Chapter 33

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In a Chinese restaurant, Ji Feng and Xu Xian were chatting and laughing while enjoying delicious Chinese cuisine. Listening to Xu Xian talk about the funny things she encountered at work, Ji Feng would occasionally burst into laughter, which made Xu Xian giggle as well.

As they were about to finish their meal, Ji Feng suddenly changed the topic and said, "Xian, I heard your father is a military officer?"

Xu Xian was slightly taken aback, blinking her beautiful big eyes and smiling, "Yes, so you can't bully me, or my dad will bring his troops to eliminate you."

Ji Feng shook his head with a smile and said, "What rank is your father now? By the way, I have a position available in a few days. I hope he would be interested in taking it if he's willing."

Xu Xian became curious and asked, "You usually don't have much to do, so are you starting a business now? But my father is a colonel, and I can't speak for him. He definitely won't resign; being a pure soldier has always been his dream, and he's very happy now."

Ji Feng laughed, a bit speechless, and said, "That position is specifically for military personnel. How about this, you help me set up a meeting with your father, and I'll talk to him. It would be best if we could meet this week, as I'm going to the U.S. next week. If he's not available, we can meet after Christmas; I'll come back to be with you during Christmas."

Xu Xian initially thought they wouldn't be able to spend the first holiday together when she heard Ji Feng was going to the U.S., but she was delighted when he said he would come back to be with her. "Okay, I'll go home tonight. It's been a while since I've been back. I'll see if Dad has time. He wasn't often at home before, but he's been coming home more often in the past couple of years."

After dinner, Ji Feng insisted on buying some gifts for Xu Xian's family and dropped her off at home around nine. Xu Xian hadn't been home in a long time and was feeling a bit homesick.

"I'm home, Mom!" Xu Xian called out happily as she opened the door, changed into slippers, and placed the gifts on a side table.

Hearing her daughter's voice, Xu's mother, Li Shuying, smiled and walked out of the study, hugging her daughter and listening to her cooing. Her eyes moistened as she smiled, "You naughty girl, you finally came back. It's been so long since you last came home."

Xu Xian playfully stuck out her pink tongue and continued to coo, "Mom, I've been busy with work, you know. It's always very busy at the end of the year."

Li Shuying, however, wasn't easily fooled. "Is that so? I think you've been busy with dating. I saw a Mercedes-Benz drop you off just now. Why didn't you bring him in to let me see him?"

Xu Xian's face turned red, and she looked away shyly, "Mom, I'll bring him back later. This is a gift he prepared for you and Dad. By the way, has Dad been back recently?"

"Looks like our little treasure still thinks of me. I thought you had forgotten about me." As Xu Xian spoke, the door opened, and her father, dressed in his military uniform, came in from outside.

Xu Xian rushed into her father's arms, calling him "Dad" sweetly, and then pulled her parents to sit on the sofa. Under their questioning, Xu Xian didn't hide her relationship with Ji Feng and told them everything. When she mentioned that Ji Feng wanted to meet her and had a position to offer, Xu Qiang's heart skipped a beat. "What's his name? Say it again."

Seeing her usually jocular father suddenly become serious, Xu Xian was startled. Li Shuying also frowned and scolded her husband, "What are you doing? Don't scare our little Xian."

Xu Qiang didn't back down but became even more urgent, "Xian, tell your father, is his name really Ji Feng? Do you have his photo? Show it to me quickly."

Seeing her father's urgency, Xu Xian was really scared. She took out her phone, found Ji Feng's photo, and handed it to him, saying timidly, "Dad, is Ji Feng targeting you by approaching me?"

Xu Qiang snatched the phone, enlarged Ji Feng's face, and his heart was shaken. It was indeed him, the same person.

Seeing the sudden sharpness in Xu Qiang's eyes, staring intently at the phone screen as if he wanted to pull Ji Feng out of it, Li Shuying also realized something was wrong.

"Husband, what's wrong with this Ji Feng? Tell us quickly. Can't you see Xian is about to cry?"

Xu Xian was also tense, looking at her father, waiting for his answer. She had truly accepted Ji Feng, but if he was approaching her with ulterior motives, she couldn't bear such a blow.

