Cheng Xiaofan held Xiang Wanli in his arms and flew towards the cave entrance.
Emerging from the cave, Xiang Wanli clung to Cheng Xiaofan, her hands tightly wrapped around his waist, refusing to let go. She pleaded, "Mr. Cheng, please, kiss me. I want to feel your real presence, to prove I'm not dreaming. Kiss me, okay? Hurry!"
Her eagerness was palpable.
Cheng Xiaofan was speechless. He wondered why this beautiful woman insisted on such a method to prove his existence. Yet, he could see she was truly terrified. After all, in the face of the apocalyptic virus and evil spirits, she was just an ordinary woman. Any woman would be frightened in such a situation. Xiang Wanli was, in fact, quite strong. A timid woman might not have survived.
Faced with Xiang Wanli's plea, Cheng Xiaofan couldn't bear to refuse. He leaned down and kissed her.
Unexpectedly, it was like a spark igniting a fire, and it became uncontrollable. Xiang Wanli, seizing this opportunistic moment, threw herself into the passionate embrace. Cheng Xiaofan tried to pull away, but it was too late; he was quickly swept up in it.
...
More than an hour later.
Xiang Wanli seemed to have come back to life. She exhaled a long breath, her face flushed and a hint of tenderness in her eyes. She held Cheng Xiaofan's hand and said, "Mr. Cheng, you are so good to me!"
Cheng Xiaofan thought, So this is what it means for a man to be truly good to a woman!
"Miss Xiang," Cheng Xiaofan quickly changed the subject, "I'm sorry you were so frightened this time!"
However, Xiang Wanli's face was beaming with happiness. She smiled and said, "Mr. Cheng, it's nothing. I think this scare was worth it!" She had been crying uncontrollably moments ago, and now she found it worthwhile.
Cheng Xiaofan patted her cheek and smiled, "Alright, it's getting late. We should head back!"
Xiang Wanli looked around and asked in surprise, "Oh, Mr. Cheng, where are we?"
Cheng Xiaofan replied, "This is the border of Danwan Country. Just a bit further and we'll be in another country!"
Xiang Wanli asked, "Then we must be very far from Danwan Country's capital?"
Cheng Xiaofan nodded. "About eight hundred kilometers away, I'd say."
Xiang Wanli exclaimed, "That far? Then how will we get back?"
Cheng Xiaofan assured her, "It's okay. I brought the Sky-Breaking Eagle!"
It was then that Xiang Wanli remembered seeing mention of a divine eagle that could carry people in Cheng Xiaofan's profile. She couldn't help but laugh, "So, you brought your divine eagle with you when you went abroad this time!"
Cheng Xiaofan chuckled, "Yes, just for convenience!"
"Jeeeee!"
As soon as he spoke, the Sky-Breaking Eagle landed beside Cheng Xiaofan.
"Miss Xiang, let's go!" Cheng Xiaofan picked her up and sat her on the Sky-Breaking Eagle.
With another piercing cry from the Sky-Breaking Eagle, it instantly soared into the sky.
"Wow!" Xiang Wanli shouted, "This is so thrilling!"
Cheng Xiaofan cautioned, "Miss Xiang, close your eyes! Don't look down, or you might fall!"
At his words, Xiang Wanli, startled, immediately closed her beautiful eyes. But after only a short while, she heard Cheng Xiaofan's voice: "You can open your eyes now, we've arrived!"
Xiang Wanli thought Cheng Xiaofan was joking. But when she opened her eyes, she found herself in Cheng Xiaofan's arms, standing on the balcony of the sixth floor of the State Guesthouse.
"Ah!" Xiang Wanli exclaimed in disbelief, "We... we've really arrived!"
Cheng Xiaofan smiled. "When my Sky-Breaking Eagle flies, it's absolutely comparable to the speed of light!" He gently placed her down. "Let's go back to the presidential suite. Your uncle must be waiting for us!"
Upon entering the presidential suite, they found Yang Jigang sitting on the sofa, engrossed in smoking.
"Ah, Mr. Cheng, Xiang Wanli, you're back!" Yang Jigang jumped up from the sofa in surprise upon seeing them.
Cheng Xiaofan laughed heartily. "Old Yang, I told you I'd bring Xiang Wanli back before dawn!"
Yang Jigang asked, "Mr. Cheng, were the evil spirits there dealt with?"
Cheng Xiaofan smiled. "All resolved. The virus in Danwan Country will also be thoroughly downgraded. If there's nothing else tomorrow, we can head home!"
Yang Jigang rejoiced, "That's wonderful! Mr. Cheng, you are amazing! You've only been in Danwan Country for a few days, and you've already managed to quell this virus!"
Cheng Xiaofan shook his head. "This apocalyptic virus isn't as simple as you think. Although I eliminated the evil spirit that created it, and the virus has lost its potency and can no longer mutate, it can still transform and reappear in the world in a new form."
Xiang Wanli listened intently. "Mr. Cheng, in what form will it appear?" As the director of the Health Commission, she had to ask.
Cheng Xiaofan explained, "It might appear in the form of a common cold. For example, if someone catches a cold, this virus could seize the opportunity. Its main symptoms would be headaches, body aches, sleepless nights, and difficulty breathing, leading to various sequelae, such as male impotence, female infertility, or neonatal cerebral palsy!"
Xiang Wanli's brow furrowed deeper. "Mr. Cheng, is there any way to prevent or treat this virus?"
Cheng Xiaofan nodded slightly. "Based on the principles of mutual generation and restraint of the five elements, we can certainly find a way to prevent and treat it. Once I return, I'll start working on developing new medicines for it!"
Xiang Wanli was finally relieved. She smiled, "Mr. Cheng, you are a master in this field. With you leading the effort, I'm sure new drugs can be developed!"
Yang Jigang said, "Mr. Cheng, there are still more than three hours until dawn. You've worked hard, so why don't you get some rest?"
Cheng Xiaofan could see that Yang Jigang was also tired. He smiled and said, "Alright, let's all get some rest!"
This time, Xiang Wanli entered Cheng Xiaofan's bedroom with dignity. After all, having experienced it once, the second time felt only natural.