"Oh no, no, don't joke around!" The brown bear man raised his arms and spread his hands, tilted his head and gave an apologetic smile, and slowly backed away.
Ling Qing, who appeared indifferent, frowned slightly. She was constantly watching Jiang Huiying, but what worried her was why Jiang Huiying didn't act quickly before these people could react. Had her long period of complacency really caused her to lose her agile reflexes?
Indeed, it was just as Ling Qing had thought; and Jiang Huiying's reaction was even worse today because of her mood.
The consequences greatly disappointed Ling Qing.
Jiang Huiying, like the group of men, was stunned by Qingling's appearance.
By the time Jiang Huiying came to her senses, a burly man had grabbed her neck from behind with his arms and pressed a pistol against her head. The man cursed viciously, "Hey, this bitch has accomplices. No wonder she's so arrogant."
"Little girl, put down the gun right now, or I'll blow her head off."
If it were just one person holding Jiang Huiying hostage, Qingling was confident she could shoot him in the head before he could fire. However, there were several people blocking her way, and one of them had a gun. He seemed worried about Jiang Huiying's martial arts skills, so he quickly pointed a second pistol at her head.
"Quickly, put the pistol down!"
Ling Qing hesitated, her expression still icy.
Just then, Xu Zhengyang, Li Bingjie, and Li Chengzong walked over unhurriedly.
"Hey, stop right there, mind your own business!" the brown bear-like man threatened angrily at Xu Zhengyang and his group.
Unfortunately, the three ignored him. Li Bingjie leaned against Xu Zhengyang with a hint of worry and fear. Xu Zhengyang put his arm around Li Bingjie and casually strode towards them, while Li Chengzong stepped forward to block Li Bingjie, his face calm and intimidating.
"Oh, you bastards, they're all in cahoots! Look at them, they're all yellow-skinned pigs!"
"Don't point a gun at that lady, that's not right," Xu Zhengyang said calmly.
Then, something strange happened. The two burly men who had been pointing guns at Jiang Huiying suddenly froze, and then actually moved the guns away from Jiang Huiying's head and pointed them at the brown bear instead.
"Hey, what are you doing? Are you crazy?" the brown bear cried out in terror.
Everyone else shouted hurriedly.
Xu Zhengyang looked at Jiang Huiying, who was still in a daze, and said impatiently, "Are you waiting for someone to point a gun at your head again?"
Jiang Huiying gasped softly, quickly broke free from the other person's arm, and darted out of the crowd.
Xu Zhengyang put his arm around Li Bingjie and turned to leave.
Li Chengzong winked at Jiang Huiying, signaling her to leave with Xu Zhengyang quickly.
Qingling stood at the back, holding two pistols, and slowly retreated step by step towards the group of people.
Unbeknownst to anyone at that moment, Xu Zhengyang was communicating with the ghostly messenger attached to one of the burly men:
"You heard what they were saying, right?"
"Yes, sir."
"In a bit, give each of them a shot in the leg. Uh, that guy who cursed us, shoot him through the face and cut off his tongue."
"Yes, my respected and great City God, I am very willing to serve you."
Xu Zhengyang grinned. That damn Wang Yonggan, he's always so amusing...
Volume 5, Spirit Official, Chapter 232: Chinese Friendship Association
Jiang Huiying did not leave quickly after the incident that night. Just as she was about to leave, she was investigated by the police for allegedly being involved in a brawl that disturbed public order. Subsequently, Li Bingjie and Xu Zhengyang were also questioned by the police. The reason was simple: the police investigation revealed that Jiang Huiying and her group had clashed with several street gang members before the gunfight that night.
However, it was just a simple investigation and questioning; the police did not make things difficult for them.
Regardless of the fact that Li Bingjie's mother and the police chief of the district are classmates, her identity as the daughter of a high-ranking leader in a powerful country standing in the East alone would necessitate extra attention from the local police and government. It's important to understand that Eastern political systems differ significantly from Western ones, and a misstep could potentially lead to a major diplomatic incident.
Jiang Huiying returned to China three days later, leaving only Aunt Shen, Li Bingjie, Ling Qing, Li Chengzong, and Xu Zhengyang in the house. Li Bingjie still had to attend classes on weekdays; she was an honest and shy girl, and naturally didn't want to take leave from school.
