The warriors drinking, the couples on dates, the travelers gazing down Long Dragon Street all suddenly fixed their eyes on the outdoor projection. The World Mecha Competition, an event even more explosive than Revenge Shadow Rider.

At the press conference, Kexiao sincerely mentioned that the rewards this time were immensely substantial, and everyone was eligible to participate. It didn't matter whether you were the infamous Bruce, the legendary Revenge Shadow Rider, or just an ordinary friend with an unremarkable appearance, as long as you owned a mecha, you were welcome anytime.

After the message had been played, Kexiao returned to his room and, for a rare moment, closed his eyes to savor this long-lost peace...

Revenge Shadow Rider, though injured, Kexiao believed that with modern technology, even the greatest injuries should heal through recuperation. He hoped Feng Yi would come, and was certain Feng Yi would indeed come. As for that special invitation, he had two, one for Roland, and the other undoubtedly for Feng Yi.

As the only rival Kexiao acknowledged, Feng Yi was a challenge he had to overcome. Naturally, Kexiao did not explicitly name or challenge Shadow Rider during the media conference. After all, he believed he understood Shadow Rider well enough to say that Kexiao's concern for Feng Yi was equaled by no one else.

Shortly after the announcement, Xia Mu and Rafael hurried into the room, panting. Compared to the silly events by Star Wars Company, Kexiao's gesture was simply tremendous. The excitement was clearly written all over Xia Mu's face, "Kexiao, I, I, I am ready to sign up for the competition."

"So am I," Rafael said calmly, yet his eyes briefly flared with heat.

Kexiao chuckled, "I warmly welcome that, and I look forward to your performances."

Then, they scampered in excitedly and as quickly scampered out, leaving Jiu Ling in the room, rolling her eyes in silence...

"Jiu Ling, aren't you planning to compete?" Kexiao looked at her curiously. Although she was usually proud and serene, she was quite serious about mecha issues. It was unexpected that Xia Mu and Rafael would be the first two to speak up, not Jiu Ling, especially considering that Jiu Ling was known as one of the top three old Star Commanders.

"Hehe, I better not," she giggled.

"It seems you care a lot about that person, about that relationship."

"What do you mean by 'that person'?" Jiu Ling feigned confusion.

Kexiao shook his head with a smile and chose not to clarify: "I've met him. He's injured. I don't know if he will come to the Mecha Battle, but I believe he certainly won't refuse a challenge. So, don't you want to have a proper fight with him?"

"Fight that guy? I've had enough of my previous losses," Jiu Ling cast Kexiao a sideways glance and sighed deeply, an inexplicable large exclamation mark hanging in the air.

Yet, how could Jiu Ling hide anything from Kexiao's keen eyes. "This fight isn't about personal feelings; we aren't enemies with him anymore. Just do what you think is best," Kexiao said, and then he left, leaving Jiu Ling alone, standing there for a long time...

A fight, huh? Kexiao was right; she needed to regain her confidence, to step out of this shameful emotional vortex. Who knew that as she walked along, she would arrive home so soon and find someone standing outside — a man she couldn't get over. Jiu Ling hesitated for a long while before she could collect herself...

"Ra... Rafael? No, now it should be more appropriate to call you Feng Yi."

"Long time no see, Jiu Ling," Feng Yi still dressed in his carefree style, greeted her, and lightly lit a cigarette, puffing clouds of smoke.

"You're not welcome here," Jiu Ling said, though her heart involuntarily quickened at that moment, almost as if anticipating something.

"I know..."

"You know what?"

"I know you don't welcome me, and I know I shouldn't have come here. After all, it was I who deceived you—sorry about that."

Listening to Feng Yi's earnest tone, Jiu Ling turned her face away. She knew all too well that someone like Feng Yi seldom said "sorry" as if the apology could magically erase everything as if nothing had ever happened.

