The bell rang for a while, but Anne still didn't come to open the door. Zhang Yuanqing stepped out of the bedroom and opened the security gate himself. Standing outside was a boy about seven or eight years old, with large, bright eyes and a refined facial structure—quite a pleasant child. He was the landlord's son. In his right hand he carried a food box, and in his left he held an aluminum can, labeled "Tieguanyin" on it. "Good afternoon, Uncle!" the boy greeted politely. "You're not my uncle—you're my brother. Say it again." Zhang Yuanqing corrected him. "Good afternoon, Brother!" The boy's awareness of the situation impressed Zhang Yuanqing greatly. He nodded in satisfaction and asked, "What's up?" The boy looked down at the food box and said brightly, "Lunch tea, Mom asked me to bring it over. And also some tea leaves." Zhang Yuanqing stepped aside and said, "Come in." He guided the boy inside, placed the food box on the tea table, opened it, and revealed a tray of pastries and a tray of reddish-glazed glutinous rice balls. "Dumplings?" "No, it's the sugar-dipped pastry." What exactly is sugar-dipped pastry? Zhang Yuanqing took out the pastries and the sugar-dipped pastries while asking, "What's your name?" "My name is Cao Chao. My English name is Robin." The little boy said. "Hmm," Zhang Yuanqing paused, struggling to find the right words, "that's a great name. I mean, I'm referring to your Chinese name—whose name is it?" "Father's." "Does your father like *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*?" "How do you know?" Cao Chao looked completely surprised. "I also know your father must really admire Cao Cao—his strategic brilliance, not just the XP." Zhang Yuanqing picked up a "glutinous rice ball" with his chopsticks, savoring it. It was crisp, smooth, and delicate, sweet yet not overly so—the clear sweetness of red sugar and the fragrance of glutinous rice lingered on his palate. Unexpectedly delicious. He then opened the aluminum can and inhaled the aroma—refreshing tea fragrance, quite good indeed, a solid iron oolong. This should be the landlord’s wife’s token of appreciation—after all, the new tenant had been quite generous, paying six months’ rent upfront plus three months’ security deposit, totaling fifty thousand federal credits. At that moment, Zhang Yuanqing noticed the boy named Cao Chao gazing at the expensive snacks arranged in the glass tray, quietly swallowing a lump of saliva. The snacks had been purchased by Anne at the supermarket. "Help yourselves," Zhang Yuanqing said. "Mom doesn’t allow snacks; she’ll scold you if you eat them." Cao Chao shook his head with evident longing. "Ah, then perhaps we’ll save them for later," Zhang Yuanqing replied, not one to push people. "I’m not too afraid of Mom’s scolding either," the boy said, following his own instincts, and reached out to grab a handful of snacks. Standing by the side of the coffee table, he held his small belly and ate with focused concentration. Taking this opportunity, Zhang Yuanqing asked the little boy about the landlord’s family. Cao Chao’s father was named Cao Qing, originally from the soup-making province, having moved to the Free Federation with his parents as a child, where he now runs a small restaurant. Over several decades of family efforts, the family now operates six chain restaurants and two food stalls in the Chinatown area, while also owning six rental apartments. Yang Xiujuan, the landlord’s wife, married Cao Qing when the family had only two restaurants. Back then, Chinatown faced poor security—frequent incidents of customers being charged exorbitant fees, police officers demanding bribes, and difficulties from local Chinese-American gangs. The complex and chaotic security environment cultivated in Yang Xiujuan an intensely fiery temperament; without it, life would have been unbearable. "Every time my parents argued, my father would call my mother a 'matriarchal tiger,' and then she would hit him. My sister would sometimes also call my mother a 'matriarchal tiger,' and she would respond by hitting her. Only I never called my mother a 'matriarchal tiger,' because I was afraid of getting hit," said Cao Chao, who sold his family’s information in exchange for snacks. "But you just mentioned 'matriarchal tiger' three