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Chapter 144: Chapter 144: During the Banquet
Although Han Rui’s words were unreasonable, Han Jiaojiao could still discern some information from them.
General Ji’s invitation to Han Yi, aside from showing goodwill, probably also harbored the intention of competing with Yunan—after all, Yunan had a MAX Superpower User, and it would only look good if his own base also produced a MAX, right? It could both make Yunan wary and take the opportunity to gain control over Han Yi...
Han Jiaojiao thought to herself: This old man is really not likable, showing his sincerity on one hand, yet harboring calculations on the other.
Passing through the front hall was a circular dance floor, surrounded by tables and chairs, where some waiters were continually serving fruit plates and drinks.
Han Jiaojiao, looking at the fresh fruits and decorative flowers on the tables, was secretly amazed—organizing such a banquet really cost a fortune, especially when fresh fruit was quite a rarity these days.
Old General Ji and several middle-aged men were sitting at one of the tables, which looked like they all held important military positions.
Zhan Rong stepped forward a few steps, slightly turned to the side to introduce, "General, young master Han and Miss Han are here to see you."
Only then did Ji Huajun lift his head. He looked at Han Yi with a gentle gaze, his expression neither overly warm nor distant, and said, "Seeing is believing, truly a young talent. We old folks have no choice but to admit we’re getting old."
The people next to him also agreed, saying, "The student surpasses the master."
Han Yi smiled faintly, "General Ji is of magnificent talent and strategy, where can we younger generations compare?" After speaking, he gently squeezed the hand of Han Jiaojiao that he was holding. Han Jiaojiao understood and stepped forward with a sweet smile, "Hello, General, hello uncles."
"Is this young master Han’s sister? Truly a sensible good girl. Has she awakened her Ability?"
Han Jiaojiao smiled shyly and replied, "Yes, Water Ability."
"Ah, Water Ability..." Ji Huajun’s tone was uncertain whether it was regret or something else he was expressing, then added, "Recently, many young people in the base have awakened their Abilities. We old ones, however, don’t have such fortune."
A middle-aged man in a military uniform said, "Researchers at the Research Institute say that Abilities are also related to cellular activity, as we’ve aged, naturally our bodies are not like those of young people."
Hearing this, Ji Huajun smiled and nodded gently, his gaze kind as he looked at Han Yi and Han Jiaojiao, "Now that you’re here, enjoy yourselves. There are many Superpower Users here, all about your age, and you’ll surely have much in common."
As he said this, he turned his head and asked, "Where’s Wenhao? He is the star today, but why hasn’t he been seen yet?"
Someone immediately whispered something in Ji Huajun’s ear. Ji Huajun’s expression stiffened slightly, but he quickly recovered and smiled at Han Yi and Han Jiaojiao, "Don’t be restrained tonight, have a good time. These days are rare indeed."
Although his tone was affectionate and gentle, Han Jiaojiao felt a deeper meaning in his last sentence.
Without letting her ponder further, Han Yi softly said, "Excuse us," then led her away from there.
Han Yi guided Han Jiaojiao to an empty table, and then took two drinks from a waiter and placed them in front of Han Jiaojiao, saying in a deep voice, "Will it be boring? We can leave after sitting for a while."
Han Jiaojiao shook her head. Not boring, she found it quite fresh here, and besides, wasn’t she still with her brother?
After sitting for a while, melodious music filled the area, and men and women partnered up to enter the dance floor. Han Jiaojiao observed for a moment, noticing that there were indeed many women, most of whom were quite attractive. It seems that the base personnel intentionally selected some good-looking women for the banquet to liven up the atmosphere because, in her memory, even if all the women from the Special Training Team and ability team were gathered, they wouldn’t make up half the number of women here.
As Han Jiaojiao was thinking, a figure approached from the side and elegantly stood in front of Han Yi—looking up, it was Duan Shuhua.
Duan Shuhua was wearing a moon-white orchid embroidered cheongsam, still dignified and beautiful despite being nearly fifty. Today she wore light makeup, looking much better than usual. She stood beside Han Yi, smiling gently, "Your Uncle Qin is not here, so would you dance the first dance with me?"
Han Jiaojiao was somewhat astonished. It wasn’t unusual for elders and youngsters to dance together, but what surprised Han Jiaojiao was that the person approaching wasn’t Qin Nanyi...
However, she soon came to understand. At such assemblies, Qin Nanyi truly carried herself like a princess—untouchable by ordinary folk. Why would she put herself out there to ask her brother to dance, knowing that she might likely be refused?
Duan Shuhua was different, however. She, being an elder who also had a good relationship with Han Yi, meaning that Han Yi would not refuse her. After the dance was over, she could naturally lead Han Yi over to Qin Nanyi... Even if Han Yi eventually refused, to onlookers, it would merely appear as an elder chatting with a junior, and Qin Nanyi would lose no face as a princess.
Han Yi did indeed stand up and, as if to reassure her, gently stroked the top of Han Jiaojiao’s head, saying, "I’ll be back in a bit."
Han Jiaojiao smiled amiably and nodded indifferently, piercing a piece of fruit and lightly biting into it.
Watching Duan Shuhua and Han Yi enter the dance floor, she subconsciously began looking for Qin Nanyi—
Qin Nanyi was seated far away, wearing a champagne-colored off-shoulder long dress. A gentleman beside her attempted to invite her to dance and seemed to be declined. The man, looking somewhat dejected, turned and walked away. Han Jiaojiao focused her gaze and laughed.
It was none other than Du Wenbo, who was hopelessly infatuated with Qin Nanyi.
It seemed that with Qin Wenhao’s visit to Beicheng, Du Wenbo had also come along. What was he here for? A good-for-nothing scion, naturally, he came for Qin Nanyi; could it be for a scientific task?
Qin Nanyi sat quietly in her seat, her eyes gazing into the dance floor filled with expectancy.
The smile on Han Jiaojiao’s lips turned somewhat colder. She was already prepared; once the music stopped and her brother was led over, she would intercept.
Watch her brother dance with Qin Nanyi? ... She’d rather stab Qin Nanyi and Duan Shuhua a few times!
Thinking of this woman Duan Shuhua, Han Jiaojiao’s emotions were tumultuous. Although she wouldn’t go as far as being jealous of Duan Shuhua, the thought of her brother knowing her intent to kill Duan Shuhua... if her brother knew... Han Jiaojiao couldn’t help but feel despondent.
He would probably stop her, wouldn’t he?
According to her brother, he wasn’t favoured by his birth mother in his childhood and was mostly taken care of by Duan Shuhua. Although she was officially called "Aunt Duan," she was virtually like a mother to him... The affection developed from childhood is always hard to sever, and even though he had grown up and reduced his dealings with the Qin family, the memories of his childhood still held precious value.
If she really killed Duan Shuhua, even if her brother did not blame her, there would certainly be a rift between them...
Han Jiaojiao dared not think further.
Why should a rift develop between them over this woman? How ridiculous.
If only Duan Shuhua would meet with an accident and die.
As soon as this thought emerged, Han Jiaojiao immediately laughed at herself.
The likelihood of Qin Nanyi dying was possible since Qin Nanyi often went out and faced certain risks; but Duan Shuhua... Ha, that old woman was practically in the Research Institute twenty-four hours a day, surrounded by a horde of bodyguards—how could an accident befall her?
Han Jiaojiao was overwhelmed with worry because of Duan Shuhua when suddenly it darkened before her, and a man in a silver-gray suit had appeared in front of her—
"Miss Han, long time no see."
