AN: I just realized that I haven't finished reading a lot of my faves so I really need to get around to them. But I also want to suggest a novel to ya'll. The Reader and Protagonist Definitely Have to Be in True Love. It's a fun novel you might like if you like scum villain. Its fun, sweet and 'cultured' for various reasons.

*****

The room was quiet as Xieren loomed over the young lord. This man, who was used to the world bowing to him, wanted nothing more than to shout but was silenced by the intensity of the man before him. The imposing figure in front of him draped in suffocating black robes, filled the young master fear.

"I-" He tried but stopped when Xieren's eyes narrowed. A shiver of fear slipped into his voice as he let out a whimper. 

Liang Fei, having been trying to determine this man's height compared to his own, only then recalled there was another person nearby. With his back to the man's chest, he couldn't turn around without causing himself pain so he reached up to touch his face.

Xieren jumped in his skin when he felt a warm hand on his cheek. With anyone else, he would have immediately tossed them aside if they ever got close to his face like this. Even to this day, he hid his right eye from the world.

Even when surrounded by fellow demons, he felt like it was best to hide his single red eye. They all showed their devotion to him when he freed them from the darklands. They revered his strength as he took land from the cultivators that oppressed them.

Yet to him, there was only one person he was willing to show his eyes to. The only person he knew for sure would like him even after seeing them.

Liang Fei stared up at the man holding him trying to indicate that he wished to be released. It was awkward to try and talk to someone in a position like this. He had intended to tap his shoulder but the man was not as tall as he had assumed and his hand landed on his right cheek. Their faces were close, with Liang Fei's nose reaching the man's chin.

This made him a little happy. He wasn't that much shorter.

Meanwhile, Xieren was taking in the man in his arms closely. He hadn't had a chance to look him over before but seeing him up close, he could happily say he liked his face. It was smooth and clear, even with the makeup there to cover up on scar above his eye.

Then there were the eyes, glimmering softly as he stared up at him. It was too cute!

Ah, how could someone look so lovely without doing anything~ Xieren thought, the desire to press his lips to this person growing as they stared at one another. His lips look luscious, a red that called out to his instincts in ways he had never felt but he also looked so adorable, the urge to kiss his face all over was growing.

How can you make me chose!?

Unfortunately, his choice was taken from him as the elder in his arms turned back to the young master, thus Xieren ended up burying his face in Liang Fei's hair. The junior was only slightly disappointed while the elder paid no mind to action.

He smells nice~ The junior thought as the elder wondered to himself. How do I make this person go away?

Liang Fei was staring at the young master indifferently, giving off the aura of dismissal. Anyone seeing the scene of these two embracing would assume that Liang Fei was a haughty mistress showing off her lover.

While Xieren would have been thrilled by the assumption and proudly proclaimed how suitable it was, Liang Fei would just wonder how that was the conclusion one could come to. He was very clearly male!

Yet seeing this display, the wayward young master realized he had sought something he shouldn't have dared even look at and ran off, slipping from the room before being pulled into a dark corner. His muffled screams were lost to the vast hallways.

Meanwhile, the two men in an embrace stood there in the now quiet room. Xieren felt content, finally capturing this elusive person. Liang Fei just felt confused as to why he was still being held. The person had left yet...

Just as he was about to voice his objection to being held any longer, the madam came in, her smile jovial as she took in the room's atmosphere. Seeing all the satisfied customers, she felt content that she would be making a lot of money tonight.

She was disappointed, however, to see that most of the new girls had been sidelined by the more experienced girls. She expected that but to see it was still annoying. She inwardly sighed and called that all the idle girls be called back. There was no reason to keep them in the room if they weren't making any money.

The young girls sighed with relief, quickly slipping from their spots and walking to the door. A few passed by Liang Fei and looked away embarrassed by the intimacy of the two men's embrace.

Deep in their hearts, they couldn't help but like the image of the two men that close. It was terrible, surely but... how could they not like it? When they returned to their rooms, the night would be spent gushing over the thought of two handsome men in an intimate embrace.

After all, if one handsome man was a treasure to admire, what would two handsome men be? Heaven?

Unaware of his accidental creation of deviants, Liang Fei watched them, trying to figure out if he should go with them. On one hand, he didn't want to draw attention to himself but on the other, he still needed to gain some information in order to escape.

Xieren had been content to hold this man for a while but frowned as he noticed his gaze following the girls who were leaving. Was he trying to leave? That couldn't happen. Not after he finally found this person.

