Inside the City Lord's Mansion in Yuzhou, Chu Chaoyan and Chang Jianyi were in the office processing documents. Traces of excitement could still be seen on their faces as they chatted and laughed while working. A cradle was placed on one side of the desk; Chang Jianyi, unwilling to entrust her son to anyone else, insisted on keeping him close where she could see him at all times.
Their happiness was well-founded. Previously, Chu Chaoyan had tried her best to conceal the news of Shen Feng's disappearance from Chang Jianyi, wanting to spare her the grief after childbirth. However, when the Chinese Fleet returned home, the news could no longer be kept secret. Upon hearing that Shen Feng was missing and had been out of contact for a long time, Chang Jianyi was devastated.
Unable to accept the reality, Chang Jianyi wept day and night, and Chu Chaoyan empathized deeply, unsure how to comfort her.
After a long period of sorrow, they suddenly learned from official channels that Shen Feng was not dead but had been stranded in Southeast Asia. He was now on his way back to China by boat. Upon hearing this news, Chang Jianyi and Chu Chaoyan were overjoyed.
While reviewing documents, Chang Jianyi playfully dangled her son, saying, "Son, your dad will be back in a few days. Shall we go welcome him together then?"
Seeing this, Chu Chaoyan couldn't help but remark, "Sister, can you please focus? I'm handling these documents. If you slack off, we won't finish them today!"
"Why don't you hold him too? You're his aunt, and he's quite attached to you!" Chang Jianyi said with a smile.
Although Chu Chaoyan initially disapproved of Chang Jianyi's idleness, she couldn't resist the baby's charm. She walked over, bent down, and lifted the infant from the cradle. The baby had large, bright eyes, looking incredibly cute, and was smiling broadly, evoking a surge of maternal affection in Chu Chaoyan.
Just then, the front desk called. "Vice City Lord," the voice said, "Someone from Meizhou is here and wants to discuss transaction details."
"Is that so? Then let Tu Xuhuai receive them. He's in charge of this matter. It shouldn't require my personal attention!" Chang Jianyi replied.
The front desk staff continued, "Vice City Lord, the person from Meizhou insists on seeing you personally, or Madam Chu. They say it's very important!"
Chang Jianyi frowned. "Why are they so insistent? The trade routes haven't even officially opened yet, and they're already this arrogant? They actually require one of us to show up personally. Isn't that putting on too much of an act?"
Chu Chaoyan, holding the baby, said, "Let's go. Meizhou sent us a mutated orange tree when the baby had his full moon celebration. It wouldn't be right if we didn't go meet them!"
Mutated plants were rare in the apocalypse, and edible mutated plants were even rarer. Yet, Meizhou, with its vast wealth, had directly sent an orange tree. The tree was over five meters tall and bore fruit even in winter, providing fresh fruit daily. Such a valuable gift was not something ordinary people would give away.
Upon hearing this, Chang Jianyi could only agree. As the saying goes, "He who has eaten your food is soft-hearted, and he who has taken your gifts is short-handed." Having received such a precious gift, it would seem rude not to agree to a meeting.
"Alright then. You stay here with the baby, and I'll go see them personally. I hope it's for a legitimate reason!" Chang Jianyi said resignedly, then left with Luo Qing.
Chang Jianyi quickly arrived at the conference room. The person from Meizhou had already been brought there. This individual was masked, wearing sunglasses, and draped in a trench coat, exuding an air of hidden motives. Chang Jianyi sensed danger from this person; they were no ordinary individual.
With the conference room door closed, Chang Jianyi spoke first, "My friend, didn't you want to see me? It's inappropriate not to reveal yourself at this time, wouldn't you agree?"
Wang Ao Ye, having meticulously concealed himself to ensure he wouldn't be recognized, noticed the presence of others in the conference room and said in a deep voice, "Vice City Lord, I wish to speak with you privately. Is that possible?"
Chang Jianyi gently shook her head. If it were an ordinary person making this request, she might have agreed. However, sensing the danger emanating from the person in the conference room, she had to be cautious. Luo Qing was her personal bodyguard, and without him, she wasn't confident in her ability to protect herself.
Wang Ao Ye felt helpless. Since the other party didn't trust him, he had no choice but to proceed. Fortunately, there was only one outsider in the conference room.
Wang Ao Ye reached up, removed his glasses, and then pulled off his mask, revealing his true face.
"You're Wang Ao Ye? The uncrowned king of the southeastern coast! How did you end up in Yuzhou? Is there something important?" Chang Jianyi was greatly surprised to see Wang Ao Ye there. Such a high-ranking figure had quietly appeared before her, concealing his identity. This was highly unusual.
Wang Ao Ye cut straight to the chase. "Miss Chang, or rather, Madam Chang. I've received very important news and have come to tell you that the Shen Feng currently on his way to Yuzhou by boat is not the real Shen Feng. He's an imposter!"
At these words, the atmosphere in the room instantly froze. Chang Jianyi glared at Wang Ao Ye, her fists clenched tightly, as if she might erupt at any moment.
"Do you know what you're saying? The news of Shen Feng's return has been officially confirmed. You're still claiming he's an imposter. Do you think I'm easily fooled?" Chang Jianyi said coldly, her tone laced with threat.
If it weren't for the other party's identity, Chang Jianyi would have already taken action. Shen Feng was about to return, and this scoundrel was spewing nonsense.
