Occasionally, one can see a few three- or four-story Soviet-style buildings. Most pedestrians are dressed in blue, gray, and black, and the sound of bicycle bells rises and falls.

The air was filled with a mixture of coal smoke, dust, and the faint aroma of fried dough sticks wafting from roadside food stalls.

The jeep eventually turned into a relatively quiet street lined with tall poplar trees and stopped in front of a five-story red brick tenement building.

The building is somewhat old, with peeling paint on the walls, and some miscellaneous items and honeycomb briquettes are piled up at the entrance of the corridor.

"We're here, third floor." Jiang Feng parked the car and led the two into the dimly lit stairwell. The narrow stairwell was filled with a damp and greasy smell.

Howard instinctively stepped aside, letting Mingzhao walk in front of him against the wall, his tall figure protecting her on the inside.

Mingzhao, carrying her sketchbook, moved with light steps, like a wary yet curious cat, surveying the unfamiliar and crowded living environment.

Upon reaching the third floor, Jiang Feng stopped in front of a dark green wooden door and knocked.

"Coming!" A gentle and capable female voice came from inside the door.

The door opened. A middle-aged woman wearing a faded gray Lenin suit, black-rimmed glasses, and her hair neatly tied up at the back of her head appeared in the doorway.

She possessed a gentle demeanor, yet her eyes were exceptionally bright and sharp, carrying a calmness and wisdom unique to intellectuals.

She is Jiang Feng's wife, Professor Liu Wenjun.

"Wenjun, this is Commander Huo, and Comrade Mingzhao," Jiang Feng introduced.

Liu Wenjun's gaze immediately fell on Mingzhao behind Huo Hua.

Her gaze swept quickly and precisely across Mingzhao's face and eyes, finally settling on the grid sketchbook that she was clutching tightly to her chest.

That look didn't seem like he was looking at a naive girl; it was more like he was looking at a rough gem that was uncarved but contained amazing energy.

Mingzhao looked directly into her eyes, showing no stage fright whatsoever.