Chapter 901: Chapter 901

Old Master Qin saw that Ding Fan was so composed, and after hesitating for a moment, he and Elder Du decided to act as guarantors for the bet between the two men.

Elder Du and Old Master Qin were both prominent figures in Huaxia Country. With them acting as guarantors, Mao Zhen had no need to worry.

"President Ding, then we'll meet again in one month. I hope by then, you won't eat your words," Mao Zhen said to Ding Fan.

Ding Fan smiled. "Don't worry, I'll stay true to my word."

"If that's the case, we won't bother you any longer." With that, Mao Zhen stood up decisively.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with Old Master Qin, Mao Zhen and Elder Du left the Qin family villa.

"Ding Fan, this is about cancer treatment—how confident are you?" After sending off Mao Zhen and Elder Du, Old Master Qin frowned and asked Ding Fan.

"I should have some confidence." Ding Fan replied nonchalantly.

"The Sophie Group helped us during our country's difficulties years ago. If you lose this time, even if Sophie doesn't claim your company, the country will inevitably intervene." Old Master Qin said with a worried expression. The latest_epɪ_sodes are on_the 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵✶𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✶𝓷𝓮𝓽

"There's no need for you to worry about me, Old Master Qin. Since I have agreed, I'm confident I can handle it," Ding Fan replied, then turned to Qin Manshu.

"Manshu, go fetch the good wine I prepared in the car."

Qin Manshu nodded and went out of the villa to retrieve the wine that Ding Fan had brought.

Old Master Qin, being a notorious foodie, perked up upon hearing about the good wine. He immediately instructed the staff to prepare a fine spread to pair with the wine.

As for Ding Fan's matters, since Ding Fan had expressed confidence, it seemed he had a solution in mind. After all, a remarkable person like Ding Fan wasn't someone whose actions could be easily predicted.

Soon, the Qin family's staff had arranged a table of exquisite dishes.

With the food and wine served, Ding Fan accompanied Old Master Qin in drinking and merry-making.

After a few glasses, Old Master Qin couldn't stop praising the wine Ding Fan brought.

The wine was indeed of superior quality; Ding Fan had spent tens of thousands of silver on two bottles specifically. Given the price, the taste would naturally be exceptional.

"Ding Fan, the matter of Yongfan Island has been attracting a lot of attention lately." After downing a few glasses, Old Master Qin brought up the subject of Yongfan Island.

Ding Fan nodded. At the time of unifying Mali Island, they had even faced off against the Fass Nation. Although it hadn't escalated into war, it inevitably drew international attention.

"One of my former subordinates mentioned Yongfan Island to me recently. After you unified Yongfan Island, Vietnam, Myanmar, and India, all of which had previously claimed sovereignty, supposedly started gearing up with intent," Old Master Qin said.

Ding Fan nodded. These countries had been eyeing Yongfan Island for years; it seemed inevitable that conflict would arise sooner or later.

"Old Master Qin, do you have any suggestions for the current situation in Yongfan Island?" Ding Fan asked.

Despite being old now, Old Master Qin possessed remarkable insight, and as someone who had led troops, his strategic analysis would undoubtedly be extremely helpful.

Old Master Qin didn't hold back and said directly, "Right now, you are still too weak. Although you've carried out some military reforms, you would lose if you faced off against Vietnam, India, or Myanmar. So, aside from accelerating military development, you also need to leverage external forces."

"Leverage external forces?" Ding Fan looked at Old Master Qin.

Old Master Qin nodded. "By leveraging external forces, I mean using the surrounding armed powers to mutually restrain each other."

"Please elaborate." Ding Fan admitted he wasn't knowledgeable about such matters.

"For example, the reason these three countries are posturing over Yongfan Island without directly sending troops isn't due to fear of Yongfan Island's military might. What they truly fear is how other countries might react."

"You mean Vietnam, India, and Myanmar are checking and balancing each other?" Ding Fan asked.

Old Master Qin nodded. "Exactly. Therefore, you must reinforce these mutual suspicions they have. As for how to do this, you're clever enough to figure it out from here."

"Thank you, Old Master Qin, for your guidance."

"We're on the same side. What's there to thank for?" Old Master Qin said, raising his glass and leisurely drinking it down. "By the way, Ding Fan, when are you and my granddaughter getting married? I'm waiting for that wedding toast!"

Ding Fan did not expect such a sudden shift in Old Master Qin's thoughts—one moment discussing Yongfan Island's situation, and the next jumping to his lifelong matters.

For a moment, Ding Fan wasn't sure how to respond. After all, he had Ruoran and Ye Ningbing by his side too...

"Grandpa, don't bother guessing about my and Ding Fan's affairs. We'll handle our own matters ourselves," Qin Manshu said, hurriedly putting a fresh shrimp onto Old Master Qin's plate.

"You silly child, I'm getting old, so how can I not worry? If something happens and I don't get to taste the wedding wine, wouldn't that be a pity..."

