The light and enjoyable final exams were over, and the winter break for freshmen and sophomores at Modu Star Martial Academy had officially begun. Why only mention freshmen and sophomores? Well, the juniors were assisting internationally around the world. The seniors were interning in various Pioneer Spaces. As for the fifth-year students, they had long been pulled away by various powers, with hardly any remaining on campus.

With the winter vacation here, Wang Lan finally decided to stay in Modu City. Even though the school was on holiday, the Tianjian Bureau was not. Having been attached to the Tianjian Bureau for half a year, Wang Lan had yet to go on duty.

Perhaps crime among Star Martial Warriors had significantly decreased by the year's end. As for Demon Clan spies in Modu City, there had been virtually none. Just because no incidents were reported did not mean none had occurred; if any existed, they were very well hidden.

His daytime shift ended promptly at four in the afternoon. Work consisted of either drinking tea or organizing files. Wang Lan was merely attached to the Bureau, and given his status, they would not truly treat him as a subordinate.

Just as he opened the Tuantuan Takeout app to order dinner, his phone suddenly rang.

Seeing the familiar name and number on the screen, Wang Lan casually answered.

"Sisi, are you on break now? Have you reached home?"

"Wang Lan, I'm in Modu City… What should I do next? I took a taxi."

"Huh? You're in Modu City? How did you…"

"I told my family I was staying at school for an internship. Even Xu Xiangwen thinks I'm still at school… He went back to Suzhou City yesterday. I missed you, so I came to see you."

"Where are you now? Shall I come pick you up?"

"Still on the high-speed train. I'll arrive at East High-Speed Rail Station in about half an hour."

"Alright, I'll be there soon."

Wang Lan hurried to the underground garage, where an SUV provided by the Tianjian Bureau was parked. Driving it to school would have been too ostentatious, but with the holiday, it was suitable for getting around.

The SUV roared to life, and Wang Lan sped towards the high-speed rail station. Even with the New Year approaching, Modu City was still densely crowded; only in the two or three days leading up to the holiday would the city become less congested.

Thankfully, Modu City's elevated expressways were extensive, and it was not evening rush hour. The thirty-kilometer drive to East High-Speed Rail Station took only half an hour. Upon reaching the passenger waiting area, he spotted Xie Sisi from afar, dressed in a long, pink coat.

With the outdoor temperature having dropped to zero degrees, Xie Sisi's long coat and leggings stood out starkly against the crowd of heavily bundled people. Not to mention, Xie Sisi was an exceptional beauty with stunning legs.

At the sight of Wang Lan, the icy demeanor on Xie Sisi's face instantly melted. Like a small bird returning to its nest, she dropped her luggage and threw herself at him.

The moment Wang Lan held Xie Sisi in his arms, he suddenly understood that his feelings for her were definitely not as simple as he had always believed.

Originally, Wang Lan had thought his connection with Xie Sisi was merely an accident. At most, he felt a sense of guilt and apology towards her. But he seemed to have forgotten that when he first met Xie Sisi, the initial thrill he felt was not for Jiang Xinyu, but for Xie Sisi.

If his feelings for Jiang Xinyu were like a jar of daughter red wine, aged for a century, then his emotions for Xie Sisi were like a potent liquor that scorched the lungs.

For Wang Lan, his feelings for Xie Sisi began with her appearance, grew into an obsession with her physique, were captivated by her tenderness, and finally, he was ensnared by deep affection.

As for Xie Sisi, her feelings for Wang Lan started with his looks, she fell for his talent, was charmed by his acts of kindness, and ultimately became hopelessly infatuated. Breathing in Xie Sisi's delicate fragrance, Wang Lan was instantly intoxicated.

Sensing Wang Lan's physical reaction, Xie Sisi playfully wriggled free from his embrace. "Control yourself, or you'll make a scene."

