224: Chapter 224 The sequel to tonight... let's leave it for next time.

Imperial Capital.

Qin Family.

In a spacious conference room, the atmosphere was oppressive.

On a giant light screen, footage of Tang Heqing was playing.

Scenes of Luo Jue, Bai Chengyue, and the Loose Cultivator Battle King hanging on the high platform appeared repeatedly.

The expressions of several Qin Family Elders were extremely ugly.

Smash!

A teacup was shattered into pieces.

Qin Family Head, Qin Zhenyue, sat in the main seat, his eyes gloomy.

"Tang Heqing..."

"He actually recovered."

Someone below said in a low voice:

"Family Head, should we immediately mobilize people to the Southwest?"

Qin Zhenyue gave him a cold look.

"Mobilize who?"

"The people on hand have already been sent out."

"The High Seas Relic is about to open, and all parties are watching."

"If we mobilize people now, the upper echelons of the Dragon Country will immediately notice our movements."

That person lowered his head, not daring to speak again.

Another Elder said in a deep voice:

"The Tang Family is clearly using Lu Cheng's momentum to rise this time."

"If we let them continue to connect, that area in the Southwest will spiral out of control."

Qin Zhenyue certainly knew that.

But right now, much of the Qin Family's strength was being restrained.

This brat, Lu Cheng, had to revitalize the Tang Family at this specific time.

A thick killing intent emerged in the depths of Qin Zhenyue's eyes.

"Endure for now."

"Wait until the High Seas Relic is over."

"Let 'them' provide more potions."

"When the time comes..."

He looked up at the side profile of Lu Cheng on the light screen.

His voice was as cold as ice.

"The situation of the Four Great Powers of the Imperial Capital should also come to an end."

"The Imperial Capital only needs one Qin Family."

As for this Lu Cheng... variables must be eliminated.

That night, the Tang Family held a grand banquet.

Lights hung all over the main courtyard.

Warm yellow Spirit Lamps hung among the bamboo forests, and feasts were spread out on the water pavilion.

The air was filled with the fragrance of medicine, wine, and roasted Spirit Beast meat.

As soon as Snow Spirit entered the banquet venue, its eyes lit up immediately.

"Ying!"

Lu Cheng looked down at it.

"Don't get excited yet."

Snow Spirit had already set its sights on the golden-roasted Spirit Beast leg in the distance, its little claws clutching Lu Cheng's sleeve, its tail wagging frantically.

Lu Cheng sighed.

"Fine, fine, fine."

"I'll get it for you."

Just as he finished putting a large plate of meat for Snow Spirit, he raised his eyes and saw Qian Shuying sitting not far away.

Qian Shuying was wearing a capable black dress today, her long hair tied up, and her brows and eyes still looked heroic.

But she was holding a wine glass.

One cup.

Two cups.

Three cups.

She drank it quite straightforwardly.

Li Huayi beside her was holding a plate of pastries, looking at her with a numb expression.

Lu Cheng walked over and sat down next to Qian Shuying.

"What's wrong?"

Qian Shuying looked up at him.

"What do you think?"

Lu Cheng blinked.

Qian Shuying put the wine glass on the table.

"You tricked me into coming here from the academy."

"I've been busy for a whole week straight."

"Lists, chambers of commerce, cooperation contracts, resource routes, family backgrounds, risk screening."

"I wake up every day to spreadsheets, and even when I close my eyes, I still see spreadsheets."

"Now that it's finally the banquet, can't I just feel a bit upset?"

Lu Cheng listened, silent for two seconds.

Then he smiled.

He reached out and gently rubbed Qian Shuying's head.

"You've worked hard."

Qian Shuying's body stiffened slightly.

The next second, she reached out and slapped Lu Cheng's hand away.

"Don't touch me!"

Lu Cheng laughed and said:

"Then tell me, how should I compensate you?"

Qian Shuying looked at him.

The alcohol had dyed the corners of her eyes a little red.

She was usually as sharp as a spear, but tonight she was probably truly tired, and perhaps also stimulated by Tang Zhiwei's presence these past few days.

She stared at Lu Cheng for a few seconds, then suddenly spoke:

"Ask me to dance."

Lu Cheng was stunned for a moment.

"Dance?"

Qian Shuying raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"You don't know how?"

Lu Cheng stood up and reached out his hand.

"I know a little."

Qian Shuying placed her hand in his palm.

"That's enough."

There was originally an empty water pavilion stage in the center of the banquet.

Musicians were playing a gentle tune, and several young people from various families were dancing.

When Lu Cheng led Qian Shuying over, many gazes looked over.

Tang Fuyuan sat by the main table, smiling without speaking.

Tang Heqing held his wine glass, his eyes sweeping over the two, and he touched his beard happily.

"Youth is truly wonderful."

Tang Zhiwei stood not far away.

She was holding a glass of fruit wine, still smiling, but her eyes paused slightly.

Qian Shuying saw it.

She had originally been leaning against Lu Cheng's shoulder, moving slowly with the music.

The next moment, she suddenly raised her head to look at Lu Cheng.

Lu Cheng was about to speak.

Qian Shuying had already stood on tiptoe.

Soft lips pressed onto his.

The banquet venue seemed to go quiet for a brief moment.

Lu Cheng was also stunned.

He really didn't expect Qian Shuying to be so bold.

Right in front of the Tang Family, Qian Family, Zhou Family, and a bunch of newly allied family representatives, she kissed him directly.

Qian Shuying closed her eyes, her fingers gripping his lapels, her actions carrying a bit of awkwardness, but very determined.

It was as if she was declaring something.

It was also as if she was telling certain people that she would not retreat.

