King Of War: Starting with Arms Dealer

Ethiopia, Addis Ababa International Airport!

Twenty-year-old Qiao Liang, lugging two large suitcases, chased after a slightly chubby girl, wearing an apologetic smile and repeatedly saying sorry.

An elderly couple followed behind them, the two senior citizens holding hands and smilingly watching the younger pair's antics without interfering.

After receiving a call from his older brother, Qiao Liang didn't ask his classmates to change their flight tickets; instead, he decided to come over first with his girlfriend, Tong Tong.

As a second-generation poor boy accustomed to splitting a penny in two, even though his older brother sent him money every month, it hadn't changed his thrifty habits.

From the capital city to Guangzhou on an express train, to take care of his girlfriend, Qiao Liang gritted his teeth and bought two sleeper tickets.

Then, upon reaching Guangzhou, they met up with Tong Tong's grandparents. They boarded the famously cheap Ethiopian Airlines and, after enduring 18 hours in economy class, finally arrived in Addis Ababa.

Qiao Liang found it bearable; taking his first airplane flight abroad was actually quite thrilling for him.

But for his girlfriend, Tong Tong, who was slightly overweight and generally good-natured, it wasn't okay. She was overwhelmed by the itinerary Qiao Liang had arranged and the horrible smell on the plane.

What was most important was that Tong Tong's grandparents, worried about the two young people, insisted on coming along. All along the way, Qiao Liang's stingy actions made Tong Tong feel as if her grandparents were being made to watch a comedy of errors.

People who are used to being miserly often don't perceive a problem with themselves because they are the same with everyone, including themselves.

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Compared to a frazzled Tong Tong from the harrowing journey, her grandparents actually had a favorable view of Qiao Liang.

Tong Tong's family was quite well-off; her grandparents were retired cadres from the Planning Bureau. Since their retirement, the couple had been traveling all over the world.

They started with early trips to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, followed by Bay Island, Harbour Island, then ten countries in Europe, and afterwards, Australia and the United States.

The couple's retirement pensions were sufficient, and with their children's support, they could afford their travels, which usually involved frugal adventures, so they found Qiao Liang's itinerary appropriate.

Having traveled the world and seen everything, how could they be bothered by young people who were fussy and spendthrifts during their travels? They appreciated Qiao Liang's practical approach much more.

Watching their granddaughter getting annoyed didn't worry them; they simply followed behind the two youngsters, watching Qiao Liang's awkward attempts to please, which made the elderly couple feel years younger.

Qiao Liang managed two huge suitcases, looking somewhat flustered as one of the wheels was broken.

Awkwardly following after Tong Tong, Qiao Liang said in resignation, "Tong Tong, Tong Tong, don't be mad, alright? I admit I was wrong."

Tong Tong pouted angrily, turned to look at Qiao Liang, whose face was all smiles, and said, "What did you do wrong?"

Qiao Liang had no idea what he had done wrong, and with a nervous laugh, he scratched his head and said, "You're mad, so it must be my fault. Don't be mad anymore, Grandpa and Grandma are still behind us~"

Upon hearing this, Tong Tong looked back at her smiling grandparents, felt a bit embarrassed, hummed, and then, feeling it was not enough, she bit Qiao Liang's hand.

Seeing Qiao Liang's feigned cries of pain, she assertively pinched him twice, ranting, "It stinks so bad, that big, black, fat guy on the plane smelled awful..."

While laughing, Tong Tong proceeded to scratch Qiao Liang a few times and said, "That guy was burping and farting in his sleep, how could you stand it?

Next time I want to upgrade, and if you disagree, I'll, I'll bite you to death!"

Qiao Liang, still trying to keep the peace with a smile, said, "I was wrong, I was wrong. For your sake, I even sprayed that guy with mosquito repellent, but it's not like he did it on purpose.

Next time, if business class has a discount, I'll definitely try it."

Looking at the smile on Qiao Liang's face, Tong Tong grumbled 'liar', then stuffed her phone into his hand, turned around and grabbed her grandparents, moving to the side and saying, "Take a photo for us, I want to send it to my mom, tell her we've arrived in Africa."

As Qiao Liang nodded eagerly, Tong Tong's grandpa stylishly pulled out a selfie stick, chuckling, "If we're taking a picture, it should be all of us. The young man is very decent; it's just this girl who is being difficult.

First and foremost, we 'play' on a trip. Instead of spending money on first-class, better to do something more meaningful."

While talking, the old man gestured for Qiao Liang to come over and said, "Xiao Qiao, come over here for a group photo to keep as a souvenir. It's also our first time in Africa, and this time we'll be relying on your brother."

Qiao Liang hastened to join them, saying, "No trouble at all, no trouble at all. My brother has been in Africa for many years now, so acting as your tour guide or such should be no problem."

Upon hearing this, Tong Tong, arm in arm with her grandparents, giggled and said, "Old Tong, Old Yuan, his brother is really rich. He's set up an Animal Rescue Center in Central Africa, with lions and elephants.

It's just him who's stingy. Don't listen to him. I've talked to his brother, and he said he could take us to Central Africa for a month."

Mid-sentence, anger surged within Tong Tong again. She feigned a kick at Qiao Liang and then tugged at her grandma, complaining, "His brother had booked us first-class tickets on Emirates Airline, but he insisted on canceling and rebooking. I wanted to pay to upgrade, and he wouldn't agree.

