Gu Jiaojiao hung up on Su Shuochi, took a delightful soak in her spiritual spring, and let out a few contented hums.

Then she forced herself to rally, practicing her martial arts for half an hour. Her skills hadn’t yet reached the pinnacle of perfection.

Although she could easily fight off twenty-some thugs today, a result of her tireless efforts, what if she faced even more enemies one day?

’I can’t let my guard down. I have to practice every single day, no matter how late it gets.’

In her previous life, she had learned various self-defense skills from a young age. Later, she often flew internationally and encountered riots many times.

So she had also studied hand-to-hand combat, karate, and taekwondo. Those advanced skills had been honed through life-and-death situations.

In the six months since she’d arrived here, she’d already run into thugs several times, even facing their weapons bare-handed.

It made her feel like she was getting stronger and stronger!

In reality, enhanced by her Space Spirit Spring Water, she truly had become much stronger.

’But I need to reach a point where I can handle any problem on my own, anytime, anywhere, without anyone’s help.’

Just as Gu Jiaojiao was lost in her own fantasy, she suddenly heard the screech of brakes outside her courtyard gate.

Startled, Gu Jiaojiao immediately exited her space and stood on the balcony to look toward the gate. She saw a man get out of the car parked there.

The man was tall, wearing a military greatcoat over green army trousers. Even in the moonlight, it was clear his skin was dark.

His face was chiseled, his eyes jet-black, and he exuded an air of coldness and detachment.

Gu Jiaojiao recognized him. It was Han Jingshen. ’Wasn’t he supposed to be at the front lines? Why is he at my house in the middle of the night?’

’And he looks so fierce!’

Gu Jiaojiao didn’t have time to change. Inside her space, it was spring all year round, with no distinction between day and night, so she was wearing a white martial arts uniform.

She grabbed a large robe, throwing it on as she headed downstairs, tightening the belt as she went.

Han Jingshen watched Gu Jiaojiao, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes. He could have just called her about the clues for the case.

He had been tracking that spy organization and had followed a lead to the Imperial City last night, only to find one of his targets already taken down.

Before he could even resort to harsh interrogation, the spineless thugs confessed, giving up the name of the one who had beaten them: Gu Jiaojiao.

His colleagues might not have known who the thugs were describing, but the moment Han Jingshen heard it, he knew it was his grand-aunt.

There were details they needed to clarify, but Han Jingshen didn’t want his colleagues to know it was Gu Jiaojiao.

So he came alone, rushing over to Gu Jiaojiao’s house without even checking the time. Secretly, he had also used this as an excuse to see her.

But he never dreamed that his grand-uncle wouldn’t be home, and that he would wake her from her sleep.

Because right now, she was wearing white pajamas underneath a large robe, her feet in fuzzy slippers. She looked particularly girlish.

Han Jingshen’s stare made Gu Jiaojiao’s skin crawl. She couldn’t help but touch her cheek. ’I just washed my face, there shouldn’t be anything on it!’ 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"Han Jingshen, what are you doing at my house in the middle of the night? Is it something urgent?"

"Yes... Ma’am, did you happen to run into some thugs in Rainbow Alley tonight?" Han Jingshen asked, getting straight to the point.

"I did. They weren’t just common street punks, were they? One of them even had a gun!"

The moment she started talking about the thugs, Gu Jiaojiao’s face lit up with excitement. She had discussed that organization with Han Jingshen before.

Han Jingshen’s gaze fell on her slightly flushed cheeks, and especially on her bright red lips.

His Adam’s apple bobbed slightly, and something flickered in the depths of his eyes.

He quickly reined in his thoughts and said with a blank expression, "Ma’am, would it be convenient for me to come in and discuss this in detail? Where is my grand-uncle?"

"Oh, him? He went back to Qing City to see his parents. He’ll be back tomorrow. The night air is chilly, you should come in and sit for a while."

"Since you’ve so kindly invited me, Ma’am, it would be rude to refuse." After saying this, Han Jingshen immediately acted.

He strode toward the living room with his long legs, briefcase in hand, as if afraid Gu Jiaojiao would change her mind.

Gu Jiaojiao followed him in, confused, and watched him toss his briefcase onto the sofa before sitting down.

She quickly poured him a glass of warm water and handed it to him. "Have some water. Or would you like something to eat first?"

Gu Jiaojiao asked, a little uncertainly, because she was starting to feel a bit hungry herself.

Han Jingshen glanced up at her, took the glass, and drained it in one gulp.

He saw Gu Jiaojiao just standing there, staring at him. He put down the empty glass. "What? Is Ma’am planning on making me a late-night snack?"

Gu Jiaojiao said with a grin, "I’m too lazy to make a real snack. But if you’re really hungry, I can make you a bowl of instant noodles."

Hearing this, Han Jingshen’s lips twitched in what might have been a smile. "Instant noodles? In that case, I’ll have to try them."

"Then wait a moment. I’ll have it ready in no time." With that, Gu Jiaojiao went into the kitchen to make the noodles.

Han Jingshen watched her retreating figure, a strange flutter rising in his chest—a feeling he had never experienced before.

But as he watched her busying herself for him, a faint, sour feeling welled up inside him.

’Why didn’t I meet her sooner!’

No, actually, he had heard her name long ago. He just hadn’t paid any attention back then, because he and her adoptive brother, Sheng Shijing, were friends who had been through life and death together.

At the time, Sheng Shijing didn’t know she wasn’t his biological sister and would take every opportunity to boast to everyone about his adorable little sister.

Just as Han Jingshen was lost in thought, Gu Jiaojiao emerged with a bowl of steaming hot noodles.

Two poached eggs were nestled on top, with a few chopped scallions floating on the surface. The colors were beautiful, and it looked instantly appetizing.

Even Han Jingshen, with his iron self-control, couldn’t help but swallow. ’That smell... is pretty tempting.’

Gu Jiaojiao placed the bowl on the coffee table next to the sofa and then deftly brought out two small side dishes of cold appetizers.

Han Jingshen’s gaze swept over the dishes on the coffee table, finally pausing on a plate of braised beef.

A glint of light flashed in his eyes. "Ma’am, what dish is this?"

"Cold-marinated braised beef. Try it. It’s my favorite," Gu Jiaojiao explained in a good mood.

The light in his eyes grew brighter. He picked up a piece of beef and put it in his mouth, chewing slowly as a rich, savory flavor filled his senses.

"That organization you were tracking last time, any new leads? Let me tell you..."

After finishing her instant noodles, Gu Jiaojiao chattered on about her encounter tonight—or rather, last night, since it was already past midnight.

"So, Ma’am, you think that father and daughter are suspicious?"

"Yes. I suspect that Doctor Ye holds a fairly high position in that organization, because his daughter is Number Thirty-Three, which is a pretty high rank."

"Previous clues already pointed to Doctor Ye, but considering he’s Elder Si’s private physician, plus the fact that the Ye family was a century-old noble house before its decline..."

"There’s an old saying: a poor man shouldn’t marry a beautiful woman. If you don’t believe it, just ask Wu Dalang. But Doctor Ye married a beautiful wife when he was at his lowest point."