everyone in a joyful and harmonious atmosphere.
Having drunk the disguise potion, Xia Shizhao strolled leisurely through the bustling area.
"Sister! Want to buy flowers? Buy flowers for your loved one!"
Xia Shizhao looked down at the basket of flowers the little girl was holding; they weren't roses, but rather fiery, dazzling red roses.
Seeing her lower her head, the little girl's eyes lit up slightly, her face full of anticipation: "Sister, my mom grew these, do you want to buy them?"
Looking at the roses in full bloom, Xia Shizhao's lips curled up slightly. This kid is going to get a beating when he gets back. The roses are blooming so well in this cold weather. The person who grows them must have put in a lot of effort.
"How much?"
"Five yuan a stick!"
Since it wasn't a holiday, but just the first snowfall of the day, the little girl's flowers weren't expensive, and many people bought them. Only a few roses remained in the basin-sized basket.
Give them all to me.
"Yes! Six sticks cost thirty yuan."
The little girl nodded vigorously. She had originally intended to give her all five roses, but then suddenly remembered something. She took out some pretty newspapers from under the basket, picked up the remaining flowers for Xia Shizhao, and handed them to her, saying, "Here you go, sister, be happy."
Xia Shizhao took the flower, bowed slightly, patted her head, closed his eyes slightly, and said softly, "Thank you, and good luck."
I hope you don't get a beating from your mom.
On the bustling street, everyone was a protagonist. Xia Shizhao, who was originally aloof and seemed to be detached from the world, also blended into the street because of this bouquet of flowers, becoming a beautiful sight.
Tall and slender, wearing a beige coat, her long fingers held a bunch of roses. The blood-red color made Xia Shizhao's skin look as delicate and smooth as white jade.
Wow, this is for me?
The voice was loud and energetic; Xia Shizhao knew who it was without even looking.
Liu Ruxuan had invited her out today, and she had also taken the medicine, so the two of them were quite relaxed.
Xia Shizhao spun around holding the bouquet, perfectly dodging Liu Ruxuan's hand that was trying to snatch the flowers, and kept a safe distance. He replied lazily and casually, "You wish! I bought these for myself."
That's so unfair!
Pouting, Liu Ruxuan clung to Xia Shizhao's arm shamelessly, her eyes fixed on the flowers: "These flowers are so beautiful."
Even if it's pretty, I won't give it to you.
"Hmph, you stingy person."
Xia Shizhao pressed his face against Liu Ruxuan's, which was getting closer and closer, and said with a forced smile, "Don't you have any idea how many people you took from my house have died?"
Liu Ruxuan hummed and groaned, feeling a little guilty, and couldn't say a word for a long time. Then, her eyes darted around, and she grabbed Xia Shizhao and ran off, saying, "Never mind, we finally have a holiday, let's eat hot pot! Chi Xin and the others should have arrived by now."
The change of topic was very abrupt, and Xia Shizhao could only let her have her way with a helpless expression.
"Zhaozhao and Ruxuan, you've finally arrived! We were all starving if you hadn't come soon." Chi Xin propped her head up and looked reproachfully at the two who had arrived late.
"Serve the food!" Bai Jing waved his hand as soon as he saw people coming. Zhan Nan was sitting next to him.
The moment Xia Shizhao and she made eye contact, Zhan Nan nodded slightly to her and said, "Hello, General Xia."
Xia Shizhao smiled slightly and said gently, "You can call me Shizhao or Zhaozhao in private."
"Yes, Zhao Zhao."
Zhan Nan spoke fluently, and for a moment she was stunned herself. She glanced at Xia Shizhao without leaving a trace, as if she were quite used to it.
Suddenly, the personal terminal on my hand beeped twice.
Mu Qinwan: Where are you? I went to your house but couldn't find you. You're such a busy person, it's quite difficult to ask you out for dinner.
Janan: ...I'm outside.
Mu Qinwan: Are you seeing someone else?! You didn't even take me with you! I'm breaking off all ties with you!
Jannan: Naive. I was having dinner with General Xia and the others.
Mu Qinwan: Sister! Sister Nan! I want to go too, please, please let me go! Sister!
Janan: I'll ask, but I don't care if it works out or not.
Mu Qinwan: I love you, baby~
Bai Jing, who had been watching her expectantly from the side, asked after she finished replying to the message, "Was it Qin Wan who contacted you?"
Zhan Nan hesitated for a moment and then nodded. "She...she wants to come and eat with us."
