In the warm and romantic café, Su Hongli elegantly picked up her coffee cup and said to Luo Xiu, "Actually, I'm only forty this year, not that much older than you. How about I call you Xiao Luo from now on?"

Hearing this, Luo Xiu was somewhat surprised. He looked at Su Hongli and asked, "How old is your son?"

"You mean Feibai? He's twenty-five this year."

"Twenty-five... How old were you when you had him?"

Su Hongli covered her mouth and giggled coquettishly. "Actually, I'm not his birth mother. You could say I'm his stepmother."

Luo Xiu's expression was a bit strange, but this made sense. If Su Hongli were really Duan Feibai's biological mother, wouldn't that mean she had given birth to him before she was of age? No matter what Duan Feibai's father was like, he surely wouldn't be that much of a beast, right?

Su Hongli continued, "His biological mother died in childbirth. At the time, I hadn't married his father yet. Our Su Family and the Duan Family had a very good relationship, and since I happened to be working for the Duan Family, he often followed me around. You could say I practically raised him."

"I see."

Su Hongli stared at Luo Xiu with a meaningful smile and suddenly asked, "Xiao Luo, do you know why I sought you out?"

Luo Xiu picked up his coffee and took a gentle sip. You sought me out for *that*, didn't you? But he still asked, "Why did you seek me out?"

Su Hongli smiled mysteriously. "A man who could conquer my sister... of course, I wanted to try him for myself."

"Your sister?"

"Su Shenyun."

Luo Xiu frowned. "Su Shenyun is your sister?"

"Yes. Her mom is my dad's biological sister, so she's my cousin."

Luo Xiu was momentarily speechless.

Su Hongli said, "We've been in contact all these years, and I often come to Sea City to visit her. I'd say I'm someone she trusts quite a bit."

"Not long ago, she told me about you and even showed me a photo. It was a selfie you two took lying in bed after... well, you know."

Luo Xiu inwardly cursed Su Shenyun for taking such a reckless photo. He maintained a calm facade, however, and continued sipping his coffee.

"What did she tell you?"

"She said... she had truly fallen in love with a man younger than her, but she also said it was impossible for them to be together."

"I didn't believe it at first because I know her well. A person like her couldn't possibly develop feelings for anyone; she only plays with men."

"Yesterday at Feibai's wedding, I recognized you at first glance."

"Is that so..." Luo Xiu smiled strangely and joked, "And here I thought I was just so handsome that I caught the attention of a wealthy lady like you."

"Oh, you are indeed very handsome." Su Hongli gazed at him, her eyes glistening. Her look was that of a hunter eyeing its prey.

Luo Xiu sighed silently. Well, this is damn awkward. He had originally planned on using the Soul-stimulating Needle on Su Hongli, just like he had with Lin Fei that night. But now... they were all connected. It wouldn't be right to make a move on her.

Luo Xiu let out a deep sigh and asked, "So, what exactly happened to Su Shenyun?"

Su Hongli shook her head gently. "I don't know either. I'm also looking for her right now."

Luo Xiu said, "Well, if you find out her whereabouts, I hope you'll inform me immediately."

"I have to return to the provincial capital tomorrow. I'll use the Duan Family's resources to look for her. The moment I have any news, I'll contact you right away."

"Thank you."

Su Hongli looked at him with a beaming smile and asked, "So, will you stay and keep me company tonight?"

Luo Xiu shook his head, refusing. He never had any intention of doing that. He had only agreed to the meeting to find out what happened to Su Shenyun.

"Sigh." Su Hongli let out a soft sigh, looking somewhat displeased. "You conquered my 'sister'... I'm so curious about your skills. I want you to come and conquer my 'sister' too."

Hearing this, Luo Xiu suddenly tensed up. He could, of course, tell that the two "sisters" Su Hongli mentioned had completely different meanings. One was her cousin. The other was a far more intimate 'sister'.

***

「Meanwhile, at Sea City International Airport.」

Cao Ende had been waiting for what felt like an eternity, and finally, the man he was waiting for arrived. Like a man praying for rain in a drought, he rushed toward the elder who had just disembarked from the plane.

Boss Huang, Qian Laoyao, and Zhu Hongmo also hurried forward to greet him.

