Yet before I could drift off, Li Qi quietly slipped into my room. Though the air conditioning was set quite high, her hands were still somewhat cool, and when they touched my chest, the chill made me jump. I instantly pulled her under the covers, intending to make love right there, but Li Qi covered my mouth, saying, "Enough, you impatient devil. Let's not play around in broad daylight.

Will you come with me to see Grandpa?" "Haven't you gone out shopping? Everyone else went." Li Qi breathed warm air by my ear, "Then why aren't you going? There's a big movie star involved." I sighed, "I don't chase celebrities. No star, no matter how big, can tempt me into going shopping.

That kind of activity has only one outcome: exhausting all of you. By the way, what do you need to see the Chairman for?" Li Qi replied, "I just miss Grandpa. First, you accompany me there for a little while, and then tonight there's a banquet you must attend with me. There won't be any outsiders, just a gathering of some colleagues." I pulled the duvet over my head: "No way.

You know I dislike these social obligations." Li Qi wriggled around in my embrace, "Please, Husband, I've been so obedient lately. Consider it a reward, okay? It's just some normal socializing among friends; it won't embarrass you much. Besides, everyone agreed to bring their opposite-sex companion.

If you don't come, I'll ask someone else. Can you bear to watch your beloved wife enter a banquet arm-in-arm with another man? They might even get handsy with me. Too many men are pursuing me now; if you don't keep an eye on me, you'll be the one losing out in the end." I knew Li Qi wouldn't actually run off with another man even if I refused, because my abilities far surpassed those of ordinary men.

However, refusing would genuinely hurt her feelings. I might as well go; it's just drinking and dancing, at most a bit of idle chatter with them. In any case, I likely wouldn't need to spend the evening with Liu Xue tonight, so I'd be free anyway. "Fine, it seems I must go and watch over you.

Let's go see your grandfather first." Li Qi had been promoted to Minister of the Supervisory Department, and that was as high as she could go because her age restricted further advancement. Tang Han, Hu Qing, and Zhou Qiang had also returned to the Central Government following me. Now, they all held higher official ranks than I did, yet they still came to me for counsel when problems arose. Their tenure was short, and their foundations were too weak.

In the capital city, it wasn't uncommon for the seemingly minor issues of three high-ranking officials to be resolved with a single word from me. Their meager power seemed insignificant. But if a true contest of strength were to erupt, everyone would have to consider my position carefully. Setting aside the Red Dragon organization, just revealing my status as a Super Soldier and a National Economic and Security Advisor would shock them sufficiently.

However, I never publicized these identities, only resorting to their secret deployment when absolutely necessary. In the afternoon, Chairman Li usually had some time set aside for rest, which was why Li Qi chose this moment to visit him, knowing her grandfather's routine well. The two of them sat closely on the leather sofa, holding hands, looking every bit like an inseparable young couple. The Chairman chuckled, "Little Zhao, Qi Qi has changed quite a bit since being with you.

Her temperament isn't as coldly arrogant and stubborn as it used to be. Should I perhaps thank you?" Li Qi interjected quickly, "Yes, Grandpa! Promote your grandson-in-law quickly! He served five years in the military, and he's still just a sergeant major.

I know a sergeant major isn't considered an officer; don't be so stingy! How about it?" Chairman Li pointed at his granddaughter's forehead, "You! You start making such informal claims before your relationship is even firmly established! Be careful your father overhears you." Li Qi showed no hesitation in front of her grandfather, bluntly revealing the true nature of our relationship: "Grandpa, let me tell you truthfully, I might very well be pregnant with Zhao Qian's child.

Even if my father disagrees, I must marry Zhao Qian, or else you'll be waiting for a case of two deaths—mother and child." Chairman Li's face grew deeply awkward. If anyone else had threatened him this way, it would have been completely unacceptable, but this was his own granddaughter. He turned to me, "Little Zhao, see how quickly this child becomes arrogant just because I praised her a moment ago? Can she speak such life-or-death words so carelessly?

It's completely unbecoming." I scolded Li Qi, "Qi Qi, what kind of talk is that? Apologize to Grandpa immediately. Things between us can't be rushed; we must work slowly on your father. Believe me, one day he will agree to us." Li Qi stuck out her tongue, linking her arm through mine, and giggled at her grandfather.

