159: Ye Anhe's confession

Zhang Lei took Xiao Weihua and the Qin Guoqiang to experience the apollo fighter jet. The two were full of praise and envy, wishing they could keep one, but they were too embarrassed to ask.

After accompanying the two Chinese leaders, Zhang Lei returned to his residence in the core area to rest.

This was a simple and modern residence. Zhang Lei sat cross-legged on a cushion, his eyes slightly closed, with faint red and blue energy flowing around him. Water and fire had reached a strange balance within his body. Just as he was immersed in his Superpower cultivation, the doorbell rang abruptly, breaking the silence of the room.

Zhang Lei opened his eyes, a hint of doubt flashing through them. He got up, walked to the door, and pushed it open gently. He saw Ye Anhe in a simple T-shirt and white trousers, which made her figure look tall yet soft. Her ear-length short hair was jet black and shiny, glowing with a healthy luster. Her face was free of makeup, and a few minor imperfections made her look even more real and lovely, unable to hide her exquisite face that resembled fine jade. Usually serious and capable, Ye Anhe's eyes lit up the moment she saw Zhang Lei, and the corners of her lips curled up unconsciously.

"Officer Zhang Lei, I heard you were staying here, so I came to see you," Ye Anhe said softly, a faint blush appearing on her cheeks as her fingers intertwined unconsciously, revealing her inner nervousness.

Zhang Lei knew in his heart that this girl might have some feelings for him, but he always believed it was more of an admiration for the strong, no different from Yang Yiyu. Therefore, he deliberately kept a certain distance from these girls to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.

"Lieutenant Colonel Ye, please come in," Zhang Lei stepped aside to let her through, his tone polite but distant.

Ye Anhe walked into the room, looked around curiously, and then sat down on the sofa in the living room. She looked up at Zhang Lei, her eyes filled with expectation: "Officer Zhang Lei, don't call me Lieutenant Colonel Ye. Call me Anhe! We are of the same generation, so in private, we are friends!" Her tone was light and animated as she tried to bridge the distance between them.

Zhang Lei sat on the chair opposite her and nodded, "Alright, Anhe. Then you can just call me by my name as well."

"Haha! Okay! Zhang Lei." Ye Anhe's eyes curved into crescents as she laughed, then she tilted her head curiously and asked, "So, how old are you? I'm 26 this year! You should be about the same age as me, right?" Her fingers unconsciously rubbed the armrest of the sofa, revealing her inner anxiety.

Since returning, she had constantly mentioned Zhang Lei's strength and status at home, which changed her family's idea of setting her up with Li Xian. Setting aside Zhang Lei's Superpower, he was the second-ranked top expert in the country and the second-in-command of the Red Alert Legion. Currently, the Red Alert Legion controlled the most advanced military technology in the country. Although the number of troops was small at the moment, its future development was limitless. The older generation of the Ye family was also very happy to let Ye Anhe interact with Zhang Lei, and even some direct female descendants of the main branch were starting to take an interest.

"Ah, this..." Zhang Lei gave a forced laugh and instinctively rubbed his nose. Although he always acted mature and steady in front of outsiders, possessing the demeanor of a powerhouse—being the respected officer with the strongest combat power of the Red Alert Legion in the army, and a guardian who hated evil in the eyes of the people—when it came to age, he was actually just an 18-year-old kid.

"You're not younger than me, are you!" Ye Anhe blinked her big eyes, leaning forward slightly with a mischievous smile on her face. "Can I call you 'little brother'?" She looked like she had discovered some incredible secret; this super-powerful expert was actually a young hunk.

Zhang Lei shook his head helplessly and spread his hands. "We're about the same age, so let's not call each other that. Just call me by my name." He deliberately avoided the topic of his specific age, not wanting to dwell on it.

"Oh!" Ye Anhe lowered her head in disappointment, her fingers unconsciously rolling the hem of her shirt. Did this ice fire divine lord have no interest in her? From the look of it, he seemed to be keeping his distance.

After a moment of silence, Ye Anhe suddenly looked up, her gaze burning as she looked at Zhang Lei. "Zhang Lei, is there someone you like? Is it that Natasha?" She thought of that cold Siberian beauty, whose proud figure and exquisite face, like a 3D model, were indeed very attractive to men. As she asked this, her fingers tightly gripped the hem of her shirt, revealing her inner tension.

"Ah! Why would you think I like that ice-block girl!" Zhang Lei said, somewhat speechless, and couldn't help but roll his eyes. As a traditional Chinese man, if he were to find someone, it would have to be a gentle and submissive type. Why would he look for a cold-blooded assassin like her?