Just the day before, Boss Huang had approached Cao Ende, showing him every courtesy to propose a collaboration. His goal was to use Cao Hong's master to eliminate Luo Xiu. Since Cao Ende was now isolated and without support—the leaders of the South and Western Districts were ignoring him—he had readily agreed to join forces with Boss Huang against their common enemy.

The approaching elder was clad in a green robe. He looked travel-worn, yet he possessed an ethereal, sage-like aura. It was none other than Cao Hong's master—Zhou Jingong!

Zhu Hongmo only needed one distant glance at Zhou Jingong to know he was an expert among experts. That seemingly frail and elderly physique emitted an aura as profound and mysterious as a great mountain, making it impossible to fathom.

In terms of aura alone, Zhu Hongmo felt that Zhou Jingong was stronger than Luo Xiu. The stronger a Martial Artist was, the more formidable the invisible aura they radiated! Although aura didn't equate to actual strength, it could still be used to make a rough judgment of someone's power level.

"Master Zhou, you've finally arrived!" Cao Ende stood before Zhou Jingong, looking so pitiful he seemed about to burst into tears.

Zhou Jingong wasted no words, asking indifferently, "Where is the murderer who killed my disciple?"

Cao Ende gritted his teeth. "He's right here in Sea City! That punk is getting more and more arrogant!"

"However, Master Zhou, there's no need to rush. You've come a long way back to the country, so please rest well first. After all, that Luo Xiu can't run away."

Just then, a stretch Rolls-Royce pulled up to the curb. Duan Feibai stepped out and approached Zhou Jingong with a great show of respect.

"Master Zhou, my sincerest apologies. I failed to handle the matter you entrusted to me."

"It matters not," Zhou Jingong said with a wave of his hand. "Now that I am here personally, all debts of gratitude and grudges will be settled."

Duan Feibai said, "I know where Luo Xiu is right now. I can take you to him, Master Zhou."

Zhou Jingong replied, "Very well. I'm quite busy, so let's get this over with quickly."

Duan Feibai then looked at Boss Huang and Qian Laoyao. "And what are your intentions?"

Boss Huang cracked a grin. "Sounds good, let's get this done! The East District will send men, too!"

***

「Outside the café.」

Su Hongli looked at Luo Xiu with reluctance. "Are you really not going to keep me company?"

Luo Xiu gently shook his head.

Finally, Su Hongli played her trump card. "Actually... I do know some clues about Shenyun."

Luo Xiu frowned. This woman is so manipulative.

"Didn't you just say you had no clues?"

Su Hongli smiled sweetly. "At the very least, I know how she got into trouble, and I know who to ask to get more clues."

Just as Luo Xiu was about to speak, his cellphone suddenly rang. It was Wu Tianhua.

He walked to the side with his phone. The moment he answered, Wu Tianhua's anxious voice came through. "General Luo, this is bad!"

Luo Xiu assumed it was a problem at the casino and said indifferently, "I've already left the East District. Don't come to me with your problems."

"It's not that, General Luo!" Wu Tianhua lowered his voice, speaking urgently. "Cao Hong's master just arrived in Sea City! And that bastard Duan Feibai immediately incited the old man to come after you!"

"They're on their way to find you right now! Boss Huang and Qian Laoyao are with them too!"

"General Luo, I've heard that Cao Hong's master is an expert on the Mysterious List. You should probably lay low for a while!"

Luo Xiu wasn't concerned about this. He was more curious about why Wu Tianhua was tipping him off than he was about Cao Hong's master arriving in Sea City.

"Aren't you one of Boss Huang's men?"

"General Luo... Feng Zi and I owe our lives to you. You're the one who gave us this great fortune... so we want to follow you."

"I appreciate the sentiment."

"You really need to be careful, General Luo!"

Luo Xiu hung up the phone. When he turned around, he froze. Su Hongli was standing right behind him, watching him with a warm smile. They were so close he could smell her enchanting fragrance.

"Do you really know?"

Su Hongli took his hand. "Come with me to the hotel first. I'll explain everything there."

Luo Xiu thought about Duan Feibai leading Cao Hong's master straight to him to cause trouble, and a wicked idea suddenly formed in his mind. *So, you want to cause trouble for me? Fine. I'll start by messing with your mother.*

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