Arranged marriage, love blossoms; a fiercely devoted soldier dotes on her alone.

at this time,

In Bai Zexiang's office.

A said on the phone, "Xiao Zhan, this medal is the result of your blood and sweat, and it is also the reward for your contributions to the country. You deserve all the credit for the destruction of Project Mole."

Xiao Zhan's body trembled as he said, "Never forget our original aspiration, keep our mission firmly in mind, be ready to answer the call, fight when we arrive, and be victorious in battle."

On the other end of the phone, A said three times, "Okay, okay!"

"I didn't misjudge him."

Xiao Zhan put down the phone, and Bai Zexiang pointed to the medal box and said, "Xiao Zhan, this thing is a get-out-of-jail-free card."

Xiao Zhan smirked and said, "Is it really that exaggerated?"

Bai Zexiang: "If you don't believe me, you can check how many people have received the National Hero Medal."

Xiao Zhan: "Why would I bother investigating that? Am I just bored? Minister Bai, is there anything else? If not, I'm leaving."

Bai Zexiang: "You're busier than me these days, it's not easy to see you. By the way, I heard you're getting married."

"What's wrong? Don't you want to give me an invitation?"

"Am I not good enough to attend your wedding?"

"Smack."

Xiao Zhan slapped his forehead and said, "Oh dear, I almost forgot, sorry."

Then he took out an invitation from his pocket, presented it with both hands, and said, "Minister Bai, please take the time to attend the banquet."

Bai Zexiang took the invitation and said, "That's more like it."

Xiao Zhan grinned and said, "Minister Bai, the gift money can't be too meager, otherwise it wouldn't be worthy of your status as a high-ranking minister."

Bai Zexiang glared at him and said, "Xiao Zhan, your attitude changes so quickly! You look like a shrewd businessman. Besides, who in the entire capital is richer than you right now? You're the top dog in the capital, the president of the General Chamber of Commerce, and the chairman of the Xiao Group. You're asking me, someone who only gets a fixed salary, for a bribe? You're shameless."

Xiao Zhan chuckled with a roguish air, "Anyway, I've said it before, I'll only get married once in my life. If your gift is too small, you'll only get a glass of water; if your gift is too large, you'll sit at the head table."

Bai Zexiang: "Xiao Zhan, you're becoming more and more like a scoundrel. Is this how you treat guests?"

Xiao Zhan: "There are already top influencers online, so why can't I have a top influencer at my wedding? Anyway, I'm telling you, if you don't get a seat at the head table, you'll be the one who loses face."

Bai Zexiang spread his hands and said, "Then tell me, how much gift do I need to give to become the 'Big Brother of Gifts' and sit at the head table?"

Xiao Zhan pointed to a painting on the wall and said, "Just give a gift based on the price of this painting."

Bai Zexiang's face immediately darkened as he said, "Xiao Zhan, do you know that this painting is priceless? It was painted for me personally by a certain master."

After Bai Zexiang finished speaking, he suddenly realized something and stared into Xiao Zhan's eyes, asking, "You kid, you're not eyeing my painting, are you? No wonder your eyes always wander to it whenever you come here."

Xiao Zhan shamelessly and generously admitted, "Minister Bai is exceptionally intelligent; you guessed it all. Let's not beat around the bush, I'm missing a painting like this as a treasure in my office."

"Hahaha……."

Bai Zexiang was amused by Xiao Zhan's words and said, "Now I finally understand, you're just a robber!"

He paused for a moment, then said, "Take it if you like."

Xiao Zhan chuckled cheekily, "Really?"

Bai Zexiang: "Get the painting and get the hell out of here!"

Xiao Zhan: "Okay."

Then he stepped forward, took the painting, turned around and left. When he reached the door, he turned back and said to Bai Zexiang, whose face was ashen, "Boss Bai, you're definitely going to sit at the head table this time."

Bai Zexiang trembled with rage and roared, "Get out!"

