Mrs. Nuwa stepped out of the car.
Mrs. Nuwa Hua: "Min Chi, come with me. Xiuying, go to the director's office and fetch the documents."
Min Chi & Xiuying: "Yes, ma'am."
In Jawlong's Office
Mrs. Nuwa entered. Min Chi followed behind her.
Deng Min Chi: "Mr. Jawlong—"
Jawlong Hua: "Yes— (He looked up and immediately stood) Mom?"
He hurried over and guided her to the sofa.
Jawlong Hua: "Why are you here?"
Mrs. Nuwa Hua: "I came to see you."
Jawlong Hua: "But you just—"
Mrs. Nuwa Hua: "You don't need to worry about me. I'm feeling much better now."
She gently held his hand.
Meanwhile, Xiuying had already collected the documents.
Back Inside the Office
The door opened. Xiuying stepped in.
Xiao Xiuying: "Mrs. Chairwoman, here are the documents."
Mrs. Nuwa Hua: "Thank you. This is my son, Jawlong."
Xiao Xiuying: "Good afternoon,"
she said with a polite bow. Jawlong froze. For a moment, his world stopped. He finally saw her again.
But the sad part was— she didn't recognize him.
(How could she? Memories from a past life were never easy to carry.)
Jawlong Hua: "Have we… met before?"
Xiao Xiuying: "How could we? This is our first meeting."
Jawlong Hua: "No, you have. Is your name… Xiao Yufan?"
Xiao Xiuying: "Wait— (She frowned, trying to recall something.) I think I've heard that name somewhere… but I can't remember."
Jawlong Hua: "Maybe."
(He pretended not to know more. Yet he was the one who had called her by that name in the hospital.)
Mrs. Nuwa Hua: "That's enough. I'm going home now. Xiuying, finish the work on that document."
Xiuying: "Of course, ma'am."
Mrs. Nuwa left. Xiuying turned to go as well.
Jawlong Hua: "Wait."
Xiao Xiuying: "Yes, Mr. Hua?"
Jawlong Hua: "Can we… be friends?"
Xiao Xiuying: "I— what?"
Jawlong stepped closer. Xiuying instinctively stepped back.
Xiao Xiuying: "Wh-What are you talking about?"
He stared at her intensely. And without meaning to, she stared back into his eyes.
Suddenly— A flash. Images burst in her mind: Dead bodies, A battlefield. A phoenix and a dragon defeating a demon-like man. Her head throbbed.
Jawlong kept walking forward. Xiuying moved back until she lost her balance. He reached out to catch her— but tripped on her foot. Both collapsed. And in that moment— their lips touched. An accidental kiss. They froze, eyes wide, hearts racing.
Then— Knock. Knock. The moment shattered. They jumped apart quickly.
Jawlong Hua: "I—I'm sorry…"
No one opened the door, so the visitor entered himself. It was Zhong Zixin.
Zhong Zixin: "Hey, why are—"
He stopped mid-sentence when he saw Xiuying. His eyes widened.
Zhong Zixin: "Your Highness… Yufan?"
Xiao Xiuying: "S-Sorry?"
Jawlong Hua: "Stop. You can go now."
Xiao Xiuying: "Yes, Mr. Hua."
She hurried out. After She Left,
Zhong Zixin: "That was her, wasn't it?"
Jawlong Hua: "…Yes."
Zhong Zixin: "Why doesn't she remember us?"
Jawlong Hua: "She's human now, not the Phoenix Queen. Her past-life memories are gone."
Zhong Zixin: "Oh… so she truly doesn't remember anything."
Jawlong Hua: "Maybe. We'll have to wait and see."
Zhong Zixin: "Anyway, I came to see you. Our new series is finished. We're planning to release it next month."
Jawlong Hua: "That's good. What's the title? "
Zhong Zixin: "You'll find out later. Also, Xinling has returned."
Jawlong Hua: "When?"
His expression softened with happiness.
Zhong Zixin: "This morning. He might come see you later."
Jawlong Hua: "Good."
Zhong Zixin: "I'll be busy this month—lots of work pending. I have to go."
Jawlong Hua: "Alright. See you."
To be continued..