Cheng Yunqi, who was having a conversation with Cheng Xiang, suddenly received a call from Ke Shaozheng. She moved to a less crowded area and answered, "Hello, aren't you supposed to be with your girl tonight? What made you think of calling me?"

"My girl is in the next room. I'm calling because my friend wants to know where his goods are and when they can be brought in."

"I know you can't live without a woman. Those goods will arrive at the dock tonight. I will personally oversee it. Can your friend share more information about Hu Li?"

"Miss Cheng, I truly admire your efficiency, but your wish might only be granted after the goods are brought in," Ke Shaozheng replied, feeling both excited and anxious. He prayed that the drugs would be successfully delivered. Once they were, he could share some trivial information about Hu Li with her.

"Okay, I'm at a party, so I can't talk much. I'll notify you first thing once the goods arrive tonight."

"Alright, I wish Miss Cheng success in catching her man," Ke Shaozheng said with a laugh.

"And I wish you drown in the land of tender love," Cheng Yunqi laughed back.

"Are you jealous? How about I serve you well?"

"Get lost. Your mouth can't speak a decent word. I once thought you were a pure little boy."

"So I was that pure in your eyes, Miss Cheng? Haha, I'll stop bothering you. Bye," Ke Shaozheng hung up, still smiling.

Baldy asked, "Boss, is everything set?"

"Just one more step. What are the mainland police up to now?"

"They're still heavily monitoring the border checkpoints, and customs have also tightened inspections. It won't be easy for our goods to come in safely." As soon as Baldy finished speaking, Ke Shaozheng kicked him hard.

"You're such a jinx! Can't you say something auspicious? The mainland police have their policies, and we can't come up with countermeasures? Pig brain!"

"The boss is right, I'm just a pig," Baldy trembled with fear. In their line of work, auspicious words were more critical than for grave robbers. If something happened to their goods, he might not survive due to his careless words.

"Keep an eye on them. Have any of our people been exposed?"

"Not yet. The police are still following them, and they've increased their manpower in the past two days."

"Good job. If it works out, I'll give them some play money."

"Boss, there's one more thing to report."

"What is it?"

"Zhang Bing, the guy who connected with us, escaped to our side. I have him stationed in the outer circle for now."

"Zhang Bing?" Ke Shaozheng couldn't remember who that was.

Baldy quickly explained, "He's the inside man at the border station in Dakou City."

"Wasn't he caught by the mainland police?"

"That guy's no good, but he's clever. He injured his head and escaped on the way to the hospital."

"Not bad. Keep him in the outer circle for now. If there are no issues, we can arrange something. Dismissed."

"Yes, sir."

The ball at the party had begun. Shangguan Ning approached Hua Yan with a smile and said, "Can I have the first dance with you? You've already turned me down once for a female companion, you won't be that cruel this time, will you?"

Shangguan Ning had already noticed Hu Li standing next to Hua Yan, but he was determined not to back down. Ignoring Hu Li, he waited for Hua Yan's answer.

Hua Yan felt very troubled because she didn't know how to dance. Before her rebirth, she was too busy earning a living to learn such things, and she hadn’t learned it after her rebirth either.

Now, with so many guests watching, even if she said she couldn't dance, they would think it was just an excuse. She lowered her head, her eyes darting as she thought of a good idea. "Sorry, I've already promised my partner that I would only dance with him tonight."

Shangguan Ning was taken aback. "You mean this gentleman?" He pointed to Hu Li, finally looking directly at him, acknowledging his extraordinary demeanor.

"Yes, his name is Hu Li."

"Hello," Hu Li said to Shangguan Ning at the right moment.

Seeing Hu Li's composed and dignified manner, Shangguan Ning's gloomy face also showed a polite smile as he greeted Hu Li. The two men exchanged glances for a moment, understanding the unspoken challenge between them.

"I really appreciate your fondness for Xiao Yan, but she has me, and that’s enough."

