Retired for A Hundred Years: Re-Employment for the Apocalypse Bigshot!-Chapter 347 - 342: A Different Path, Not My Specialty
In the winter, Anhe City experiences less precipitation.
In previous years, it rarely snowed in winter, and the snowfall wasn’t significant.
No one expected that as Bai Xiaotang and his group prepared to camp, snowflakes suddenly began to fall from the sky, growing heavier and eventually closing the road to Jiuming Mountain.
The camping plan ended without progress, and the group was stranded at a guesthouse at the foot of the mountain.
The bored group headed to the dining hall to play board games, with Ji Ning, Huang Ying, and Ye Xingyan also present.
However, Huang Ying and Ye Xingyan were disguised.
The three, along with Lin Yuanyang, sat at a table near the window.
Ji Ning held a bottle of beer, gazing at the snowy scene outside, while Huang Ying beside her was peeling and eating soybeans.
Lin Yuanyang and Ye Xingyan were engrossed in a tablet, discussing something unknown.
Despite their outward differences, the four appeared unusually calm.
As Ye Xingyan looked at the string of data on the screen, his eyes grew brighter, and he harbored the thought of taking Lin Yuanyang away, but a glance at Ji Ning drinking across from him stifled that thought.
"Xiao Yang, come quickly! I’m about to lose..." a call rang out, making Lin Yuanyang roll his eyes and stand up impatiently to join them.
Ye Xingyan looked over, slightly surprised—just like that?
He cast a sidelong glance at the unresponsive Ji Ning and Huang Ying, then shifted his gaze to Bai Xiaotang.
His eyes were full of wonder.
"Ahem..." A light cough served as a warning, drawing Ye Xingyan’s attention back to the screen before him.
"Have you made contact?"
Ye Xingyan’s heart tensed, and he shook his head slightly.
Ji Ning spoke no more, the subsequent silence making Ye Xingyan sweat nervously.
Even the boisterous laughter from the card-playing group nearby couldn’t ease his tension.
Then, pulling him from his thoughts, Ji Ning said, "Let’s change places."
Hmm???
Ye Xingyan was puzzled, following Ji Ning’s gaze as he turned his head, his pupils dilating and blood rushing to his head.
At the dining hall’s entrance, a group of people walked in, led by three individuals—two men and a woman.
The two men had ordinary faces, scanning the hall as they entered, their eyes locking onto Ji Ning before walking over.
"Hi, Ning, my old friend." Joe Lane approached with wide-open arms, his voice full of warmth.
Behind him were Fu Linyang and Ye Xiangying from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Joe Lane’s voice, though not loud, resonated through the spacious dining hall, catching the attention of nearby board game groups who curiously sized them up.
"Isn’t that the foreigner from the video?"
"Someone from the Lane family?"
"What’s his name again?"
"Joe Lane, the third heir of the Lane family..."
Joe Lane was recently famous due to his visit to the Hua Continent, causing the Ai Ning Team to instantly recognize him.
Fortunately, there weren’t many people in the dining hall at the moment, or else phones would have been shoved in Joe Lane’s face.
Along with the trio entered soldiers from the Jiuming Mountain Base and their bodyguards.
Upon arrival, they ensured anyone taking photos or videos deleted them.
The previously cheerful atmosphere in the dining hall dissipated.
Ji Ning slightly frowned, downing the rest of his beer before standing and saying, "Let’s find another place to talk."
Joe Lane had no objections, having chosen to stay at the guesthouse upon learning Ji Ning was there.
The Jiuming Mountain guesthouse did have a conference room; the group didn’t leave the building, just took a few turns, rode the elevator, and arrived at the conference room.
Ye Xingyan, forced to move with them, had a now expressionless face.
He didn’t know why the Jiazhou ambassador suddenly showed up at the guesthouse, bringing along two acquaintances.
This wasn’t favorable for his disguise.
Especially since Ye Xiangying was very familiar with him.
Walking near Ji Ning, Fu Linyang and Ye Xiangying took several glances at Huang Ying and Ye Xingyan, assuming they were Ji Ning’s teammates, detectives from the Security Department, without thinking much further.
"Why are you here?" Ji Ning asked directly after sitting down.
Joe Lane smiled, "There’s something I want to discuss with you."
Fu Linyang and Ye Xiangying seemed to already know Joe Lane’s intention, a trace of joy shimmering in their eyes.
"What is it?"
"I want to ask for your help in perfecting the Ryan Body Refining Technique."
Ji Ning was a bit surprised, glancing at Fu Linyang and Ye Xiangying before saying without hesitation, "No need for perfection."
Joe Lane thought Ji Ning would certainly agree, just like the officials from the Hua Continent’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but he didn’t expect Ji Ning to refuse, filled with confusion, "Why?"
He felt a bit aggrieved inside.
"It’s not my field; I’m not skilled in it," Ji Ning replied calmly.
Joe Lane felt a little better, his face lifting in an earnest smile, "No problem, in terms of Body Refinement, you Huazhou people are..." Joe Lane praised with a thumbs up, his expression of admiration greatly pleasing everyone around.
After all, the international competition in Body Refinement has been a point of pride for the Huazhou people.
"You don’t need to flatter me; I won’t leave the Hua Continent," Ji Ning’s words caused Joe Lane’s expression to freeze, then reluctantly respond, "Not even for a short time?"
Ji Ning’s demeanor indicated no room for negotiation.
Aiming to facilitate this matter, Ye Xiangying couldn’t help but speak, "Mr. Ji..."
Before she could finish, Ji Ning shot her a look, "Shut up!"
The sudden harshness made Ye Xiangying’s face pale, a lump of frustration caught in her chest.
Ji Ning then gave Fu Linyang a warning glance as well, and he wisely kept silent.
Ji Ning turned back to Joe Lane, saying coldly, "The Ryan Body Refining Technique is already quite good; there’s no need for further improvement, wouldn’t you agree?"
Joe Lane’s expression was somewhat unnatural, seemingly embarrassed after Ji Ning’s refusal, he forced a smile, "Alright then."
The atmosphere in the room was subtly tense.
Most people somewhat understood that there seemed to be a confrontation between them, but what was there to confront about this?
Huang Ying quizzically picked at her fingers, glancing at Ye Xingyan unintentionally, noticing his eyes harshly fixed on Joe Lane with a subtle hint of killing intent beneath them.
Hmm???
Not wanting to sour his relationship with Ji Ning, Joe Lane soon brought up another topic.
"Ning, you promised to show me around Anhe City."
Ji Ning’s lips slightly curled, revealing a faint smile: "Unfortunately, the weather isn’t great."
The heavy atmosphere lightened up thanks to Ji Ning’s smile, putting Huang Ying at ease as well.
The two began to chat casually, steering away from sensitive topics between the two continents.
Watching them chat happily, Ye Xiangying felt very uncomfortable, especially with Ji Ning’s earlier attitude, which seemed to trample her dignity.
She interrupted their conversation, "Excuse me, I need to visit the restroom."
Without caring about their reactions, she instantly stood up and walked out.
Ye Xingyan watched his niece’s back, letting out a cold snort.
Inside he cursed: Foolish...