"Would you like to attend to me, 'my lady?'" Xieren offered, holding out a hand to Liang Fei despite already holding him close. He hadn't really been thinking about it when he walked up to this person. His body moved on its own.

This person wasn't Shizun... he thought.

This person looked nothing like his master, his face more pretty than refined like his master. The makeup he wore smoothed out the edges of his face, making him more lovely than he recalled. When they had fought, Xieren could tell he was male but looking at him now, even he had his doubts.

Though the thing that truly sealed his intention to get close to this person was his scent. Xieren had come to this brothel with the intention of finding Shizun and burning the place to the ground. His mind was solely on that. 

He had no interest in any of the girls who had seen him and immediately targeted him. He knew they would. They always did, seeing his handsome face and desiring his affection.

Yet while he might be willing to spend the night with them, his affection was never going to be for them. Still, what could he do other than wait until nightfall to have his men search the place? Shizun had to be here.

He'd hoped he'd be here.

The notion that his master had truly left this world forever was... He couldn't take it if his hopes had been dashed after seeing a glimmer of light in this darkened, empty world.

Then he felt it, a subtle change in the air as a new group of girls had entered to room. Most barely paid them any mind but Xieren watched as they entered, his eyes falling on the tallest of the group.

'She' was beautiful, drawing eyes without effort and gracefully walking into the room as if it belonged to 'her'. Xieren could recognize the person immediately, a smile forming as he saw him draw closer. He didn't look at Xieren but that didn't matter.

The person who had haunted his dreams for days now had been found.

(AN: For clarification, XR thinks LF and his master are separate people with the same scent.)

Liang Fei heard the man's words and nodded wordlessly, happy to remain in the room. If the girls weren't there, he could ensure their safety and gain information from the men in the room without worry.

That and he felt like he didn't really have another option. Deep in his mind, he felt like he wouldn't have been let go even if he'd refused. Yet this remained buried in his mind so he didn't think much of it.

Seeing the nod, Xieren felt overjoyed, suppressing the desire to tighten his hold on this person. He was mortal after all. If he held him too tight, he might bruise.

Though the thought of leaving marks on this person was a little appealing to him.

***

Liang Fei was seated at one of the far corners of the room with his 'savior'. Despite his prestige, Xieren had chosen to make his presence fairly mundane, as he didn't want too much attention on himself.

If Shizun was here, he couldn't let the man get a chance to escape before Xieren questioned him after all.

He didn't want to think his master would run but what else could he think. If he was alive, why didn't he contact Xieren? He had been waiting for his master for over 10 years yet he only now showed his presence.

And he had to find out from his subordinate?

It was very frustrating!

Meanwhile, Liang Fei observing the man beside him, curious about him. It was the first time since his rebirth he'd been close a male cultivator in his new body. Looking the man over, he came to realize why he had been mistaken for a woman.

This man was slightly taller than him and was definitely larger. Even his arms that were around him felt firm and radiated strength while idle and relaxed. Compared to his own body, strong from street fights but mostly lean, he was fairly tiny. He hadn't fought in years and it showed in his muscle mass. 

So in other words, the men here were just more manly than modern men. Thinking such things, how could this modern man not sigh with envy.

Seeing this person sigh, Xieren got curious. This person, who looked so indifferent, was too cute. Even if he wasn't his Shizun, Xieren felt a spark of interest he hadn't felt in years.

"Is my body that appealing?" He teased, tipping Liang Fei's chin up so they were looking into each other's eyes. The violet that glimmered in the dimmed room warmed Xieren heart so much, his voice dropped to a subtle growl. "For you to be watching me so closely. I'm embarrassed."

Anyone seeing the scene could feel the tension, their faces flushed at the atmosphere the two exuded. The girls in the room had been wanting to get close to this man since he'd arrived yet nothing could sway him. Yet this person, an unfamiliar face, got such a reaction.

Xieren paid no mind to those around him, taking in this person's scent. It was covered by perfume but Xieren's senses were stronger than that of a human. Under those flowery scents, he could trace the smell he had longed for over a decade.

I finally found you~ A small smile graced his lips as he drew Liang Fei a bit closer. The elder was only half paying attention so he failed to notice how close they were as he replied.

"My lord is handsome, rich and muscular. How could anyone not admire such a combination." He stated, not really thinking about it. His mind was on his own self image. With a body so small in comparison to others, would he be able to defend himself even if he did regain the strength of his cultivation?

