Long eyelashes fluttered, the delicate features blooming with a captivating glow under the sunlight.

The lips wore no lipstick, yet still appeared as vibrant as blood, tempting one to steal a kiss.

Phoenix had that thought, and she acted on it.

She leaned in and planted a firm kiss on Sheng Xinhua's lips.

"Mwah!"

Sheng Xinhua opened her eyes, gazing at the youthful girl in front of her with a playful, enchanting smile: "Oh, even the Little Princess has learned to throw herself into arms willingly. Not bad, seems like Mr. Tang's little classes weren't in vain."

"Mainly because Mr. Sheng is too irresistible, making it hard for someone not to lose control," Phoenix said with a cheerful smile.

"Liar. I used to want to warm your bed, and you refused me mercilessly time and time again. Completely broke my heart."

"You have the nerve to say that? Was that bed warming?"

"Warming the bed and warming you at the same time, wouldn't you agree it was comfortable for us to cuddle together stripped bare?"

"I don't..." Phoenix still wasn't a match for Sheng Xinhua the rascal, defeated in just a few moves, blushing furiously, she said shyly, "Ah, what are you talking about, aren't you afraid of being overheard? I didn't find it comfortable at all."

"Why? Is it more comfortable to be held by a man?"

"...Sheng Xinhua."

"Just exploring the topic. Let's treat it as a serious physiological course."

"I absolutely won't discuss this with you."

"Then what shall we discuss?"

Phoenix's expression turned serious, her gaze sincere and joyful as she looked at Sheng Xinhua, she said softly, "It's really great that you came."

"Why the sudden turn to sentimentality?" Sheng Xinhua sat up straight, shrugged her shoulders, and said, "You know I'm not good at that; a bit more flirty suits me better."

"..."

Seeing Phoenix's speechless face, Sheng Xinhua pulled her into a hug, laughing as she said, "But still, I'm really happy to see you, my Little Princess."

"Sister..."

"Come, let big sis see if you've grown."

"..."

Phoenix couldn't help but facepalm.

This crazy woman, she's at it again....

After going through so much, there wasn't the slightest change.

"If Tang Fei can touch, why can't I?"

"Sheng Xinhua, take your paws off me..."

"Look at that, angry and ashamed, looks like I hit the mark."

"I did not."

"He never touched you? Impossible. That guy's no gentleman."

"He's not as rogue as you."

"I like you, that's why I touch you. If it were someone else...not as good-looking as you, not as well-endowed as me, I wouldn't want to touch them at all."

"..."

Thanks to Sheng Xinhua's 'grubby hands' act, the awkwardness of reunion vanished instantly.

They remained the best of sisters, the most intimate of friends.

Phoenix recounted her experiences and growth during this time, Sheng Xinhua spoke of the boredom and helplessness she felt during her confinement.

They talked about the people they had met and the things they had encountered, the food they tasted and the wonders they saw.

Chattering away, it seemed there was an endless amount to say.

And indeed, there was much to be said.

Tang Fei brought Little Fatty to visit Sheng Jing and Mei Yuyin; back in Phoenix City, the two brothers often went to the Sheng Family for meals.

Sheng Jing and his wife treated them as their kin, and Mei Yuyin often cooked nourishing soup for Tang Fei...for fear that Tang Fei couldn't keep up with her daughter's demands.

Yes, Tang Fei and Sheng Xinhua had lived together for a long time.

In the eyes of the Sheng Family, they must have done all the things they should have, and Mei Yuyin loved Tang Fei as a son-in-law.

Now that they were in Feng City, Tang Fei and Little Fatty certainly couldn't let them feel neglected.

Moreover, Tang Fei knew that Sheng Jing's ordeal was inevitably related to himself as the 'cheap son-in-law.'

"Uncle, Aunt, now that you've come to Feng City, make yourselves at home," Tang Fei said with a smile, "For now, stay in the City Lord Mansion, and once everything settles here, I'll find you a place with beautiful scenery to call home."

"There's no rush about the house," Sheng Jing waved his hand and looked at Tang Fei, "I know you're busy with affairs, go handle your matters first."

Seeing Tang Fei, Sheng Jing and Mei Yuyin were filled with emotion.

Who could have imagined that the once 'lonely' boy from the Old Land would turn out to be the Grand Marshal Tang Li's son?

Who could have imagined that an ordinary Monitoring Bureau section chief would now stand toe-to-toe with the great warlord Shen Wuxiang in the battle for the National Tripod?

With the territory and military power he now controls, it's no exaggeration to call him a local overlord.