Grandma, tell me, isn't he awful? His stinginess is driving me crazy."

As her grandpa raised the selfie stick, Grandma Yuan instinctively leaned on her husband's shoulder with a smile, pinching her granddaughter's chubby face, all contributing to a slightly comical family photo.

After taking the photo, I checked Grandpa Tong's craftsmanship and found that the old man's photography skills were quite exquisite. Then Grandma Yuan, with her arm around her granddaughter, smiled and said, " Isn't Xiao Qiao just wonderful?

You spend your parents' money like it's a badge of honor.

Your mom called me numerous times, telling me to keep an eye on you so you don't let little Qiao suffer any losses. Look, we've barely gotten off the plane and you're already giving her dirty looks."

Tong Tong glared at Qiao Liang, who kept chuckling dumbly, and then incredulously said, "What kind of love potion have you fed them? Am I the biological one or is he?"

Grandma Yuan chuckled and pinched Tong Tong's face, saying, "I don't know about that, but I think Xiao Qiao is just fine. I bet your mom and I feel the same way."

Realizing the situation, Tong Tong grabbed Qiao Liang's arm, looked at him sternly, and demanded, "Qiao Liang, come clean, how did you win over Grandma Yuan's heart?"

Qiao Liang kept chuckling and didn't say a word. Grandpa Tong spoke up, "This past year, whenever we went to the hospital in the Capital City, wasn't it Xiao Qiao who accompanied us?

Fixing phones, repairing computers, washing photos, picking fishing rods... Xiao Qiao can do anything, unlike you who just eats and sleeps carelessly without a worry in the world.

Hurry up and grab your luggage. You need Xiao Qiao's help for everything; people might think you're handicapped. Even I, an old man almost in his seventies, am doing better than you."

Tong Tong is an outgoing girl; faced with her grandparents' critique, she covered her eyes and cried out twice for attention, but seeing that no one cared, she angrily dragged Qiao Liang away...

"Let's go; leave the luggage for Old Tong and Old Yuan. I'm starving. There's a McDonald's up ahead, and I want to eat two burgers."

Qiao Liang wasn't stingy when it came to eating; he grabbed his luggage with a broken wheel and, after telling the elders where they were headed, pulled his girlfriend along as they ran to find food.

The two charged into McDonald's, and while in line, Tong Tong began counting on her fingers, calculating how much she could eat.

"Hmm, I want a burger, a chicken burger probably won't make me fat..."

Qiao Liang nodded and said, "You're not fat at all, just perfect now, but don't eat too much. My brother said he's coming to pick us up, and he'll arrange a meal.

It would be a pity to eat too much now and not have room later."

Tong Tong turned her head and glared at Qiao Liang, who had dampened her spirits; just as she was about to speak, she noticed a tall figure standing behind them...

"Brother?"

Qiao Liang was startled for a moment, then turned around and joyfully exclaimed, "Brother, how did you get in here?"

As he spoke, Qiao Liang grinned widely and hugged Joe Ga, who had suddenly appeared, and then with teary eyes said, "Brother, Mom and Dad weren't in pain when they passed away. They told you not to worry..."

Joe Ga felt as if he had been punched in the nose, and his eyes instantly reddened.

Looking at his brother, who was nearly as tall as himself, Joe Ga firmly patted him on the shoulder and said, "It's my fault, you've had it tough!"

Feeling the mood getting heavier, Joe Ga blinked hard to hold back the tears and, turning to Tong Tong, said, "So you're Tong Tong? You're much prettier in person than in the videos. No wonder Qiao Liang always praises you!"

After looking around, Joe Ga then asked, "Where are your grandparents?"

Tong Tong, flattered by Joe Ga upon their first meeting, shyly responded to his question by pointing down the corridor, "They're coming..."

With that, Tong Tong bolted out of the fast food restaurant, jumping and waving as she called out, "Old Tong, Old Yuan, hurry up..."

Joe Ga couldn't let the two elders hurry along; he patted his brother on the back and quickly went to greet them.

"Grandpa, Grandma, hello, I'm Qiao Liang's brother, Joe Ga."

With a chuckle, Joe Ga gave Qiao Liang a pat on the back and said apologetically, "This kid doesn't know how to arrange things. You've worked hard. I've prepared a car outside. Let's find a place to rest and eat."

Grandpa Tong gave Joe Ga, who had a strong presence, a look and then compared him to the simple Qiao Liang. He laughed and nodded, "I've heard about you, you're even stronger than I imagined.

Our main purpose for coming was to make sure these two kids were taken care of and to fulfill our own dream of visiting Africa.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

If we've caused any inconvenience..."

Joe Ga interrupted quickly, "No, no, no, no inconvenience at all!

Qiao Liang has always been thoughtful since he was a child, and he's become much more cheerful thanks to Tong Tong and Uncle, Auntie, Grandpa, and Grandma's care. He's received a lot of your help.

In my heart, you two are like my own family, so please don't mention any inconvenience; otherwise, I wouldn't know where to stand."

As he spoke, Joe Ga had Qiao Liang take all the luggage, waved off two black men in suits who wanted to help, and then said to Tong Tong, who was hopping over excitedly, "No need to queue up. I've had someone buy it and put it in the car so you can have a snack on the way. Don't eat too much though. I'm taking you to eat something really good.

Even though Africa is poor, the wealthy here still know how to eat. The beef here is really delicious. I've had your sister-in-law make arrangements, so let's go have a taste together."