Yet a curious thing happened after he spoke those words, yet he was unseen by everyone else in the room.

Xieren blushed.

Xieren wasn't an arrogant person. He was quite humble, as he had been taught to be but even he knew he was attractive to people. Men were attracted to his power and women to his looks. He had accepted this and thought it normal when praise was laid at his feet. Liang Fei's were fairly normal compared to the sonnets of his virtues.

Yet this person's simple words were enough to make Xieren feel his chest warm just like that. 

I-it was too embarrassing though! How could he say such honeyed words so easily and without pause? It was too much.

But Xieren couldn't let this man see his reaction to his simple words. He was trying to remain cool and collected, wanting this man to see him as someone to respect. If he was blushing at simple complements like this, what would he think?!

Liang Fie was about to ask why the man looked so flushed when Xieren pulled him close, burying his face in his shoulder. The elder flinched, not expecting this and feeling a bit strange.

"O-oi," He stammered, his arms hanging in the air. He wasn't sure what to do. He wanted to push the man away but feeling his breath against his neck was a surprisingly pleasant feeling and he was still trying to come to terms with that. "w-why are you-"

"You are a man." Xieren interrupted, needing a moment to compose himself. Hold the man close, having his scent meld and mix with his own didn't help a lot but it did give him a chance to control his expression.

Liang Fei flinched, feeling concerned. If he was found out, he'd be killed. To be discovered so quickly by this person, that was his own fault for speaking.

"Staying quiet now won't help you any." He laughed, amused by the shiver his action caused. Ah, was his neck his weakness?

Xieren stored that away for later.

"Perhaps but I'd rather do so." Liang Fei pushed Xieren's head away, feeling embarrassed for his reaction. This man was clearly just trying to get under his skin. To react to his actions was silly since they were merely a means to an end.

"I see." Xieren felt a bit disappointed to be pushed away but let the man do so. If he wanted, he could easily overpower them but for the first time in a while, he didn't want to. This person, he didn't want them disliking him. "But if you are a man, you might be useful to me."

"Useful?"

"Yes, I..." Xieren turned away, smelling something as his hand clenched on his upper arm. Under the heavy doses of perfume, a familiar copper smell emanated from him. "Why do I smell blood?"

"My apologies." Liang Fei whispered. He couldn't help but flinch as his arm was pressed against his ribs, making him bite his lip to keep from crying out. "It would seem that my wounds have opened."

He'd kept the wound hidden from the guards to prevent them from realizing he was male. The other girls also failed to notice, since he was good at hiding his feelings. Even his own family could never tell he was in pain until he collapsed somewhere when he could no longer take it.

Yet this person noticed.

"Wounds?" Xieren relaxed his hands, suddenly very concerned. "How badly?"

"Not much of anything." He assured, feeling a bit bothered by the man's concern. He really wasn't used to it. "I think it's just a broken rib or two."

"B-broken?" He echoed, his mind drifting back to the cracking sound he'd heard before. Had that been...? "Shouldn't you be more concerned about that!?"

Xieren immediately moved his hand to Liang Fei's rib cage, using his energy to check the man's condition. Looking his over, he had indeed broken some of his ribs, at least three of them. Luckily they were only cracked but it must have been extremely painful to breathe like that. Yet this man looked no worse for wear.

How had this man lived before this? He thought, wanting to gather him close. Instead, he sent his energy into the man, using it to mend his injuries.

"I've had broken ribs before."  They hurt but it's still in place so I'm not worried.

"Still..." As Xieren continued to give the man energy, he noticed all his other ailments. His body was weak, with muscles sore from overuse and his inner energy chaotic. Seeing his body this strained, Xieren felt even more worried about this silly man.

Damn him for making him worry like this. He shouldn't care! This person was a stranger. Yes, his scent was like Shizun but he clearly wasn't him so why did he want to make this man's pain go away?

No, it was only because the man was too stupid! He wrote off his injuries like they were nothing so of course, Xieren was worried. Shizun had taught him to be kind to others. Sure, he hadn't lived by that in a while but every once in awhile, he was willing to put himself out there.

It was not because of this man personally!

Unaware of his companion's inner turmoil, Liang Fei relaxed, feeling his body unravel as the tension left him. His body, for the first time in a while, felt comfortable and he was happy about that. 

"There's nothing that can be done." He sighed, feeling content as he was pressed to Xieren's side. "This body of mine is fragile and human."

