Ji Lengyue's home was in the Fengcheng Six Doors family residential area. Built thirty years ago, it looked a bit old by today's standards. It was a six-story building made of red brick and cement, and Ji Lengyue lived in one of the units.
Chen Jiuyang drove to the entrance of the Six Doors family residential area.
The security guard at the entrance was a sparse-haired, white-haired old man in his sixties or seventies, with a faint aura of a martial artist about him.
The security guard saw a luxury car arrive at the entrance of the residential area and did not immediately open the gate to let Chen Jiuyang in.
The old security guard asked Chen Jiuyang, "Young man, who are you looking for?"
Chen Jiuyang looked unfamiliar, and the license plate of his car was also unfamiliar.
Chen Jiuyang said, "I'm looking for Ji Lengyue, she's my girlfriend."
"A child of the Ji family?" A flicker of complexity flashed in the old security guard's eyes. He didn't believe Chen Jiuyang immediately and said, "Young man, have her come down to pick you up, and then I'll believe you."
Ji Lengyue was extremely beautiful and radiant. Over the years, countless people in the Fengcheng Six Doors had taken an interest in her. Young men like Chen Jiuyang pretending to be Ji Lengyue's boyfriend to see her was not an uncommon occurrence.
However, Ji Lengyue's father had sacrificed his life for the country and was a child of a martyr. No one dared to force or coerce Ji Lengyue. Even when she had offended a high-ranking official a year ago because of Chen Jiuyang, she was at most sent to a lower-level police station to be a patrol officer.
"Alright," Chen Jiuyang said with a smile, taking out his phone to call Ji Lengyue. "Lengyue, I'm already at your residential area's entrance. The security guard uncle doesn't believe me when I say I'm your boyfriend. He insists you come down to pick me up before he'll let me drive in."
"Ah!" Ji Lengyue exclaimed. "I'll come down right away to pick you up."
Before long, Ji Lengyue, dressed in a long skirt, walked out from inside the residential area and approached the old security guard with an apologetic smile. "Uncle Zhang, sorry to trouble you. Please let him in."
The old security guard was stunned. "Is this kid really your boyfriend?"
Ji Lengyue smiled sweetly and nodded.
Then, the old security guard opened the gate and let Chen Jiuyang in.
After parking the car, Chen Jiuyang carried a few boxes from the trunk and asked Ji Lengyue, "Lengyue, which way is your home?"
Ji Lengyue said, "Go straight ahead. It's too much for you to carry alone. I'll help you carry two boxes."
"Okay," Chen Jiuyang said with a smile, handing two lighter boxes to Ji Lengyue.
Ji Lengyue giggled, took the boxes, and led Chen Jiuyang forward. Before long, they arrived at a building ahead. They went up to the third floor and stopped in front of a unit.
In these old family residential areas, especially the Six Doors family residential area, no one even installed anti-theft doors. They were just old wooden doors with a brass lock.
When Ji Lengyue came out to pick up Chen Jiuyang earlier, she hadn't even locked the door. Ji Lengyue gently pushed the door open and led Chen Jiuyang inside.
Ji Lengyue called out, "Mom, Jiuyang is here."
Immediately after, Chen Jiuyang saw a middle-aged woman with an elegant demeanor, but dressed unpretentiously, walk out from the kitchen, holding a plate of peeled apples, and place it on the table.
Upon seeing Chen Jiuyang, Ji Lengyue's mother smiled and came forward to take his hand. "Jiuyang, my child, quickly put down your things and sit down properly."
Ji Lengyue's mother was very hospitable.
Chen Jiuyang quickly placed the things on the table and was then pulled by Ji Lengyue's mother to sit on the sofa.
Although the house was small, it felt very clean inside and out. The furniture, though old, was also very well-maintained.
Ji Lengyue's mother said, "Lengyue has mentioned your name to me many times before. I never thought you two would end up together. It's truly a good thing."
"I approve of your relationship with Lengyue, so don't be nervous or feel any pressure."
Chen Jiuyang glanced at Ji Lengyue and gave her a brilliant smile. "Okay."
As she spoke, Ji Lengyue's mother's eyes welled up with tears. "Lengyue is a strong-willed child. When she found clues about her father's killer, she went on her own. If it weren't for your help, Jiuyang, I don't know how I would have managed alone."
"Jiuyang, I truly don't know how to thank you for saving Lengyue and for the revenge."
"It's also fortunate that you are by Lengyue's side. Otherwise, with her personality, I don't know how much trouble she would have caused or how many injuries she would have sustained before she was satisfied."
"Her personality is as stubborn as her father's."
Chen Jiuyang smiled and looked at Ji Lengyue.
Ji Lengyue blushed and said, "Mom, why are you talking about this? Why do you see me as just a silly girl?"
Ji Lengyue's mother gave her a look and replied, "Aren't you?"
"You used to fight with people all the time when you were little, so wild it was unbelievable. After growing up, you joined the Six Doors as a constable without even going to college. Think about how many neighbors you've offended over the years."
"If it weren't for the neighbors remembering old favors, you would have been long gone without even a trace."
Ji Lengyue blushed and said, "Alright, I've already resigned from the Six Doors now."
"Speaking of which," Ji Lengyue's mother said, "have you properly thanked Jiuyang? He arranged for you to become a Taoist priest at Mount Emei, and even a disciple of the sect leader. Zhao Nainai's grandson from our neighborhood graduated with a doctorate and wanted to become a Taoist priest at Mount Shu or Mount Emei but couldn't. You, with no college degree, and Jiuyang managed to get you into Mount Emei. It must have taken a lot of connections and effort."
Ji Lengyue snorted and smiled, "What's there to thank him for? Don't you think so, Jiuyang."
"Yes, yes, yes, Lengyue is right," Chen Jiuyang said with a smile. "Auntie, it was I who wanted to send Lengyue to Mount Emei for further martial arts training. Her personality cannot be changed. The best way is to make her stronger so she can protect herself."
"Besides, if it weren't for Lengyue's temperament back then, my father would have been sentenced to death. Actually, when you think about it, there's really no question of thanking anyone."
Ji Lengyue said to her mother, "Mom, see, Jiuyang himself said so."
Ji Lengyue's mother stood up and pointed at Ji Lengyue's forehead. "Behave yourself. If you cause trouble again in the future, how will I have the face to visit Jiuyang's parents?"
"I... I understand..." Ji Lengyue stammered with a blush.
Ji Lengyue's mother sighed. "Hurry up and put away the gifts Jiuyang brought. I want to have a good chat with Jiuyang."
"Yes." Facing her mother, Ji Lengyue was obedient, only daring to talk back occasionally.
As Chen Jiuyang and Ji Lengyue's mother were chatting.
"Bang—"
The door to their unit was pushed open heavily, and a man and a woman, both with noble bearing, walked in.
The leading middle-aged beautiful woman said coldly to Ji Lengyue's mother,
"Ji Shangxiu, have you considered my proposal for you to return to the family last time?"
Chen Jiuyang's expression froze. Did Ji Lengyue come from a prominent family?
Ji Lengyue's mother replied, "There's no need to return to the family. My daughter already has someone she fancies."
The man and woman's expressions immediately turned grim.