Xiao Zhan said in his usual cheeky manner, "Fine, I'll get lost. You have no manners. I won't come next time you invite me."

After saying that, he took the painting and left...

Bai Zexiang stared at the blank space on the wall and muttered to himself, "I finally managed to get my hands on this painting, and before I could even enjoy it, this kid snatched it away for free. Seriously, has this brat integrated into society so completely since returning to civilian life? You can't see a trace of his military days anymore."

Meanwhile, Xiao Zhan, carrying the painting triumphantly, arrived at Xia Keke's office downstairs, where he found the three women chatting animatedly.

So she said, "Three women make a drama, what are you all talking about so enthusiastically?"

Xia Keke: "I'm not telling you, it's a woman's secret."

Mako Ishida smiled without saying a word...

Qin Huanhuan spoke frankly, "We were talking about how to prank the best man on our wedding day!"

Xiao Zhan: "You can tease the best men, but you're not allowed to tease me, or I'll get angry."

Xia Keke pouted and said, "So what if you turn your back on me? It's your wedding, not mine. Let's see who loses face."

Seeing that force wouldn't work, Xiao Zhan quickly said, "Director Xia, we're partners in life and death, how can you bear to bully me?"

After Xia Keke finished speaking, she was stunned when she saw what Xiao Zhan was holding. She recognized it as the painting hanging on the wall of Bai Zexiang's office. She also knew that Bai Zexiang especially liked this painting, and that it was very expensive, and more importantly, money couldn't buy it.

So he asked, "Xiao Zhan, is this painting you're holding the one on Minister Bai's wall?"

Xiao Zhan readily admitted, "Yes, why?"

Xia Keke asked incredulously, "Minister Bai gave you the painting?"

Xiao Zhan: "Otherwise what? I wouldn't stole it, would I?"

Xia Keke asked suspiciously, "Minister Bai treasures this painting, admiring it every day. He's even started learning to paint because he loves it. How could he possibly give it to you?"

Xiao Zhan: "He didn't give it to me as a gift, but rather as a token of appreciation."

Xia Keke was even more incredulous and asked, "This is a work by a certain master. Bai Bu wouldn't possibly give it to you as a gift. This is far too valuable."

Xiao Zhan said smugly, "I told Minister Bai that if he doesn't give me this painting as a gift, he won't be able to sit at the head table and will lose face."

Xia Keke: "What the hell?! You dare threaten Minister Bai?"

Xiao Zhan forced a smile and said, "I'm just stating the facts. It's my wedding, and I'll make the decisions."

Xia Keke finally understood and said, "You're getting something for free."

"Xiao Zhan, I never expected you to be this kind of person."

Xiao Zhan: "Never mind who I am, Director Xia, your gift money can't be too stingy."

Xia Keke realized what was happening and pushed Xiao Zhan towards the door, saying as she did so, "There's nothing good in my office, you'd better leave now."

"Hahaha…."

The two teasing each other made Qin Huanhuan and Ishida Mako burst into laughter...

Xiao Zhan pulled Qin Huanhuan and said, "Wife, let's go. These people avoid us as soon as they see someone giving a wedding gift. It seems we're not close."

Qin Huanhuan: "Honey, did Minister Bai really give you this painting? You didn't actually get it for free, did you?"

Xiao Zhan whispered, "Bai Zexiang is usually too stingy. If we don't take this opportunity to teach him a lesson, we won't have another chance."

Qin Huanhuan understood, but she knew her man wasn't short of money. It was only because he had a close relationship with Minister Bai and Xia Keke that he could joke so freely.

So she said, "Honey, wait a minute. Miss Mako just told me that she'll be by my side from now on, as my personal bodyguard."

Seeing the longing look in Ishida Mako's eyes, Xiao Zhan asked, "Mako, are you for real?"

Mako Ishida stepped forward and said, "Young Master Xiao, I am willing to stay by President Qin's side because I know that without your protection, I will not live long. There are too many people who want to kill me."