"Human?" He echoed, thinking about their fight. He'd been so concerned over his injuries he had forgotten about how strange it was that he couldn't sense a golden core when that man clearly displayed it before. "You are not a cultivator?"

"Hm?" The elder mumbled, feeling really comfortable just then. He kind of wished he could just close his eyes and relax but then he'd be leaning on this guy. That would be rude, so he moved away a bit. "Me? No, I'm human." It then occurred to him that that was a strange question so he asked. "Why would you ask that?"

Doubt crept into Xieren's heart. While he truly didn't think this person was Shizun, he had sort of hoped...

"I..." He started, wondering how much he should say. "I heard from the guard that there was a cultivator here."

"Ah, well that isn't me." He confirmed, resisting the urge to pat the man on the shoulder. Seeing his dejected expression made him want to pet him but doing so now, after he was revealed to be a man, would be embarrassing on both sides.

"It really isn't you then..."

Liang Fei frowned, wondering why the other person sounded so despondent about the fact he was mortal? Perhaps he was expecting a dashing rescue?

Ah, I suppose in this fantasy world, that wasn't really that unreasonable. He thought, staring up at the sky.

Xieren sighed, feeling his hopes ebb away. While he wasn't sure what was going on right then, he was shocked to find he wasn't upset. Disappointed? Yes but not sad.

Shizun might not be here. But this person, this man, was the closest thing he could find to his master. His scent and his eyes were the same. He spoke in that same manner Shizun did.

Maybe this man was Shizun but also not?

Trying to resolve the matter in his head gave him a headache, his mind instinctively moving away from the subject. He chose to let it go, deciding he would just enjoy this persons presence instead.

He watched as the man's attention clearly started to drift, his eyes wandering about the room. Having spent a lot of time with Shizun, he knew the look well. If he wasn't wrong, the man would start to sway slightly in 3... 2... 1...

Liang Fei began to slightly sway, his mind now on the music in the room. It wasn't to his taste but it wasn't too bad.

Xieren, having chosen not to think about Shizun or this person in depth, only found the similarity amusing and cute. He reached out, surprising the elder when he ran his thumb over Liang Fei's cheek.

"Please don't do that." He chastised, pushing the juniors hand away. "You'll ruin my makeup."

Silence fell between them.

Words no man should ever say was uttered. It hurt. Not just that it had been said but that he had spoken them so easily, Liang Fei felt like a small part of him had died just then.

Xieren watched the man grimace. The action was subtle, merely a tightening of his lips but he could tell the man was upset about something.

Was it the makeup? Or his flirtation?

"I'm sorry." Xieren leaned in close, feeling a bit aggrieved he had been rejected but still wanting to be close. "You just happen to look so beautiful that I couldn't help but want to touch."

His skin really soft to the touch, making Xieren want to touch him again. But Liang Fei looked unconvinced by his words.

"Sugared words like that should be left for women you wish to seduce." He pointed out, cocking a brow. "Saying them to me is just strange."

Xieren felt flustered, unsure of how to respond. He'd never wooed a man before, as he had no interest in men prior to this person. Still to be called strange was a bit hurtful.

"Are you not a woman, at this time?" He countered, watching the man closely. His indifferent expression remained static but his eyebrows drooped slightly.

"I suppose so but to be reminded of this is just cruel."  He grumbled, the desire to wipe his face clear surging within him once more. 

Xieren was good at reading people, so he could sense this was a sore subject for him. Still, it was amusing as well.

"I'm very well known for my cruelty." He growled, thinking he might get a fun reaction from it. 

"Are you now?" Liang Fei looked even less convinced. "Are you not Han Caifeng?"

Xieren blinked at him.

"What makes you say that?"

"A guess."

Xieren frowned at this, even more curious.

"Out of all the people in the world I could be, you guess that?" To have guessed his identity like that, Xieren might have thought this man to be playing him but he didn't think so. This person was not cunning enough to fool him.

"Considering my luck, its either than or a demon king." He sighed, thinking it over. Really, his luck had bee so bad recently, why wouldn't it be either or?

"What kind of luck have you had to think you would bump into a monster like that?" He chuckled, amused by this man. If he told him he was both Han Caifeng and the notorious demon King, would he wonder what kind of star he was born under?

If it was this person, the reaction might very well be worth revealing his identity.

Liang Fei however, was as amused and shot back with.

"Didn't you try and kill me the other day?"

