Chapter 344: Chapter 344: Yan’er’s Dowry (4th Update)
The most headache-inducing problem of food supplies had been resolved.
What remained were merely trifles that could be solved with money.
And while Beijiang was bustling with preparations,
An Yan had also returned to Zhongdu.
The motorcade slowly pulled up in front of the An Family’s residence, and An Qing got out of the car.
But the first one to come welcome her was not a member of the An Family, but rather a man in his thirties, wearing the stars of a general on his shoulders, his clothing crisp, exuding an air of spirited confidence.
Upon seeing this man, An Qing’s face took on an unpleasant expression.
“Wang Geng, what are you doing at my house?”
Since An Qing and Wang Geng didn’t belong to the same military district, she, as a colonel, dared to refer to Wang Geng by his given name despite his rank of major general.
Wang Geng smiled, “Colonel An, I arrived in Zhongdu yesterday, but you weren’t at home, so I’ve been waiting until now!”
“I’m asking you, what are you doing here?” An Qing was in no mood to be pleasant.
A dark glint flashed in Wang Geng’s eyes, yet he maintained a smile, “Perhaps you didn’t fancy the gift I sent last time, Colonel An, and had it returned. I came specially to apologize this time!”
“No need!” An Qing said coldly.
At this moment, An Yan got out of the car, “Qing’er, what’s the matter?”
“It’s nothing, sis, just an annoying guy!”
Seeing An Yan, Wang Geng’s expression showed a flash of amazement.
Both sisters were such beauties!
“Is there anything else? If not, please leave!” An Qing spoke in a cold voice.
Finally losing patience, Wang Geng’s expression darkened, “Colonel An, why must you be so rejecting? You should know, at only thirty-five, I’m already a major general, with a boundless future ahead. And I truly like you!”
His face was full of pride when he spoke of his military rank.
And indeed, his words were not without merit.
A major general in his thirties, that was truly remarkable.
Yet An Qing sneered slightly, “Wang Geng, do I need to spell it out for you? The reason the Liu Family dared to come and snatch the Fire Phoenix last time, do you really not understand what role your Wang Family played in that?”
This remark caused Wang Geng’s face to abruptly cloud over.
The Wang Family had indeed been involved in the Liu Family’s affair.
Wang Geng had been filled with a desire to possess An Qing.
But he knew too well that he couldn’t pluck this flower unless she were left vulnerable and without support.
So he had helped the Liu Family in their plot to take control of the Fire Phoenix.
These were facts An Qing learned afterwards.
Naturally, she had not a shred of friendliness for this man Wang Geng.
“Let’s go, sis,” An Qing and An Yan were about to enter the house.
Wang Geng, with a malevolent tone, said, “Colonel An, I hope you consider carefully. You know the strength of my Wang Family in Zhonghuai! If you are willing, it would bring endless benefits to your An Family!”
In response, An Qing simply rebuked coldly, “Get out! Hurry up and leave while I’m still in a good mood!”
Wang Geng was furious.
He, who had always been the darling of heaven, had never suffered such insult before, and was about to explode.
Just then, Cheng Hao and the others got out of the vehicles, surrounding Wang Geng and his personal soldiers in a tight circle.
Each member of the Fire Phoenix looked at Wang Geng with hostility – with just one command from An Qing, they would tear this man to shreds on the spot.
The fierce aura emanating from the Fire Phoenix members made Wang Geng, who had never seen actual combat, turn progressively paler.
“Colonel An, what are you trying to do? Are you going to let your subordinates publicly defy a major general right here on the streets of Zhongdu?” Wang Geng spoke with a facade of courage but inner timidity.
An Qing’s lips curved into a disdainful smirk, “So what if I am?”
“You… You are defying your superiors! I….”
Before Wang Geng could finish his sentence, an incredibly authoritative voice rang out.
“In Zhongdu, since when is it the turn of people from the Zhonghuai military district to run wild? And talking about defying superiors? Haha, are you not clear about what your military ranks from Zhonghuai military district amount to?”
With the sound of his words, more than a dozen imposing military vehicles stopped by the road, and a group of people got out.
These individuals were all around forty or fifty years old, dressed in crisp military uniforms, and most of them were actually major generals.
The man who spoke was at the forefront, with the rank of lieutenant general clearly visible on his shoulders.
Wang Geng was stunned.
These generals were all influential figures in Zhongdu.
Plainly speaking, none were the kind that a civil servant general like him could afford to provoke.
Especially the lieutenant general who had spoken.
Not to mention Wang Geng, even his father wouldn’t dare to cross him.
And in front of Wang Geng’s astonished gaze, the group of generals walked up to An Qing’s side and spoke affably, “Little Qing, have you brought your sister back home yet?”
An Qing nodded, “I’ve seen all the generals!”
“Haha, if we’re not in the military base, you should just call us uncle or something of the sort; it’s much better! The title of general is too distant!” the leading Lieutenant General Yang said with a smile.
“Yes, Uncle Yang!” An Qing said obediently.
“So when is your brother-in-law coming to Zhongdu?” When they mentioned An Qing’s brother-in-law, a strange expression appeared on the faces of the generals.
An Qing smiled, “He should be arriving on my sister’s birthday, which is in four days!”
“Good! Good!”
Lieutenant General Yang nodded his head in approval, smiling beamingly.
But when he turned his head to look at Wang Geng, who was gaping in disbelief, the smile disappeared from his face.
“Go back and tell your old man that Zhongdu isn’t your Zhonghuai; the Wang Family has no right to act recklessly here. And I advise you to stop harassing the An Family; otherwise… hmph!”
Lieutenant General Yang left his warning unspoken, but the message was crystal clear.
Who didn’t treat the An Family with the utmost respect and fear?
After all, the so-called Divine Slaughter didn’t hold back when he struck!
If he truly became irritated, no matter how prestigious your family might be, you couldn’t escape a fate of annihilation.
How could Wang Geng dare to say anything in front of these people?
He had thought that with only the colonel An Qing left, the An Family’s influence had significantly diminished and they were an easy target.
That’s why he dared to harass An Qing repeatedly.
But looking at the current situation…
The way these generals showed such warm and seemingly ingratiating behavior towards An Qing…
It demonstrated how overpoweringly influential the An Family was now.
So when Lieutenant General Yang gave him the signal to leave, Wang Geng, as if granted amnesty, did not even dare to glance at An Qing, and he fled with his tail between his legs.
“Hehe, the Wang Family is used to throwing their weight around in Zhonghuai; do they really think they can do the same in Zhongdu?” Lieutenant General Yang said with a cold laugh.
But before they could even enter the An Family’s residence…
Chen Xiuhe also arrived with his entourage.
Upon seeing him, Lieutenant General Yang teased, “Old Chen, you’ve notified all of us, saying that Mr. Xue is about to get married and we’ve all hurried over, but where did you run off to?”
Chen Xiuhe smiled, “Yan’er is somewhat of a junior to me; now that she’s getting married, I certainly can’t come empty-handed!”
As he spoke, more than a dozen heavy trucks drove up.
“This is…?” An Qing said, somewhat surprised.
“This is the dowry I am giving to Yan’er!” Chen Xiuhe said with a beaming smile.