Banquet

After wearing the bracelets, she clenched her fists and her eyes laid on the figure standing outside the window, she sighed and opened her windows.

"What do you want" Her eyes sharpened as she glared at the man

"I want to see my daughter, is there a problem in that?" He smiled and replied casually

Lan Du nodded her head without hesitation

"The fact that you think of me disgusts me" She replied ruthlessly, her voice was still cold and her not a trace of warmth could be seen in her eyes.

Yuan Min took out an envelope

"I was invited to a banquet, there will be many influential officers from the military attending, will you be interested?" He asked as he handed it to her.

Lan Du's eyes surprisingly lit up, she took the envelope without shame and read the content. Her brows lifted and a pleasant smile crept to her face.

"Not bad, oh, there's even a Major General attending" Lan Du was surprised, Major Generals were rare to see, even if one goes directly to their resident.

Now, she could actually see one just through a banquet. She turned to Yuan Min and her eyes filled with question.

"What do you want?" She suddenly asked

Yuan Min smiled cunningly

"Do I need to say? I want you to go as my daughter, I also called over Yuan Cai to meet us tonight" He said casually

Lan Du froze

"Can't you introduce me as a second son? I'm sure it'll be much more effective when communicating with the officers and maybe even building a connection" Lan Du replied, through this sentence alone, Yuan Min knew her intentions.

"You want to build a connection with high ranking officers? Keep dreaming, tonight, only captains and above are invited, at most, some lieutenants will arrive as attendants" He chuckled and patted her head, but Lan Du smacked his hand off her head without a moment of hesitation.

Her eyes were filled with pride

"I have my pride, I will be introduced as a son" She growled

Yuan Min chuckled

"If I do that, you'll be going back on your end of the deal, do you really not care about your friends? And what type of pride can you have? You lass, do you really think you're a boy?" He said calmly

Lan Du's eyes grew fierce

"What type of father threatens his own daughter?" Lan Du uttered

"The father with a daughter threatening him" He replied with a casual smile, his eyes were filled with playfulness.

Lan Du took in a deep breath

"Well said, you've got a point, but if I go as a son, it can also benefit your standing as a colonel and even build possible relationships, especially if the other officers have a daughter with them" Lan Du said with a sly smile.

Yuan Min froze, he suddenly wanted to tie up his daughter to prevent such a thing from happening, but he stared at her playful looking eyes and sighed. This was the first time she showed a genuine playfulness in front of him, he couldn't help but feel happy, even if it was about something strange.

But he then shook his head

"No, you must come as my daughter, I don't want you going around seducing the other officer's daughters, what would they think of me if I had such a playboy son?" He said adamantly

Lan Du's face dropped

"Fine, but you do not control what I wear" She said coldly

Yuan Min thought for a moment

"Alright, as long as I can introduce you as my daughter" He agreed with a light smile, this was the most progressive conversation he has ever had with her. How could he not be happy?

Lan Du smiled in her heart but she wore a solemn expression on her face

"Fine, tell me when we're going, I'll go find a proper outfit" She mumbled and closed her window.

Yuan Min's bright smile couldn't be hidden, he walked off humming to himself in a cheerful mood. He hasn't been this happy in a long time, he called over Wang Shu and Wang Liu just to brag about his closing relationships with Lan Du.

But when they heard him, they couldn't help but sigh and feel pity for him. To be this happy just because Lan Du accepted the invitation, they wondered if their children would be like that.

Wang Shu placed one hand on his shoulder and took in a deep breath before he said to him

"Colonel...I want to tell you, normally, children listening to the parents are very normal, but your daughter, Lan Yu, she isn't normal, you have to be more strict for such a disobedient daughter, I'm saying this for your own good" He said with a concerned look, his hands tightened on Yuan Min's shoulders as he almost cried for his leader.

Yuan Min's happiness faded with that one sentence, he covered his face

"Of course I know that, I have Cai'er, but thinking back on how much she hates me, I couldn't help but be happy" He muttered

Hearing this, the two calmed down a bit, but they still felt pity for him.

When night fell, Yuan Min knocked on Lan Du's room.

Lan Du opened the door

"Is it time to go?" She asked

Yuan Min nodded his head, he felt rather excited, his daughter is finally going to meet his second son, Yuan Cai. As a father, he couldn't be happier.

Lan Du closed the door, and soon after, she walked out with an outfit that shocked Yuan Min. She wore a black leather jacket and long trousers. Despite her beautiful face, she now looked like a pretty boy rather than a girl.

But this wasn't the worst part, she also wore a cap which made her seem even more handsome, his mind became dazed.

"Why, didn't I say to dress properly? How can I introduce you as my daughter like this?" He said bitterly

Lan Du rubbed her chin

"I don't think I look too bad, as long as you say I'm your daughter, it should be fine, no?" She giggled and replied with a smug look.

Yuan Min's face was much darker, he took in a deep breath and facepalmed.

"I'm questioning how your brain processes, fine, just go like this, I won't stop you, but you better not cause trouble there" He said sternly, he remembered Wang Shu's words and decided to be more strict.