"Come on, the private room is big and there's plenty of room. We're just having a meal together today, it'll be more fun with more people."
Bai Jing said indifferently.
Zhan Nan ignored him and looked at Xia Shizhao and Liu Ruxuan, "General Xia, General Liu, my friend is a fan of yours and would like to have a meal with you, is that alright?"
"Can."
"Come on, it'll be more fun with more people!"
Seeing that she agreed, Zhan Nan immediately sent her a message.
On the other end, Mu Qinwan was overjoyed and drove straight to the location Zhan Nan had sent her.
Apart from Zhan Nan, almost everyone present was a big eater, and there were a lot of dishes served.
The food was just cooked when Mu Qin arrived late.
Her cheeks were flushed, as if she had run up. She stood at the door, calmed her breathing, and then knocked on the door with a reserved air.
Zhan Nan raised an eyebrow and opened the door for her, silently giving Mu Qinwan a thumbs-up in his heart as he looked at her exquisitely dressed.
They arrived in ten minutes and even changed their clothes; they were really quick.
Since they were all acquaintances, Xia Shizhao and the others had their disguises removed, and Mu Qinwan's eyes lit up when she saw Xia Shizhao and Liu Ruxuan.
He stammered as he approached them, his voice barely audible: "H-hello to you two."
"Hello, Comrade Mu Qinwan!"
The girl who was speaking was a little younger than her. Calling her "sister" would make her afraid, and calling her "little sister" would make her too old for that. So she could only call her "comrade."
"Hello, Liu, Liu."
"Just call me Ruxuan."
"Uh-huh!"
Mu Qinwan blushed and looked at Xia Shizhao again, "Greetings, General Xia!"
"Just call me by my name. There's no need to be so polite in private."
Xia Shizhao smiled, his eyes crinkling, and Mu Qinwan's face turned even redder.
Zhan Nan, Luo Chuyi, and Bai Jing, standing to the side, looked at the bashful Mu Qinwan with expressions as if they had seen a ghost.
Why is Mu Qinwan, who's usually so domineering, so shy now? This is someone they know; could she have been possessed?
Chi Xin looked left and right, then protested, somewhat resentfully, "Can we eat now? I'm starving!"
Hahahaha
"Eat, eat, eat! Don't let the child go hungry!"
"Ah! Luo Chuyi, you stole the meatballs I made!"
"What do you mean by 'grabbing'? This is called 'first come, first served'~ Mmm, delicious."
They had a lively dinner and drank quite a bit of alcohol. In the end, only Xia Shizhao and Zhan Nan remained somewhat sober.
Zhan Nan's lips twitched slightly as she pulled the big, clumsy guy off her neck. If she hadn't been trained, she would have fallen long ago.
"Xia Shang... Zhao Zhao, Ru Xuan, I'll take Bai Jing back first."
"Okay, be careful on the road, and remember to message me."
"Okay, you too."
Chi Xin and Luo Chuyi had already fallen asleep on the table, while Liu Ruxuan and Mu Qinwan were still hugging each other and drinking like best friends.
I rubbed my temples, feeling a headache coming on.
Xia Shizhao was fully conscious, though slightly tipsy, and too lazy to drink any sobering potion. He lazily propped his chin up and looked at them.
She arranged for someone to pick her up, and now she just needs to wait.
Knock knock.
There was a knock on the door, and Mu Qinwan's personal terminal rang.
She glanced groggily at the personal terminal and called out to the door, "Come in!"
The newcomer glanced indifferently at the dining table and then saw Mu Qinwan nestled in Liu Ruxuan's arms.
A vein throbbed slightly on her forehead. She walked to Mu Qinwan's side and was embraced tightly by her. The woman, who had been somewhat angry, was instantly calmed down as if her frizzy hair had been soothed. She steadily carried Mu Qinwan and greeted the only conscious person, "General Xia, excuse me."
"Yes, the medicine is in Qin Wan's pocket. If she's being too fussy, you can give it to her."
Xia Shizhao watched them leave with a smile.
After the remaining people were picked up by their respective subordinates, they slowly got into their AI cars.
Give them some sobering medicine, make them feel uncomfortable for a while, and they'll know to be more restrained.
And getting drunk once in a while can be really enjoyable.
Xia Shizhao leaned back lazily, one hand supporting his chin as he looked at the ever-changing scenery outside the window, a hint of weariness creeping in.
After parking the car, without even looking at the main entrance, I walked to the second floor in a daze.
I lay down in a warm-toned room and drifted off to sleep.
He muttered something under his breath.
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