Fortunately, Li Bingjie said she had applied to withdraw from school and would return to China with Xu Zhengyang in a few days.
Xu Zhengyang asked her why.
Li Bingjie replied, "Didn't you say that I shouldn't go abroad next year and should stay in our country?"
"Oh right." Xu Zhengyang suddenly realized, and felt ashamed. Had he been a little selfish?
“I don’t like it here,” Li Bingjie sighed.
Xu Zhengyang nodded and said, "Nothing will happen. I've already talked to your mother and her family."
Li Bingjie remained silent. Although she didn't know how Xu Zhengyang had done it, she figured her parents must have known about Xu Zhengyang's clergy status. Otherwise, given their personalities and ideas, they certainly wouldn't have agreed to Xu Zhengyang dating her, not to mention that her father had specifically called her to discuss Xu Zhengyang's trip to the United States.
"It'll be in the next few days, so you should focus on your studies. I'll take this opportunity to look around." Xu Zhengyang said with a smile.
“But…” Li Bingjie hesitated for a moment, but in the end she did not express her worries. In her mind, since Xu Zhengyang was a god, there was nothing that could stump him, even if he was in a foreign land.
In the days that followed, while Li Bingjie was at school, Xu Zhengyang naturally wanted to wander around Don Sibo and see its exotic scenery. Although he didn't really enjoy aimless wandering, he had nothing better to do, and he also wanted to learn more about the local customs and culture, which would help broaden his horizons.
So here's the problem: Qingling needs to be with Li Bingjie all the time, and Aunt Shen, besides knowing how to get to Chinatown, knows practically nothing about Dunsbo. Who will accompany Xu Zhengyang on his trip?
So Xu Zhengyang called Liu Ming over; having such an assistant by his side made things much more convenient.
Admittedly, Liu Ming wasn't very familiar with the area either, but he was fluent in foreign languages and good at communicating with foreigners, so as a half-baked tour guide, he had no problem leading the group around Don Sibo.
This is secondary.
The consumer spending level in the Dunsbo metropolitan area ranks first in the entire United States, so the most important issue is that Xu Zhengyang is not short of money.
As the saying goes, a flaw does not detract from the overall beauty; the minor incident a few nights ago will not affect Xu Zhengyang's goodwill towards this foreign city.
Over the next few days in Dunsbo, Xu Zhengyang toured some of the famous tourist attractions. He felt that the living environment and cultural landscape here were better than he had imagined.
In this city, ancient brick and stone low-rise buildings blend seamlessly with modern high-rises, creating a harmonious and pleasing fusion. A series of parks encircling the city adorn this historic city like a pearl necklace. There are beaches where the sky meets the sea, a vast harbor, a bustling financial district, and quiet, elegant waterfront towns. Rows of villas made of earth, wood, and brick stand in stark contrast to the towering skyscrapers of the city center…
The vast majority of residents here are polite and warm. At least, Xu Zhengyang hasn't witnessed any racial discrimination, nor has he encountered any gang fights, violence, or oppression of the innocent by those who don't recognize their worth. This thwarted his ridiculous plan to play the fool and outmaneuver others.
Of course, this is probably also because Xu Zhengyang has no opportunity to come into contact with people living in high society.
At this moment, Xu Zhengyang had no idea what a real and cruel social reality was hidden beneath the seemingly calm, peaceful, and democratic facade of society.
In developed Western countries like the United States, which advocate democracy, it is a more dog-eat-dog society compared to Eastern countries!
In the days to come, when Xu Zhengyang comes into deep contact with and understands the social realities and the living conditions of the people here, the spiritual and ideological changes it brings to him will be enormous and shocking.
That's a story for another time, of course.
Xu Zhengyang is currently very content and comfortable.
Finally, the holiday has arrived. What is called the New Year in Western countries is known as the Gregorian New Year in our own country.
Li Bingjie is on holiday, and after the holiday, she can go back to China after completing all the necessary procedures at the school.
Early in the morning, Xu Zhengyang and Li Bingjie were chatting on the sofa in the living room.
"Bingjie, let's get married when we get back?" Xu Zhengyang said in a low voice, his face full of shame.
Li Bingjie blushed and stammered, "This... I need to discuss it with my parents first."
