The memories continue to replay.

But at this moment, in those memories, there is no trace left of Bai Shuang.

The memories of Bai Shuang are forever frozen on that day, at that moment.

They have become an inconspicuous pebble submerged in the riverbed of the winding River of Time.

Only Yi Fan is left alone.

"I heard about Bai Shuang’s situation," Li Shutong and Yi Fan walked one after another on the deserted long street.

Like two solitary old men.

The teacher and student both had similar experiences, allowing them to empathize with each other more deeply.

"Thank you, teacher." Yi Fan looked up at the elderly man walking ahead of him. His temples seemed much grayer than before.

"Despite Great Xia facing so many crises, you still took the time to come and see me."

"I’m managing, the work in the Eighth War Zone continues..."

Upon hearing this, Li Shutong shook his head.

"There’s no need to lie to me. Although we live in a world full of lies, not all lies are necessary."

"You can take a break."

"How long and how much time, that’s up to you."

"We always experience the pain of loss, time will not stop for us, but we ourselves can choose whether to continue moving forward, or perhaps, pause for a moment to lick the wounds in our hearts."

"Great Xia is important, the work in the Eighth War Zone is important, but your feelings are also important."

Listening to Li Shutong’s words, Yi Fan halted his steps.

He looked towards the person he was most familiar with aside from Bai Shuang, mouthing softly.

"Thank you, teacher!"

"I indeed want to rest for a while."

Starting from the conversation on this day,

he returned to the identity of an ordinary person, like an unknown citizen, stopped walking, and lived his own slow-paced life.

The Commander of the Eighth War Zone, "Wu," temporarily went offline.

...

"Hey, you’re quite handsome, what’s your name?"

The bar, the counter.

The woman across from him made conversation, Yi Fan glanced at her lightly, her delicate makeup was noticeable, and her lips painted with deep red lipstick were like flames, sexy and stunning.

He looked away and continued the duties of a bartender.

Seeing Yi Fan didn’t speak, the woman continued on her own: "I’m called Red Iris, I work at the dance hall across the street."

She smiled while handing a small card to Yi Fan.

Indeed, the card bore the name Red Iris with a sultry and enticing selfie, revealing snowy expanses of skin.

Yi Fan glanced at it but did not take it.

He pushed over a glass of water with mint leaves and ice, then said: "Forgive me, but if you don’t order something soon, I might have to switch shifts."

"Such a bore." Red Iris pouted, her flame-like seductive red lips arresting, "Then bring me any strong liquor."

Strong liquor.

Yi Fan seemed a bit surprised. As a bartender, he’d encountered all sorts of people, but women who liked strong liquor were indeed rare.

"The stronger, the better." Red Iris licked her lips, adding with a light laugh.

Soon, a glass of strong liquor was crafted and pushed in front of Red Iris.

Under Yi Fan’s surprised gaze, she drank it all down in one go.

"Tastes good, but still not strong enough."

"I’m in a hurry, I’m off." Red Iris said and turned away, leaving behind a brisk retreating figure.

This woman was truly unique and strange.

Yi Fan thought to himself.

This was his first encounter with Red Iris.

The memory scenes continued to change, and in the memories belonging to Yi Fan, images of Red Iris began to increase.

"You don’t look like a bartender." Once, Red Iris, slightly drunk, half-closed her eyes to size up Yi Fan, half-jokingly said.

"And you don’t look like a dancer." Yi Fan retorted.

"What do I look like then?" Red Iris’s cheeks were a bit flushed, her lips still vibrantly red, slightly parted like a sweet apple, tempting one to take a bite.

Yi Fan restrained himself.

He not only resisted Red Iris’s allure but even remarked astonishingly: "You look like a shrew."

"Yi Fan! You’re really a mood killer!" Red Iris fumed.

...

In life, besides an unforgettable first love, there might also be a memorable mature woman.

She was different from the first love, but both would inevitably imprint deeply into the mind, never to be forgotten.

Yi Fan’s relationship with Red Iris, as she visited the bar more frequently, also gradually became familiar.

From strangers to friends who could talk about anything, sometimes, it just takes a few more drinks.

"Why did you choose to be a bartender?" Red Iris curiously asked Yi Fan.

"The bar is a mix of fish and dragons; people come when they’re in good spirits, come when they’re not, and come when they’re just okay." Yi Fan paused, glanced at Red Iris staring at him, earnest in listening.

"Someone once told me, good stories and words can console a person’s soul, and the stories in a bar are never few."

"Moreover, I’m someone who can’t lie. I need to interact with more people and get inspiration for lies from their stories."

Hearing this, Red Iris laughed softly.

Her smile was beautiful, complementing her vibrant red sexy lips, like a blooming red iris flower.

"I have stories too, do you have wine?" she asked teasingly.

As soon as she finished speaking, a glass of vibrantly red liquor was pushed before her.

Red Iris’s eyes showed a mix of surprise and delight, along with a bit of anticipation.

"Try it."

"It’s my latest creation, the strongest drink in the entire bar. It’s called Fiery Red Lips."

"I’m off work now, see you tomorrow." Yi Fan said to Red Iris.

"So early today?" Red Iris asked in surprise.

"Yeah, something urgent at home needs handling."

Yi Fan nodded calmly.

"You’re lying, Yi Fan. Your lies don’t work on me, you can’t deceive me!" Red Iris stubbornly held onto Yi Fan, her words made Yi Fan freeze.

At that moment, it felt like time and space overlapped and intertwined.

"You’re leaving, you’re leaving here, aren’t you?" Red Iris gripped Yi Fan’s arm with slight force. "Can you take me with you?"

"You like me too, right?"

"I’m sorry." Yi Fan gently pulled away from Red Iris’s grip, walking into the darkness without looking back.

From that day forward, Bartender Yi Fan logged out, the Commander of the Eighth War Zone, "Wu," officially returned.

...

"Commander, after investigation, it was a fire caused by carelessness; the situation soon came under control, but one dancer was burned to death."

"What’s the name of that dance hall?"

"Seems to be called... Breeze Dance Hall?"

"Commander, why aren’t you speaking? Commander?"

"I understand."

The scene abruptly ended.

This memory, its name, is "Beauty."