times," Zhang Yuanqing pointed out sharply. The little boy’s face changed instantly, and the snack in his mouth suddenly lost its appeal. "I won't tell your mom. Let me hear more about your sister," Zhang Yuanqing said. The little boy immediately felt at ease, once again savoring his snacks. He nibbled on the chocolate-coated nuts like a hamster, recounting his feisty sister. In Cao Chao's eyes, his sister was a true powerhouse—irritable, unpredictable, always grabbing his snacks and toys, and even hitting him, simply because she didn't like him. It's wise of your sister to start fighting early—Zhang Yuanqing finally understood why this young child had such a strong sense of survival. With a demanding, fiery mother and a sister who loved to hit him, anyone with even a little less resilience would have perished in childhood. "She also has magic, so I'm always afraid to resist her," Cao Chao said, still shaken. "Magic?" Zhang Yuanqing thought for a moment, then deliberately remarked, "All that's just to trick children." "No!" the boy with his brows slightly furrowed, insisted loudly, "She's shown me. She can generate electricity—just like Pikachu." "Speaking, he clenched his fists, exerting a force as intense as holding in a bowel movement, and roared, 'Ten thousand volts!' Zhang Yuanqing sensed Gao Chao's emotions and didn't lie—he spoke only the truth. That meant the girl named Cao Qianxiu was a Thunder Mage? Hmm, that explains her impatience and love for fighting. I remember that Thunder Mages are typically impatient, easily angered, yet fair—fairly so. Therefore, Thunder Mages hold the role of prosecutors under the Heavenly Judgment. Zhang Yuanqing thought it over, then asked, 'When your parents argue, do they ever unleash ten thousand volts?' The boy shook his head. Indeed, it's quite rare for an entire family to be practitioners of the Spiritual Realm. It's unlikely, unless by chance. If all of them were Spiritual Realm practitioners, then it would make perfect sense that they've built up this family fortune. Zhang Yuanqing mused a moment, then asked, 'Do your parents spend a few days each month away from home?' 'How do you know that?' the boy was surprised. This older brother is really impressive—he not only knows Dad loves *Romance of the Three Kingdoms*, but also that Mom and Dad often aren’t at home. He’s a bit nervous, wondering if he’s already told them about his accident of wetting the bed last night. Zhang Yuanqing grabbed a handful of snacks and tucked them into the boy’s pocket, “I’ve just guessed at these things. Don’t tell anyone what I said today. If you do, you can come to my house anytime and have snacks whenever you like. Now go home—when I finish the boxes and plates, I’ll bring them back.” “Yes!” Gao Chao nodded happily and rushed out of the room. Watching the boy go, Zhang Yuanqing ate two more candies before finally turning around. Only then did Anne step out of the bathroom, wrapped in a towel, her head covered by a headscarf, a few strands of golden hair cascading down, exuding a mature and relaxed grace. The towel hugged her full chest, the skin smooth and deeply textured, the contours barely visible beneath the towel, which reached down to her thighs. Her legs were long, straight, well-proportioned, and beautifully smooth, as white as fresh milk. “Ah The golden-haired beauty approached with a joyful expression, completely absorbed by the food and having no time to change her attire. Zhang Yuanqing simply offered her the chopsticks. Anne, slightly clumsy with them, picked up a "glutinous ball" and popped it into her mouth, her eyes lighting up at its fresh, soft texture. "What is this?" "Just call it a glutinous ball." "What is a glutinous ball?" "Never mind—just eat." Zhang Yuanqing took a bite of a pastry. "I recently learned that the landlord's family are all travelers from the spiritual realm. Isn't that interesting?" Anne, still chewing on her rice ball, stared in astonishment, then frowned. "They might be official representatives or informants, or perhaps members of a loose gathering of independent practitioners. Should we consider moving?" Zhang Yuanqing paused, then shook her head. "No, just treat it as if we didn't know. Let's observe them closely and try to win their favor—perhaps