The country entrusted me to buy an aircraft carrier, Hou Liangping, do you dare to investigate?

The night wind was biting, chilling him to the bone, but it also sharpened his senses. Suddenly, a fork in the road appeared before him. Without hesitation, Huang Feipeng turned onto the side road, silently praying that it would temporarily confuse the phantom and give him a chance to catch his breath.

The moment he turned into the side road, Phantom stopped, her eyes narrowing slightly as if assessing his escape route. Her gaze was calm, like that of a seasoned hunter, quickly analyzing his possible hiding places. Instead of giving chase, she gave a cold smile and muttered, "Huang Feipeng, you underestimate me."

Huang Feipeng strolled along a narrow alley, slowing his hurried pace, his heart finally calming down. He gently pressed his stomach, muttering to himself with a hint of helplessness, "I've been indulging myself too much lately, eating too much and not being able to run. If someone saw this, it would be so embarrassing."

He pulled his coat tighter, the cold wind brushing against his face, bringing a refreshing coolness that gradually calmed his tension. Huang Feipeng looked up and saw the sparse, distant stars in the night sky, silent and seemingly mocking his disheveled state. As he walked, he sighed silently. Since embarking on this escape, every day and night had felt like an endless war, and beneath the city's dazzling night sky, he was nothing more than a lonely shadow being hunted.

"Hmph, Phantom, you're not giving up so easily, are you?" he muttered, a wary glint in his eyes. Though he appeared to be taking a leisurely stroll to digest his food, he remained highly tense inside. He knew that Phantom would not let him leave easily; tonight's tranquility was merely the calm before the storm.

As Huang Feipeng passed a closed shop, he saw his reflection in the glass window, his slightly tired face showing signs of weariness. He couldn't help but stop and examine himself closely, a complex emotion welling up inside him—all these years he had struggled alone, with no partners left to rely on. His life was like a closed iron gate, trapping all his desires for stability, and he himself had long been forced to get used to surviving in perilous circumstances.

"What kind of force is supporting me?" he couldn't help but ask himself. Was it the yearning for freedom, or the attachment to the past? He couldn't answer for sure, nor did he dare to delve into it. It seemed that the lonely and cruel life had become the deepest instinct within him.

Just as he lowered his head in thought, he suddenly heard faint footsteps behind him, so light they were almost suffocating. Huang Feipeng's heart skipped a beat, and his eyes instantly turned cold. He knew that such footsteps were not from an ordinary person; over the years, he had almost become able to judge the enemy's intentions by sound alone.

He slowed his breathing, controlling his heartbeat, while slightly turning his body to better perceive the movement behind him. The footsteps drew closer, light yet steady. He could almost picture the person's expression—a sharp-eyed, wary hunter, ready to strike at any moment.

Just as the footsteps drew near, Huang Feipeng turned and swiftly disappeared into the shadows. The man seemed to notice his disappearance, pausing slightly. Huang Feipeng held his breath, secretly observing the other's movements. A moment later, a stranger in a black cloak slowly walked through the alley, his steps steady, his expression cold and stern, clearly harboring ill intentions.

"It's their spy again..." Huang Feipeng sneered inwardly. It seemed that Phantom still wouldn't let him go and was constantly sending people to search for his whereabouts. Today's seemingly quiet walk was just the beginning of another danger.

The man looked around for a while, seemingly not finding Huang Feipeng, but still vigilantly surveyed his surroundings, approaching step by step, like a patient hunter waiting for the moment his target would be exposed. Huang Feipeng quietly took a few steps back, using the shadows as cover, slowly bypassing the man, trying to find a safe way out.

Just as he retreated to the alley's exit, he caught a glimpse of the man's profile out of the corner of his eye, and a chill ran through him—the man was holding a gleaming dagger, clearly ready to strike at any moment. Huang Feipeng's mind raced; he knew he couldn't afford to fight rashly this time. He tried to move as quietly as possible, leaving the alley entrance and entering another alley. A cold wind swept through the alley entrance, taking away a trace of his body heat.

His steps gradually steadied, and he began to walk slowly forward. The night deepened around him, and the occasional passing vehicle broke the silence. He observed his surroundings out of the corner of his eye, pondering his next move. He wasn't sure if more enemies would be lying in ambush, but he knew he had to find temporary hiding place to avoid the immediate crisis.

"I need to find another place to rest," Huang Feipeng thought to himself, deciding to temporarily disregard his fatigue and instead mentally plan his route forward. The man in black hadn't recognized him, indicating that the other party was also testing him. He touched his stomach; the heaviness of the food lingered, as if subtly reminding him that he wasn't in his best condition.

Huang Feipeng slowed his pace, immersed in the tension of his escape and the desolation of being alone, and almost subconsciously walked into the familiar neighborhood. Just as he was pondering his next move, a familiar voice suddenly rang out behind him: "Hey, isn't this Huang Feipeng? It's been so many years, what a rare guest!" The familiar tone, tinged with a hint of humor, instantly eased his guard.

He stopped and turned around, only to see his old friend Zhou Wentao. The man was the same age as him, his smile as bright as ever, standing boldly in the night, one hand in his pocket, the other holding a bottle of beer, as if he had just come from a bar not far away.

"Wen Tao?" Huang Feipeng was slightly taken aback, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes, followed by a joyful smile. "Long time no see, what are you doing here?"

Zhou Wentao laughed and strode over, his eyes filled with surprise and delight: "I was just about to ask you that! I've been back for ages, but you disappeared without a word for so long, without even leaving a message. I was worried something had happened to you."

Huang Feipeng sighed softly, his expression tinged with helplessness and emotion, and said calmly, "I have my own reasons, there's nothing I can do." His words were brief but full of meaning, clearly indicating that he was unwilling to reveal more about his current situation.

As Zhou Wentao looked him over, he gently patted his shoulder, his smile filled with genuine concern: "What could have gotten you into this state? You look exhausted, like you've been on the run. Feipeng, how have you been doing out there?"