"Surely that wasn't so bad?" He replied with a smile. To Xieren, he felt the encounter was a good one. For the first time in a long time, he slept peacefully and restfully. It had been part of the reason he'd gone through so much trouble to find this man.

He'd been so happy then~

Yet Liang Fei just felt greatly aggrieved at the man's ambivalence. Was his attempted murder just a casual thing? Still...

"...I suppose since I didn't die, it wasn't a problem but I would rather not be randomly attacked." He replied, wanting to instill in this person his feelings toward the matter. He didn't hold a grudge since he didn't die but nor was he happy about it.

"I'll be sure to keep from doing so."

"Since you tried to deflect, I'll assume my guess was correct." Liang Fei was sure of this. This person's words encouraged further questions, making his lack of an answer less noticeable. But Liang Fei wasn't one to be fooled by tricks like that.

He was, after all, a big brother.

Xieren smiled, resting his chin on his hand as he stared. This person was really a lot of fun.

"So why are you here?" He asked, watching as the man turned to him. He really likes it when this person looked at him. If only he didn't turn away just as often.

"Mistaken identity it would seem."

"I doubt it. You are too weak to be mistaken for Han Caifeng." He snorted, thinking these traffickers to be idiots. Did they truly think they could actually catch him so easily? It should have been clear that this random vagrant wasn't the illustrious merchant, Han Caifeng.

From his investigation, he learned that there was a man using the surname Han that was assumed to be him. Since this person seemed to be the type not to know about power dynamics in the city, he may well have introduced himself as surname Han without knowing it. Why else would they take an interest in him?

Seeing the man's confidence, Liang Fei chose not to correct his assumption. There was no way he could tell anyone that the reason he was here was that they thought he was a woman. He would take it to his grave.

"Ah, I suppose compared to you, I am quite weak but please be patient."

"Oh? Do you plan on rescuing everyone?"

"I am currently unable to."

"Then what?" He asked, wanting to hear what this man came up with. Surely it would be just as interesting as him. "Do you think they will just let you go?"

"I do have a plan."

"Oh?"

"You may doubt me but one needs more than just strength alone to win a battle."

"Like?"

"The element of surprise. A cultivator such as yourself will be treated as a threat. They will always be watching out for you." He gestured to the corner of the room, where a few guards had been stationed. Most didn't pay them any mind, seeing them as a means to control the room if things got bad. But they were clearly paying more attention to Xieren than before. "A regular person, on the other hand, they will turn their back on. They relax their guard."

Of course, Xieren had noticed the attention too but felt no concern. He could kill everyone in the room before they could even draw their blades.

"And what? Will you stab them in the back?"

"I would need a knife for that but perhaps I can fashion one." He stated, so casually that one might mistake his tone for light. In his mind, he was thinking how nice it'd be if he had a toothbrush, then he could fashion it into a shiv. But he didn't find any so he'd have to try something else.

"If not, I can at least cripple them in some way." He finished, nodding once. Xieren stared at the man wide-eyed, a bit scared by how casual he was being.

"I... I wasn't expecting you to be so ruthless." He huffed, battling between his admiration for this man's resolve and slight fear he might turn on him. 

I suppose Xuejie was right about being wary of the quiet ones. He thought. But this guy, it was kind of sexy to see him talk so casually about stabbing people. He was weak but didn't whine about it.

"I am one to use every advantage I can." Liang Fei saw no reason to lie about his tactics.

"Isn't that polite speak for you using underhanded tactics?"

"Only those who lose call it that." He retorted with pride. "I call it winning."

Xieren out a huff, covering his mouth to suppress his laughter at his shamelessness. He could understand that kind of mentality. As a former waste, he knew that one can't always win by playing fair.

The words this man spoke were just like his master. Ah, this person is too cute!

Now if only he could get this person to stop looking at everything but him! Even now, his gaze was on the door, his attention riveted on a cart of food being wheeled in. As this was a low grade brothel, the madam felt the need to show off so she used carts instead of girls.

The room was filled with the scent of freshly cooked food and sweet wines. Even Xieren felt a bit tempted, though he didn't really trust anything on the cart.

Considering the rumors about how this brothel acquires women, he didn't think it was out of the norm for them to slip something in the food to 'encourage' the girls.

Yet despite this obvious fact, many people reacted with glee, calling out to the woman pushing the cart for refills. Just under the guest's cheers and orders, Xieren heard a grumbling sound. It was low and deep but clearly nearby. Could it be...?