Wang Ao Ye knew that Chang Jianyi couldn't accept this fact immediately. He understood and had prepared evidence.
Wang Ao Ye reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. Chang Jianyi's heart grew increasingly anxious. She dreaded the thought of Wang Ao Ye actually producing evidence, because if he did, she would have no choice but to believe Shen Feng was dead, a reality she couldn't bear.
Chang Jianyi couldn't endure another blow. Shen Feng was safe, and her husband was about to return!
"Madam, please look. This is a video I found online. Shen Feng is still abroad!" Wang Ao Ye found the video and handed his phone to Chang Jianyi.
Chang Jianyi was stunned. She didn't understand what Wang Ao Ye meant. Why was Shen Feng abroad? This didn't seem right.
Luo Qing carefully took the phone and began watching the video. In it, Shen Feng and Yue Hengyi stood together, engaging in combat. There were scenes of Shen Feng charging into enemy lines, with zombies falling to the ground unable to resist his onslaught.
Chang Jianyi watched the familiar figure in the video, scrutinizing it closely. She murmured, "That's right, it's him. This is Shen Feng. He frowns when he charges, and these are the moves he likes to use. It must be him!"
Wang Ao Ye nodded. "I thought so too. Mr. Shen is abroad and cannot return in a short time, but an imposter has appeared in the country. He asked me to inform you of this matter. Now that it's clear, Madam Chang can rest assured."
In the span of these few minutes, Chang Jianyi had experienced extreme emotional swings, from despair to joy. First, she thought Shen Feng was returning, then she learned he was an imposter, and finally, she discovered he was safe but abroad. She felt her heart could barely take it.
"Mr. Wang, thank you so much. If you don't mind, please stay in Yuzhou for a while. I will arrange for someone to host you properly. If it weren't for your reminder, we would have been deceived!" Chang Jianyi said gratefully.
"Not at all. It's just a small favor, no need to mention it. Also, I prefer not to be discovered in Yuzhou, as it could cause me trouble!" Wang Ao Ye quickly declined.
Chang Jianyi considered it. He was right. Wang Ao Ye had disguised himself precisely to avoid being recognized. If she now arranged for a grand reception, wouldn't that be exposing him?
"How about this? Mr. Wang can stay at a small inn in the city for now. In a few days, I will prepare a substantial gift for you to express my gratitude!" Chang Jianyi proposed.
Wang Ao Ye was tempted. Since Chang Jianyi mentioned a grand gift, it was bound to be good. He had traveled from Jiangnan to Yuzhou over two days and felt it wouldn't be right to leave without receiving some compensation for his efforts. He might as well stay; he likely wouldn't be discovered.
Chang Jianyi then returned to the office with Luo Qing. Seeing Chang Jianyi's troubled expression, Chu Chaoyan quickly asked, "What's wrong? Did something bother you?"
Chang Jianyi quietly explained the entire situation. Chu Chaoyan was utterly bewildered after listening.
After a long moment, Chu Chaoyan gritted her teeth and said, "Those scoundrels! They actually want to impersonate Shen Feng? Shen Feng is still abroad, and they're so eager to use his identity to deceive people. It's unforgivable! When the imposter appears, we'll capture him and interrogate him to find out who put him up to this!"
Upon learning the truth, Chu Chaoyan wished she could tear the imposter to shreds. If Wang Ao Ye hadn't arrived in time to warn them, they would have been deceived for nothing.
"Don't rush, sister. We can't alert the enemy. Let's lure the wolf into the sheepfold! It's best if we capture him alive and interrogate him to find out the mastermind. If we start shouting and killing now, it will be useless!" Chang Jianyi said sternly to the enraged Chu Chaoyan.
Chu Chaoyan couldn't forgive the impersonation of her beloved. However, the situation was indeed as Chang Jianyi described. They couldn't alert the enemy; they had to play the long game to catch a bigger fish. They needed to not only eliminate the imposter but also expose the mastermind!
Two days later, a ship sailed upstream from Jinling to Yuzhou, passing through Jingxiang and the Three Gorges, finally reaching the important hub of Yuzhou.
Shen Feng, clad in a wolf fur coat, stood on the ship, looking heroic and imposing.
At the Yuzhou dock, countless citizens had spontaneously gathered to watch. Many were waving at Shen Feng on the ship, shouting the title "Wind God." The scene was so fervent it resembled fans mobbing a celebrity.
"Shen Feng" stood on the ship, looking at the cheering crowds on both banks of the Yangtze River, his face filled with pride. He thought to himself, "Now, Yuzhou has become mine. I possess all of this—power and wealth are mine!"
The ship slowly docked, and the people on board disembarked. Leading the way was, of course, "Shen Feng." Behind him were many sailors whose muscular physiques suggested they were more like warriors than mere sailors.
On the other side, a group of people stood on the dock. Chang Jianyi, holding her child, stood in the center, with Chu Chaoyan beside her and others surrounding them.
The people present at the dock were all prominent figures in Yuzhou, each managing significant affairs. The fact that they had all gathered to welcome Shen Feng's return demonstrated his influence.
"Shen Feng" looked first at Chang Jianyi in the center, his heart stirred. The woman before him was exceptionally beautiful, with her hair casually draped over her shoulders, wearing a professional suit, and possessing long, slender legs. He thought, "Now, this woman also belongs to me. This is truly living life to the fullest, even if it means dying in the embrace of a peony."