How could she possibly know about such a thing?
She wasn't a worm inside Ye Longlin's stomach. If she had known, she wouldn't be sitting here listening to her mother nag.
"I'm going to buy groceries."
Zhao Siyu fled without a moment's hesitation, wanting nothing more than to escape her mother's incessant chattering.
Zhao Qian just shook her head and gave a wry smile.
Yuan Gang drove An Yuanfang directly to the military headquarters, from where he would be escorted to Donghai Prison. Of course, regarding the provision of a laboratory for war criminals, Ye Longlin had already contacted the Hall of Honor on the way.
This was unprecedented in the history of Great Xia, a special situation demanding special treatment.
Most importantly, An Yuanfang was also the sole martial artist who was also a researcher.
Initially, the Hall of Honor had disagreed, but Ye Longlin had simply said a few words.
If he truly researched something extraordinary, Great Xia would only have paid for a laboratory. If he failed to research anything, then the loss would also only be a laboratory.
If the Hall of Honor disagreed, the Dragon Pavilion would cover the expenses. Naturally, if something was successfully researched, it would belong to the Dragon Pavilion. Even if the Hall of Honor wanted it, they would have to pay hard cash to buy it.
With just this statement, the Hall of Honor agreed to everything.
They weren't fools; no one could refuse such an enticement.
An Yuanfang had even come close to winning a Nobel Prize back then.
Who could have imagined that twenty years later, An Yuanfang would actually research something extraordinary, something that could even lead to his acquittal!
"The Ye family has discovered our surveillance personnel and is now demanding an explanation from our Dragon Pavilion. This matter has become widely known. At least in the capital, the Ye family has pushed the Dragon Pavilion to the forefront, and many people are hoping for trouble for the Dragon Pavilion."
Yuan Gang was helpless. The Dragon Pavilion's authority was too great, and they couldn't easily insert people; one could only gain recognition through their own strength.
The simplest requirement for recruiting personnel into the Dragon Pavilion was to be undefeated against everyone in their military region within a single day!
This requirement alone stumped countless people. Even giving them three days would be completely unrealistic, let alone one.
Unless one's personal strength truly reached the level of suppression!
"Don't worry about it. As long as the Ye family doesn't make any major moves, let them make a fuss."
Ye Longlin waved his hand, unconcerned. As if recalling something, he continued, "Have the people who pursued me back then been identified?"
Yuan Gang shook his head helplessly. "Those people from back then are difficult to trace, mainly because too much time has passed, and many places lacked surveillance. Moreover, after more than twenty years, it's unclear if these people are even still alive, so it's very troublesome to investigate."
Ye Longlin said nothing, looking at the streets of Nan Province with a hint of daze.
Nan Province had been visited twice in his life. The first time was over twenty years ago, when he was still very young. Zhao Qian was still in her prime then. When he returned years later, things had changed, but Zhao Qian's small courtyard remained much the same as it was back then.
The pursuit back then spanned the entire north and south of Great Xia. He wouldn't let any of those people go; they all deserved to die!
"The Blackbird has begun a thorough investigation. Many people from Nan Province were involved in the pursuit, but due to the passage of time and the lack of news about you and Marshal Ye over the years, many have forgotten. This makes the investigation even more difficult. The Blackbird has already found some clues and is currently in the process of confirming them."
Ye Longlin's tone shifted. "Let's go to Panjiang Bridge."
Panjiang Bridge was the tallest bridge in Nan Province, comparable to a skyscraper of over two hundred floors.
Upon its completion, this bridge became the tallest bridge in the world, bar none.
Its total length was 1341 meters, and it held the record for the largest span steel truss cable-stayed bridge.
"When this bridge was still under construction, my father and I visited once. My father said that a person should stand at the pinnacle, and only when you overlook the scenery on the way down will you feel that all the hardships were worth it.
But now that I have reached the pinnacle, why do the things I see make me feel so... disgusted, even repulsed? Tell me, is the scenery I'm seeing incorrect?" httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Ye Longlin stood at the observation deck, murmuring to himself.
In his eyes, he seemed to see himself again, standing on a cliff edge, looking down at the scenery below, telling Ye Guohui in a childish voice, "In the future, I will definitely stand on the highest peak."
Yuan Gang sighed. "Brother, time marches forward. Even if you've climbed the wrong peak, the scenery below remains unchanged. Like this river, it always flows forward, eventually merging with the sea. For the river, that is its eternal goal."
Ye Longlin, uncharacteristically, remained silent, and Yuan Gang, also uncharacteristically, spoke words of profound depth.
"Get me a portion of 'Frogs Climbing the Stone Slab.'"
This was a specialty snack from Nan Province that he used to like, due to its soft, chewy texture and sweetness.
Green bean paste was embedded on white glutinous rice cakes, resembling frogs resting on stone slabs, fried to a crispy exterior and tender interior.
At this moment, Mu Hanqi, having received information about Ye Longlin's whereabouts, rushed over. She removed her mask and looked at Ye Longlin with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Their eyes met. Ye Longlin still held the snack in his hand.
She wore a white high-necked sweater, white sneakers, and light-colored jeans – a picture of pure innocence.
It had to be said, the epitome of pure desire looked good in anything.
"Why are you here?" Ye Longlin asked, taking a bite of the snack.
Mu Hanqi smiled slyly. "The scenery here is said to be the most beautiful in all of Nan Province. As an outsider, I naturally had to come and see it. Who knew I'd run into you?"
Yuan Gang chuckled and discreetly stepped away, not wanting to disturb them.
With such beautiful scenery, one could only feel that the world might be beautiful if there was someone by their side.
Mu Hanqi looked at the snack in Ye Longlin's hand, swallowed, and looked at him expectantly. Then, she deliberately put her hands on her hips and said, "Hey, Woodpecker, can't you see I want to eat it!"
What a blockhead.
Ye Longlin turned to look at the vendor and told a white lie. "The vendor says they're all gone."
The vendor chuckled and quickly put everything away, saying with a straight face, "Yes, that's right, they're all gone."
Mu Hanqi: "..."
Her intention wasn't really to eat it, but rather...
*Chomp!*
Mu Hanqi took a bite from where Ye Longlin had just bitten, giggling mischievously. "Hehe, it's delicious."
The vendor seemed to understand, perhaps deliberately agreeing with Ye Longlin that they were gone, or perhaps enjoying the scene unfolding before him.