He turned to his companion, who was staring expressionlessly at the cart. His demeanor was serene and apathetic, so one might be doubtful but Xieren was absolutely sure he had heard the man's stomach growl.

"Are you hungry?"

"No." Liang Fei's reply was immediate, even as his eyes remained fixed on the display. He could smell the succulent meats and the clear, fragrant soup from there. Again, his stomach made itself known but was only heard by Xieren.

"Really?" Xieren drawled, cocking a brow at his companion. "Cause you haven't looked away since they brought it in. I feel a bit jealous."

"There no reason to." Liang Fei, distracted by hunger as he was, said exactly what was on his mind. Food. "Food is obviously very important."

Ah, this man is truly ruthless~ Xieren thought, hanging his head.

"More important than me?"

"At the moment, yes." He answered, missing Xieren's shocked face. "I can go days without talking to someone but I can only go a couple of hours before hunger sets in." At that, Xieren frowned, concerned about Liang Fei.

"How long has it been since you ate?"

Liang Fei said nothing, not wanting to admit it. While he and the girls had been fed, he was still hungry all the same. He wasn't sure if it was because he was male and they were female, in which they only needed handfuls of food or if it on purpose but all that he'd eaten barely felt like anything.

Yet to torture them with a buffet like that was...

Having not received an answer, Xieren knew it had been a while. If the man had been in town when he was told, he might not have eaten for days. Yet this daring weakling thought he could cripple someone?

Not on an empty stomach, you won't.

"If I get you food, will you answer my questions?" He offered, surprising Liang Fei. At long last, the elder looked at him with his full attention.

"Did you have any?" Liang Fei was sure this man would grow bored after a while and just leave him. He was fine with that yet now he wanted answers from him?

"Well, I would love to have your name." Xieren truly did want this person's name. Those eyes had been haunting his dreams for days. He had to know this man's name before he set about his plan.

"Are we so close?" Liang Fei looked doubtful, even as Xieren grinned happily. Putting his arm around the elder's shoulder in a friendly way, he continued.

"Surely after sharing a life and death situation-"

"In which you tried to kill me." The elder cut in, deadpan and still slightly miffed. But his sullen demeanor was only met with a hearty laugh.

"But I didn't." He pointed out, smiling at the man's expression. How can a man's face never change but somehow have such expressive eyes? "And you kept me from freezing to death."

"I see." He nodded. He couldn't argue with that, nor did he care enough to do so. "Then may I have your name? One who asks for another's name before giving their own-"

"-is just a rude person trying to gain control of the situation and assert dominance." He finished, recalling his master's lesson. Compared to all the other times he'd heard such a lesson, Shizun's reasoning was the most unique. It's why he remembered it so well

Xieren left to get the food, amused to see that his companion had been staring at him quite intensely. He could feel the man's gaze on his back and he definitely didn't dislike it.

The elder left at the table continued to stare after Xieren, his brows furrowed as the words spoken echoed in his mind. That was his lesson spoken back to him. He knew it well since he had been quite surprised to learn that his lesson was different from other elders.

Apparently he was the odd one out.

Yet he had only taught this lesson to his own disciples. So there was no reason for this stranger to-

Wait, was he truly a stranger? This world was vast yet he had met this person twice already. Miss Yao Da was one thing since they resided in the same town but this person, there was no reason for him to keep showing up. Especially here.

Thinking back to his first time being reborn as Shao Liang Fei, hadn't something similar happened? He met a person multiple times, him being the first person he met after death.

A young man with long blue-black hair, like that man.

A single visible gold eye, like that man.

A smile that felt predatory because of his sharp teeth but really just cute, sort of like that man.

Like... Xieren?

Was that person... Was he truly so lucky (or perhaps unlucky) to have bumped into the person he'd been searching for this entire time by accident?! Twice!?

He hadn't bothered to look at the man too closely, his attention mostly on studying the room to find a means of escape. When they were face to face before, he noticed his gold eyes but wrote it off as a trick of the light.

Surely most people didn't have gold eyes but...

If that person was truly Xieren... To him, the man he is now is only a stranger. Could he introduce himself as Shao Liang Fei and be believed? The freebie given by that irresponsible system said he could but...

His thoughts ran in circles, trying to reach a decision. Admit to who he was or lie? 

"Ne, uncle?" Liang Fei looked up, wary someone had heard her address of him. A woman, unfamiliar to him, sat down beside him. She wore a calm serene smile but it didn't reach her eyes. "Mind if we talk for a little bit?