A few hours ago in Fenhua City's famous shopping district.

"We're at Fenhua, Lizheng! At Fenhua during the Fashion Week!" Han Taiyi gushed, shaking her partner-slash-best-friend's shoulders as she marveled at the sight of the large, beautiful city.

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"Why are you so surprised? You should've seen this coming." Chu Lizheng seized her hands to stop her from making him waste his breakfast.

"Can't a girl get excited without being snarked?" Han Taiyi groused, scowling at him in half-hearted annoyance. "This is an opportunity we shouldn't pass. Who knows when we'll get a mission like this again."

"While there's nothing wrong with being eager, we mustn't get sidetracked from our purpose." He firmly reminded.

"Aww, but it's the Fashion Week Madam Agathe will be presenting her autumn and winter collections. Seeing as that we'll be there to guard our client, why can't we at least enjoy the show?" Han Taiyi whined, pouting. Then she yelped in pain. "Ow, ow, ow!"

Chu Lizheng pinched her cheeks until they turn red. "There are people who are after our client due to her status, Taiyi. With so many people attending, we can't afford to avert our attention from her."

Han Taiyi slapped the abusive hands away from her now tender cheeks, wincing as she caressed them. "Why did her parents even agree to let her out if people are trying to assassinate or kidnap her." She grumbled and retaliated by jabbing his side—to which he sidestepped with ease.

"We wouldn't know how people think. But since they trusted the Academy, our skills, to look after their daughter, we must put our best effort to not disappoint." He ducked away from another attempted blow.

"I hate it when you're right." She clicked her tongue, crossing her arms childishly. She'll get her revenge later.

Walking around the city's bustling street while wearing the Academy's gold uniform and emblem definitely earned them some awed stares.

It's not surprising as the pair they're currently looking at are two new Heaven-ranked students of the esteemed Soaring Dragon Academy.

With Grand Disciple Life and Death's support, the two of them had entered discipleship under Grandmaster Wei. However, they're still not considered grand disciples as they've yet to succeed in the Grandmaster's training.

"That reminds me, Little Nina is on her first mission here at Fenhua as well, right?" The two of them stopped at a stall that sells candied fruits.

"En. However, I heard their mission mostly consist of observing how their seniors work and patrolling around the city to stop or prevent petty crimes." He supplied, chewing the crunchy, sweet and sour snack.

He picked hawthorns while Han Taiyi had strawberries. As an apology for abusing her cheeks, he'll be paying for whatever snacks she wants before they finally get called by their client to meet her.

The people attending the glamorous event are usually the upper-class folks and children of high-ranking officials. With how their lives are always at risk due to their status, it comes without saying that they'll hire experts to protect them.

The Academy was the one that received the most commission. That's why they wouldn't be surprised if the city was swarmed by its students.

"I hope her class' mission correlates with ours. I haven't seen her much. That stubborn grandfather of hers has been fervently keeping her from us ever since we became Grandmaster Wei's disciples." Han Tiayi grumbled under her breath.

"Knowing how he is, he wouldn't want his precious granddaughter to associate with anyone from Grandmaster Wei's network." Chu Lizheng hid his hands inside the loose sleeves of his uniform after finishing his snack.

"Oh my god," Han Taiyi's jaw dropped in disbelief at what she saw from a distance.

"What's wro—" Poor Chu Lizheng didn't get to finish his sentence when his partner slapped his back so hard he nearly loses his balance and ultimately kiss the ground—her vengeance was accomplished. "Oww, what was that for?"

"It's Lillie Bai...and Madam Agathe!" She ignored his suffering and grabbed his face, pulling it beside hers that their cheek squished together so he could look in the direction she's looking at.

Chu Lizheng squinted and tried to spot the subject of her passionate interest.

And there she was. The ash-blonde She-Devil everyone knows and loves—hate for some people but we don't care about them. She was standing arm-in-arm with another ash-blonde-haired lady in front of a tall glass window that displays dresses on mannequins.

Then, a teenage boy with similar coloring was standing not far from the two ladies and next to a ravenette who seems to be his age. Both are occupied with their phones.

"I can only admire them from a distance...like a true fangirl." Han Taiyi sagely said, her hand reaching out as if she was in a sad movie where the main character's love interest was leaving with their back facing them.

Chu Lizheng just shook his head at her antics and dragged her by the collar for them to continue their date—regardless if he's the only one who thinks it's one. He won't waste this rare leisure time with her gawking the Bai family like a creep all day.

"Wa-wait, wait! Unhand me, Lizheng! Do you realize the rarity of seeing Lillie Bai and Madam Agathe in person is?" Han Taiyi dug her foot on the ground to stop him. But it was futile.

"Yes." He curly replied with a blank tone.

"Then you should sympathize with me! I never would've expected to see the whole Bai family blatantly out in the open as if they're normal civilians. What's even crazier is the fact that no paparazzi are hounding them like hungry dogs." Han Taiyi scrutinized in a thinking pose.

"Maybe you're hallucinating." Well, he can see them too. So both of them must be hallucinating.

Was it the candied fruits? Tasted good as he remembered, though.

"Or maybe the people around here are used to seeing celebrities?" He offered a more logical answer.

"But they're an entirely different league than other celebrities!" Han Taiyi flicked her arms to highlight her point.

"Let's go, Taiyi. We'll see them again at the event." However, Chu Lizheng hoped their client's seat isn't close to Lillie Bai. That would result in Han Taiyi being out of it completely, she wouldn't be able to focus on the task.

"Noooooooo..." Han Taiyi trying to wiggle out of his grip, not caring if people look at them weirdly.

"I'll buy everything you want. Just stop acting like a child and let's continue our tour before our mission starts." Chu Lizheng was already planning to treat her, not that she's aware of it. So there's nothing wrong in making a bargain out of it.

Han Taiyi stopped flailing and weighed her options.

"Fine." She pouted. Sorry, Lillie, Madam Agathe, free food remains triumphant.