"You're very lucky. I hope you remain that way." Turning to Hua Yan, he added, "Since you have a dance partner, I hope you enjoy the party." With that, Shangguan Ning left, and Cheng Qingqing became his first dance partner.

This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"Shall we dance too?" Hu Li asked Hua Yan.

"I'd rather not. I can't dance, and besides, watching others dance is enjoyable too. Look at how harmonious Shangguan Ning and Qingqing are, they're perfect."

"Oh? You can't dance?" Hu Li asked, puzzled.

"Yes, but you must be the star of the dance floor, right?" Hua Yan looked Hu Li up and down, imagining his tall and well-proportioned figure moving like a prince on the dance floor.

Hu Li chuckled awkwardly. "I learned, but I rarely dance."

Hua Yan hadn't been left in peace for a few minutes before Cheng Yunqi came over to invite Hu Li to dance. After being rejected, she didn't leave but stood on the other side of Hu Li, trying to start a conversation.

After being ignored several times, Cheng Yunqi decided to reveal Hua Yan's secret to Hu Li, guessing no man would want to marry a woman who couldn't bear children.

"Mr. Hu, I know something about Hua Yan. Do you want to hear it?" Cheng Yunqi saw Hu Li stop talking to Hua Yan and finally look at her. She gave Hua Yan a triumphant smile. Hua Yan suddenly guessed what Cheng Yunqi was about to say. She didn’t stop her because she had considered telling Hu Li herself but hadn’t found the words. It might be better for Cheng Yunqi to reveal it.

Hu Li didn't immediately take the bait from Cheng Yunqi. He was eager to learn more about Hua Yan and enter her life, but he hesitated to listen to someone as scheming as Cheng Yunqi.

"Go ahead," Hu Li finally decided, thinking it was better to know sooner rather than later. At the same time, he held Hua Yan's hand, hoping to support her, sensing her tension.

Though Hu Li's hand was still cold, Hua Yan understood he was trying to reassure her. She took a few deep breaths, waiting for Cheng Yunqi to speak, while also watching Hu Li's expression.

Cheng Yunqi smiled and said, "Hua Yan can never get pregnant. She will never be able to have children." Her words were forceful, and her head held high like a victorious rooster.

A sharp slap echoed around Hu Li and their small circle. Hu Li lowered his slightly sore palm and stared at Cheng Yunqi, who was holding her cheek, like a venomous snake. "That slap was a small lesson. I don't want to hear such words again."

With teary eyes, Cheng Yunqi stubbornly continued, "It's true she can't get pregnant. I'm not lying. But if you're just playing around, it's even safer."

Hu Li's expression changed drastically, a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes. He slapped Cheng Yunqi again, harder and faster this time. The beautiful music couldn’t completely cover her startled and pained scream.

Many guests nearby turned to look, but Hu Li didn't care. He continued to stare at Cheng Yunqi. "I can also make sure you can never get pregnant..."

At that moment, Hu Li looked like a demon king from the depths of hell, exuding an oppressive aura of death. Cheng Yunqi, paralyzed with fear, didn’t dare to move or cry.

Hu Da and Hu Er, standing behind Hu Li, exchanged glances but remained silent. Hua Yan let Hu Li hold her hand, watching his actions without fear but with joy. It felt like she had slapped Cheng Yunqi herself. Cheng Yunqi had indeed exposed her secret, trying to hurt her. She wished she could kick her too.

Hua Yan noticed Shangguan Ning in the dance floor saw Cheng Yunqi being slapped by Hu Li. He paused for a moment, then turned away. A waiter spoke to Shangguan Ning while glancing at Hua Yan’s direction. Shangguan Ning just shook his head, seemingly indicating he shouldn’t intervene.

"My presence here is not welcoming you," Hu Li said to Cheng Yunqi. Her exquisite makeup slightly smudged, Cheng Yunqi hesitated for a moment, seeing the increasing number of onlookers, then burst into tears and ran away.

