Another autumn.

The red leaves are like fire, scattered everywhere.

Sheng Xinhua is wearing a long, light grey wool coat, blue jeans, and a pair of black leather boots, making a rustling sound as she steps on the fallen leaves.

"Hello, Mr. Sheng."

"Mr. Sheng, your trench coat looks fabulous today."

"When does Mr. Sheng ever wear something that isn't stylish? Mr. Sheng has the best fashion sense of any teacher I've met."

------

Students she encountered greeted Sheng Xinhua one after another.

Sheng Xinhua responded to each one.

Her beauty is striking, her actions bold, her style daring, combined with a wealth of knowledge and a candid character, making her greatly admired by the students.

Walking to the electronic parking lot, she pressed the smart key on her wristwatch, and a red Phoenix car automatically drove up to her.

She got into the car, just started it up, and the phone on her wrist rang.

Sheng Xinhua glanced at the caller ID and reluctantly answered, "Lao Mei, why are you calling again?"

"What's the matter? When your mom calls you, you're unwilling to answer?" Mei Yuyin said slightly annoyed.

Even the most gentle and elegant parents get frustrated when dealing with their disobedient children.

"When you call, of course, I'm willing. But when you call to scold me, I'm not." Sheng Xinhua pouted.

"You wouldn't provoke me, and I wouldn't scold you! You can attend a birthday party and still manage to splash wine on Su Yiqiu's face..."

"I even slapped her a few times." Sheng Xinhua said.

"You think you're justified?"

"Alright, alright, let's stop here, or we'll be caught in a chicken-and-egg loop… So, why did you call?"

"Are you off work yet? Come home for dinner tonight?" Mei Yuyin softened her tone, not wanting to quarrel with her daughter.

"Not going home tonight," Sheng Xinhua replied. "I'll be going to Lake View Apartments. I'll make do with something casual for dinner. You know I'm on a diet; a cup of nutrition shake will do."

"No way." Mei Yuyin firmly stated, "If you keep eating like this, your stomach will give in. I've made soup tonight... Come back home right after work; your father's home too. We're waiting for you to have dinner together."

"You guys eat; I don't want to disturb you lovebirds." Sheng Xinhua refused again, "I've already arrived at the apartment."

"Sheng Xinhua..." Mei Yuyin couldn't suppress her anger, "Tang Fei left, Phoenix left, why are you still running to that lousy place every day?"

"Do you even realize what the situation is now? Do you know how dangerous it is for you, a young girl, to live outside?"

"Do you forget about the kidnapping last time? Haven't you learned anything?"

"I can't avoid going out in rainy weather for fear of being struck by lightning, can I?" Sheng Xinhua had a good attitude, chuckling, "How long ago was that incident? Those kidnappers wouldn't keep targeting me, right?"

"Don't worry, I'm quite grown-up, I can take care of myself... I know I'm good-looking, have a sensuous body with a big bust and round hips... At most, I may run into a pervert; that's something I can handle."

"Sheng Xinhua..." Mei Yuyin's voice turned sharp again.

"Oh, the signal's bad, I can't hear you. Hanging up now." Sheng Xinhua tapped her finger, cutting off the call.

She parked her car in the underground parking lot of the community, grabbed her bag, and went upstairs to go home.

She took off her trench coat, discarded her boots, tossed her bag onto the cabinet, and walked straight to the freezer to grab a drink.

Eleven-degree chilled beer.

She popped the tab, took a big swig, and collapsed onto the sofa in satisfaction:

"Refreshing."

"Mr. Sheng is quite indulgent." A familiar voice suddenly sounded in her ear.

Sheng Xinhua was startled and tried to get up from the sofa.

Because she was too forceful, the beer in the can spilled all over her.

The white shirt she was wearing soaked through instantly, causing her to shiver involuntarily.

"Who?"

"Mr. Sheng doesn't even recognize me?" A young man with dreadlocks, dressed in a hip-hop fashion, seemingly unkempt, emerged from the guest bedroom.