"Grandpa… If you keep talking nonsense, I'll stop talking to you." Qin Manshu rolled her eyes at Old Master Qin.

Seeing Qin Manshu like that, Old Master Qin didn't press further. In his eyes, he cherished and doted on Qin Manshu deeply, often spoiling her.

This meal was quite harmonious and enjoyable.

After finishing the meal, Old Master Qin chatted further with Ding Fan over tea.

Unnoticed, the sky outside had grown dark. When Ding Fan intended to leave for home, Old Master Qin refused.

"What, is there no place to stay here? You'll stay at the house tonight. Come, have some more tea; it's rare for someone to keep me company, so take the chance to accompany this old man a bit longer."

Ding Fan couldn't refuse Old Master Qin's words.

After all, Qin Manshu was often too busy, leaving Old Master Qin lonely at times. It was only right to keep the elderly company.

But when it came time for bed, Ding Fan realized he'd once again been outmaneuvered by this cunning old fox.

Old Master Qin had arranged only one room for Ding Fan and Qin Manshu.

Ding Fan didn't need to look to know this was Old Master Qin's way of creating an opportunity for him and Qin Manshu.

Qin Manshu hadn't expected her grandfather to act this way either. Her face turned crimson. "I'll go find the maid to fix this…"

Before she could leave, Ding Fan stopped her.

"I think we should just stay as it is. The arrangement was made by your grandfather, and I doubt any maid would dare defy him by reassigning another room." Ding Fan smiled and said.

Qin Manshu agreed that Ding Fan made sense. She knew her grandfather's temperament well—anyone going against his arrangements would indeed cause complications.

With that, Ding Fan and Qin Manshu entered the room.

The bedroom was warm and cozy, with soft-colored walls, floor-length curtains, and gentle lighting, complemented by Qin Manshu's faint fragrance…

Anyone stepping into this room might struggle to resist the mental images it evoked…

Though Qin Manshu and Ding Fan had already confirmed their relationship, they hadn't yet taken the final step. Thinking about what might happen tonight, Qin Manshu's face grew rosier.

Ding Fan maintained his composure, yet the room's suggestive atmosphere made him unsure how to interact.

"Ding Fan, shall we sleep now…" Qin Manshu said softly, her usual image of a strong woman replaced by that of a shy, tender maiden, stirring an irresistible allure.

"Alright." Ding Fan nodded.

Qin Manshu approached and gently helped Ding Fan remove his jacket. Then she brought a basin of water to help him wash his feet.

Usually, Qin Manshu exuded mild aristocratic energy as a capable and dignified woman, but even Ding Fan hadn't expected her to show such softness and thoughtfulness.

After helping Ding Fan wash his feet, Qin Manshu headed to the bathroom to freshen up.

To avoid awkwardness, Ding Fan curled up in the quilt and closed his eyes.

After a short while, Qin Manshu emerged quietly from the bathroom, her movements careful and hesitant.

Though Ding Fan kept his eyes shut, he could tell from her footsteps that Qin Manshu was feeling shy...

She carefully opened the edge of the blanket and gently tucked it over Ding Fan before slipping into the quilt herself.

Ding Fan felt Manshu's body warmth as her faint scent lingered—delicate and intoxicating.

While reciting the Heart Clarity Spell to steady his thoughts, Qin Manshu unexpectedly leaned in and wrapped her arms around him.

The feel of Qin Manshu's satin nightwear prompted Ding Fan to imagine her flawless figure beneath…

"Ding Fan… I love you…" Qin Manshu's voice whispered in his ear.

Unable to hold back, Ding Fan turned around and pulled Qin Manshu tightly into his embrace.

As a man's man, he held the petite Qin Manshu firmly against him and fiercely captured her soft lips.

Though not their first kiss, this time Ding Fan was wild and passionate, sending Manshu into trembling ecstasy as she earnestly returned his fervor.

Gradually, Qin Manshu felt herself consumed by an uncontainable fiery passion that threatened to engulf her entire being.

"Ding Fan, I'm willing to give you everything…"

Her voice hovered like music near Ding Fan's ear.

He clearly understood her implication.

Yet Ding Fan slowed his actions, still embracing her, but no longer being as intense.

Qin Manshu opened her beautiful eyes, meeting Ding Fan's affectionate gaze.

"Manshu, we can't yet," Ding Fan said, kissing her gently again. "Until you enter the Foundation Establishment Stage, I can't take your chastity."

The Qi Cultivation Stage is critical for laying the foundation of cultivation. If a female cultivator loses her chastity at this stage, it becomes exceedingly difficult for her to advance to Foundation Establishment.

Ding Fan wasn't interested in fleeting pleasure; he sought a lasting bond, which explained his restraint.

Qin Manshu blinked her exquisite eyes, then softly kissed Ding Fan's lips.

"I'll wait patiently for the day you pick the fruit…"