"Did my hand feel cold to you?" Hu Li returned to his gentle tone with Hua Yan.

"No."

"That's good. Xiao Yan, did you know about this recently?"

"Not long ago," they exchanged words lightly as if discussing a trivial matter.

"Is this why you don’t accept me, because of this concern?" Hua Yan lowered her head without answering immediately. Hu Li continued, "I want to hear the truth."

"Yes. It’s something no woman can easily accept."

"Having children is wonderful, but not having them can be just as fulfilling. Children can be the cherry on top, but a childless life can be a beautiful two-person world. I'm not saying this to comfort you, it’s how I've always felt. If you're worried about my family's succession, don't be. They will never lack excellent heirs. Do you understand?"

Hua Yan couldn't help but cry at Hu Li's words. His perspective on children made her see things more clearly, giving her heart a place to land. "Thank you for comforting me."

"So, can you try to accept my love, give yourself a chance to get to know me, and give me a chance to love you?"

Coincidentally, Hua Yan's phone rang. Seeing it was Old Yang, she worried it might be urgent. She gave Hu Li an apologetic look and stepped aside to answer.

"Xiao Yan, where are you? I'll send someone to pick you up immediately," Old Yang asked urgently.

"I'm at a party. Is there movement from the drug dealers?"

"Yes, details later. Tell me your address, and someone will be there soon. Inform your father that I've already contacted the school."

"Understood."

She hung up and returned to Hu Li. "I'll answer your question after my business trip. Don’t ask where I'm going. I can’t say. Bye, see you later."

"Stay safe. I'll wait for you to come back," Hu Li immediately understood that Hua Yan had another mission. He worried about her safety but only said this.

Hua Yan hugged Hu Li. At this moment, she felt even his cold body could warm her heart.

Just as she reached the exit of the party, a Jeep pulled up in front of her, and Wu Lin was sitting in the driver's seat waiting for her.

"Get in."

"Have you been home?" Hua Yan asked Wu Lin as she got into the car.

Wu Lin pondered for a few seconds and said, "I haven't had the chance, maybe next time."

"Sigh, do you know what's going on? Old Yang was in such a hurry to get me."

"The foreign drug lords have manufactured a new batch of drugs. For the past month, we've been following a lead, thinking it was their main drug trafficking line. But we just received news that we were deceived. We've been tracking only people, not the drugs. Old Yang believes the drug lords might have already brought the drugs in or are secretly transporting them now."

"So tonight, have they found the hiding place of the drugs?"

"Not yet. To investigate this matter, one of our comrades infiltrating the drug lords' organization was unfortunately exposed. He was brutally murdered, and his body was not recovered. Old Yang hopes you can quickly and accurately identify which of our suspected points is the actual drug trafficking route."

"Let's hope the drug lords haven't moved too fast. Do we know the quantity of the drugs?"

"Same as last time."

"Five kilograms? They won't give up, will they? Determined to smuggle this five kilograms in."

"That's possible. You know they've been repeatedly thwarted in other developed countries, and now they've suffered a significant setback in our developing country as well. They can't afford to lose face... Do you remember Zhang Bing?"

"Yes, I remember. Has something happened to him again?"

"No, after he found out we had sent so much money to his family, he locked himself in his room for three days without eating or drinking. Then he knelt down and begged to infiltrate the drug lords' den to gather intelligence."

"What did Lao Qiao and the others say?"

"Commander Cheng from the Southern Military District disagreed, but Lao Qiao and Old Yang nodded. Zhang Bing was already with the drug lords last night."

"The line between good and bad is really thin. Zhang Bing is probably risking his life as an undercover agent."

"Maybe he wants to atone for his sins, at least not to disgrace his father any further. And every undercover agent has the Grim Reaper following them day and night." Wu Lin's words were filled with sorrow, and Hua Yan felt a pang in her heart. In times of peace, in places unseen by people, the blood of soldiers still flows, their sacrifices protecting this country and its people.