Hmm, if it weren't for this, I wouldn't have been forced by Shen Wuxiang to such an extent, fleeing thousands of miles to come here.

"Uncle, Auntie, may I help you find a house? I don't have much to do around here," Little Fatty volunteered. "Also, I'm quite familiar with Feng City, I can show you around."

Mei Yuyin looked at Little Fatty, full of affection, and said with a cheerful smile, "Little Fatty, have you not been eating well lately? You seem to have lost a lot of weight."

"Really?" Little Fatty laughed honestly and said, "Maybe I was too busy training the troops before, too much exercise."

"That won't do, no matter how busy you are, you have to eat properly." Mei Yuyin decided as she spoke. "In the past, I didn't take care of you, but now that Mr. Sheng and I are here, you should come to our house for meals every day. I'll make more soup to nourish you all."

"That's great, I really like Auntie's cooking." Little Fatty said obediently.

"As long as you like it. Tell me what you want to eat, and I will make it for you."

"Okay, thank you, Auntie."

"Child, no need to be polite with Auntie. We are family, no need for formalities."

"Alright, Auntie, I won't be polite with you from now on."

"That's the spirit."

Sheng Kuang looked at Tang Fei and said, "To help you bring Guo Nu here, I lost my wine gourd... You need to get me a new one, preferably filled with several pounds of Jian Nanchun."

"I already asked someone to prepare it," Tang Fei replied with a smile. "Feng City produces Baijiu, fragrant and strong, you'll definitely like it."

"That's fantastic," Sheng Kuang was visibly excited and impatiently asked, "Where's the gourd? Where's my wine gourd?"

"Look who's so anxious."

"I haven't had a drink for over ten hours because I was busy running for my life." Sheng Kuang licked his lips and said, "I'm desperate for a drink, quickly let me have a sip."

"Little Fatty."

"Got it."

Little Fatty went out and soon came in with a large wine gourd.

He gave it a gentle toss, and the wine gourd flew toward Sheng Kuang.

Sheng Kuang caught it, opened the cap, and raised his neck, gulping it down.

"Refreshing."

He wiped the wine from the corner of his mouth and praised loudly.

"This Baijiu hits the spot."

Sheng Jing frowned, he didn't like drinking, but his family had two drunks.

Sheng Kuang was one of them, known as the 'wine-obsessed,' unwilling to get married or have children; getting him to quit drinking was impossible.

The daughter was still young, and he thought he should still try to save her...

He would talk to Tang Fei later and ask him to persuade his daughter to quit drinking; maybe his words would carry more weight.

Out of sight, out of mind, Sheng Jing invited, "Let's go to the tearoom for some tea, I'm craving it too."

"Okay, I had someone prepare a box of aged White Dragon; see if it suits your taste," Tang Fei said with a smile, knowing Sheng Jing wanted to discuss something with him.

The aged White Dragon was sent by Zhao Depu, the City Lord of Golden City, and Tang Fei passed it on to Sheng Jing.

Sheng Jing, knowledgeable about tea, smelled the fragrance and said, "A twenty-year-old White Dragon indeed is an exquisite tea."

"As long as you like it," Tang Fei said with a smile.

He didn't drink much tea; if he could choose, he'd prefer to have a coke instead.

Having experienced too much hardship in his youth, now he liked to drink something sweet.

Sheng Jing skillfully brewed tea, asked without looking up, "Is Bai Xingjian your man?"

"Yes,"

Tang Fei gave a simple explanation of Bai Wuxin's background and the Bai Family's positive feedback after Bai Wuxin contacted them.

He trusted Sheng Jing completely, without any concealment.

Sheng Jing was deeply moved after listening and said, "Bai Shizhen was your father's adjutant, the elite among the elite, and it would be very difficult to erase the Tang Family's mark on him."

"But with the Bai Family's support, and offering significant benefits, he was spared, and to think he could go to such lengths for your father... His wife is even more of a heroine, carrying a coffin to find her husband, moving those who hear to tears..."

Heroes are respected in any era, even Sheng Jing, noble as the Empire's Finance Minister, admired the couple's loyalty and sacrifice.

Tang Li truly knew how to use people.

The young man before him was so capable, perhaps it was in his genes.

If he and my daughter become a couple, the child they have....

His thoughts trailed too far until the boiling water brought him back.

"Yes, Bai Wuxin is a friend I trust," Tang Fei said.

"In this light, with Bai Wuxin's presence, the Bai Family's stance is also inclined toward you... What are your plans next?"

Tang Fei looked at Sheng Jing and asked back, "What are your plans, Uncle Sheng?"

Sheng Jing's eyes sharpened, and he said solemnly, "Revenge."

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