The cracking sound produced by breaking the formation was particularly jarring outside the quiet courtyard, attracting the attention of Uncle Fu, who was pruning the flowers and plants inside.

Uncle Fu put down the scissors in his hand, frowned, and pushed open the heavy wooden door of the courtyard.

When he saw the middle-aged man in a gray coat standing outside the door, he was taken aback, and a hint of doubt flashed in his eyes.

But a second later, Uncle Fu remembered something, his pupils contracted, the color drained from his face, and his expression became solemn and ferocious!

He stared at the middle-aged man in front of him, unleashing the full power of a B-level professional, and stood in the center of the doorway.

There is no other reason.

First, the fact that the other party broke through the highest defensive formation of the courtyard without prior notice clearly indicates that they had ill intentions.

The second reason, and the one that terrified and angered Uncle Fu the most—

He had seen this middle-aged man before!

More than five years ago, after this man in the top hat appeared, Zhou Huai's mother died tragically in a pool of blood, and the originally healthy and lively Zhou Huai was also afflicted by an extremely strange dark curse, turning him into a paralyzed man who could only sit in a wheelchair!

He is the absolute culprit who caused the young master's tragic first half of life!

"Your Excellency... what does this mean?!"

Seeing Uncle Fu's tense expression, the middle-aged man was not angry at all; instead, he smiled.

He straightened the collar of his coat and greeted them in a gentle tone: "Don't be nervous, I'm here to see Zhou Huai."

"Excuse me, is Zhou Huai home?"

Hearing that name uttered from the other person's mouth, Uncle Fu felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. He took a sudden step forward, using his newly reborn, robust body to completely block the doorway behind him.

"My young master is not home!"

Uncle Fu said coldly, "You are not welcome here! Please leave on your own."

The middle-aged man had already anticipated this answer.

His face still wore that harmless, even elegant smile, and his gaze went over Uncle Fu's shoulder, looking into the depths of the villa.

"how?"

"Is this a rejection of my... uncle who has come all the way from afar?"

uncle?!

When Uncle Fu heard this title, his head buzzed, and he was shocked beyond words.

The murderer who killed the young master's mother actually claims to be the young master's uncle?!

"What nonsense are you spouting! Who do you think you are..."

Uncle Fu's eyes were bloodshot. He was about to burst into a tirade, and he was even prepared to risk his newly reborn life to hold ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ off the other party.

However, at that moment, a calm voice came from inside the house, interrupting Uncle Fu's words.

"Uncle Fu, please let him in." 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Uncle Fu was startled and turned around abruptly.

Zhou Huai had already walked out of the living room and was standing quietly on the steps. He wasn't in a wheelchair; his legs were straight and steady, his hands were casually in his pockets, and his eyes were calm.

"Young Master! But he..."

Upon hearing Zhou Huai's words, Uncle Fu's face was filled with anxiety and hesitation.

Others may not know, but he personally witnessed this man's terrifying methods!

“It’s alright, Uncle Fu. Let him in.” Zhou Huai spoke again, his tone gentle yet authoritative.

Uncle Fu gritted his teeth. He didn't want to go against Zhou Huai's wishes, and he knew that with the young master's current strength, he was no longer the child who could be slaughtered at will.

He could only glare at the middle-aged man with hostility before stepping aside.

The middle-aged man took off his retro top hat, smiled politely at Uncle Fu who looked wary, and then casually walked into the courtyard.

Zhou Huai stepped forward to greet him at that moment.

The autumn sun shone in the courtyard, and the two men gradually closed the distance between them, finally stopping when they were three meters apart.

Their eyes met suddenly in mid-air.

The middle-aged man's eyes were sizing up Zhou Huai. His gaze swept over Zhou Huai's upright body, and he didn't seem surprised that Zhou Huai could walk nimbly on his own and had completely gotten rid of paralysis.

"It's been such a long time."

The middle-aged man held his top hat to his chest and gave a complicated smile.

"I can't believe how much you've grown up. You're starting to look more and more like your mother."

Upon hearing the word "mother," Zhou Huai's eyes turned cold, but his expression remained unchanged.

He looked at the unfathomable man before him, the leader of the Dawn Guild who could even instantly kill Lin Zhu.

Zhou Huai smiled at him, his tone calm.

"You seem to know me very well. But I know nothing about you."

Zhou Huai tilted his head, his gaze fixed on the other person's eyes, and asked, word by word:

"By the way, nice to meet you formally for the first time..."

"Should I call you uncle, or should I just call you..."

"Mr. Duan?"

Mr. Duan smiled politely and waved his hand.

"You can call me whatever you like. A name is just a label. If you're willing to consider that thin blood ties, you can call me Uncle; if you only have hatred in your heart, then calling me Mr. Duan is more in line with our current position."

He took off his vintage top hat, casually playing with it in his hand, his gaze sweeping over Zhou Huai's shoulder and across the tranquil courtyard.

Aren't you going to invite me in for a seat?

Zhou Huai turned to the side and calmly made a gesture of invitation.

"please."

The two walked slowly into the living room, one after the other.

The living room is simply furnished, with autumn sunlight streaming through the clear French windows, casting dappled shadows on the floor.

Zhou Huai sat down on the sofa in the main seat, and Mr. Duan naturally sat down opposite him.

There was a mahogany tea table between the two.

Soon, Uncle Fu came over carrying a purple clay teapot and two teacups.

He placed the tea set heavily on the coffee table, without glancing at Mr. Duan once. He then turned and retreated to a corner of the living room, standing motionless and watching Mr. Duan's every move.

Zhou Huai didn't notice Fu Bo's nervousness. He personally picked up the purple clay teapot and skillfully poured a cup of hot tea for Mr. Duan.

The pale green tea swirls in the cup, and the wisps of aroma slowly rise between the two, softening the tense atmosphere.

Mr. Duan looked at the steaming cup of tea in front of him and smiled meaningfully.

He picked up the teacup with his slender fingers, brought it to his nose and sniffed it gently, then took a small sip without any suspicion.

He put down his teacup, looked up at Zhou Huai, and broke the silence with his words.

"The tea is good."

Mr. Duan paused, his gaze falling on Zhou Huai's face, and asked, "Do you know why I came?"

Zhou Huai leaned back on the soft sofa, his hands crossed on his knees, in a relaxed posture.

"Why else could it be? It's because of me, of course."

Hearing this answer, Mr. Duan became even more interested. He nodded frankly, without beating around the bush.

"To be honest, you really surprised me. Very, very much so."

Mr. Duan leaned back in the sofa, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest, making a rhythmic tapping sound.

"In my plan, you should have died long ago."