Lan Du thought for a bit

"Don't be too angry, I'll still act as your obedient daughter in front of others, but don't you dare pair me up with a brat from another officer, I'll break the leg of anyone you try to recommend" She growled, the look in her eyes was like that of a wolf.

Yuan Min nodded and waved his hand

"Even if any of them wants to marry you, I'd be the first to disagree, you're my daughter, not a random girl off the streets" He said arrogantly.

Lan Du's eyes dimmed

"Cheh, I was hoping you would recommend some brats, then I'd have a proper reason to break their legs" Lan Du sighed in disappointment.

Yuan Min staggered, almost falling when he heard her, he shook his head and dragged her to a car that he prepared. Wang Shu and Wang Liu were already inside, they sat at the back with Lan Du in the middle. When they saw Lan Du's outfit, they gasped in shock.

Lan Du who was in the middle crossed her leg and placed a lollipop in her mouth. Wang Shu reached out his hand and was about to take the lollipop out her mouth, but Lan Du slapped his hand away.

"What? You have a thing for half-eaten food now? I knew people working for my father would be disgusting, but to think it'd be to this degree" Lan Du scolded him viciously

Wang Shu's mouth twitched

"Eating too much candy isn't good for you, spit it out" He said

Lan Du turned her head to Wang Liu

"Has your brother always been such a bother? What, is he my new mother now? Should I be calling you aunt as well?" She asked with a completely serious face.

She then felt the car turn suddenly and almost crashed, Yuan Min was listening to the conversations and he couldn't be more stunned by his daughter's words.

He coughed

"Wang Shu, I haven't asked you yet, but last time you tested Yu'er, what realm is she in now?" He coughed a few times before asking.

Wang Shu clasped his hands

"That's right, if you haven't mentioned it, I'd have forgotten, Colonel, your daughter is really quite amazing, she is already at the peak of Royal Spirits, and her combat strength is comparable to someone in lower or even mid or Domain realm" He said with a face full of admiration, Lan Du's achievements honestly shocked him.

Yuan Min fell silent, but a sense of pride rose in his hearts when he heard Wang Shu praise Lan Du like no tomorrow.

Lan Du, however, rolled her eyes

"My strength is only able to kill Domain Realms, but if they are prepared and have their domains ready to suppress me, I have no hopes in winning, so I must finish battles with Domains as fast as possible, or I will die, like what happened to you last time" She explained, she didn't mind voicing this weakness out as it was a very obvious flaw she had.

Without a Domain, it was impossible to fight another Domain Realm fighter, so it wasn't a secret that she cannot fight them head on.

"No, this is still amazing, Domain realms usually have stronger physiques along with their spiritual strength, only when one trains their body to the maximum can they compete with higher stages" Wang Liu exclaimed

However, Lan Du's expression remained unmoved

"What's so great about fighting dregs? If I can't even beat this brat beside me, my strength is practically questionable" Lan Du said emotionlessly

Wang Shu had a sudden urge to choke her at this moment, Lan Du's words were always targeted at him.

'Why me specifically? Isn't big bro here as well?'

He grumbled in his heart but didn't say anything out loud.

"Lan Yu, don't be so harsh on Wang Shu, he still has a heart" Wang Liu said lightly

Lan Du gasped

"He does? Colour me surprised" She exclaimed in surprise

"You-"

Wang Shu wanted to cry, he felt emotionally and mentally targeted at the moment. Lan Du didn't let him off even in the slightest with her words.

They soon arrived at a large estate, the building was lit and Lan Du could see guards standing outside, guarding the hall. She saw many officers in their military uniform walking into the hall with a dignified look, her interest grew as she watched more and more walk in.

She stepped out the car and Yuan Min led him to the side.

"Your brother should be arriving soon" He said gently

Lan Du rolled her eyes

"Sure sure, I feel much more secure with him beside me" She said casually

"Really?" Yuan Min's eyes lit up, did Lan Du care about them after all? Was her expression just tougher than others?

Lan Du nodded

"If you decide to force me on anything, the hostage would be in my reach" She added

As if a bucket of cold water was poured on him, Yuan Min's expression dropped and almost cursed at himself for having such high expectations for someone like Lan Du.

He then swore to himself that he'd keep Yuan Cai as far as possible from her when they're alone.

Not long, Lan Du saw the familiar figure running at her whilst waving his hands. He stopped in front of Yuan Min and greeted him respectfully.

"Father" He said in a dignified manner

He then turned to Lan Du who was beside him, Yuan Min had told him that there'd be a surprise for him when he arrived, but he was slightly confused.

Though he found Lan Du's hair colour very unique, it had a red tint on the very tips but her overall hair was white.

"This is your sister, Lan Yu" He explained

Yuan Cai was baffled

"Sister?! N-Not brother?" He stared at her in deep shock

Lan Du wore a warm smile

"Hello hos-brother, I'm Lan Yu, pleasure to meet you" Lan Du greeted

Yuan Min's mouth twitched

'You were about to say hostage, weren't you?'