we'll find use for them down the line." "Annie" exclaimed, lifting another sugar ball with a flick of her fingers—only to lose her grip, and with a soft *plink*, the dumpling slipped into the hollow of her chest. Annie quickly turned to Zhang Yuanqing, looking crestfallen. "It fell in... it fell in..." Zhang Yuanqing glanced at the delicate white expanse of her chest now streaked with red sugar, and sighed irritably. "What do you want from me? Do you really think I'm going to reach in and retrieve it?" "...I'll just go wash up," Annie said, hastily rising and heading toward the bathroom. As she turned her back to Zhang Yuanqing, she gave a slight pout. Hmph. She must have forgotten I'm a stage magician. Deliberately dropping the dumpling into her chest to tease me—how utterly ridiculous. Am I really that easy to tease? Zhang Yuanqing gazed at Annie's full, rounded buttocks, struggling to shift his gaze. For an adult man, the professional allure of "flawless physique" and "magnetic charm" holds a powerful attraction—like mice drawn to rice, or cigarettes to matches. ... Chao Ch "My brother said he'd bring the bowls back once he finished eating." The boy dashed off toward his room. The landlady hurried after him, grabbing his collar firmly: "What's in your pocket?" "Nothing!" Cao Chao quickly shielded it with his small hands. "So full, are you blind?" Without further words, the landlady bent down, caught his ankle, and lifted him upside down, shaking him vigorously. The chocolates, milk candies, dried fruits, and crumpled biscuits spilled out of his pocket. "My brother insisted on giving them to me—I told him I didn't want any," Cao Chao said, desperately shifting the blame. "You're quite well-off, aren't you?" the landlady observed, gathering the snacks neatly. "I'll keep them." Cao Chao forced a smile: "Yes, all of them for Mom." Then he cast a weak, helpless, and pitiful look toward his father, who was enjoying afternoon tea at the table. Cao Qing is a middle-aged man of average height, slightly rounded with a small belly, with a well-proportioned face that appears steady and authoritative at first glance, though occasionally his eyes betray a touch of sharpness and polished savvy. His hairline is not particularly high, but his hair has grown sparse; he styles it in the classic oil-headed look popular in the 1980s and 90s. He dresses simply—gray pants, a black T-shirt, and a pair of slippers—completely unremarkable for the owner of a chain restaurant. "The private tutor is too expensive," Cao Qing sighed, shaking his head. "Let's see what else we have." ... The next morning. Zhang Yuanqing woke up, brushed his teeth, and sat at the dining table enjoying the thoughtfully prepared breakfast from Anne—toast, milk, scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausage—all high-calorie foods. While Zhang Yuanqing actually preferred steamed buns, fried dough sticks, and soy milk, he appreciated Anne's early morning efforts and effort, so he didn't want to be cold to her. After breakfast, Zhang Yuanqing took a taxi to Chen Shu's workplace. Chen Shu had worked at a large corporation early in her career, then resigned to go abroad, where she founded her own business in overseas trade with several partners. The foreign trade company was located in Xianyue Port, near the Statue of Liberty. Xianyue Port is the largest port in the Free Federation; fifty years ago, it handled cargo volumes of one hundred million tons, and in recent years, its freight volume has consistently broken records. It is precisely the financial hub of the New Covenant Port and the Manx Island that has forged the world-class metropolis of the New Covenant County. The two took a ferry across the sea, setting foot at the headquarters of the Sea God Church—the New Covenant Port. Chen Shu's company is named "Lianhua Trading." Zhang Yuanqing and Anne followed the navigation instructions and located the company within an older office building. The receptionist was elegantly dressed, though her appearance was at most merely refined. Zhang Yuanqing approached directly and said in Mandarin, "Good day. I'm looking for Chen Shu, the general manager here." As the receptionist's smile began to form, she suddenly paused, startled: "I'm sorry, sir, our general manager