Dinner at the Qiangu Family's main residence.
In western Mingdu, where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold, the Qiangu Family's private residence was built against a mountain, its entire estate shrouded beneath a pale golden Soul Power barrier.
Night fell, and the enormous villa blazed with light, yet not a trace of the bustle of the streets disturbed it.
The exceptionally spacious, circular main dining room was lavish in the extreme. Ten-thousand-year warm jade paved the floor, reflecting the crystal soul-tool chandeliers hanging overhead in scattered glimmers, lustrous and sumptuous. Ancient-looking jade pillars patterned with coiling dragons stood around the room. Each bore the coiling dragon totem passed down through the Qiangu Family for ten thousand years, faintly wreathed in a domineering draconic presence.
The long white jade dining table was immense, large enough to seat dozens. Qiangu Dieting sat upright at its head in dark casual clothes, which, on closer inspection, were embroidered with golden images of the Break Evil Dragon. His posture was straight, his face composed and imposing.
Even while dining at home, he still carried the chilling aura of someone long accustomed to high office, though a hint of a smile touched his eyes and brows.
Qian Gu Fenfeng sat on the right side of the long table, holding his jade chopsticks with unhurried grace. His movements were elegant and precise, every gesture bearing the restraint and guarded calculation cultivated over decades in an established family.
Qian Chenyue and Leng Yaozhu sat beside him. One was tall and straight-backed, dressed in a solemnly tailored silver-and-black Federation formal outfit. Her figure was slender and graceful, yet held no soft allure; every aspect of her carried the chilling aura of high office. Her skin was pale as cold jade, and her ink-black hair was loosely pinned up, a few stray strands falling beside her neck. Her features inherited the exquisite bone structure of the Qian Clan Angel Clan, with slightly raised brows and deep, dark-yellow eyes that, when calm, were as still as a cold pool, without the slightest ripple.
The other had a willowy figure and stood around 1.75 meters tall, her skin luminous and white as jade. Her long, wine-red hair burned like fire, usually worn loose and casually draped, occasionally tied back simply, with a few vivid red strands falling along either side of her cheeks. Her oval face was strikingly beautiful, her brows seemingly fashioned from fierce flames, her upturned phoenix eyes a clear ruby red.
Qiangu Dongfeng and Qiangu Qingfeng sat on the left side of the table. No rift had formed between the brothers in their younger years, and both had their heads down, eating.
"Fenfeng, now that you've become Councilor, what are your plans?"
Qiangu Dieting suddenly spoke.
The air abruptly fell still.
Qian Gu Fenfeng paused, set down his bowl and chopsticks, and said, "Father, to repel threats from without, we must first secure peace within. With hawks watching and wolves eyeing us now, I think we should prioritize resolving the lack of unity within the Federation."
"Hahahaha, good. Fenfeng, go ahead and do what you need to. We all support you."
Qiangu Dongfeng and Qingfeng chimed in as well. "Little brother Fenfeng, if you need anything, just ask us!"
Qian Gu Fenfeng smiled slightly. "Father, little brothers, thank you."
At the center of the table was a large platter of charcoal-grilled Thousand-Year Earthwalking Dragon tenderloin, its surface roasted fragrant and glossy with oil, the meat within rosy and tender, fat slowly dripping from it. Beside it sat steamed Deep-Sea Bluefin Tuna belly, its slices pearly white and translucent, releasing sweet, savory juices the moment they entered the mouth. A large jade platter held gemstone lobster baked in golden flower honey, its scarlet shell gleaming, its flesh plump, springy, and tender.
Dinner passed in a warm atmosphere.
After dinner.
"Fenfeng~ Congratulations on becoming Councilor! Yue'er and I prepared a present for you." Shedding the imposing, aloof manner she usually wore in public, Leng Yaozhu took Qian Gu Fenfeng's arm.
Not to be outdone, Qian Chenyue silently linked her arm through Qian Gu Fenfeng's other arm, pressing her lips together as she quietly gazed at his profile.
"Hmm? What have Yaozhu and Yue'er prepared for me? Then I'll really have to look forward to it."
With that, the three left the dining room arm in arm, wrapped in tender affection.
"Actually... it's the two of us." Her cheeks faintly flushed, Qian Chenyue leaned close to Qian Gu Fenfeng's ear and spoke softly.
"Well, do you like this present?" As Leng Yaozhu spoke, she pulled Qian Gu Fenfeng toward the bathroom.
Qian Gu Fenfeng felt a nameless fire surge within him. Wrapping his arms around both women, he laughed. "Then I'll gladly accept!"
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