The kiss was destined to be brief, for Fire Phoenix's footsteps were already approaching. Han Shuo merely savored a taste and stopped, without exploring Helen's fragrance any further.
While Helen was still wondering why Han Shuo had suddenly become less greedy, she too heard Fire Phoenix approaching. She looked up at Han Shuo with her bright, watery eyes and immediately understood that he had not become less greedy at all; Fire Phoenix had arrived.
Before Fire Phoenix entered, Han Shuo had already gone into the inner room to drink tea. Besides Fubin'en, several merchants from the Lancelot Empire had come to Xilun City this time. Although those merchants were on excellent terms with the Buster Merchant Guild, Han Shuo still would not let them discover his relationship with Helen.
Even Fubin'en did not know the exact circumstances. He had only come after learning from Dick that the journey would be safe. Fubin'en was utterly loyal to Phoebe. Although he was also on excellent terms with Han Shuo, Phoebe was his true mistress. In other matters, Fubin'en might always side with Han Shuo, but Han Shuo could not predict what he would do if he discovered that Han Shuo also had Helen as his woman.
If Fubin'en faithfully reported Han Shuo's womanizing to Phoebe without holding anything back, there was no telling what trouble might arise, given how jealous Phoebe was.
When Fire Phoenix brought Fubin'en and the other Lancelot Empire merchants inside, a single glance revealed the shy sweetness still lingering on Helen's face. Fire Phoenix's unconscious movement of pursing her lips made Fire Phoenix's thoughts stray all the more, and she could not help giving Helen a reproachful look.
Somewhat embarrassed, Helen gave a light cough to cover it up and inwardly cursed Han Shuo a couple of times.