Turning back to pick up her suitcase, Wang Lan then realized he had unknowingly become the focus of numerous resentful stares. Regarding the envious glares from the single onlookers, Wang Lan simply smiled. What is happiness? Happiness is possessing what others lack.

He took Xie Sisi's hand, and they got into the car. The engine started, and the vehicle slowly pulled away from the high-speed rail station.

Xie Sisi leaned against the seat, her face turned towards Wang Lan throughout the journey, her eyes filled with an affection so profound it seemed to wish to freeze this moment eternally.

"Don't stare at me like that; I can't concentrate on driving."

"You drive your car; I'll watch you."

"But do you have to keep looking at me like that?"

"I haven't seen you in half a year. I missed you terribly, and I just want to look my fill."

"Are you hungry? Shall I take you to eat first?"

"Okay!"

Wang Lan did not take Xie Sisi to Phoenix Plaza for dinner. Instead, he chose another renowned commercial center. They picked a hot pot restaurant. After a satisfying two-hour meal, they walked hand in hand back to Phoenix Plaza, content.

It was still the same spacious four or five-hundred-square-meter apartment, with a huge living room, a vast balcony, an indoor swimming pool, and a gym. Unlike their place in Suzhou City, there was no underground training area here, but almost everything else was identical.

Xie Sisi, toweling her damp hair, approached Wang Lan. "Can you help me blow-dry my hair?"

"I'd be happy to."

The WHIRRING of the hairdryer could not drown out the pounding of their hearts.

"Is Jiang Xinyu not living with you?"

"No..."

"Why? I heard from Xiangwen that you two had made your relationship official."

"You know Xinyu's personality; it would be difficult for her to decide to live together. Besides, we hadn't been official for long before she went abroad shortly after."

"So, does this mean I'm still the only woman you've ever been with?"

"Don't tease me. Your hair isn't dry yet, and I'm struggling to control myself."

"Did I ask you to control yourself?"

Who could resist such words?

Wang Lan instantly tossed the hairdryer aside, turned, and pulled Xie Sisi into his embrace.

A silent night of misty rain passed, and a thick fog rose outside the window.

"Imperial Capital time: seven thirty. Humidity: 12%. Temperature: 3 degrees. Morning: overcast, transitioning to partly cloudy, then sunny in five hours..."

In a daze, Wang Lan was awakened by Xiao Ai's broadcast. He had set this alarm previously and forgot to turn it off yesterday.

Rubbing his somewhat swollen eyes, he felt the soft warmth of the beauty in his arms. Even at this moment, Wang Lan still found it somewhat surreal. Had Xie Sisi really traveled five hundred kilometers to Modu City just to find him?

Last night, they had been passionately entangled until three or four in the morning, sleeping only three hours before the alarm jolted them awake.

"Xiao Ai, turn off the alarm. And don't turn it on for the next ten days."

"Okay, Wang Lan. Aren't you getting up?"

"No!"

With that, he turned over, hugged Xie Sisi, and fell back into a deep sleep. He did not know how much time had passed when a tickle under his nose woke him again.

TEE HEE— A soft laugh sounded as Xie Sisi propped herself up on her elbows, looking down at Wang Lan. "You look so cute when you've just woken up."

"You're awake? What time is it?"

"Eleven-thirty."

"Still early, huh? We slept so late, and I've only had about seven hours of sleep?"

"That's still early? This is the first time I've ever lazed in bed this long. I'm hungry."

"Alright, I'll get up right away and make you something to eat."

He got up, dressed, and went to the kitchen to open the refrigerator. He'd almost forgotten that he rarely stayed here, so the refrigerator was bare. Returning to the bedroom apologetically, he found Xie Sisi already dressing.

"What's wrong?"

"There's no food in the fridge; I usually stay in the school dormitory. Here's the plan: we'll go out to eat brunch, and this afternoon, we'll go grocery shopping to stock the fridge."

"Mm, whatever you say."

Previously, Wang Lan had always thought that a life of such sensual indulgence was far removed from him. But reality taught him that if one truly desired it, one could become ensnared and unable to break free.

