CHAPTER 425: CHAPTER 421: THE GREAT TALENT OF MR. HUAI XU

Apart from the driver, another person was in the passenger seat. After Zhou Li got in the car, this person twisted around to greet him.

"Hello, Mr. Zhou Li."

"Hello."

This person looked a bit older than the driver but probably wasn’t over thirty. He might have been from the post-90s generation or simply had a youthful appearance. Regardless, he was somewhat older than Zhou Li, who was at an age where hearing others address him as ’Mr. Zhou Li’ still felt novel and strange.

From his voice, Zhou Li deduced that this was the person who had called him in the morning.

His surname seemed to be Zheng, the same as Miss Zheng. He was a deputy division chief in a new department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recently established specifically for Yu Country.

Technically, these matters should have been handled by the Protocol Department’s reception office. However, this time was different from receiving foreign guests from other human nations. Perhaps that was why the newly established department was given the responsibility. This department was specifically tasked with dealing with the Demon Kingdom and held the same status as the Asian Department and the European Department. Since they would eventually have to deal with the Demon Kingdom’s foreign affairs, there was no risk of information leakage.

"Are you waiting for any friends?" Director Zheng asked.

"Yes."

Zhou Li pointed down the road and messaged Huai Xu to come down and wait. He felt it was necessary to maintain this formality in the presence of the driver.

Even if they eventually made the existence of demons public, it would be a gradual process.

"Let’s see..."

Director Zheng calculated the time. "We should arrive at the airport around ten o’clock. If all goes well, we’ll land at the Capital Airport by two in the afternoon. By three, we will arrange for you to check into the Diaoyu Platform State Guesthouse and then go over some itinerary details with you to ensure nothing is overlooked."

"Alright."

The feeling of not having to check in is truly great.

The car soon stopped at the entrance of the residential complex.

A tall, majestic, and handsome man stood by the roadside, exuding a gentle and refined image. It wouldn’t be appropriate to simply describe him as a ’beautiful man’; he seemed more like a scholar capable of governing a nation and bringing peace through martial prowess.

Only the old demon, steeped in this world for over two thousand years, could manifest so much with just his appearance.

Zhou Li quietly observed him for a few moments.

This style is rarely attempted by the old demon because it clashes too severely with his foolish persona.

Director Zheng couldn’t help but sneak several glances as well, secretly marveling. But since it wasn’t appropriate for him to stare, he could only sneak peeks from the corner of his eye.

Truly, a person who captivates both men and women.

The old demon got into the car, composed and gracious. He even turned his head to smile at Zhou Li. "How have the past couple of days at school been for you?"

Zhou Li: ...

He strangely doesn’t feel like responding.

The old demon just smiled, seemingly unconcerned, which accentuated Zhou Li’s immaturity and his own tolerance... even to the point of doting on Zhou Li.

Zhou Li feels extremely uncomfortable.

Director Zheng still maintained his sideways posture, his head turned towards them. Seeing Zhou Li’s reaction, he promptly asked, "Is Mr. Zhou feeling unwell? Do you have motion sickness? Master Liu, please slow down a bit and take turns more gently."

"No, it’s nothing, nothing..."

"Alright."

So, Director Zheng repeated to Huai Xu the information he had previously given to Zhou Li. With this as an excuse, he could openly look at Huai Xu.

The more I look, the more inferior I feel.

Actually, my own appearance isn’t bad either. I used to work in the Protocol Department before recently transferring to the new department to handle reception duties, so my appearance certainly passes muster. But precisely because I used to be confident about my looks, standing in front of Huai Xu now makes me feel shamefully inadequate. Or rather, the more confident I was before, the more ridiculous my former mindset seems after seeing Huai Xu, which in turn deepens my sense of inferiority.

We have the same number of organs, roughly in all the right places, so why did he turn out so perfect?

Even I, a man, can’t help but look more.

And he has charisma to boot.

With such conversation and every move he makes, the phrase "unparalleled elegance" no longer seems an exaggeration.

Huh?

Why is Mr. Zhou Li next to him showing no expression? Could it be that his own brilliance is utterly overshadowed, triggering a young man’s jealousy? But didn’t the files say that this person is Mr. Zhou Li’s good friend?

Director Zheng told the driver to slow down again and continued asking, "What would you two like to eat on the plane? You can order; just tell me."

"Fish soup with rice!"

"A serving of fish with pickled greens and a serving of rice. Add extra pickled greens to the fish," Zhou Li said. "And please prepare an extra small bowl."

"Do we need to prepare some canned food or snacks for the cat?"

"There’s no need to trouble yourself; she loves fish soup with rice," Zhou Li replied.

"Understood."

"A serving of stir-fried greens and a pot of wine. If there is no wine, a pot of coarse tea will do," Huai Xu said, not particularly invested in these culinary desires.

"Such grace! It truly captivates others!"

"..."

Zhou Li turned his head to look out the window, stroking Tuanzi’s back repeatedly, as if he could smooth out the turmoil in his heart through the motion.

「They soon arrived at the airport.」

The airplane they boarded was relatively small. It was a commercial airliner. It was the kind one could normally book a flight on with China Eastern Airlines, but they had chartered the entire flight. The smaller plane had fewer seats to avoid waste.

A private jet is naturally out of the question.

