It had been only about seven months since he last saw her but it felt like aeons. Huo Buyi had never been sober ever since. At times, her scent seemed to linger around his wrist, around his shaoshang string. The string had been his companion, something he held dear. His love for her was steadfast, unwavering and devoted. The thoughts of Shao Shang being with another man had antagonised him. Most importantly, Huo Buyi was infuriated with himself, he detested himself for his choice of abandonment.

It was another usual day for the people over at Ping An Town. As usual, Shao Shang went to pick Huo Yi up from school. The village head from one of the villages got hold of Shao Shang just before they boarded the horse carriage. He asked if Shao Shang could make a trip to the outskirt with him to check out the village's water infrastructure. He knew it was a was abrupt however the situation was dire. He assured her that his village wasn't far and they would be back in no time.

Looking that the day was still early, Shao Shang instructed Uncle Lu to send Huo Yi home first. However, Huo Yi being a child, wanted to tag along with his mother. There was no child in the world who would give up the chance of having fun. Thus, he was bugging her to take him along. He wanted to have some fun, exploring the outskirts. He promised to behave and stayed by her side at all times. Feeling helpless, Shao Shang took him along. Uncle Lu sent both of them there and would return again in the evening to pick them both. The villagers welcomed her with open arms. They shared some of their harvests with her, touched her pregnant belly and pinched Huo Yi's fleshy cheeks. The women in the village helped keep an eye on Huo Yi as Shao Shang went to survey the place. Little did they know, dangers were lurking around. The rebels that Huo Buyi was chasing had come close to the village. 

Seeing that the village was of a good size and there weren't a lot of men, the rebels were planning to invade the village. They could slaughter not only the old but also the men and enslaved the women and children. This village could be their hideout. The rebels thought they were safe since they had been on the run for quite a while,  and no one seemed to be on their trail. Little did they know, in no time the Black Amour Troop would catch up as Huo Buyi had an elite team of scouts. Tracking down the rebels was only a matter of time. The rebels were waiting for their golden opportunities, they were planning to execute their plan in the evening when things were quiet. It was also around that time when usually, the villagers would start to settle down.

Under the company of the village head, Shao Shang spent the afternoon surveying the place, taking down notes and making an initial draft of the village infrastructure. It was close to evening and the village head had suggested that Shao Shang come again as it wasn't very safe to travel after dark given the current situation. Having worked the whole day, Shao Shao was also very tired.  Both Shao Shang and Huo Yi rested at the village head's house while waiting for Uncle Lu to come to pick them up. It was also at around this time, the rebels had launched their attacks. The villagers were caught by surprise and the rebels had the upper hand. 

Uncle Lu was on his way to the village to pick up Huo Yi and Shao Shang, he stopped in the midst as the Black Amour Troop was scouting the area. Liang Qiu Fei was asking him questions and advised him to turn back. However, Uncle Lu refused and the commotion alerted Huo Buyi. Huo Buyi rode his horse and checked if everything was alright. Uncle Lu said, 'General Huo, I really need to pass through the pick my Mdm and young master. It's getting late. I really need to take them back.' Huo Buyi was feeling puzzled as he had not set foot in this area before, therefore, it was quite unlikely for anyone to recognise him. It was also at this moment Huo Buyi saw, Liang Qiu Qi. Liang Qiu Qi greeted Uncle Lu and shared with Huo Buyi that Uncle Lu was Shao Shang's butler. In this instance, he realised Shao Shang and Huo Yi might not be safe. He asked for their whereabouts and headed towards there in a heartbeat.

Huo Buyi turned cold as he saw bodies outside the houses, he got off the horse and touched the body. It was cold, it only meant that they were dead for some time. He panicked and ran towards the centre of the village. He touched the body again and it was warm. He started to feel hopeful. He thought to himself, 'They were safe, they must be safe. I just needed to find them.' He fought his way towards the village head's house. He kicked the door opened and saw the rebel was strangling a lady who looked really like Shao Shang. Without thinking, he threw a dragger at the rebel and when the lady fell to her side. He recognised her at once. That was his Shao Shang. He killed the rebel and dashed over to embrace her. He called out her name and told her that everything was alright and she was safe now. Shao Shang's breathing was weak and she pass out leaning on his chest in his embrace. He held her waist, he realised a bump and he felt across her belly. His heart sank, at that moment he realised she was pregnant.

He was confused and lost, he had so many thoughts going through his mind at once. Huo Buyi did not know what to think anymore. He lifted her up and instructed his men to look for a child aged around three to four. He carried her to Uncle Lu's horse carriage,  he asked for the child's name and Uncle Lu shared that Shao Shang addressed him as Yi'er. He carried Shao Shang up the carriage and rest her close to him. He placed his face on hers and thanked her for being alive. He stroked her belly and asked himself what was going on, and if she had really forgotten about him. There weren't any reports of her pregnancy, and he wondered if Liang Qiu Qi deliberately leave it out in his reporting. Shortly, one of his men sent a child up the horse carriage and placed him beside Huo Buyi. Uncle Lu rode the horse carriage as fast as he could and meanwhile, Huo Buyi checked the child for injuries.  

The horse carriage gave way when they were just one street away from home. Thus, Uncle Lu had to carry Huo Yi for the rest of the journey home, while Huo Buyi carried Shao Shang. Along the way, they met some people, those people looking very worried, who were calling out to the child and Shao Shang. Huo Buyi was totally befuddled, especially after hearing the way, people addressed Shao Shang and the child. His mind was in turmoil. He placed her down on the bed and sat down at the table looking at her. He was extremely quiet,  the thoughts of people calling her 'Mdm Huo' and the child 'Huo Yi' were running through his mind.