Chapter Eighty-Four: Coming to Demand an Explanation!

Tang Fei made two bowls of egg noodles, one for himself and one for Phoenix.

Phoenix washed her face, tidied her hair, and even touched up her makeup using a kit from the car. She regained the air of a cold, haughty little princess, elegantly picking up noodles from her bowl and sliding them into her mouth one by one. This stood in stark contrast to Tang Fei, who sat opposite her, slurping his meal.

"I want to discuss something with you," Tang Fei said, looking at Phoenix. "I’ve changed my mind about majoring in mechanics. I want to major in Ancient Martial Arts. What do you think?"

Phoenix looked at Tang Fei and asked, "Didn't you really want to become a mechanic?"

"I did think so before," Tang Fei replied. "Just as you said, being a mechanic is one of the most promising professions on New Star. High salary, good benefits, well-respected, and it makes it easy to find a wife and live a stable, peaceful, and happy life."

"But you’ve seen it yourself. How many things have happened in the few days I’ve been on New Star? The trees may prefer calm, but the wind never ceases. Sometimes, it’s not that you want peace and stability, but that others won't let you have it. I’ve offended the Mandara Chamber of Commerce, the Shen family, and perhaps other enemies I don't even know about."

"Look, these are massive powers that ordinary people could never reach in a lifetime, and I’ve offended two in just one week. I’m not saying this to brag."

"I’m telling you this because the calm, stable, and wealthy life I wanted has slipped away from me. That is why I must study Ancient Martial Arts. I need greater strength to protect myself and Little Pang."

"Little Pang probably doesn't need your protection," Phoenix said. "He is now a disciple of Shang Xiulin. Anyone who wants to lay a hand on him will have to weigh whether they are significant enough to do so."

"..."

Phoenix pulled out a tissue to wipe the corner of her mouth and looked at Tang Fei seriously. "If you want that kind of life, I can give it to you. I can protect you."

Tang Fei squinted and smiled. "There’s a saying back in the Old Lands, I don't know if you've heard it: 'Rely on mountains, they may crumble; rely on water, it may dry up; rely on people, they may run away.'"

"I won't run away."

"The old man used to say you can't trust women, and the prettier they are, the better they are at lying," Tang Fei said, looking straight into Phoenix's eyes. "You're so beautiful, you must be very good at lying."

"..."

"So, relying on others is not as good as relying on oneself. Only when you are strong will others not dare to bully you."

"I respect your choice," Phoenix said. "If you have decided, I will inform the mechanical department. It doesn't matter if you don't go."

"No, I mean I want to major in Ancient Martial Arts and minor in Mechanics," Tang Fei said with a smile. "You know I’ve been playing with planes for many years. It would be a regret if I couldn't send one into the sky."

"That works too. But you will still need to pass an assessment for the mechanical major."

"An assessment?" Tang Fei was shocked.

The Ancient Martial Arts assessment had left him with lingering fears. If something else went wrong during another test, he was afraid his little heart wouldn't be able to take it.

"You just need to build a plane out of wooden blocks," Phoenix said. "The teachers in the mechanical department are quite reasonable. As long as it isn't too poorly made, you'll usually pass."

"Understood." Tang Fei finally felt relieved. He looked at Phoenix and asked, "Are we really going to ask the Shen family for justice?"

"Yes." Phoenix looked at Tang Fei and asked, "Are you full? If you are, let's go."

"I'm going too?" Tang Fei stared at Phoenix in surprise.

If one were to ask who the Shen family hated most right now, it would undoubtedly be Tang Fei. Even though he was a victim as well...

"After what happened, how do you think the Shen family views you?"

"Naturally, they won't have a good impression," Tang Fei admitted honestly.

"Then I will take you to visit them in person so that their impression of you can improve."

"Perhaps it will get even worse?"

Phoenix stared at Tang Fei for a long while, then nodded. "You certainly have that ability."

"That’s not a compliment, is it?"

"No."

"..."

Phoenix drove, and Tang Fei sat in the passenger seat as they headed toward Mount Luojia. When the car reached the coast, Tang Fei was immediately captivated by the grandeur of the massive steel bridge. "This bridge is incredibly beautiful!"

Then, seeing giant waves rolling in the sea and a white dragon over dozens of meters long riding the wind and waves toward Mount Luojia, Tang Fei exclaimed, "What is that?"

"A sea train," Phoenix said. She knew Tang Fei would be amazed. After all, even as a New Star native, every time she saw the white dragon churning through the sea, she couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of technology and the wisdom of humanity.

"Don't trains need tracks? How can it run on the ocean?"

"It utilizes the buoyancy of seawater and floating devices on the train, allowing it to drift around like a yacht," Phoenix explained. "Once you enter the Department of Mechanical Engineering, you will understand the operating principles behind it."

"I’m actually looking forward to it," Tang Fei said with a laugh.

The car stopped outside a bamboo grove. An elderly man with a goatee came out to greet them, bowing. "Greetings, Your Highness. This must be Mr. Tang Fei, correct?"

"Yes, this is my friend, Tang Fei." Phoenix looked at the man with the goatee and smiled. "Is Uncle Chang still in good health?"