"Who are you? How did you get in? My house is equipped with an alarm system... If I make a sound, it will automatically alert the authorities." Sheng Xinhua looked at the man with dreadlocks in full vigilance, issuing a threat.

Her mother had just warned her of the dangers of living alone, and now here is a strange man breaking into her home.

Who wouldn't be tense in such a situation?

"Mr. Sheng really doesn't recognize me? Take a closer look." Tang Fei realized her tension and stopped teasing her, speaking in his normal voice.

"Tang Fei?" Sheng Xinhua widened her eyes, looking at the man with dreadlocks in front of her; his appearance had changed, his face shape changed, his hairstyle changed, as if even his height and weight had changed.

Yet she could still find familiar traces.

His invasive gaze and seeming indifference to everything hadn't changed.

Yes, he was Tang Fei.

"It seems Mr. Sheng hasn't forgotten an old friend." Tang Fei glanced at her chest where the beer had soaked through, quickly shifting his gaze.

This woman lures with unintended wet-shirt temptation; who can withstand such a test?

"Why are you back? How did you get in?"

"Did you forget? We're close in a house-sharing way... You gave me the home's password. I tried it and got in without any hassle."

Sheng Xinhua then remembered, to avoid trouble with Lao Mei, she had Tang Fei pretend to be her boyfriend.

To allow his access, she gave him the apartment's password.

After giving it, he never came by on his own.

Every time he came, it was under her or Lao Mei's invitation...

Eventually, she forgot this matter.

"That's not important." Sheng Xinhua said, "I'm asking why you're back? Do you realize your situation is very dangerous right now?"

"Phoenix City is under constant surveillance; Shen Family's influence has eyes everywhere... If your identity is exposed, it's almost impossible to leave Phoenix City."

"I know..." Tang Fei said, "But I have a reason I had to come back."

"What reason?"

"I want to ask about someone... Is Lu Yu still alive?"

The recent upheaval at Phoenix Palace has been defined as remnants of the Tang Family supporting Second Prince Zhong Tianyi to seize power, having kidnapped the former King Zhong Daolong and the entire Phoenix Royal Family. The Shen Family, to save the collapsing nation, rescued the King and the Zhong Royal Family, had no choice but to bomb Phoenix Palace...

The authorities say what, the public believes what.

Easy to manipulate.

Those hard to manipulate have been muted.

Tang Fei's identity has also been exposed, son of former Imperial Grand Marshal Tang Li, the culprit behind the Empire's overthrow...

The old man's identity has surfaced simultaneously, once renowned as 'Imperial Double Wall' alongside Tang Li was Lu Yu.

The general populace may not know detailed information, but Sheng Xinhua certainly isn't general bourgeois.

Upon hearing Tang Fei's inquiry, Sheng Xinhua slightly furrowed her brows and softly said, "It's said he went to negotiate with Shen Wuxiang, then disappeared in the Hundred Beast Garden... It's full of Shen Family's men; no information has leaked out until now."

"Should I try to gather some intel for you?"

"Will it be dangerous?" Tang Fei asked worriedly.

He is worried about the old man's situation, and also concerned about Sheng Xinhua's safety.

"Don't trust my capability?"

"Of course I trust." Tang Fei's face turned serious, expressing concern for Sheng Xinhua, "Anyway, ensure your own safety first."

"Are you showing concern for me?" Sheng Xinhua looked directly into Tang Fei's eyes, asking.

"Of course."

"Hmph, you have some conscience." Sheng Xinhua handed her beer can to Tang Fei, "Want a sip? Isn't there beer in the old land?"

"Indeed." Tang Fei didn't take the beer, saying, "You have it first, I'll get another one."

"Gone. This is the last can." Sheng Xinhua stated mournfully.

"..."

At this moment, the door suddenly made a jingle sound of unlocking.

"Who?" Tang Fei asked quietly, tensing up.

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