“How about it, Madam?”

The youth reached out, tucking a few stray silver strands of hair behind the beauty in his arms, his lips curving in a gentle smile.

“Though this is a body forged from mental energy—a false one.”

“Besides not being able to fire blanks, I’m fully equipped with everything a normal man should have.”

The youth took Alicefiel’s hand and placed it on his chest.

Though artificial, Alicefiel felt the real deal: a toned body and the pounding heart in his broad chest.

Instinctively, her eyes flicked to his trouser pocket.

The outline suggested a massive dragon coiled there.

“Oh? So Madam’s interested in that spot.”

The youth arched a brow.

“If Madam’s curious about it, why don’t we head to the bedroom for a closer look?”

With that, he started carrying Alicefiel toward the bedroom.

“Stop, stop!”

Alicefiel flushed with annoyance, wriggling free from his arms and standing aside.

Golden patterns instantly crawled up her neck.

The silver-haired, blue-eyed girl transformed back into the middle-aged man.

Lu Xin fished a pack of Great Mage cigarettes from his pocket, swiftly pulled one out, lit it, and took a deep drag.

The youth frowned.

“I thought you didn’t smoke?”

“Used to, when stress was high.”

Lu Xin smacked his lips.

“Quit after Xiao Yue was born.”

“Looks like your stress is pretty high now.”

The youth said, his form shattering and reverting to the blonde, red-eyed loli.

Elizabeth rummaged in the tea cabinet, grabbed a cup, filled it with tap water, and set it on the table where they’d been talking.

“Sit back down. Let’s talk properly.”

Elizabeth said.

“Am I really that repulsive?”

“To make you hate me this much.”

Elizabeth sat with her legs together, her voice forlorn.

Lu Xin fell silent for a moment, flicking ash into the cup and taking another drag.

“It’s not that.”

His voice was slightly hoarse.

“Then why can’t you accept me?”

Elizabeth pressed a hand to her left chest, puzzled.

“I… don’t know.”

Lu Xin said.

“Looks like you haven’t let go of Corona.”

Elizabeth pierced the truth.

Lu Xin’s face drained of color, like a sewer rat dragged into the light, exposed and helpless under the sun.

“You already know she’s married, with a child—even taught that child, right?”

Elizabeth said, eyeing Lu Xin’s ashen face.

“So she told you.”

“I only learned years ago when she came to me for help admitting that girl Lu Ming to school.”

“Didn’t know she had such a grown daughter.”

“Now that girl’s got a bit of your old flair—minus the cold personality.”

Elizabeth glanced at Lu Xin’s bearded face.

“I mean the male you.”

“A married man pining for another’s wife—you’re pathetic now.”

“I’m not pining for Corona.”

Lu Xin’s defense rang hollow.

“I have a child, she has a family—we can’t be together. I… let go.”

“You haven’t.”

“I…”

Lu Xin trailed off.

“If you’d let her go, why can’t you accept me?”

Elizabeth approached, straddling his lap.

“I love you too—why won’t you accept me?”

“I… don’t deserve it.”

“It’s just a kid with an unknown father? I don’t care about what’s in your pants. I don’t mind.”

Elizabeth leaned into Lu Xin’s chest, greedily inhaling his scent.

“I’ll accept all of you, your child—everything I have is yours.”

“Ha Yin clearly liked you, but vanished during that pre-crusade survey.”

Elizabeth said sadly.

“She loved you deep down, yet disappeared without a trace. After all these years, she’s probably dead.”

“You remember her, right?”

“Yeah. She was quiet, in my memory.”

“Right—the quietest one took the riskiest job.”

Elizabeth’s eyes glazed over, lost in reminiscence and sigh.

“No one else is left to fight me for you now.”

“I’ve loved you for over twenty years—I can’t wait anymore.”

“If Corona hadn’t uncovered your secret, that mission seventeen years ago would’ve been our last goodbye.”

“I’m just afraid you’ll vanish again.”

Elizabeth straightened, tugging Lu Xin’s collar and toppling him—chair and all—onto the floor.

One lay prone, the other straddled atop.

In the fall, Lu Xin reacted swiftly, pinching out