Zhou Lu watched her husband's confused expression and immediately understood his unspoken question.
Should she reintroduce Liu Jingru?
She had no idea what Liu Jingru's current status was.
"Husband, why was Uncle so polite to her? I don't know either. My aunt's family is all here. You know their situation. Could their family know any important figures?" Zhou Lu said earnestly.
She knew very well what Liu Jingru's family was like. Liu Jingru worked at Ababa as a regular staff member. Her aunt and uncle were both office workers with an old house in Chengdu. Their circumstances were modest. Could such a family know important people?
Peng Gaojie nodded upon hearing this. He had been with Zhou Lu for several years and did have some understanding of Liu Jingru's family. He couldn't bring himself to question his uncle at the moment, so he could only assume Liu Jingru had some leverage over his uncle. His uncle was an upright person, so theoretically, he shouldn't have any weaknesses. Peng Gaojie was utterly baffled.
"Forget it, I'll go toast them first. Until I figure this out, I'll be polite to your cousin for now," Peng Gaojie shook his head, deciding not to dwell on it.
"I know, of course," Zhou Lu replied, then glanced back at Liu Jingru with a gaze full of intense jealousy. Today was her big day. She had married a good husband, and her uncle was a powerful figure. She was supposed to be the center of attention, showered with praise, but Liu Jingru had ruined all of that. Today, *she* was the protagonist of the wedding, yet Liu Jingru had stolen all the limelight.
Liu Zhongwu and Cai Wenli didn't overthink things. No matter what their daughter was like, she was their precious daughter.
The wedding ceremony gradually began and ended, and guests started to leave after dinner. Zhou Li, who had been busy backstage, emerged and casually ate a few bites at a table. Just then, Peng Gaojie and Zhou Lu returned after finishing their toasts.
Zhou Lu looked at Zhou Li and asked, "Lili, do you know how Jingru has been lately?"
"No, I haven't contacted her. What's up?" Zhou Li asked curiously.
"Nothing, just asking. Be polite to her from now on," Zhou Lu said.
"Why? Why should I be polite to Liu Jingru? It's she who should be polite to me; I'm her cousin," Zhou Li was even more confused.
"If your sister asks you to be polite, then be polite," Peng Gaojie chimed in.
Zhou Li, who was very obedient to her brother-in-law, nodded helplessly. It was undeniable; when people held higher positions, their words carried more weight. Zhou Lu knew her brother-in-law was capable and resourceful, and she would need his help in the future. If she displeased him, she wouldn't get anything out of it. She was counting on her brother-in-law to introduce her to some wealthy young man. Among the four groomsmen at this wedding, one was the son of a district chief, and he was quite handsome. If he could be introduced to her, that would be wonderful.
"Sister, brother-in-law, we're leaving after we finish eating," Cai Wenli came over and called out to Zhou Lu's parents.
"Alright, Wenli, take care on your way," Zhou Lu's mother instructed.
Meanwhile, Peng Gui, who had been sitting not far from Liu Jingru, saw her family preparing to leave. He quickly got up and hurried after them, saying cordially, "Miss Liu, I'll have someone drive you back."
"Secretary Peng, there's no need to trouble yourself. We just finished eating, and my parents and I will take a walk around," Liu Jingru politely declined Peng Gui's offer.
"Alright, please take care. We apologize if the reception was not adequate; please forgive us," Peng Gui said politely again.
"It was very good. Goodbye, Secretary Peng," Liu Jingru said, then left with her parents.
Peng Gui breathed a sigh of relief as Liu Jingru departed.
After Liu Jingru left, Peng Gaojie immediately got up and walked towards Peng Gui, with Zhou Lu following closely.
"Uncle, what exactly is Jingru's situation?" Peng Gaojie finally asked the question that had been on his mind.
"What situation? Do you think I'm foolish? She is someone you cannot possibly reach. Just because you haven't seen something doesn't mean it doesn't exist. She is your cousin now. If you can maintain a good relationship with her, you will gain unexpected benefits," Peng Gui said in a reprimanding tone to Peng Gaojie.
"This... does Jingru have a special identity?" Peng Gaojie asked.
"Let me put it this way: if Deputy Governor Qu himself were to come, he would still be polite to her. She is no longer the cousin you perceive her to be," Peng Gui stated, then left, leaving Peng Gaojie and Zhou Lu in utter shock.
Deputy Governor Qu himself would be polite to Liu Jingru? Why?
"Holy cow..."
However, they couldn't help but believe Peng Gui's words. Zhou Lu, in particular, was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. To see an ugly duckling suddenly become someone she had to look up to was more disgusting than eating excrement.
"Husband, Li Bing wants me to introduce Jingru to him. Should I still introduce her?" Zhou Lu asked with a troubled expression.
"Introduce her for what? If you dare to introduce her, do you think he would dare to accept her?" Peng Gaojie shook his head and turned to leave.
After leaving the hotel, Liu Jingru accompanied her parents for a walk before going to find Xia Lin.
...
Tiantai Mountain.
Xia Feng and a few others emerged from the barrier. Inside, there were some cultivation techniques, but they were not very useful. These techniques were not suitable for their cultivation. It could be said that this trip to Tiantai Mountain yielded nothing. They could only consider it a trip for relaxation.
"Benefactor, please allow me to stay by your side and serve you," Murong Tiangu knelt down and said. He knew he would be dismissed once they left and did not want to leave. He was a lone cultivator with no ties and nowhere to go. Having finally found a guiding figure, he was unwilling to depart.
"How about this: I'll arrange a task for you. You'll temporarily join the Dragon Group. If your presence is required somewhere, you'll step forward. Once Xiao Long's cultivation reaches the level of a Land Immortal, we'll consider arrangements for your future," Xia Feng said, looking at Murong Tiangu.
Currently, the strongest member of the Dragon Group was Long Aotian, who had not yet achieved Land Immortal cultivation. Cultivation was not something to be rushed; it required slow consolidation. It wouldn't be too late to arrange for Murong Tiangu once Xia Feng helped Long Aotian's cultivation reach the Land Immortal level.
"Yes, Benefactor," Murong Tiangu readily agreed without hesitation.
Long Aotian, standing beside them, was also filled with excitement. His master had just said that arrangements for Murong Tiangu's future would be considered once his cultivation reached the Land Immortal level. Wasn't this just a matter of time before he became a Land Immortal?
"Greetings, Group Leader," while Long Aotian was in a daze, Murong Tiangu bowed to him.
"No need for formalities. I'll arrange for you when we return to Modu," Long Aotian waved his hand.
With such a formidable new member, the Dragon Group's strength was greatly enhanced. Although Murong Tiangu was a cultivator, he was also a Chinese citizen, and the responsibility of protecting China was one he would not shirk.