"Of course not…" Feng Yi shook his head, his voice unusually calm. Bathed in moonlight, he could clearly see Jiu Ling's soft eye shadow and curling eyelashes, and said, "Let's go out for a walk."

"Where to?"

"Anywhere is fine, something to eat or... haha, anyway, it's my treat today."

Surprisingly, he can still laugh. Jiu Ling suddenly felt speechless, thinking about all the young men who would line up just to invite her for a meal. Why would she crave his company? But, she didn't want to refuse, seeing this man who had once been an enemy and had fought fiercely against her in many Mecha Battles. Her heart suddenly felt a surreal sense of being in another lifetime...

The charm of Feng Yi wasn't that he was particularly handsome or talented, but it lay in his responsibility as a man and his unique qualities— a charismatic personality that seemed to emerge from his soul.

Fortunately, Jiu Ling hummed in agreement, asking Feng Yi to wait a moment as she was still in her military uniform which was too conspicuous on the street.

Shortly after, when she had changed into casual clothes and opened the door, a mature feminine charm greeted him.

Jiu Ling obviously hadn't taken the time to dress up. Her usual outfit, tight leather pants and a jacket, emphasized her shapely curves perfectly... together with her tanned skin and a toned waist from extensive training, she possessed an indescribable allure, like a fierce leopardess with bright, sharp eyes.

The battles at the front had not left any calluses or marks on her delicate hands—her light green nail polish wasn't long, but her well-maintained skin was even smoother than that of ordinary girls.

Jiu Ling simply gave him a blank look...

Seeing this, Feng Yi laughed awkwardly and quickly averted his gaze, admitting that during the heated battles, he really hadn't had the chance to carefully observe Jiu Ling, who asked, "What would you like to eat?"

"Up to you."

"Haha, at least since you're the guest, such a cold tone isn't quite the way to treat a guest, huh?"

Jiu Ling seemed to be deliberately making things difficult, and although Feng Yi knew that despite her outward coldness, she was neither bitter nor petty inside, she was straight up setting boundaries and maintaining a safe distance as they walked side by side, staying about three meters apart.

"Well... I'll just take you to have some nice treats then."

Seeing that Jiu Ling wasn't conversing, Feng Yi unhesitatingly led her straight to a street food stall in the night market area...

Walking on the bustling pedestrian street, feeling the occasional joy and calls of street vendors from the passing crowd, Jiu Ling's gaze curiously lingered at the aromas of delicious grilled specialties wafting from the street— an enticing scent of meat she had never experienced before in her life...

"How about it, not a bad place, right?"

"Boring." Jiu Ling turned her pretty face away, but her perky nose was now more cautiously taking in the greasy smells nearby.

"Humph, you're just being cheeky now."

Feng Yi said as much, but soon led Jiu Ling to a roadside stall, choosing it simply because it was popular and bustling, indirectly indicating delicious food. Such everyday knowledge was something Jiu Ling, resembling more a princess than a commoner, lacked experience with.

With a snap of his fingers, the owner quickly came over to take their order: "What would you like, customers?"

Feng Yi gestured towards Jiu Ling with a nod, the owner gave him a knowing and somewhat mysterious smile, apparently quite good at flirting, "Miss, what would you like to order?"

"I..." Jiu Ling suddenly felt at a loss, "I want a pastry, with egg."

The owner paused... Feng Yi suddenly realized his mistake and quickly slapped his forehead, coughed, and said, "Let me do it, 10 lamb skewers, 10 pork belly, pork belly, another 10 crispy cartilage and heart tubes, and a Desert Chicken, 10 oysters, and also, Plain Cucumber Salad."

Feng Yi also ordered a cold drink for Jiu Ling. Finally, with the order complete, it wasn't long before delicious barbecue was presented before them, Feng Yi could even faintly hear Jiu Ling's stomach rumbling...

But his timing was quite impeccable, catching the dinner rush and the irresistible aroma of the barbecue that Jiu Ling had never experienced before was bound to stimulate her appetite.

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