Zhao Xin's Joke

"Brother Fei, let me tell you, the two of us made quite a name for ourselves over there. Striking down enemies, suppressing internal unrest—on the battlefield, with me around, I was unbeatable!"

Zhao Xin spoke smugly, shaking his head back and forth.

Liu Chuang chimed in from the side. "That's right. I charged straight at the enemy with my shield up. Everyone at the base called me a fierce general!"

"Well, well. You two are pretty impressive."

Han Fei teased them with a smile.

In truth, they really were impressive.

During their time in that chaotic land, the two of them had undergone a complete transformation.

They had even developed other latent abilities.

Take Zhao Xin, for example.

He might have seemed unreliable.

But he actually possessed a certain degree of military talent. After being promoted, he had led his teams around enemy lines and defeated them several times, all while bringing everyone back safely without a single casualty.

Even when suppressing internal rebellions, he had begun to understand how to use strategy.

His only flaw was that he charged too far ahead.

The captain over there had reported it to him.

And Liu Chuang.

He truly lived up to the word "fierce."

According to the reports from over there, he killed the most enemies every time and possessed a certain sense of the bigger picture.

He had once briefly negotiated with local warlords—and somehow succeeded.

That had also been reported back.

It could be said that

the two of them had shown performances different from the original story.

They had displayed more of their own potential, rather than relying solely on Super Gene.

Chapter 32: Zhao Xin's Joke

Perhaps it was because those extraordinary experiences had tempered their unique traits.

No matter what,

their performance had pleasantly surprised Han Fei.

Not merely because of their relationship.

There were also some personal considerations involved.

In the future war against the aliens, having such super warriors under his command—not mere soldiers—would be a good thing.

In Han Fei's heart,

he had never intended to keep training them as ordinary soldiers.

At the very least, they would become generals.

Generals with broad vision, capable of standing on their own.

Or even—

his ambitions could be greater still.

When the time came for interstellar colonization in the future...

This was a long-term investment.

For now, though, it looked like it would pay off.

And it was good for everyone. They could improve themselves, while he gained capable assistance.

A win-win situation!

Countless thoughts ran through Han Fei's mind.

Watching the two still bragging, the smile on his face deepened.

"Alright, alright. Try Aunt Li's cooking."

At the mention of that,

the two instantly shifted their attention.

As frequent freeloaders at mealtimes, they naturally knew how good Aunt Li's cooking was. It was absolutely delicious.

The base certainly did not lack nutritional food, but it was hardly tasty. Now that they were back, how could they not have a proper feast?

It had been fine before anyone mentioned it, but now their mouths were watering!

"Haha, it's here, it's here. Everyone, eat well."

Aunt Li brought over the last dish. After saying that with a cheerful smile, she left.

On the table were

Buddha Jumps Over the Wall, squirrel-shaped mandarin fish, phoenix facing the sun, glazed meatballs, three-set duck, steamed beef with rice flour, sliced beef and ox tongue in chili sauce, secret sauce braised pork trotters, Huayang roasted pork knuckle, steamed honey twists, shadow-play beef, clear-braised lion's head meatballs with crab roe, emerald shrimp rings, dried shrimp and pearl bamboo shoots, Arhat cakes, coin-shaped pastries, Suzhou soup dumplings, and finally dragon-phoenix soup and Shaanyang osmanthus cakes.

It was an extravaganza of delicacies.

And every dish came in generous, overflowing portions.

Without further words,

the three began their Taotie feast.

None of the three were ordinary people. This food could have filled the stomachs of more than a dozen people, yet for them, it only brought them to about seventy percent full.

"Slurp."

"Delicious. Ever since I went to that place, I haven't eaten anything like this."

"But that place really did train people. Now, I'm no longer proud of having Zhao Yun as my ancestor."

"From now on, I'll be Zhao Yun myself!"

While eating osmanthus cake, Zhao Xin could not help bragging again.

