Yao Jingjing was startled when she received the call from her mother.
" Jingjing, come back quickly! Our house has been burgled!" Mama Yao cried out in anguish on the phone.
"Mom, speak slowly. What was stolen? Did you call the police? Are you and Dad alright?" Yao Jingjing asked anxiously.
She could tell from her mother's voice that it was definitely not something as trivial as being robbed. She was very worried about her parents' health. Although her mother's illness had basically recovered, the doctor said that they still couldn't let their guard down. In addition, her father had been taking care of her mother through wind and rain. He didn't say it, but he was very worried. She could see that he had aged a lot in the past few years.
"Your great-grandmother's photo was stolen, and even... even her grave was dug up!" Mama Yao's voice was choked with sobs.
"What?" Yao Jingjing was taken aback. "Mom, don't worry, I'm coming right back."
She quickly packed her luggage and prepared to return to Cuanzhou. Fortunately, the situation in Wuzhong was not as tense as before. The security measures in the Mei Laboratory were becoming more and more complete and the level of intelligence was so high that not even a mosquito could fly in. Professor Mei rarely went out, and when he did, Hou Biao made perfect arrangements for him.
The easing of tensions is not limited to Wuzhong; it's happening all over the world. People have long since moved on from the fear of an alien invasion. People are going back to work, and those who used to keep cats are keeping them. Moreover, due to the Cat-Killing Order from a few years ago, the number of cats is so small that they have become very precious pets, affordable only to the wealthy.
The stray cats that Qingmu arranged for Yao Jingjing to take care of have all found new owners and are living very comfortably. Fate seems to have played a cruel joke on this species, exchanging the deaths of more than half for a better quality of life for the remaining small half.
Liuying Lane was slated for demolition, and most of the residents had moved away, but Bi Shenghua was still there, so Yao Jingjing diligently arranged for people to guard the entrance of the lane. She had just heard from her subordinates yesterday that a guy in a trench coat had gone in and was standing under the willow tree, and she didn't know what he was up to.
Upon hearing about wearing a trench coat, she excitedly grabbed her car keys and rushed out of the office. Only after getting into the car did she calm down. After much hesitation, she decided not to disturb him. She knew that the lonely woman left behind in Liuying Lane was more deserving to share her sorrows with him, so she decided to give them some more time.
Later, her subordinate called again to say that the man in the trench coat had left. She found this very strange and, after carefully inquiring about the style of the trench coat, confirmed that it wasn't the person she was thinking of. How could that lazy guy, who was lazy to an extreme, possibly change his clothes! Even if he changed his clothes for some special reason, he would never wear a cloak on his head. If he wore a cloak, where would the Boss Coal stay?
Yao Jingjing handed over her work to Hou Biao and explained the reason for her return home.
"Grave robbing?" Hou Biao was very puzzled. "Your great-grandmother wasn't a king or princess, so why would anyone rob her grave?"
Yao Jingjing said, "I also felt something was amiss, so I had to go back and take a look. My mom said the house was burgled, but only my great-grandmother's photo was missing; nothing else was taken. I've seen my great-grandmother's photo before; she must have a story, and I have a vague feeling that it's related to the situation we're facing now."
"Do you want me to come with you?" Hou Biao asked with concern.
"No need. The company is such a big operation, you can't leave. Besides, the professor and Sister Hua still need to be taken care of. Before Qingmu comes back, one of us needs to stay in Wuzhong."
Speaking of Qingmu, Hou Biao sighed, looking exhausted.
Yao Jingjing reached out and grabbed his strong arm, pressing it firmly, and said, "Whether he comes back or not, there are some things we have to do. Without him, we wouldn't be where we are today."
Hou Biao hummed in agreement and nodded vigorously. Their eyes met firmly and powerfully, and at the point where their gazes met, there was a magical glint that filled one with strength.
Before leaving, Qingmu entrusted them with the important task of protecting Professor Mei and Bi Shenghua. At that time, they already knew some little-known things. In the past few years, in the process of protecting Mei Yiqiu, they have learned more and more. Although the fog is still thick and the truth can never be seen, they are increasingly understanding some of the things Qingmu had told them in the past, and they are also increasingly clear about the responsibilities they bear. With the improvement of their Mental Power, they feel that the burden on their shoulders is getting heavier and heavier.
"You must tell me if anything happens." Hou Biao made a phone call gesture by touching his ear with his thumb and little finger.
"Okay!" Yao Jingjing nodded, released her grip on Hou Biao's arm, got into the car, rolled down the window, stuck her head out, and gave Hou Biao a playful smile. "Hey, don't slack off while I'm gone! Your Mental Power used to be much stronger than mine, but now I'm almost catching up!"
The car slowly drove away, leaving two faint gray tracks on the road.
Hou Biao gently rubbed the spot on his arm where she had scratched him, as if something was stuck to his skin, seeped into his pores, and slowly traveled along his blood vessels to his heart, igniting a flame within him.
This flame started more than two years ago, when it was just a tiny, barely visible flame. He wanted to extinguish it, but he also found the flame rather endearing, especially since it was warm and had melted a small hole in his once-frozen heart.
Later, the flames grew stronger and stronger until they became the raging fire that burns the entire heart.
If Jiang Deguan saved his life and Qingmu saved his spirit, then this flame unlocked his long-frozen heart.
He repaid the one who saved his life with his own; he repaid the one who saved his spirit with his own spirit; but he didn't know how to treat the one who melted his heart.
The fire was still spreading, and sooner or later it would burn through his chest and engulf his body. He had no idea whether he would be reborn from the ashes in this raging fire, becoming a completely new version of himself, or turn into dust and be doomed forever.
The car disappeared at the end of the road. Hou Biao returned to the training room, changed into training clothes, and began practicing boxing in front of the punching bag.
Over the years, his skills haven't diminished at all. Although he's older and his physical abilities aren't what they used to be, his increased Mental Power has compensated for his physical shortcomings. He's become more accurate and more lethal than before. If he were to return to the underground boxing rings of his youth, he believes no one there could be his match. With his mental advantage, even without hypnosis, he can predict his opponent's every move through mental perception, clearly seeing which punch is a feint and which kick is a real strike.
Sweat poured down his body like raindrops, pattering onto the floor. He only stopped when he was too exhausted to continue, panting heavily as he slowly unwrapped the strips of cloth binding his hands.
Instead of changing his clothes, he sat down on the floor. Opposite him was a large mirror, the kind commonly found in gyms and dance studios, designed to help trainees see if their movements were correct.
The mirror reflected everything in the room: the walls, the floor, the equipment, the sandbag hanging there, still swaying slightly...
Hou Biao was the only one missing.
Hou Biao slowly closed his eyes, exhaled a long breath, and said, "Come out."
The lights in the training room were evenly distributed in all directions to avoid interfering with training. Under even lighting, a person casts almost no shadow; however, at this moment, a clear shadow appeared in front of Hou Biao.
The shadow grew thicker and thicker, starting from his feet, slowly lengthening until it disappeared into the mirror. Then it Hou Biao stood up, transforming into an identical Hou Biao before him, as if he were looking in a mirror. However, if anyone were nearby at that moment, they would surely be astonished by the sight before them—
Hou Biao was sitting in front of the mirror, but his reflection in the mirror was standing. Their feet, however, were always connected through the shadows of their legs.
"Why did you wake me up? I didn't find any new developments in your memories!" Hou Biao asked in the mirror.