Before they knew it, Xie Sisi had been in Modu City for five days. During these five days, they hardly left the apartment, spending most of their time in bed. They were not just sleeping; they were... "discussing" and "practicing" all the theoretical knowledge they had previously learned that could be put into practice.

Although Wang Lan had long known that a wilder side lay beneath Xie Sisi's gentle exterior, he had still underestimated its intensity. Despite his mid-Galaxy Stage cultivation level and Gold-grade physical constitution, he found it difficult to keep up.

"My dear…" a tender voice called, as a pair of delicate arms wrapped around Wang Lan's waist from behind.

The steak knife in Wang Lan's hand trembled slightly, and a dull ache spread through his lower back. No, this can't go on. If this continues, I'll be wrecked!

"Sisi, it's not good for us to always stay cooped up at home. How about we go out and explore a bit?"

"Go out? What's so fun about going out? Isn't it nice at home?"

Staying home is fun, of course, but my back can't take much more of this! Wang Lan inwardly howled.

"You rarely come to Modu City; it would be a great pity to just stay at home. Although Suzhou City is also a top-tier city in the Jade Country, there's still a considerable gap when compared to Modu City and the Imperial Capital. How about I take you around Modu City for the next few days?"

"Okay!"

When touring a city, an itinerary is essential. Without one, you'd wander aimlessly like a headless chicken, ending up exhausted without having truly experienced anything. With Xiao Ai, creating an itinerary was incredibly simple.

In just a few minutes, Xiao Ai had prepared a five-day tour plan for Modu City. The entire itinerary revolved around eating, drinking, and sightseeing. They visited popular spots in the bustling urban districts and ascended to the top floor of the Economic and Trade Building to overlook Modu City's most prosperous scenery.

They strolled along the Bund at night, savoring top-tier cuisine from all across the country. In every Internet-Famous Holy Land in Modu City, Xie Sisi and Wang Lan created new memories together.

「And before they realized it, the New Year was fast approaching.」

"Tomorrow is New Year's Eve…" Xie Sisi murmured, tracing circles on Wang Lan's chest.

"What's wrong? Do you want to go home? If you want to go home, I'll take you. We can skip the zoo tomorrow."

"No, I want to spend New Year's with you this year."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive! I already called my parents and told them I wouldn't be coming back. Besides, there's some friction between my family and me right now, so I don't want to go back."

"Why?"

Xie Sisi sighed softly. "I'm not the same girl I was two years ago. In the past year and a half, I've changed so much, so quickly, that sometimes even I can hardly believe it."

"In the past, even though I was a Star Martial Warrior, I was only at the Star Shine Stage. My strength was so poor that the most I could hope for was to eke out a living in a Pioneer Space with my uncle."

"But now, not only have I broken through to the Star Cloud Stage, I might even reach the Galaxy Stage before graduation. Consequently, my uncle started fawning over my family, and many distant acquaintances and relatives began trying to curry favor."

"My dad… has become somewhat conceited. We argued on the phone during the New Year holiday. My future, what I'll do—even the school leaders wouldn't dare arrange such things casually. Yet, someone from a Pioneer Team presumed to plan it all out for me? He even promised priority access to Soul Beads and preferential distribution of Star Martial Skills. It's ludicrous!"

"Didn't you explain things clearly to your dad?"

"I did. But he actually accepted five million yuan from them. Heh, to think he could be bought for five million. When I told him to return the money, he claimed he'd already used it to buy a house for my brother, as my brother is getting married."

"Your brother is a good man; buying him a house is understandable. As for that five million, you don't need to return it."

"Huh? Why not?"

"If they dare to offer it, we dare to accept it. However, you don't need to do anything they want. We accepted the money based on your merit, so why should we feel indebted or pay it back? Just ignore them. In the future, you'll soar to heights they can only dream of, looking up at you from far below."

"Mm."

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