"I don't deserve such a title, Your Highness. Just call me Old Chang or Old Butler," Chang Biao said with a chuckle.

"Is Grand-uncle home?" Phoenix asked.

"He is. The Head of the family knew you were coming and has already prepared tea to wait for you."

"Grand-uncle is too polite. I am the younger generation; it is only natural for me to come and visit him. How could I let him prepare tea to wait for me?" Phoenix said with a smile.

"Please, Your Highness and Mr. Tang, come inside for tea." Chang Biao made a gesture of invitation.

Phoenix nodded and led Tang Fei through the gates of the Shen estate. Shen Boyu was waiting at the entrance of the courtyard. Seeing Phoenix and Tang Fei approach, he walked over quickly and laughed, "Let me see, has our little Princess Xiuxue grown even more beautiful? You were pretty as a doll when you were little, and now that you've grown up, you've become a little fairy."

"Grand-uncle," Phoenix bowed to greet him.

"It’s been a while since you’ve visited, hasn't it, child?" Shen Boyu asked, looking at Phoenix.

"It has," Phoenix replied. "My studies have been busy, so it was delayed."

"That’s no excuse," Shen Boyu said, intentionally putting on a stern face. "When you were little, you often came to our house to mooch meals, saying our seafood was the best in the world and much better than the food at the Phoenix Palace..."

"But that was the truth. I’ve eaten at the Phoenix Palace many times. I dare not boast about anything else, but when it comes to seafood cooking, their food is far inferior to our home-cooked dishes."

"Of course. I still miss Grand-uncle's braised silverfish and crab in fermented rice wine."

"That’s wonderful. You are not allowed to leave tonight; you will eat at your Grand-uncle's house."

"It's not that I want to refuse you, Grand-uncle, but I received a call from Chen Fenglei on the way here. My father asked me to go back and dine with him tonight."

"Then there’s nothing to be done. Your Grand-uncle would dare to contend with anyone, except for your father," Shen Boyu laughed. "Go on back. Your father was worried sick when you went out on that trip. Now that you're back, spend more time eating with him. What father doesn't cherish his own daughter?"

"Thank you for understanding, Grand-uncle," Phoenix said with a smile.

Shen Boyu’s gaze finally fell on Tang Fei. "Is this the young hero Tang Fei who saved our little Princess Xiuxue in the Old Lands?"

Tang Fei bowed slightly. "I am Tang Fei."

"Truly a remarkable young man, not a bit inferior to our Xinglan," Shen Boyu said with a smile.

Shen Xinglan: the jade tree of the Shen family, ranked first on the Blue List. It was a high compliment, but Tang Fei dared not accept it. After all, many mushrooms look beautiful but are poisonous and can kill. Dealing with these old foxes, every sentence could be a trap. Often, you don't need a knife to kill someone.

"You are too kind, Elder Shen," Tang Fei said modestly.

"Guests are guests, come inside and have some tea. You’ve come at a good time. When our ancestor was alive, he planted three Da Hong Pao tea trees on Guanyin Terrace. Only one survived, but the tea harvested from this tree is world-class. It tastes fresh and elegant, with an endless aftertaste, as if it carries a hint of Buddhist chanting. I wonder if it was blessed by Guanyin herself?"

"It must be," Phoenix said with a smile.

"You certainly know how to talk, no wonder your Grand-uncle dotes on you most," Shen Boyu said, taking Phoenix’s hand and inviting them to the tea table.

The tea table was on the second floor, high up, offering views of the mountains, the sea, and the bamboo forest. It was ethereal and picturesque. Shen Boyu personally poured a cup for both of them. Like a child eager for praise, he watched them with anticipation and urged, "Taste it, both of you, hurry and taste it."

Tang Fei picked up his cup and took a sip; it was a bit hot. Phoenix, however, first observed the color, then smelled the fragrance, and only then took a small sip. She held it in her mouth to savor the changes in the tea soup before swallowing it slowly, praising, "Nectar of the immortals, rarely seen in this world."

"I'm glad you like it. Take a box with you when you leave. Remember, drink it yourself, don't give it to anyone else. Don't even give it to your father; he has plenty of good tea as it is," Shen Boyu reminded her.

"Thank you for the gift, Grand-uncle. I will definitely keep it for myself and won't give it to anyone," Phoenix said with a smile.

"Good. I like your wit, child." Shen Boyu took a large sip of his own tea and looked at Phoenix. "You came here because of Shen Qingping, didn't you?"

"That is correct." Phoenix nodded, her expression turning serious. "Grand-uncle, Tang Fei is my savior. If it weren't for him, I might have perished in the Old Lands and never returned..."

"I invited them to New Star to repay their great kindness and help them live a better life. I went to great lengths to convince Dean Shang Xiulin to give them a chance at the entrance assessment... but I never expected something like this to happen. I am truly shocked and angry."

"I am angry that I didn't expect this to happen. I am shocked that it was Elder Brother Qingping who stepped out to cause trouble..."

"Indeed, that boy Shen Qingping is a disgrace. I have banished him to guard the Ghost Mountains," Shen Boyu said, his face full of anger.