Chairman Li shook his head. He knew he couldn't stop this matter, and even if his son returned, he probably couldn't stop it either. You can't clap with one hand. The two of them were currently so deeply devoted that trying to separate them was out of the question.

Chairman Li was shrewd. Knowing he couldn't control his granddaughter's freedom in love, he chose to sidestep the topic. He turned to me, "Little Zhao, we've discussed this before. Your military rank certainly needs adjustment, and I am already working on it.

Originally, I intended to place you directly in the Military Affairs Commission to handle the territorial disputes concerning Ming Island and the surrounding nations. However, the proposal is being held up by Tan Zhong and his faction. I didn't expect this fellow to rally so much support from his comrades. His malicious intent is slowly becoming apparent, and we need to accelerate our pace.

I will find another way to handle your rank issue—one that provides a suitable justification that leaves Tan Zhong speechless." Li Qi broke in, "Grandpa, why are you afraid of Tan Zhong and the others? Doesn't Zhao Qian have your back in everything? Here's my suggestion: let Zhao Qian be promoted to Colonel first. Then, we'll create a situation where he can earn a few distinguished military merits.

By the time we push for him to become a Major General, those people won't have anything left to say, right?" Chairman Li sighed, "Things aren't as simple as you imagine. Tan Zhong is watching my every move. If I grant Zhao Qian a promotion above the standard procedure, he will immediately unite with his comrades to impeach me. The situation will then become even more difficult to control." "Hmph," Li Qi huffed in annoyance, "What right does Tan Zhong have to comment on Zhao Qian's rank?

Even if the military merits from suppressing the rebellions in the Southwest and Northwest Military Regions can't be attributed to Zhao Qian, what about him saving Sister Xiaorou, Sister Qingqing, and the others? And later, his mission to Ming Island and the M Military Air Force Base in Japan to apprehend the traitor Chen Wanzhi, recovering the intelligent navigation system and preventing massive losses to our national military technology—are those merits not enough to promote him to at least Colonel? I think even Colonel is too low!" Chairman Li was overjoyed, "Exactly! Why didn't I think of those incidents?

My clever granddaughter! As long as the reasons for the promotion are solid, even Tan Zhong wouldn't dare say another word. I will issue an immediate special approval for your rank promotion; anything they grumble about afterward won't matter." Li Qi stood up, "Grandpa, then hurry and process this for Zhao Qian right away. In a few days, I'll help him find a few more military achievements, and then you can immediately promote him to Colonel and Major General." Chairman Li teased his granddaughter, "You haven't even married into the Zhao family yet, and you're already so fiercely protective of him.

Be careful, Grandpa might get angry." Li Qi acted spoiled, "Grandpa, would you ever be angry with your own granddaughter? I know you wouldn't, and besides, the higher Zhao Qian's rank, the easier your work becomes because he can do the things you desperately want to do but can't. If our Great Dragon Kingdom lets him take the helm, I guarantee we will dominate the world within five years!" I was startled and immediately clapped a hand over Li Qi's mouth. In the wrong era, that statement alone would be treason punishable by death—wasn't she openly suggesting seizing Chairman Li's power?

Unexpectedly, Chairman Li burst into loud laughter, "Why be so nervous? Qi Qi spoke my mind exactly. Zhao Qian, I have high hopes for you. Work hard; the future world belongs to you.

We old bones should be preparing to rest." Before I could say anything else, Li Qi pulled me away, "Grandpa, with me here, you don't need to worry. Zhao Qian won't even be able to slack off if he wanted to. We have things to do tonight, so we're leaving now. My father might return to the capital tomorrow, and we'll need you to put in a good word for me in front of him.

He will listen to his own son, after all. Our happiness depends on you!" Chairman Li sighed, "If this were only about the two of you, the issue would be simple. Now, the number of girls involved is approaching double digits. Even I wouldn't agree to it.

You young people..." Hearing her grandfather about to lecture her, Li Qi tugged me away, "Let's go, let's go! It's almost time, and we need to get back and prepare." The so-called preparation was really just changing clothes. I could be casual, but Li Qi needed over an hour for her makeup. She hadn't cared for makeup before, but after spending time with a group of girls, they gradually instilled the habit in her.

Moreover, even light makeup could sometimes enhance a girl's charm, which explained their enthusiasm for it.