"'ice-block girl'? Pfft—" Ye Anhe burst out laughing, quickly covering her mouth with her hand, but tears of laughter were already in the corners of her eyes. The nickname was just too fitting. She hadn't expected Zhang Lei to describe the cold and elegant Natasha that way.

After laughing, Ye Anhe took a deep breath and mustered the courage to look at Zhang Lei, her cheeks crimson. "Then what do you think of a passionate girl like me?" Her voice trembled slightly, her fingers intertwined nervously, and her eyes were full of expectation.

Zhang Lei was stunned by this sudden confession and didn't know how to respond for a moment. He slowly stood up, walked to the window, and turned his back to Ye Anhe, looking at the gray sky outside. His back was straight and lonely, as if carrying too much responsibility.

"The chaotic world is not yet at peace; how can I start a family?" Zhang Lei's voice was low and firm. "Lieutenant Colonel Ye, please don't tease me. Right now, I only want to recover our lost territory and have no interest in romance." His fingers unconsciously tapped the window frame, revealing his inner resolve.

"I..." Ye Anhe wanted to say something more, but the words got stuck in her throat. This man was truly different, and she was really moved, but... Zhang Lei turned around, his tone softening slightly. "Lieutenant Colonel Ye, there's no need for this. There are many talented young men in the Central Military Region; there will surely be a good match for you." His gaze held an apology, but also an unquestionable firmness.

"You don't understand the difficulties of children from big families..." Ye Anhe shook her head helplessly, her eyes glistening with tears. She lowered her head, not letting Zhang Lei see her disappointed expression.

"Are you troubled by the matter of a political marriage?" Zhang Lei asked. He could guess that the prestigious families in Kyoto would surely join forces through political marriage, which was the most common method.

"Yes," Ye Anhe looked up, her eyes filled with grievance. "The family originally wanted to set me up with Li Xian, but I don't like him. If it weren't for your appearance, I might have already been transferred to Li Xian's unit." As she spoke, her voice choked up slightly, and her fingers unconsciously gripped the hem of her shirt.

Zhang Lei walked back to his seat and sat down, crossing his hands on the table. "But you're using me to escape. Do you really like me?" His gaze was sharp, as if it could pierce through Ye Anhe's heart.

"But you really are great, way better than that guy Li Xian." Ye Anhe nodded, her tone firm, but her eyes flickered slightly.

"Wait... do you big families choose sons-in-law... so casually?" Zhang Lei couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head, finding it somewhat unbelievable.

"Pfft—" Ye Anhe also covered her mouth and smiled, the atmosphere suddenly lightening up a lot. "Do you think we have a choice in a big family? If I hadn't met you first, with my status, I wouldn't even be worthy of you! The family has plenty of direct female descendants who want to get to know you." Her tone carried a bit of self-deprecation and helplessness.

"Is that so? I didn't realize I was so outstanding!" Zhang Lei laughed, straightening his back with a bit of self-satisfaction.

"Yes! You're very outstanding, a real catch!" Ye Anhe said, a playful smile in her eyes.

Zhang Lei pondered for a moment and made a suggestion: "If you don't want to be in an arranged marriage, you can come to our Lujiang Base to work. We would sincerely welcome you. There, it's far away, and no one can control you anymore." His tone was sincere, and his gaze was encouraging.

"Really?" Ye Anhe blinked and looked at Zhang Lei, the light of hope reigniting in her eyes. She leaned forward instinctively, as if afraid she had misheard.

"Yes, as long as you want to!" Zhang Lei nodded, his tone firm.

"Okay, I will definitely go," Ye Anhe said solemnly, her hands tightly clenched together as if making an important vow.

After the atmosphere relaxed, Ye Anhe suddenly remembered something, and her eyes lit up. "By the way, the third-generation disciples of the prestigious families in Kyoto are holding an exchange meeting. Most of the participants are Evolvers. Do you want to go?" Her fingers lightly tapped the armrest of the sofa, revealing her inner expectation.

"Evolvers?" Zhang Lei raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly, showing great interest. "Will that Lü Yan be there?" A hint of battle intent flashed in his eyes, and his fingers unconsciously rubbed his chin.

"He will," Ye Anhe nodded. "Although he doesn't come from a prestigious family, he will go as an instructor. He's also a special guest." She noticed the change in Zhang Lei's expression, and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but turn up.

"Good!" Zhang Lei stood up abruptly, a raging battle intent burning in his eyes, his fists unconsciously clenching. "Then I'll go and see this 'reincarnated lu bu' for myself." His voice carried uncontrollable excitement, and faint red and blue energy flowed around him, as if he couldn't wait to fight a strong opponent.