Zang Xiang Pavilion.

This place specialized in mutton dishes, with its mutton spine hot pot being especially famous—a delicacy unmatched in Lingjin City.

Sun Yuli had arrived a step ahead of Chen Yang.

At this moment, she wore a pale yellow dress, nude stockings, and pink high heels. Her hair was styled in simple waves and her makeup was exquisite; it was evident she had put a lot of effort into her appearance. Standing casually at the entrance, she turned the heads of many passersby.

Sun Yuli was slightly shy. She had seldom dressed like this growing up. At the Martial Department, she was typically clad in martial attire, and even on her days out, she wore simple casual clothes.

When a woman starts to meticulously dress up, wearing things she normally wouldn't, it means she has someone she likes.

Upon spotting Chen Yang, she got caught up in the moment and waved, calling out, "Yang, over here!"

As he approached, Chen Yang's eyes lit up and he couldn't resist teasing her. "Yo, is that really the Yu I know? I can hardly recognize you!" Despite knowing her for a long time, this was the first time he had ever seen her in a dress.

Sun Yuli grabbed the hem of her dress and twirled on the spot, giggling, "What do you think? Do I look good?"

"Of course, you look good! You're the prettiest girl on this street!" Chen Yang joked.

Sun Yuli gave him a playful punch on the chest, pouting, "You're the 'girl'!"

"Let's go eat mutton spine!" Without any hesitation, Sun Yuli linked her arm with Chen Yang's and led him toward Zang Xiang Pavilion.

Chen Yang was startled by the contact and felt a pang of awkwardness. He wanted to pull his arm away but couldn't find the heart to. He resolved to make things clear with her later.

Finding a table by the window, Sun Yuli called the waiter over. She ordered a large portion of mutton spine, some side dishes, and then asked Chen Yang, "What would you like to drink?"

"Anything's fine," Chen Yang waved his hand.

"Two bottles of strong liquor!"

After handing the menu back to the waiter, Sun Yuli rested her chin on her hands and smiled. "How long has it been since we last had a drink together?"

"Uh…"

Before Chen Yang could figure it out, Sun Yuli spoke up. "About five years, right? Since you went to the front lines, we've only had a drink together once! It was five years ago at the Martial Department's assembly, which happened to coincide with your birthday!"

"You remember quite well." Only then did Chen Yang recall, touching his nose in slight embarrassment.

Sun Yuli sighed. "Who would have thought that the next time we drank together, you would have already achieved such great military honors, been appointed the Nine Gates Admiral, and even been made a prince!"

"I am unworthy of such honor! It's all thanks to those brothers who laid down their lives in foreign lands and guarded the nation's gate at Hanyun Valley!" Chen Yang shook his head and sighed. "Putting the past aside, in the most recent battle, the 800,000 Martial Guards I led were reduced to fewer than 700,000!"

But their achievements were also glorious; they pushed the national border eighty *li* outward! It was this very battle that made the Barbarians voluntarily retreat another thirty *li*!

"Without a good leader, how could there be excellent Martial Guards? How could there be the undefeated Hanyun Valley Guard?"

As she spoke, all the dishes arrived. Sun Yuli opened the liquor, poured a glass for each of them, and then raised hers. "Yang, this first glass is a toast to your promotion to Nine Gates Admiral!"

"Don't!" Chen Yang shook his head. "Since we're both from the Martial Department, this first glass should be for those brave men who spilled their blood for this land!"

"Alright! To them!"

After downing the glass, Sun Yuli playfully stuck out her tongue and fanned her face with her hand.

Chen Yang smiled. "Looks like you haven't drunk in a long time."

"I only drink with you," Sun Yuli said with a smile.

Chen Yang was speechless.

Sigh... He sighed deeply. Sun Yuli is a wonderful girl. It's a shame I went to the front lines back then; otherwise, perhaps we would have been together by now. But after returning from the war, everything has changed. I've been ennobled, and I'm a married man.

Chen Yang set down his glass and smiled. "Yu, actually I..."