Xu Qiang took a deep breath, looked at his tense wife and daughter, and smiled, "Xian, how does he treat you?"

Xu Xian thought about their interactions. Ji Feng respected her, cared for her, never interfered with her work, and never complained about their irregular dates. She nodded slightly, "He treats me very well, Dad. Do you know him?"

Xu Qiang shook his head, "This is a military secret, don't ask. He's not approaching you with ulterior motives. I support you continuing your relationship. Bring him back to meet me tomorrow night. I also have some things to discuss with him."

Hearing that there was nothing wrong with Ji Feng, Li Shuying and Xu Xian were relieved. Li Shuying patted her chest and gently stroked her daughter's hair, "Don't be so jumpy at home. Since you know him a bit, tell us what kind of person he is."

Xu Qiang glared at his wife, "I already said it's a military secret. You'll know in a few days. Xian, after you meet him tomorrow night, I'll decide on your relationship, but no matter what, I support your decision."

Ji Feng didn't know that just a photo had revealed his true identity to Xu Qiang. When he returned to the hotel, he also encountered some trouble.

As soon as he entered the hotel lobby, two men sitting in the lounge area saw him and stood up, walking towards him.

Ji Feng also saw the two men and frowned slightly. As they approached, they indeed stopped in front of him and said in English, "Are you looking for me? I don't think I know you."

One of the smiling men extended his hand, and as soon as he spoke, Ji Feng knew his identity had been revealed, "Hello, Ji Feng. We came from China, and we had no choice but to disturb you. Can we find a place to talk? We have no ill intentions."

Ji Feng smiled bitterly and looked at the two smiling men, "Which department are you from? This is quite efficient. I thought you wouldn't find me until after New Year's Day."

The two men also smiled bitterly and nodded, relieved that Ji Feng didn't deny his identity. One of them said, "We are from the State Council. We went to great lengths to find you. After all, you are from our country, and we need to discuss some matters with you. Rest assured, we won't let you down."

Ji Feng shook his head, "You coming to me already means I'm at a disadvantage. Forget it, let's go up to my room and talk."

Upstairs, Ji Feng poured coffee for the two men and took a bottle of cola for himself. He sat down and said, "Speak, what do you have in mind? Or what does the higher-ups have in mind?"

Mou Gaoming and Hu Zhendong exchanged a smile, surprised by Ji Feng's directness, but it made things easier.

Hu Zhendong said, "Our purpose is simple. First, we want to invite you to return to China soon. The higher-ups want to have a detailed discussion with you. You don't need to worry about safety; we guarantee your freedom to come and go. Second, we want to hear your thoughts on the future of your island. The state has no ulterior motives regarding your private property. We just hope to cooperate with you in areas like trade and culture. Of course, the state hopes that no other country's military will enter Jeju Island."

Ji Feng laughed, "I've never worried about safety. I understand your intentions. Normal cooperation in trade and culture is no problem. I know what you're concerned about. I can tell you, as I told Park Jin-hui, any military vessels or equipment from any country must get my permission to enter my private waters. Without my permission, they will be considered an act of war, and I have the right to send them to the bottom of the sea without warning. This is non-negotiable with any country."

Hearing Ji Feng's words, Mou Gaoming and Hu Zhendong were secretly pleased. Mou Gaoming asked urgently, "Including the U.S.?"

Ji Feng shrugged, "Of course, all countries, including the U.S."

Hu Zhendong frowned, "So you're planning to establish your own defense system? Where do you plan to purchase the military equipment? If possible, consider domestic options; they are cheaper."

Ji Feng smiled helplessly, "I will uniformly purchase U.S. military equipment. You don't think the U.S. stepped in as a supervisor out of kindness, do you? They agreed only after I promised to buy military equipment from them."

It seemed they had anticipated this, so the two men weren't surprised. They continued to talk for another two to three hours. After confirming that Ji Feng would not allow any military equipment, including from the U.S., to enter or transit through Jeju Island, they left satisfied.

As for when he would return to China, no specific answer was given. Ji Feng said he would find time, but definitely not before New Year's Day. After New Year's, it would depend on his schedule, as he would officially become the true owner of Jeju Island starting from New Year's, and there might be some matters he needed to attend to.

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