Yuan Cai's eyes lit up brightly

"I'm Yuan Cai, but sister, why are you dressed like a boy? I almost couldn't tell your gender" He asked

Lan Du giggled

"Because it makes it easier to bat someone to dea-*cough*, it makes it easier to move around" She said with a smile, trying to cover up her previous sentence, but Yuan Cai understood what she was going to say.

Only a fool wouldn't realise that his sister was a complete tomboy.

"Sister, either way, it's so good to meet you, but why has father never told me about you?" He asked with. a confused expression.

Lan Du's smile grew as she turned to Yuan Min

"Yes father, why don't you explain?" She insisted and pushed it all onto Yuan Min who was now sweating, how could he tell his son that heonly met her face to face recently?

Yuan Cai's expecting gaze made it even harder to explain, he gritted his teeth and averted his eyes

"I had reasons, don't ask too much questions" He said

Yuan Cai however just nodded obediently, he didn't question his father any further and grabbed Lan Du's hand.

"Lets go inside now, sister must be excited as well" He said happily

Yuan Min's face changed, he prayed that Lan Du wouldn't do anything rash. His thoughts weren't wrong, Lan Du was now suppressing her urge to pummel her own brother.

She put up a forced smile and shook off his hand

"I'm sorry, but I'm a germaphobic" She said and wiped her hand with a hankerchief

Yuan Cai didn't doubt her and nodded, he smiled brightly and followed Yuan Min into the estate, he had an excited expression, like a child going to a new place.

Inside, there were many officers, they have their attendants beside them and some even brought their children. Yuan Min's arrival caught most the attention in the room, they all went up to greet him as his ranking was high and he was also strong.

Lan Du clenched her fists

'This is a world where the strong feeds on the weak'

They officers soon laid their eyes on Yuan Cai who stood out wuite well. His body was strong and he exerted a relatively strong pressure. Lan Du however minimised her aura to the minimum so noone would notice her as much as Yuan Cai.

Her goal was people of Colonel and above, to her, captains were mere stepping stones as she already had a subordinate of captain rank.

Her gaze locked upon a few officers who weren't interested in meeting Yuan Min. Sh eknew instantly that they were either of Colonel rank or maybe even Major General. One, in which she recognised, it was Long He and his son Long Quan.

But before she could approach them, Yuan Min grabbed her shoulder

"Let me introduce this one, she's my daughter, Lan Yu" He said gently

The officers around all gasped, a daughter? How was this a daughter? This was clearly a son!

Despite their doubts, they remained respectful in front of Yuan Min.

"What a valiant daughter you have, she is more handsome than my son" One of them complemented

"Indeed, unlike my girl, she looks like she is prepared for combat, sigh, how jealous I am of you"

Lan Du listened and felt slightly insulted that she was being compared to others. But she kept up a warm smile as she greeted them.

"Pleasure to meet all of you, if I meet your children in the main army some day, I'll be in their care" She said calmly, which made Yuan Min doubt her identity.

'She-She's actually greeting them normally! Who is she? Where did all her arrogance go? This-This...is this good?'

Lan Du's words made their impression on her shoot up, not only did she not look wimpy and weak, she also was very respectful towards her seniors.

But unknowingly, Yuan Min's decloration of a daughter made many of their eyes light up, even Long He and a few other Colonels glanced over with a curious expression.

They saw Lan Du and was utterly speechless, but thinking on political marriage, Lan Du's preferences didn't matter, all that mattered was that if they can be connected through marriage, their influence will increase.

Long He was the first to walk over to him

"Yuan Min, it's been quite some time, I didn't know you had a daughter, but why does she have a different last name?" He asked with a smile

Lan Du stepped out as it concerned her name, she would never abandon the name Lan so she naturally spoke up first.

"Sigh, father misses my mother so he named me after her, I too, hold this name dearly, if sir is trying to find fault, please blame me, I insisted on keeping the name Lan due to my selfishness" Lan Du said bitterly, her eyes filled with sorrow and helplessness.

Yuan Min's lips twitched

'She didn't even bat an eye when she lied, this is true talen' He thought to himself, but he played along

"Yes, but Yu'er isn't wrong in any way, I can't overlook her personal thoughts" He said emotionally

Long He nodded

"My son is roughly your age, why don't you consider-"

Lan Du waved her hand

"I'm sorry sir, you're Colonel Long, aren't you?" Lan Du suddenly asked as she cut him off

Long He suppressed his anger and nodded

"Yes, why do you ask?"

"Because I heard a rumour, your son tried to force a marriage but ven you couldn't help him out when the girl's boyfriend arrived, is this true?" Lan Du asked with an innocent look on her face.

Long He's smile disappeared as his expression froze

"You must have done your research, but lass, why do you dress like this? Are you not a girl?"

Lan Du chuckled

"So what if I'm a girl? What does that have anything to do with your son's failed marriage?" Lan Du replied gently

Long He's smile became cold

"You're just a girl, what right do you have to talk about my son?" He said in a threatening manner

At this moment, Yuan Min stepped forward with a cold glint in his eyes, he glared at Long He

"My daughter isn't someone you can speak lightly of, your son is not worthy of her" He growled