"I know!" Sun Yuli interrupted him. "Back when someone tried to shoot you, it was Qin Gang who took the bullet for you! That's why you came to the Qin Corporation to repay the favor. I know all about it!"

Chen Yang was speechless.

"Let's not talk about anything else today. Let's just drink," Sun Yuli said with a smile, but one could see a flash of melancholy in her eyes. Although she tried her best to suppress it, it was heart-wrenching and elicited an inexplicable pang of sympathy.

Facing Chen Yang's gaze, Sun Yuli finally turned away, murmuring, "It doesn't matter. You'll always be Yang to me."

"Come on, drink up!"

After three rounds, Sun Yuli was getting tipsy. She reminisced about the old days, a constant smile on her face.

Regrettably, they could never go back to the past.

「Meanwhile.」

A young man in his thirties with a crew cut, tall and imposing in his martial uniform, strode into the restaurant. After his gaze swept the room, he walked determinedly toward Sun Yuli.

Sun Yuli saw him too, her brow furrowing.

"Yu, Auntie sent me to pick you up," the young man said with a warm smile. But when he saw the alcohol on the table and Sun Yuli's flushed face, his brows rose. "You've never been one to drink. Why the change today?"

"Who says I don't drink? I just only drink with Yang," Sun Yuli said coolly. "You can go back now. And tell my mom I'll be home later myself."

The young man's gaze instinctively shot toward Chen Yang, rage flaring in his heart. *Yang?* What gives this perfectly ordinary guy the right to be the only person she'll drink with?

"I've heard from Auntie that this gentleman is your comrade-in-arms, right?" The young man smiled. "Hello, I'm Leng Lingyun. I served for five years in the Riyao Martial District, but unfortunately, my family kept insisting I come home and take over the business."

Leng Lingyun spread his hands with a look of feigned helplessness, pulled over a chair, and sat down.

"Chen Yang." Chen Yang nodded slightly. "I envy people like you with a family fortune to inherit."

"Ah, it's a burden I must bear! My Leng Family ranks first among the eight major families in Lingjin City. Hiring professional managers to handle our affairs is out of the question, and my brothers aren't up to the task. This heavy responsibility can only fall on me," Leng Lingyun said with a helpless air, his tone laced with a bitter reluctance.

But the boast was perfectly delivered. He had not only highlighted his family's status in Lingjin City but also hinted at his own exceptional abilities.

"By the way, which unit are you from? You're not so young yourself. What position do you hold now?" Leng Lingyun continued to ask.

His expression was calm, but his eyes held a trace of mockery. In his view, no matter how Chen Yang responded, it couldn't possibly compare to his own illustrious family background. The disparity would be obvious. If the other man was smart, he would surely know when to back down.

"I belong to the Hanyun Valley Guard. As for my position, it's not worth mentioning," Chen Yang said flatly.

"So you're a soldier under the Zhennan Prince!" Leng Lingyun was startled at first, then he straightened his back with a hint of pride. "Years ago, when the Zhennan Prince was still a Commander-in-chief, my father met him a few times. Their relationship was quite good."

"It's a shame the Zhennan Prince is so principled; otherwise, I could have my father pull some strings for you." Leng Lingyun patted Chen Yang's shoulder. "If you don't have great prospects for advancement in the Martial Department, you should retire early. Considering your relationship with Yu, I can arrange a job for you with a monthly salary of over ten thousand!"

"Whether you want to work at a company under my Leng Family or any other well-known corporation, it's a trivial matter for me!" Leng Lingyun said nonchalantly, oozing confidence.

Chen Yang touched his nose. This guy is certainly... enthusiastic.

Sun Yuli, at his side, rolled her eyes. How can he not hear the blatant showing off in Leng Lingyun's words? But isn't he picking on the wrong person?

Unable to listen any longer, Sun Yuli raised her glass. "Yang, we've been drinking for so long, and I still haven't toasted your promotion to Nine Gates Admiral! Come, your subordinate will drink first as a sign of respect!"

Chen Yang smiled and clinked glasses with her.

The nearby Leng Lingyun was dumbfounded. His butt slid off the chair, and he landed right on the floor.

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