Chapter 1 Hanoi

Hanoi, the capital, the Gui family.

While Su Miaomiao was pulled into conversation by a group of women from the Gui family, Gui Mengjun accompanied his father down from the second floor.

Everyone stood up. Gui Mengjun walked over first and softly introduced Miaomiao, "This is my father. Dad, this is Su Miaomiao from the Su family of The Dragon City Rises, my girlfriend."

"Hello, Uncle!" Su Miaomiao bowed slightly, greeting him politely.

Old Master Gui sized up Miaomiao, nodded slightly, and, equally attentive to etiquette, extended his hand. "Hello, welcome to our home."

Su Miaomiao waited for him to extend his hand before taking it. "Thank you for your hospitality, Uncle!"

"Very good." Old Master Gui spoke with a heavy Burmese-Vietnamese accent. He looked quite kind and amiable, not at all like a patriarch who had been in charge of a powerful family for many years. "Please, sit."

"Let's take our seats," Gui Mengjun said with a smile.

Everyone exchanged polite gestures as they walked towards the dining table, taking their seats according to rank.

Considering the size of the Gui family, there weren't many people present today, only about a dozen in total. Besides Old Master Gui, there were Gui Mengjun's siblings, and those who were married brought their children and partners.

Truth be told, Su Miaomiao had been a little nervous before attending the dinner. However, this nervousness had little to do with family background, because Miaomiao had never been an unconfident girl. Although her family wasn't exactly wealthy, they certainly weren't poor either.

Her father was a military officer, her family was prosperous, and they owned some businesses. Furthermore, there were some influential figures among their relatives and friends. When Gou Liu Zi's father was at the height of his career, he was a figure who had a voice in the Chinese legions of the First District.

Therefore, Su Miaomiao's nervousness mainly stemmed from meeting her boyfriend's family. She was afraid they would bombard her with questions, which would be quite awkward for the straightforward Third Sister.

However, to Su Miaomiao's relief, Gui Mengjun's relatives seemed to be quite cultured. Although the conversation during the meal consisted mostly of overly polite remarks that felt a bit insincere, it was, after all, their first meeting, and being too familiar or casual would seem inappropriate.

At the dinner table, Gui Mengjun's father didn't eat much because he had diabetes and usually didn't eat in the evening. However, he didn't ignore Miaomiao, and he inquired about her family situation.

"So, your father is retired now?" Gui's father asked with a smile.

"Yes," Su Miaomiao replied softly. "My two younger brothers are in charge of the family business now, and I help out a little."

"Two younger brothers? I've met them, haven't I?"

"Yes, you should have met them. Tianyu and Tianbei, they've been to Hanoi before," Su Miaomiao replied.

Hearing their names, Gui's father immediately smiled and praised, "Su Tianyu, that young man is extraordinary! I heard General Fu of the China District praised him!"

"Hehe, yes," Gui Mengjun interjected. "It was about the Seventh Island incident. General Fu met him, and later I helped say a word regarding the information. General Fu's praise was also very special, saying that he has eight hundred schemes in his head."

Gui's father smiled, clasped his hands, and turned to look at Third Sister, saying, "Actually, your emotional connection with the China District is different from ours, after all, you share the same ancestry. In fact, more contact is beneficial."

These words sounded abrupt, and with Third Sister's experience and political acumen at this time, she didn't fully understand the meaning behind Gui's father's words, only smiling and agreeing, "Yes, yes, but in The Dragon City Rises, it's difficult for us to come into contact with people from our hometown."

"Don't worry, in the future you and Mengjun will be doing business in that area, and you will inevitably have more contact with people from there," Gui's father replied ambiguously.

Listening to the conversation, Su Miaomiao felt that there was a hidden meaning, but she didn't quite understand it.

"I have prepared some gifts for your father," Gui's father continued. "When you leave later, take them with you and give them to your father for me."

"This... this is too much," Su Miaomiao said, taken aback. "I'll thank you for my father, Uncle!"

"When you have time, I'll have Mengjun invite your parents and family to come over for a visit," Gui's father said tactfully.

"Okay, okay."

"Alright, you eat and chat, I need to rest," Gui's father slowly stood up. "Otherwise, I won't be able to sleep later."

The Gui family's dinner lasted less than an hour and then ended. For Su Miaomiao personally, the meal was much easier than she had imagined, because in her expectation, Gui's father would be the kind of stern and unapproachable business tycoon. But after sitting down and chatting, he seemed quite easy-going.

After the dinner, Gui Mengjun and his relatives sent Miaomiao and Da Bai back to the hotel.

Standing downstairs, Gui Mengjun enthusiastically asked, "Aren't you going to invite me up for a while? Two hours is enough!"

"What are you thinking?!" Su Miaomiao playfully cupped her fists and replied, "Farewell, President Gui!"

"Hehe, okay, rest early!"

"Bye-bye!" Su Miaomiao stepped forward and entered the hotel with Da Bai.

After eating a meal, the winner in life is still my Brother Bai. The thing he has done the most in his life is returning to hotels with his girlfriend.

...

Late at night.

Gui Mengjun returned home and met his father in the study on the second floor.

The two drank tea and remained silent for a while before Gui's father frowned and asked, "Have you decided?"

"Yes, I've decided, it's irreversible," Gui Mengjun replied, looking up.

Gui's father clasped his hands. "If it were up to me, I wouldn't agree to you marrying a girl from the Su family. I think you should focus your energy on local industries. But since the family's affairs have already been handed over to you, I won't say any more."

"Mm." Gui Mengjun nodded slowly.

"Marrying Su Miaomiao, the off-site gambling track, the future profits are indeed immeasurable," Gui's father looked at his son and softly advised, "But the risks are also very high, you must be cautious."

Gui Mengjun glanced at his father. "I'm marrying her, not just for the off-site gambling track, there are strong personal feelings involved."

Hearing this, Gui's father didn't say anything more. "Pay attention to uniting local relationships."

"Those who should be united will be united, but there's nothing we can do about those who can't," Gui Mengjun picked up his teacup and replied very decisively. "No matter what kind of partner, what kind of friend, it's impossible for them to always agree with your ideas, that's not realistic, Dad."

"It's good that you know what you're doing."

...

Inside the hotel, Da Bai sent a short message to Su Tianyu: "I'm preparing to return!"