Lu Cheng's hand stopped in mid-air.

A few seconds later, he gently wrapped his arms around her waist and returned the kiss.

Low gasps of surprise soon sounded all around.

Li Huayi was sitting at the table, the pastry in her hand almost dropped.

She was completely numb.

"Are you serious..."

"May I ask?"

"Do single dogs have no human rights?"

"I've also been very tired these past few days!"

"I finally got a day off, and you still make me eat dog food!"

"Too hateful!"

On the other side.

Tang Heqing watched Qian Shuying take the initiative to kiss him, and his eyes narrowed immediately.

He reached out and gently nudged Tang Zhiwei.

"Girl."

"Happiness must be fought for by yourself."

Tang Zhiwei looked down at the fruit wine in her cup.

The light fell on her eyelashes, hiding a bit of emotion.

She smiled slightly.

"Great-grandfather, I know."

But somewhere in the bottom of her heart, it still sank slightly.

Was she really qualified to fight for it?

The Tang Family's influence was indeed deeper than the Qian Family's.

But between her and Lu Cheng, it was mixed with calculations from the beginning.

Qian Shuying knew Lu Cheng earlier.

When standing by Lu Cheng's side, she was also cleaner.

Tang Zhiwei's eyes dimmed slightly.

Forget it.

She shook her head gently.

There was no point in thinking about these things at a time like this.

On the stage.

Qian Shuying finally let go of Lu Cheng.

Her face was very red.

But her eyes did not dodge.

Lu Cheng looked down at her.

"You drank too much tonight."

Qian Shuying snorted.

"I am very sober."

Lu Cheng smiled.

"Sober and still so bold?"

Qian Shuying looked up.

"I'm willing to."

After speaking, her gaze swept lightly over Tang Zhiwei and moved back.

"You should stop flirting with others in the future."

After the song ended, Qian Shuying stepped back.

Tang Zhiwei also walked over at this time.

She put the smile back on her face, and her actions were a bit more formal than usual.

"Brother Lu."

"Can I ask you for a dance?"

Lu Cheng looked at Qian Shuying subconsciously.

Qian Shuying sighed softly.

She could certainly see Tang Zhiwei's awkwardness.

She could also see the embarrassment of Lu Cheng being caught in the middle.

She didn't want to make things difficult for Lu Cheng.

At least not now.

Qian Shuying let go of Lu Cheng's hand.

"I'm going to get something to eat."

Qian Shuying turned and left.

Lu Cheng looked at Tang Zhiwei in front of him.

He hadn't seen her rush during the hotel raid, but he didn't expect her to be so urgent to invite him to dance.

Lu Cheng reached out his hand.

"Let's go."

Tang Zhiwei looked up at him, and her eyes finally lit up for a moment.

She placed her hand in Lu Cheng's palm.

The two entered the dance floor.

Tang Zhiwei danced very well.

Her figure was light, her steps were extremely steady, and the hem of her dress spread out gently as she spun, like a flower slowly blooming in the night.

But she didn't deliberately tease him tonight.

She didn't get too close, and there were no little movements that made people's heartbeats lose control.

She just quietly followed Lu Cheng's rhythm, occasionally looking up at him.

Lu Cheng said in a low voice:

"Why are you so well-behaved today?"

Tang Zhiwei looked up and smiled.

"Afraid of being chopped by Young Miss Qian."

She leaned in slightly, her voice so low that only two people could hear.

"Brother Lu."

"In the future, I will let you see that I can also be very serious."

Lu Cheng paused and didn't speak.

The night grew deeper.

When the banquet dispersed, Lu Cheng was also a little sleepy.

Returning to the guest room arranged by the Tang Family, he took a shower and hung up his coat.

The room was very quiet.

Snow Spirit had eaten too much tonight and was sent by Tang Zhiwei to the nest next door to sleep.

Just as Lu Cheng lay on the bed, he felt something was wrong.

In the quilt...

There was warmth.

He raised an eyebrow.

He lifted the quilt.

The next second, his whole person was stunned.

Qian Shuying was lying inside.

Her long hair was scattered, her cheeks were still a little red, but her eyes were very clear.

"?"

Before Lu Cheng could speak, Qian Shuying had already reached out and grabbed his collar.

"Don't speak."

She turned over and approached, directly kissing him.

This kiss was more urgent than the one at the banquet.

And it carried more emotion.

It was like a sense of crisis that had been suppressed all night, finally exploding in the empty room.

Lu Cheng's breathing hitched.

Qian Shuying's hands rested on his shoulders, her fingertips tightening slightly.

She was usually very strong, very calm, and rarely let herself lose control.

She knew that more and more people would appear around Lu Cheng.

She also knew that he was destined not to stop in one place in the future.

But she didn't want to lose.

At least she didn't want to lose her position to someone else before she had really spoken.

The lights in the room were very dim.

The breathing of the two intertwined.

The atmosphere gradually warmed up.

Qian Shuying leaned in Lu Cheng's arms, the corners of her eyes flushed, her voice trembling low.

"Lu Cheng."

Lu Cheng supported her waist and said in a low voice:

"Are you sure?"

Qian Shuying didn't answer immediately.

She looked into Lu Cheng's eyes.

At that moment, she really wanted to be reckless.

But just as she was about to take that final step, Xia Xi's face suddenly flashed in her mind.

That girl had also appeared in Lu Cheng's life very early.

Qian Shuying's movements stopped, her breathing a bit chaotic.

Doing this... was too cunning.

Qian Shuying slowly lowered her head, her forehead resting on Lu Cheng's shoulder.

After a long while, she leaned into Lu Cheng's ear, her voice very soft.

"The sequel to tonight..."

"Let's save it for next time."