Chapter 185 - Banquet

That afternoon, Ye Fan took leave to pick up Lu Chengqiang from the 411 Military Hospital as he was discharged.

Since he resolved to become Ye Fan’s “eyes” in the future, Lu Chengqiang immediately bounced back, full of life and vigor, clamoring to be discharged every minute, nearly dismantling the iron hospital bed with his bare hands.

Ye Fan had no choice but to agree to his early discharge.

However, although he could be discharged earlier, it did not mean he would immediately be free because, after submitting his retirement application, the military began their review.

Before the military’s clearance, he could only be under temporary semi-house arrest within the Hua Hai military area.

Stepping out of the hospital building, Lu Chengqiang, clad in camouflage military uniform, looked back at the building with a relieved sigh, “Finally, I can leave this godforsaken place!

I will never be hospitalized again in my life!”

After speaking, he spat fiercely at the building.

Lu Chengqiang’s behavior was a bit crude, but Ye Fan could understand his feelings.

After all, in this hospital, he had faced significant setbacks and turning points in his life; those days had been quite awful.

From getting into the car and driving away from the military hospital, Lu Chengqiang appeared exhilarated, asking Ye Fan loudly, “Boss, how long will it take before I can get out?

It’s not going to be three months, is it?

That would kill someone!”

“No,” said Ye Fan, driving, “With me vouching for you, it should be pretty quick, at most a week.”

“Hahaha, that’s good then.” Lu Chengqiang laughed happily.

“I can hardly wait.

Hey, boss, take me for a spin around Hua Hai city, just to check out my bar.”

Ye Fan shook his head, “No can do.

It’s already against the rules for me to pick you up from the hospital and take you to the military area.

I can’t take you for a joyride.

Just keep quiet for a few days, and in the future, you can do whatever you want.”

“Alright then,” Lu Chengqiang could only concede.

Then, as he thought about truly leaving the army, he fell into silence; to keep his tears at bay, he closed his eyes and leaned back in his seat to pretend to rest.

After delivering Lu Chengqiang to the military area, he was taken away by a major and a group of five or six soldiers.

Upon leaving the military area, Ye Fan thought of Shi Sheng.

However, although he knew Shi Sheng was also inside the military area, he could not see him or even make a phone call.

Because a few days earlier, Shi Sheng had messaged him that he was undergoing the final isolation review before retirement.

Shi Sheng might not be a member of the Dragon Group, but he surely carried out some sensitive military missions.

In fact, cases like Lu Chengqiang’s and Shi Sheng’s were rather fortunate.

Some soldiers who had carried out extremely sensitive missions or technicians involved in the development of cutting-edge military technology, even if the military agreed to their retirement, still had to spend three, five, or even eight to ten years doing nothing in the army before they could truly leave.

At six o’clock in the afternoon, Ye Fan drove to Tongzai Square to meet with Zhao Shuaijiang and then they drove together to Mingxuan on Tianyuan West Road in the Xuhui District.

Mingxuan was a top restaurant in Hua Hai city.

Although located in the bustling Xuhui District, driving from its main entrance deeper in, past the secluded front yard, it felt as if the noise of the metropolitan city gradually faded away.

Getting out of the car, Ye Fan looked around to see luxurious decorations; it was opulent and elegant in European style.

As the modern bustle drifted away, he felt as if he had stepped into an old Shanghai mansion at the beginning of the last century.

Zhao Shuaijiang got out of her red Cayenne, a smile on her lips and a spring in her step as she walked towards Ye Fan.

She then extended her arm, fair as a lotus root, to lightly link arms with Ye Fan.

“Hehe, Ye Fan, nice place, isn’t it?” she asked with a coy laugh.

Today, she deliberately wore a white lace embroidered body-hugging midi dress, which was gorgeously elegant and slightly more conservative than her previous attire, but it showcased her aristocratic charm even better.

Having interacted with Ye Fan for so long, she had realized that deep down, Ye Fan preferred women with a touch of conservatism.

If her clothes were too revealing, even if she pressed herself against him, he might not be pleased.

Ye Fan smelled the virgin fragrance of Helian Bobo and felt the soft, tender touch from her arm, which put him in a good mood.

He nodded with a smile and said, “Indeed, it’s quite nice; it gives one an illusion of traveling back a hundred years.”

“Giggle, the atmosphere isn’t too strong yet.

Wait until we get inside; that’s when you’ll truly feel cut off from the world,” giggled Helian Bobo, “Shall we go in?”

Ye Fan nodded slightly and entered Mingxuan Hall with Helian Bobo.

Upon entering the main door, they were immediately greeted by an attendant.

The attendant wasn’t the usual type found in restaurants or hotels—no young, pretty girls or young, handsome boys—instead, it was a gentlemanly middle-aged man in a tailcoat who exuded an air of elegance.

Having announced the name of their private room, the noble-looking gentleman attendant respectfully led Ye Fan and Helian Bobo.

The atmosphere was quiet and filled with classical piano music; along the way, Ye Fan saw many wall paintings with early 20th-century styles, marble sculptures, and various epoch-specific ornaments and decorations that were delightful to look at.

“This place, just for its atmosphere, is more expensive than feasting at many star-rated hotels,” Ye Fan thought to himself.

Finally, under the guidance of the gentleman attendant, Ye Fan and Helian Bobo arrived at the private room Zhao Shuaijiang had invited them to.

Ding-dong—ding-dong—

In front of the deep red wooden door, the gentleman attendant rang a brass bell hanging at the entrance.

The brass bell was polished to a shine and classic in design.

The wooden doors were opened by two attendants, and Ye Fan saw Zhao Shuaijiang in a handsome designer leisure suit, smiling as he came out to welcome them.

“Haha, Brother Ye, Bobo, you’ve finally arrived,” Zhao Shuaijiang laughed heartily.

Ye Fan smiled and said, “Have we come late?

Sorry about that.”

Helian Bobo also smiled and greeted with a “Brother Jiang” as a sign of friendliness.

“Just in time,” Zhao Shuaijiang said with a laugh, “Haha, please come in.”

As they entered through the heavy wooden door, Ye Fan discovered that the private room was another world entirely, spacious with a dining hall, lounge, preparation room, and an extravagantly furnished living room, all decorated in a classical European style.

The massive wooden doors closed, and from the high ceiling hung chandeliers that mimicked candlelight, casting a soft, warm yellow light that illuminated the valuable authentic oil paintings on the wall.

While leading Ye Fan and Helian Bobo to the living room, Zhao Shuaijiang said with a laugh, “Ye Fan, I’ve invited a few other friends as well, who I’d like you to meet.

You don’t mind, do you?”

“Hehe, I was just thinking of making some new friends,” Ye Fan replied with a smile, as this was something he had anticipated.

In a place like this, it wasn’t possible for just three people to dine.

If there were only three, even serving the food would be a problem.

“Hehe, seems like I did the right thing,” Zhao Shuaijiang said with a laugh, “Someone with your talents, Brother Ye, should have entered our circle a long time ago.”