C36 Personal Experience

At the party, a buzz of whispers and wide-eyed stares swept through the crowd as many witnessed an unexpected scene, sparking a wildfire of gossip among the attendees.

One guest murmured in disbelief, "Oh my goodness! Am I hallucinating? Our stoic General Edi is tenderly escorting a beautiful young lady?"

Another exclaimed with dramatic flair, "Oh, oh! My heart is in pieces!"

Curious voices rose, "Who is that stunning woman? Is she part of the military?"

People began discreetly inquiring about Yang Chuxia's identity among their acquaintances.

Concerned about her social standing, Mrs. Aurelian held back from stopping Edi as he left with Yang Chuxia. Instead, she approached Sean, "Major Sean, could you please inform me who that young lady is?"

Sean, noting Mrs. Aurelian's struggle to maintain her composure, responded respectfully, "Good evening, Mrs. Aurelian. She is Sergeant Yang Chuxia, the medic from our Flying Eagle Combat Group."

"The medic? The one who performed surgery on Edi without authorization?" Mrs. Aurelian's eyebrows lifted, her expression turning stern.

Sean replied with calm assurance, "Mrs. Aurelian, I believe there's been a misunderstanding. The general was in critical condition. If Dr. Yang hadn't operated when she did, we might not have the honor of seeing the general alive before us today."

Unsurprised by Mrs. Aurelian's reaction, Sean knew that the general and his parents had a strained relationship.

With a huff, Mrs. Aurelian's expression eased slightly, "I will investigate this. However, let it be known that a mere military doctor is not suitable to be our daughter-in-law!" With that, she turned sharply and left in a huff.

Their conversation was quiet, lost in the noise of the party, and went unnoticed by others.

Sean sighed and went off to find some quiet entertainment.

Edi, hand in hand with Yang Chuxia, made his way through the crowd. Senior Officers looked on with curiosity and admiration, greeting the couple warmly.

Some even joked with Edi, "Is this your girlfriend, Edi? Introduce us. It seems the sun has finally risen from the west!"

Edi just smiled, remaining silent, and continued to a room with Yang Chuxia. Inside, she was surprised to see the officer she had previously met at the restaurant.

Cliff was engrossed in a lively conversation with a strikingly beautiful woman on the sofa when Yang Chuxia entered, causing both to look up in surprise. Cliff stood, arms outstretched, and exclaimed, "Oh my God! Edi, is this the beautiful Dr. Yang I met before? What's that saying—'the clothes make the person'?"

Edi gave him a quick hug and, with a smile, introduced Yang Chuxia, "Meet Major General Cliff Reg, the paparazzi's ringleader!"

Cliff immediately objected, "Dr. Yang, pay no attention to Edi's ramblings. I'm with the Central Intelligence Agency, and this," he gestured to the woman who had stood up with him, "is Major Lafite, my secretary." He then moved to embrace Yang Chuxia.

Edi gave him a stern look, and Cliff, with a shrug, changed the embrace into a handshake.

Yang Chuxia, finding humor in Edi's characterization of the CIA Senior Officer as a paparazzi chief, shook hands warmly. "A pleasure to meet you, General Cliff! And you as well, Major Lafite!"

Lafite greeted Edi and then turned to Yang Chuxia with a grin, "Hello, Dr. Yang!" She took Yang Chuxia by the hand, leading her to sit on the opposite side of the sofa. "Let's sit over here, a safe distance from the two most cunning individuals in the entire Alliance."

Yang Chuxia was astounded by Lafite's audacity in calling out General Cliff and General Edi to their faces!

Edi, with his long strides, took a seat next to Cliff and clarified for Yang Chuxia, "Lafite isn't actually Cliff's secretary; she's his girlfriend, a top agent at the CIA, and also a team leader."

"Wow! Lafite, that's amazing!" Yang Chuxia exclaimed, her eyes filled with admiration.

Cliff, piqued with interest, inquired, "Is it the fact that she's my girlfriend that impresses you, or that she's a team leader?"

Lafite laughed heartily and teased, "Cliff, could you be any more self-absorbed?"

Yang Chuxia shook her head, "It's neither! I just think that anyone who can be a special agent is impressive, and being a top agent is downright extraordinary!"

Lafite, dramatically touched, declared, "Best friend, you truly get me!"

Yang Chuxia couldn't help but laugh, realizing that Cliff and Lafite were truly a match made in heaven.

Lafite, taking Yang Chuxia's hand, suggested, "Let's go grab something to eat and give our friends some time to themselves."

Yang Chuxia looked to Edi, who nodded with a smile.

Once they had left the room, Cliff playfully punched Edi in the chest and teased, "Kid, you've got good taste! You've snagged yourself a treasure. But surely, you didn't bring her here just to seek refuge, did you?"

Edi responded nonchalantly, "Do I strike you as the type to flee?"

Cliff shook his head, poured a glass of red wine for Edi, and said, "You're not fooling anyone. I know for a fact that your parents and your arranged date, Major General Jenny Antonia, will be there tonight! Showing off the Military Doctor now might not be the wisest choice."

After a sip of wine, Cliff eyed Edi's calm expression and nudged, "When did you start falling for her? You've certainly made your move quickly."

At that, Edi raised an eyebrow in question.

"Don't pretend I haven't seen it. Those bruises on the Military Doctor's wrist didn't just appear on their own, right?"

"Is that your evidence?" Edi asked, his tone laced with skepticism.

"You're out of the loop," Cliff said proudly. "A woman who's recently been in love has a certain radiance. When we picked you up, Yang Chuxia was a green Military Doctor. Just a few hours later, she's turned into a blooming rose! Don't try to tell me you had no hand in that change!"

Edi, momentarily speechless at Cliff's assertion, finally downed his wine and remarked, "Am I to assume that this is part of the essential curriculum for Central Intelligence Agency operatives?"

Cliff laughed heartily and responded, "No, no, this is from my personal experience!"

At that moment, Lafite walked in and casually asked, "What personal experience?"

Surprised by her sudden question, Cliff choked on his wine, then quickly flashed a winsome smile and replied, "Professional experience!"

Edi gave Cliff a knowing look, stood up, and reached out to Yang Chuxia, asking, "You're back already?"

Before Yang Chuxia could respond, Lafite cut in, "There's a stunning red-haired female general outside looking for someone. Dr. Yang and I came back to let you know!"

Cliff, upon hearing this, shot Edi a sly wink, clearly expecting some interesting developments.

Edi glanced at Yang Chuxia and coaxed her to sit beside him, murmuring, "You're alright, aren't you? No one's been troubling you?"