Lu Ming shook his head repeatedly in embarrassment, "No, I absolutely cannot accept this."
He vividly recalled the last time Peng Ying sought trouble in Xunrong, which led to Lu Ming being disliked by both Jiang Mengxin and Jiang Lan. The memories were still fresh, making him even more hesitant to meet Peng Ying casually.
Let alone sacrificing his charm.
However, Dong Gang seemed to have grasped Lu Ming's weakness and said, "Mr. Lu, in the face of national righteousness, what is a small personal sacrifice?"
This... a precise strike at Lu Ming's weak point!
Lu Ming was someone who wouldn't budge to threats or persuasion, but his sense of national mission was extremely strong, and he wasn't afraid of sacrifice.
Despair.
Lu Ming took a large bite of pig liver, his mouth filled with bitterness, "Dong Gang, you truly have me cornered."
Dong Gang laughed heartily, poured a glass of wine, and said, "Mr. Lu, you have worked hard for the Chinese nation. I toast you."
Lu Ming drank the wine with him with a wry smile.
The meal lasted until past eight in the evening. Seeing that it was getting late, they parted ways.
Lu Ming returned to Xunrong. After a night of deep consideration, he arrived at the White Lotus Sect's Star Saint Envoy's church the next day. The first words he uttered upon entering were, "I want to see Peng Ying."
The person in charge of reception was the deputy of the Moon Saint Envoy, He Honghui. Upon seeing Lu Ming, he was both surprised and delighted.
Surprised because he didn't know why Lu Ming would come.
Delighted because He Honghui still had an agreement with the White Lotus Sect's Left Protector: if he could eliminate Lu Ming, He Honghui would be made the Moon Saint Envoy.
He hadn't expected Lu Ming to walk right into his trap today.
He Honghui looked at Lu Ming coldly and sneered, "What do you take our White Lotus Sect for? A place you can come to whenever you please, to see whomever you want? What is the Star Saint Envoy's status, that she would meet you casually?"
Lu Ming glared at He Honghui and said, "Are you sure you won't announce me? If I turn around and leave now, and Peng Ying finds out later that I came but you prevented me from seeing her, what do you think will happen?"
He Honghui's brow furrowed, visibly displeased.
He didn't want Lu Ming to see Peng Ying. But now, everyone in the White Lotus Sect knew Peng Ying was fond of Lu Ming. If he, a mere deputy, stood in the way, would he still want to live?
If Peng Ying found out, she would skin He Honghui alive.
He Honghui, being adept at reading people's minds, would never make such a foolish mistake. He would never gamble with his own life.
"Wait here."
Though very displeased, He Honghui grudgingly went to announce Lu Ming.
Five minutes later.
Peng Ying rushed over in a flurry, as if on fire. There was no trace of the composure expected of a Star Saint Envoy.
She hurried over, grabbed Lu Ming's hand, and exclaimed excitedly, "Lu Ming, you've finally come to your senses! Are you willing to abandon Jiang Mengxin and marry me? Come, let's go to the Civil Affairs Bureau to get our marriage certificate right now!"
What the heck.
What was wrong with this woman?
Lu Ming dreaded dealing with such "shameless" women. She was far too enthusiastic.
"Ahem." Lu Ming awkwardly withdrew his hand and said, "I'm sorry, you've misunderstood. I'm not here to get married today. I need your help with something."
Oh?
Peng Ying smiled, "Go ahead, what do you need help with?"
Lu Ming stated directly, "The day after tomorrow, a foreigner named Logan from the Beautiful Country is coming here to stir up trouble? I heard only a select few can meet him, and I want to witness it myself."
Peng Ying narrowed her eyes and said, "There is such a matter. Logan is coming to Jinling to establish a noble school and needs an establishment license. The exhibition conference to be held the day after tomorrow is to showcase his teaching abilities to the mayor and parents of 100 outstanding students. Lu Ming, you haven't even gotten married yet, nor do you have children. Are you interested in this noble school?"
Lu Ming explained, "I have a goddaughter, and I want her to receive a quality education. Therefore, I want to see what Logan's capabilities are. If he is indeed strong, I will enroll my goddaughter in his noble school. Peng Ying, I need your help to get me into the exhibition conference the day after tomorrow, can you do it?"
Although Peng Ying was a love-struck fool, she wasn't stupid. Her status as a White Lotus Sect Star Saint Envoy indicated she possessed absolute capability. How could she be easily fooled by such a flimsy excuse from Lu Ming?
She looked at Lu Ming with a half-smile, not exposing his lie.
A moment later.
Peng Ying said with a smile, "Getting you in is just a word from me, it's incredibly simple. But you're not my husband, nor are you an internal member of the White Lotus Sect. Why should I let you in? Unless you get married to me, I won't agree to help you."
This was too much!
She was forcing him to marry her?
Lu Ming's scalp tingled. He had anticipated this outcome early on and had a plan.
He said, "Marriage is out of the question."
Peng Ying said, "Then share a room with me."
"That's also out of the question."
Peng Ying then said, "Then accompany me for meals, shopping, and movies. Make me happy and start by being my boyfriend."
"No."
Three consecutive "no's" nearly drove Peng Ying mad.
She put her hands on her hips and said indignantly, "Nothing is acceptable? Then this is how you ask for a favor? No? Then don't bother attending the exhibition conference. Leave, the White Lotus Sect doesn't welcome you!"
He Honghui, standing nearby, chuckled. He enjoyed seeing Lu Ming and Peng Ying at odds.
However, Lu Ming had foreseen all of this.
Taking a deep breath.
Lu Ming said calmly, "Peng Ying, I remember you love music very much. The last time I played the piano, I saw how entranced you were. You can be considered my soulmate."
These words made Peng Ying blush a little.
She asked, "What do you mean? Trying to butter me up? Let me tell you, it won't work!"
Lu Ming smiled, "How about this, I'll show you a special skill that I've never displayed to outsiders before. If you're satisfied, then you'll agree to help me, okay?"
Special skill?
Peng Ying looked at Lu Ming with great interest, "What special skill? Tell me."
Lu Ming uttered four words: "Absolute pitch."
Absolute pitch, for anyone who loved music, understood immediately upon hearing it.
Simply put, it was the ability to discern the pitch of an instrument or ambient sound without any reference note.
It sounded simple, but was incredibly difficult to achieve.
Among the well-known musicians in all of China, only two possessed this ability. Worldwide, only seven people had absolute pitch.
It was a superpower born from a combination of talent and effort.
Those who could achieve it were monsters!
It was indeed a special skill!
Peng Ying looked at Lu Ming in astonishment, exclaiming, "Lu Ming, you are truly a treasure trove. I always unearth extraordinary gems from you. I like you more and more."