With the destruction of the archives, the matter concerning Gao Linbing was laid to rest. The true identity of Gao Linbing was a closely guarded secret within the military, and there was a strict rule to keep silent and not spread any information, so everyone tacitly agreed to forget about this person. Of course, it was unknown whether anyone talked about it privately.

Qi Taiguo, after going through this ordeal, despite Cheng Su’s comforting words, chose not to think too much about it. He continued with his training and his duties as usual.

But those who knew him well noticed that Qi Taiguo had changed. The former Qi Taiguo, despite being quiet and composed, always had a bright disposition.

Now, he exuded a certain coldness that made him appear no longer as open as before, but rather stern and tranquil, with an invisible shield raised to protect himself while keeping others at bay.

As a result, Qi Taiguo’s military bearing seemed even more imposing than before. The aura of blood and steel caused others to step back instinctively. In the past, people admired his talents in both academics and martial arts, but now they avoided him.

As someone close to him, Cheng Su couldn’t help but notice Qi Taiguo’s change, though there was nothing she could do. She could only say that the incident with Gao Linbing had indeed affected him.

That night, they were more intimate than usual, and Cheng Su found her waist aching, breathing softly.

What kind of pent-up frustration had this man held in? 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

She nestled into Qi Taiguo’s arms and said, "Do you know?"

"Hmm?"

"People outside are now calling you the Cold-faced Shura," Cheng Su teased.

Qi Taiguo turned his head and smiled, "What, did I scare you?"

Cheng Su rolled her eyes and said, "Do you think I would be afraid?"

Qi Taiguo pulled her closer, kissed her forehead, and said, "As long as you’re not afraid, it’s fine." He paused and added, "You don’t need to be scared; I won’t harm you or our son."

"Mm, no matter how you are outside, when you come home, you can relax. You don’t have to keep up that shield and mask; it’s exhausting," Cheng Su said.

"Okay."

Only then did Cheng Su continue, "By the way, do you know Gao Hongbo has died?"

"Who?" Qi Taiguo was startled, then remembered, "Gao Hongbo, Secretary Gao? He died?"

Cheng Su nodded and relayed the news Ning Ge had brought earlier, saying, "Ning Ge thinks Chiang Qing killed him."

Qi Taiguo sneered, "She has really become capable."

Thinking of Chiang Qing, he suddenly recalled their first meeting. Back then, she was also a proud beauty. But within a few short years, how could she have changed so much?

Time and fate toy with people. She is changing, he is changing, everyone is changing, and the trajectory continues to shift with no way to stop it.

"What are you thinking about?" Cheng Su nudged him.

Qi Taiguo said, "I was just thinking about how fate likes to toy with people. Of our kind, mortals, none of us can escape its manipulation."

Cheng Su chuckled and said, "You being so profound all of a sudden does take some getting used to."

Yet in her heart, she felt a twinge of pity. People grow only through pain, and Qi Taiguo was undoubtedly growing, too.

"Did Ning Ge say where Chiang Qing is now?" Qi Taiguo asked.

"That’s unclear. He implied she has someone backing her now," Cheng Su suddenly mused, "For both the Loo Family and Chiang’s family to fall, for her to find new support, that’s quite impressive."

Qi Taiguo stated, "That’s normal. Jiang Conghe aside, the old man from the Loo Family has been scheming for years; it’s possible he had fallback plans." Isn’t it evident now?

"That’s why, in big families, having three backup plans is a necessity. One must always have a contingency because flowers do not stay in bloom for a hundred days."

Qi Taiguo deeply agreed. He needed to discuss things with Ning Ge, too.