isn't named Chen Shu." Not Chen Shu? Zhang Yuanqing furrowed his brows. "Perhaps there's been a change in position. I'm looking for Chen Shu, who is one of the company's shareholders. Could you help me check that?" "The receptionist shook her head: 'I'm sorry, if you know one of our shareholders, please call her...' Before she could finish, Zhang Yuanqing interrupted impatiently: 'Look it up!' The transparency of his brown eyes seemed to carry a spell that compelled obedience. The receptionist grew both hesitant and compliant, stammering, 'You, you wait a moment...' She bent down to type, then after a while looked up, her expression filled with both fear and resignation: 'I'm sorry, we don't have this person in our company.' No such person—well, then, I've got my back up. Zhang Yuanqing gritted his teeth, thinking to himself how foolish he had been, believing Chen Shu, that old woman who never said a single truth. They had to return along the same route. On the ferry, Zhang Yuanqing spoke softly: 'Annie, when you were working as Bill's assistant, did you ever meet my mother?' Mr. Bill and Annie knew his real name, and knew that Chen Shu was his mother. Annie shook her head: "I served Mr. Bill last year end. He was a good boss—rather reserved about women. I just needed to do my job well." Zhang Yuanqing took a deep breath, "Call Mr. Bill up... never mind, don't bother. Mr. Bill and my mother are partners—they're always on the same page." He wanted to keep a close eye on Chen Shu. This visit to New Yuetown had to make that enigmatic mother shed her disguise and reveal her true self. On the ferry returning to Man Island, Zhang Yuanqing went to the "Flag Bank" ahead of him, deposited fifty thousand federal coins into the bank card issued by the Hunter's Guild. Then he opened the Bounty Hunter app, logged into the backend, and selected the pending mission: #Compilation of the Magus's Lovers in the Free Federation# Mission details: The buyer seeks basic information on the Magus's lovers, including but not limited to family background, position, organization, rank, photographs, and detailed accounts of their relationship with the Magus. Quest hunters need evaluations, points, and levels to take on assignments, but bounty tasks come with no restrictions—these days, customers who pay always come from the father's side; who would ever set barriers for the father? Zhang Yuanqing's second reason for joining the Free Federation is to locate the beloved lover of the Mage King and gather the map fragments. He hopes that the Mage King's lover is not the Chief Executive Officer of the Divine Judgment—otherwise, he'll have to give up collecting the fragments and kneel down sincerely, shouting, "666." Zhang Yuanqing prays silently. The two take a taxi back to the Tang Dynasty Street. Anny, hungry for street food, pulls Zhang Yuanqing along to buy a steamed dumpling basket. On the way home, they just happen to see Xiao Chao, the little son of the landlord, playing with a basketball by the roadside. At that moment, a loud engine roar comes—four motorcycles race through the crowded street, one of them deliberately approaching Xiao Chao, slowing down, and then the rider suddenly kicks the boy, sending him sprawling to the ground. Several riders burst into laughter and quickly rode off. The basketball rolled and rolled, eventually reaching the center of the road. Cao Chao grew anxious and hurried to rise and retrieve it. Zhang Yuanqing, standing by the roadside, furrowed his brow—he sensed that one of the riders had acted deliberately, his emotions laced with a sense of retribution, satisfaction, and outright malice. "Beep-beep—" A black sedan approached swiftly, its driver startled by the sudden appearance of the child, who began honking furiously. Cao Chao trembled all over, stunned into place. In the distance, at the stand selling snacks, a long-haired young woman shouted, "Cao Chao, come back!" She dropped her food and rushed toward him with wild energy, but the distance was too great—she simply couldn't reach in time to save him. Just as she was about to give up, she suddenly saw a figure leap through the crowd, overtaking even the black sedan, and managed to grab Cao Chao, then swiftly stepped back. The speeding car passed right by him.