"I'll talk to them..." Xu Zhengyang said gently. But in his heart, he was thinking, "Do your parents dare disagree? Besides, we think we're a good match!"
"That won't do either," Li Bingjie muttered softly, her head down and face flushed.
"Why?" Xu Zhengyang asked anxiously.
"Grandpa, he, he hasn't even been three years yet..."
Xu Zhengyang was taken aback. Hmm, that makes sense. The old woman hadn't been gone for three years, and according to traditional customs, it wasn't a good time for her to remarry. But then he thought, after the New Year in February, it would be three years. That meant that if Li Bingjie was willing, they could get married in March. So Xu Zhengyang said, "Um, I'm sorry, I didn't consider that. How about we get married next March?"
Li Bingjie lowered her head even further, her face turned even redder, and she did not answer.
"Nod!" Xu Zhengyang shamelessly urged.
So the innocent and lovely Li Bingjie nodded.
Xu Zhengyang was overjoyed and immediately stretched out his arm to stop Li Bingjie, saying smugly, "It's not easy! I don't know if a toad can eat swan meat, but a mud crab can definitely eat swan meat."
"Zhengyang!"
"Um?"
"No. You're not allowed to say 'eat'..." Li Bingjie nestled in Xu Zhengyang's arms, her face flushed as she clutched Xu Zhengyang's shirt, her fingers fiddling with a button.
Xu Zhengyang paused, pondered for a long time, and finally realized what was going on. He chuckled, leaned down and whispered in Li Bingjie's ear, savoring the mixed scent of shampoo and her natural fragrance in her glossy black hair, "It's not easy for me, I'm already twenty-six..."
"What?"
"An old virgin!"
"go……"
The two of them were flirting there, one shameless and the other blushing, while Qingling, who had been sitting quietly reading in the corner of the room, unconsciously lowered her head. Her face flushed, she wanted to leave, but couldn't. Li Chengzong, who had just entered the room and witnessed this scene, quickly retreated. Aunt Shen, who had come out of the kitchen to invite the two to breakfast, also hurried back to the kitchen upon seeing this, having seen nothing…
...
We had planned to go to the Don Scotsbo Opera House to see a big New Year's concert after breakfast, but while we were eating, Aunt Shen said with a smile, "Bingjie, today is the Gregorian New Year in our hometown. I have to go to Chinatown to visit some relatives. Why don't we go together?"
"Oh, I guess I won't go." Li Bingjie said softly, her head down and face flushed. Today was the most embarrassing day of her life. When Xu Zhengyang was chatting with her in the living room this morning, the two of them had unknowingly become much more intimate, which was noticed by everyone in the house.
After saying that, Li Bingjie looked up at Xu Zhengyang again.
Xu Zhengyang smiled and said, "You decide."
Li Chengzong and Qingling both ate in silence with their heads down. Where they went was not their decision, and they were too lazy to offer any suggestions.
Just then, my phone rang.
Xu Zhengyang wiped his mouth, took out his phone, and answered the call:
"I am Xu Zhengyang."
"Mr. Xu, this is Liu Ming. Have you eaten yet?"
"Um."
"Could we change today's plan?"
"What's wrong?" Xu Zhengyang asked with a smile. Going to the New Year's concert at the Donskölln Opera House was also arranged by Liu Ming, and neither Xu Zhengyang nor Li Bingjie had any objections. Why change it now?
Liu Ming smiled apologetically and said, "Today is New Year's Day, and prominent figures in Chinatown are hosting a Boston Chinese Friendship Association event. Many well-known figures from the Chinese community will be attending, especially Mr. Wu Guanxian, the president of the Wu Clan Association. The organizers heard that you were coming and told me they hoped you could attend the event. What do you think..."
"Okay. Wait a few minutes for me," Xu Zhengyang said with a smile.
"good."
After hanging up the phone, Xu Zhengyang thought for a moment. It wouldn't hurt to go and see them. After all, in this foreign land, the bond between compatriots was undeniable. Besides, since they had invited him, what would it look like if he didn't go? Putting on airs? The last thing Xu Zhengyang wanted was to be talked about behind his back.
He didn't care about any celebrities or clan association presidents; he didn't know any of them anyway.
However, even though he had his own thoughts, he still needed to ask Li Bingjie for her opinion, because he knew that Li Bingjie was not a person who liked crowds.