A charter on a commercial airline was already an exceptional arrangement.

According to the 2012 implementation rules for the "Eight Provisions of the Eighteenth Central Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee on Improving Work Style and Maintaining Close Ties with the Masses," issued by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council, charter flights require approval from the Central Foreign Affairs Office, and committee members must only travel on regular flights.

This time, it was truly a case of special treatment for a special situation.

Before Huai Xu’s arrival, they probably hadn’t been sure what form Zhou Li’s two friends would take.

「On the plane.」

They barely saw any crew members. Zhou Li only caught sight of one flight attendant, who was out of his field of vision most of the time. Once the plane was flying smoothly, the flight attendant came out to serve meals, assisted by Director Zheng.

"Here is your fish with pickled greens, rice, and a small bowl."

"I’ve prepared garlic-stirred greens and a serving of bok choy; I’m not sure which one you’d prefer," Director Zheng said with involuntary respect. "We also have Maotai, Wuliangye, and Huadiao wine. You can choose any. I guess you don’t like beer or red wine."

"Huadiao is fine."

"Sir, you have good taste."

"We used to drink yellow wine in the past," Huai Xu explained with a smile. "Today’s wines are better, but we’re not used to them."

"I’ve warmed it for you."

"Your words remind me of Guan Yunchang. He’s a few hundred years younger than me. The books say he warmed wine to slay Hua Xiong. HAHA, back then I..."

Zhou Li pursed his lips tightly, choosing not to look at the Old monster’s lively conversation and Director Zheng’s awestruck, attentive listening. Instead, he silently prepared fish soup with rice for Tuanzi and picked out all the pickled greens from his own bowl; influenced by Brother Nan, he also found the pickled greens tasty.

The fish in the pickled greens dish was boneless. This indeed saved Zhou Li quite a bit of effort; otherwise, he would have had to pick out bones for Tuanzi.

The man and his cat quickly started eating.

Zhou Li took the opportunity to glance at the Old monster. He was holding his wine, talking joyfully, and had even forgotten to pick up his chopsticks, while Director Zheng looked on with shocked admiration.

Are the greens tasty?

How do they compare to big plate chicken?

Is the yellow wine good?

How does it compare to sugary sodas?

With mischievous intent, Zhou Li quietly pondered these questions. Then, after a slight pause, he asked Tuanzi softly, "Is it tasty?"

"Tasty, MEOW!"

Huai Xu couldn’t help but glance over at them.

Zhou Li then smiled with satisfaction. Serves you right!

「At one fifty in the afternoon.」

At the entrance of the Diaoyu Platform State Guesthouse, two young men in suits stood waiting by the roadside. One had a straight posture, while the other was absent-mindedly kicking a brick with his foot.

The one standing upright was Yin Le. The other was slightly overweight.

The car stopped at the entrance.

Yin Le waved and greeted Director Zheng with a smile. "Director Zheng, you’ve worked hard!"

"Not at all!" Director Zheng said hurriedly. "What brings you here?"

"I came to pick them up."

"Oh!"

Director Zheng quickly came to his senses. He then turned and looked back at the rear seats, asking, "Do you know each other?"

"Yes."

"Then, why don’t we..." Director Zheng hesitated. "Get out here and walk in. We could also take a stroll through this garden complex..."

"Great!"

Since Yin Le came all the way to pick us up, and the guesthouse looks really large and not at all like a typical hotel, it wouldn’t be polite for me to ride in the car while he and his companion walk. That would be quite inconsiderate.

"I’ll do it, I’ll do it..."

Director Zheng hurriedly went to open the door for them.

Zhou Li, holding Tuanzi, looked at Yin Le and asked, "Why are you here to pick us up? Is the Celestial Master Department not busy?"

"We’re really busy! But I was worried you’d feel out of place, it being your first time in the Capital," Yin Le said, sizing up Zhou Li. "It seems my good intentions are taken as me having nothing better to do, which is quite disheartening."

"Oh, and this is...?"

"This is Fang Yuan, my colleague. When he heard I was taking time off to pick you up, he insisted on coming along to have a look," Yin Le said, somewhat helplessly but still smiling.

"Hello, I’m Zhou Li."

"I’ve heard much about you."

"Erm..."

Zhou Li felt that this slightly chubby guy was looking at him in a somewhat unfriendly way.

Clearly, Huai Xu noticed this too. He turned his head and exchanged a look with Zhou Li. That instigating glance finally seemed familiar to Zhou Li—

Take him down!

However, Zhou Li still ignored him.

The group began walking in from the entrance.

In fact, the Diaoyu Platform State Guesthouse is a subordinate organization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. By now, it has even opened ’branches’ and started seeking profits. Reportedly, it has earned quite a bit of money, contributing to the financial relief of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the nation. Yet, its headquarters still maintains enough integrity to be a special place where the state welcomes heads of state and other important guests from various countries.

As they walked, Director Zheng introduced the place to them.

Although its name suggests a hotel, it is, in reality, a complex of ancient royal garden buildings that have been expanded and renovated in modern times.

’Diaoyu Platform’ is named after an Emperor of the Jin dynasty who constructed a platform for fishing here. Later, during the Qing dynasty, it became a royal garden. Ten years after the founding of the nation, it began serving as a lodging, meeting, and conference site for visiting state guests.