Chapter 10

As the car got closer to the downtown area, Yao Ling and Peng Zedong both kept talking about the things that were happening in their lives while the two haven't seen each other in the past two years. The others around them just remained quiet as the girls talked during the entire ride.

It was normal for Peng Zedong's bodyguards to know her even more than she knew herself, but they would never engage in conversation between her and others, they would only discuss everything among themselves at a later time. They cared more about protecting Peng Zedong versus anything outside of that.

If something was mentioned that her father or the elders of the Peng family needed to hear, they would of course report these details to them. But, since Peng Zedong was in the dark about who her father truly was behind closed doors, her friends would in most cases be the same way.

Still, many instances would be discussed with Peng Zedong such as someone randomly disappearing or even thieves in particular areas springing up. Little did she know, these sort of details really did allow the Peng family to always remain in control.

"You may not believe this, but just as your father tried to set you up with countless men, my family tried to do the same for me. The best part is that since no one wanted an outside force to take over the family, none of those men were able to receive a marriage arrangement with me."

"If I had to guess, I think that it would be very strange if I do not end up with someone who I would actually respect and like. Us women all deserve a prince charming that could sweep us off our feet while trumpets playing in the background!"

"Other than that, my family has been pressured by several of the territories that we own. Outside looking in, you wouldn't think that my Iron Continent wasn't peaceful, however, when you look at the families such as mine and how we need to operate, it is everything but peaceful.

"These past two years due to how the Flower Continent has been evolving slowly within your borders, many thugs and criminals felt that they could try to start a revolution and follow in the same footsteps."

"But unlike your government and those who hold almost all of the power, my Iron Continent is in fact divided into the four spheres of influence which my family completely controls one of them. So we have nothing to worry about, because all we needed to do was begin a bounty system which completely ruined any of those criminal plans." Yao Ling explained to Peng Zedong with confidence.

It was true that even the most powerful and influential of families and organizations on the Flower Continent, still had no way of guaranteeing that it wouldn't be taken away by anyone else. And since the Yao family practically ruled their side of the Iron Continent as if a royal family, it was almost impossible for the actual government of the Iron Continent not to give them face.

This was the difference between the different continents that currently exist around the world as well as the smaller lands that have either been conquered by those outside of the continents, or were more or less free for the taking.

"As long as you follow alongside your father, there should never be anything you would need to worry about. Just thinking of you becoming the Queen of the Yao family gives me goosebumps though." Peng Zedong told Yao Ling as the both giggled.

"We are almost at the market, and unlike two years ago, our Peng family really went out of our way to increase the opportunity of our city's overall economy." Peng Zedong was explaining to Yao Ling before the car could park and they could start their shopping adventure.

"There are a bunch of new and exciting stores I want to bring you to, and many of them have the most amazing items that would even make someone like you who has almost everything a girl could desire, jump towards!" Peng Zedong told Yao Ling before she was interrupted by her.

"That is fine by me, as long as you can allow me to pick where we go eat our lunch, you can lead the way for the rest of the day." Yao Ling told Peng Zedong after daydreaming about what she would be exposed to very soon.

"When my grandfather dropped me off to your residence, we passed this street merchant that was selling the most tasty looking food that I have ever seen. It even caused me to roll my window down just so that I could smell it before my grandfather scolded me."

"Young Misses, we have arrived." one of Peng Zedong's bodyguards for the day told the girls. With the car stopped in front of the border of the downtown marketplace, the girls along with their security exited the car and began making their way inside.

Yao Ling's mouth nearly dropped as she saw how large the downtown marketplace area had become within just the span of two years. It was not enough to come close to rivaling the Yao family's main city, but that was not what surprised her the most.

Since the Flower Continent was able to take over so many different smaller islands and territories closest to their original borders, there were more materials that could be used to make items to sell in marketplaces such as this one which other places possibly haven't even seen before.

Almost unable to recognize even some of the high quality fabrics in some of the shops, Yao Ling felt as if she was about to try from her excitement as Peng Zedong noticed her reaction and grabbed her hand to bring her forward.

And like this, the two girls used one of the security guards to hold all of the bags from the items that they purchased, while the other four were in charge of escorting them to each store. For several hours, both girls felt so alive and couldn't wait to experience this mysterious food stall for lunch.