The assassination of the Saudi delegation at the hotel also received attention from China's high-level officials.
Although the purpose of the Saudi delegation's visit to Beijing was not clear, they were from the Saudi royal family. If any mishap were to occur in China, it would be difficult for China to account for it to the Saudi royal family!
Morning!
The family compound!
In a courtyard house, the old man sipped his tea while listening to the report from the secretary and military officer beside him.
"Mm, increase the security and defense in the capital recently. If necessary, deploy members of the Dragon Group to protect the Saudi delegation in secret."
If it were just an ordinary Saudi delegation, perhaps it wouldn't warrant such importance. However, there were rumors that a princess was among this Saudi delegation, which made it imperative to take it seriously.
The young military officer nodded, then hesitated as if he had something more to say.
The old man looked up at him and frowned, "Spit it out if you have something to say!"
The young military officer gave a wry smile, "I just received news that Xu Shi'an has submitted his leave request and is on his way back to China."
Upon hearing this, the old man immediately slammed the tea table and exclaimed angrily, "What is that brat coming back for? As a soldier, he only thinks about taking leave and not serving the country and its people!"
The young military officer was helpless. The old man had always been so strict, not only in leading troops but also in dealing with his own descendants.
Of course, despite the old man's strictness, he earned immense respect and awe from countless people.
This old man had dedicated his life to China, and his children had all died in various missions in foreign countries, leaving behind only a grandson and a granddaughter.
However, the granddaughter had been angered and had not returned for two years.
The grandson had been sent abroad on a mission, and when he wanted to return for leave, the old man had righteously refused.
...
A taxi stopped at the entrance of the family compound.
Xu Weiwei got out of the car and looked at the familiar surroundings, a surge of complex emotions overwhelming her. Sudan Novel Network
She had lived in this place since childhood. She knew almost everything about the plants and trees and the residents here.
But she hadn't been back for a long time!
Arriving at the gate of the courtyard house, Xu Weiwei stopped. She didn't know whether to go in because the thought of her parents' death made her want to hate that heartless old man.
"Xiao Wei? You're back?" The young military officer, who had just walked out of the courtyard, pushed his glasses up, looking surprised.
"Secretary Li!" Xu Weiwei looked up at him and nodded.
"Since you're back, hurry in! The chief will be very happy to know you're back." The young military officer turned back into the courtyard with joy to report the good news.
Xu Weiwei hesitated for a moment, then stepped inside.
The young military officer strode to the grape trellis and happily reported to the old man, "Chief, Xiao Wei is back!"
"Xiao Wei is back?"
Upon hearing this, the old man immediately stood up excitedly, his face filled with joy, and looked towards the courtyard gate.
At the courtyard entrance, a graceful figure appeared. Xu Weiwei, wearing a white shirt and jeans, walked in with a simple backpack.
She looked at the old man whose face was filled with excitement, especially his face, which had aged considerably in just two years. Her heart trembled slightly, but her expression remained cold.
"I'm back for a few days, then I'll leave!"
After speaking, she didn't look at the old man again and walked directly towards a side room in the courtyard.
The old man watched his granddaughter's retreating back and sighed slightly. He said nothing more and waved his hand, "Get some daily necessities for her room. Also, go to the market tonight and buy some groceries."
The relationship between grandfather and granddaughter had soured two or three years ago, and Xu Weiwei had not returned for a full two years.
For the old man, even though she still resented him, he was already very happy that she had returned this time.
In the side room!
Xu Weiwei placed her backpack on the bed. She looked at the spotlessly clean room. The layout of the entire room was exactly the same as it was two years ago. She sat on the edge of the bed, lost in thought.
There was a knock on the door, and the young military officer entered, holding daily necessities.
"The chief instructed that your room be kept as it was, and it's cleaned twice a week. He often hoped for your return."
"Thank you, Secretary Li!" Xu Weiwei nodded.
Secretary Li shook his head, "This is all as it should be. The chief misses you very much. He has been more distressed than anyone in these past few years!"
Xu Weiwei gritted her teeth and remained silent, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
"Alright, I know you don't like to hear this, so I'll be leaving now. If you need anything, remember to tell me!"
Secretary Li didn't try to persuade her further, as the conflict between the grandfather and granddaughter had been accumulating for a long time and couldn't be resolved overnight.
Xu Weiwei suddenly seemed to remember something and asked, "Secretary Li, the Saudi delegation has arrived in Beijing, right?"
Secretary Li smiled in surprise, "You even know about this? Yes, the Saudi delegation arrived in Beijing yesterday, but we haven't yet figured out the purpose of their visit!"
Xu Weiwei nodded and didn't ask any further questions.
Of course, she knew about the Saudi delegation because a few days ago, she had seen members of the Saudi delegation outside Haitan Pharmaceutical in Yangzhou, and at that time, they had come looking for Ye Cangtian.
Now that the Saudi delegation had arrived in Beijing, she suspected they might be coming for Ye Cangtian.
"What exactly is that guy's connection to the Saudi delegation?" Xu Weiwei frowned.
...
Seven o'clock in the evening.
Ye Cangtian and Tang Xinwan arrived at the hotel where the ball was being held. For this ball, Tang Xinwan had specially taken Ye Cangtian to the mall to buy clothes.
After all, attendees of such high-class balls were usually people of significant status, whether they were wealthy businessmen, scions of prominent families, or noble ladies and socialites.
Therefore, attire could not be too casual to avoid unnecessary embarrassment.
Ye Cangtian looked sharp in his suit, though he felt somewhat uncomfortable, preferring more casual wear.
Tang Xinwan, on the other hand, wore a violet dress tonight, with her hair elegantly styled, exuding a mature, capable, yet beautiful aura.
At the hotel entrance, various luxury cars were parked, and gentlemen, polite and smiling, were heading into the hotel.
There were also ladies, dressed in luxurious attire, carrying themselves with grace, their captivating figures swaying as they walked inside, perhaps arm in arm with their companions.
Ye Cangtian's eyes darted around, mostly lingering on the long legs of the noble ladies and socialites.
Seeing him looking around, Tang Xinwan assumed he was unaccustomed to such scenes and softly said, "Don't be too reserved later; just be yourself!"
A ball was meant for relaxation, entertainment, casual conversation, or business discussions.
Reserved?
Ye Cangtian smiled brightly. He wasn't inexperienced with balls. He had even infiltrated balls of certain European royal families for missions in the past, and he had managed quite well.
So, being reserved was out of the question!
At this moment, the two approached the hotel entrance.
Tang Xinwan produced the gilded invitation, and a tall server led them towards the ballroom area.