"Oh? He had a white horse and silver spear. You? Black clothes and a black spear, stabbing as soon as you see an enemy? Next time you meet someone, are you going to say, 'I am Chrysanthemum Xin'?"

Liu Chuang mercilessly exposed him from the side.

Han Fei merely listened.

From time to time, he joined in as well, talking about their respective experiences—such as which company he had taken down and how many assassination attempts he had survived.

Only then,

"Knock, knock."

A crisp knock sounded.

At the open doorway stood Hexi in a black-stockinged office secretary outfit, holding a document. Seeing the group looking over, she gave them a slight nod.

Then she looked at Han Fei. "Chairman, this is today's work report. Some matters are urgent and require your authorization."

???

Zhao Xin swallowed, looked at the beautiful woman by the door, then at Han Fei. He and the equally stunned Liu Chuang stared wide-eyed at each other.

Han Fei frowned.

He did not particularly like being disturbed.

But if it was this urgent, why had Black Star not told him?

Puzzled, Han Fei let Hexi enter and took the report.

As he introduced them to each other, he flipped through the documents.

"This is Secretary He, someone I hired recently. Working alone was getting too busy, so I needed help. Her professional skills are excellent, and she's helped me a great deal."

"These are Zhao Xin and Liu Chuang, my buddies."

Zhao Xin and Liu Chuang greeted Hexi somewhat awkwardly.

Hexi responded with a polite smile.

Meanwhile, Han Fei's frown gradually relaxed.

None of these matters were actually that urgent. They were all matters concerning cooperation and the like.

The reason Black Star had not mentioned them was because Han Fei had previously told him not to disturb him.

Hexi had only come after receiving no response.

Wait.

Even if Black Star had not responded, he should have at least explained that something was wrong.

Han Fei thoughtfully glanced at Hexi, who was awkwardly making small talk with the two men.

He shook his head speechlessly.

"Alright. I'll deal with these matters later."

Hexi calmly acknowledged him, then left.

Once she was gone, Zhao Xin darted over.

The two looked at Han Fei with gossip-hungry eyes.

The meaning was obvious.

Such a stunning beauty.

You finally broke your vows, huh?

But Han Fei had no intention of taking the bait. He turned his head and directly changed the subject.

"I heard Zhao Xin had a bit of... a romantic encounter over there?"

The moment those words came out, Zhao Xin's face instantly flushed red. Add a long beard, and he could have claimed Guan Yu as his ancestor.

Liu Chuang's expression also turned strange at once, as though he was holding back laughter.

Seeing their reactions, Han Fei was a little stunned.

"What happened?"

"N-Nothing. Those women just fell for Lord Xin's armor, that's all." Zhao Xin raised his head and said.

"Hahahahaha!"

Liu Chuang finally could not hold it in and burst out laughing.

"Bullshit! He almost got honey-trapped! They saw he was a virgin and set a trap for him, but this idiot thought they were his admirers.

They lured him to the place, and once he realized what they wanted, he didn't do anything. He stammered and actually tried to persuade them to turn over a new leaf. They immediately called several big men in. Do you know what Zhao Xin said then? He actually said, 'Isn't this too many people?' Hahahaha!"

Liu Chuang was laughing so hard he could barely catch his breath.

"Only after saying that did this idiot realize what was happening. Zhao Xin got so mad that he arrested those guys. But although he solved the problem, he forgot to keep it quiet! No one knows who spread the story, but it got more and more outrageous—things like one man and many women, some one-night whatever. But in reality, he didn't do anything at all, and still ended up with the reputation of a scumbag! Hahahaha!!"

Liu Chuang laughed until tears streamed down his face.

After a brief daze, the corners of Han Fei's mouth curled upward beyond his control.

"Pfft."

Zhao Xin stood frozen in place, utterly motionless.

His whole body seemed to turn gray and white.

A complete social death on the spot.

A moment later.

"LIU CHUANG!! REN TOU GOU!!!!"

A great battle was inevitable.