Chapter 1: What Gives You the Right?

Jiang City was a tiny town lost in obscurity, so insignificant it could barely be found on a map. By ten o'clock at night, nearly all the shops along the streets had closed their doors. The black sky was devoid of stars, and only a handful of battered, aging streetlamps cast their dim orange-yellow glow onto the deserted roads.

Two shadows stretched long beneath the lamps, bending and twisting across the walls, creating an odd, almost eerie sight.

"Stop right there!" A brash, arrogant voice rang out behind them.

"I said stop, damn it!"

The two men slowly turned. One wore a gaudy floral shirt, black shorts, and sported brash yellow-dyed hair. The other was dressed in simple white leisurewear, his short black hair neat, his features delicate and handsome.

The red-haired thug rested a wooden stick on his shoulder while one of his lackeys stepped forward to light a cigarette for him.

Dongfang Cheng ran a hand through his yellow hair, nudging the man in white beside him with a quiet chuckle.

"Brother Gu, who do you think is more fashionable—me or him?"

A hint of amusement flickered in Gu Ting’s eyes as he looked at the redhead across from him, lips curling. "About the same. Six of one, half a dozen of the other."

Dongfang Cheng: …

He’d been hoping for a compliment!

The redhead scowled, watching their secretive exchange. Did they think he and his dozen or so brothers were invisible?

"Damn it! If you know what's good for you, just hand over your money!" The redhead spat his cigarette to the ground, face twisted in menace.

These two out-of-towners looked well-off—a prime catch.

Dongfang Cheng laughed. Robbery?

The redhead was seething. So they thought he was nothing?

He'd beat them until they couldn't even recognize their own parents!

"Bastards! Get in there, brothers—teach them a lesson they won’t forget!"

Dongfang Cheng pressed his tongue against his cheek. "Brother Gu, shall we go together?"

A mocking smile played on Gu Ting’s lips as he was about to step forward, but just then, a clear, melodious voice sounded from behind.

"What a racket."

Dongfang Cheng’s eyes lit up—judging by the voice, it was certainly a beauty!

Under the streetlamp, a boy and a girl approached. The girl’s features were exquisite—a delicate, petite face, dressed simply in a white T-shirt and denim shorts that showed off her long, elegant legs. Her hair streamed behind her as she walked, and her cool, distant eyes gave her the air of a fairy descended to the mortal world.

Behind her was a youth, a head shorter than the girl, with refined features and a hint of rebellion between his brows.

"Well, well, now that’s a looker!" The redhead and his crew all stared, eyes wide.

Gu Ting frowned. These people were filthy in more ways than one.

"Sis, this…?" Dongfang Cheng started to speak, but the girl had already leapt into action.

"My sister isn’t saving you two—you're just being too noisy," the boy said, appearing beside Dongfang Cheng without anyone noticing. He shot Dongfang Cheng a glance, rolling his eyes in disdain at his flamboyant style.

Gu Ting watched the girl. Her movements were swift and clean, every punch landing precisely on the thugs’ weak spots. In just a few moves, the troublemakers were sprawled across the ground, groaning.

"Get lost," the girl said, loosening her wrist, her gaze cold and sharp.

The redhead didn't dare linger a second longer, scrambling away on hands and knees.

"Zhong Yi, let's go." The girl glanced in the boy’s direction, her gaze meeting Gu Ting’s. From the start, this man had been staring at her—a little too intently for her liking.

A broad grin broke across Zhong Yi’s face as he ran over. "Thank you, fairy!"

Dongfang Cheng caught up as well.

Shen Qing looked him up and down. The yellow hair was glaring, his eyes narrow and fox-like. With that faint smirk, he looked every inch the heartbreaker.

"No need to thank me."

"How about adding me on WeChat?" Dongfang Cheng blocked their path, his smile warm and polite.

"No."

"Then let me walk you home." He was persistent.

Zhong Yi glanced at him as if looking at a fool. His sister was more than capable—she needed no escort.

"Let’s go together. We can protect… us," Gu Ting offered, stepping to Shen Qing’s side. He lowered his head, noticing the shadow her lashes cast on her nose.

Dongfang Cheng stared at Gu Ting in disbelief. Initiating conversation with a girl? Was this the same Gu Ting who was usually only concerned with eating, drinking, and gambling?

Shen Qing shifted her gaze to the man at her side. He wore a plain white tracksuit and the latest DL sneakers. His skin was fair and his features striking, but there was nothing feminine about him.

"As you wish." Shen Qing lifted her eyes and tugged Zhong Yi’s sleeve. By the time he registered it, she was already a step ahead.

"Are you locals?" Dongfang Cheng asked.

"Yes," Zhong Yi nodded.

"Gu and I are just visiting. Any recommendations?"

"No."

Dongfang Cheng: …

He could only laugh awkwardly. "Well, aren't you a cool one."

Gu Ting walked close to Shen Qing, near enough to catch a faint, pleasant fragrance from her.

"Something you want?" Shen Qing glanced at the sleeve about to brush against hers, frowning in slight annoyance.

Gu Ting caught the subtle shift in her expression, his gaze pausing.

"How about adding me on WeChat? We're new in town, and it might come in handy," he said, the second half of the sentence added after a moment’s thought.

Dongfang Cheng clicked his tongue. Was this really the Gu Ting he knew?

Zhong Yi wrinkled his nose. What a clumsy excuse for WeChat.

Shen Qing gave him a glance but said nothing.

Perhaps his gaze was too intense, for Shen Qing soon felt thoroughly annoyed by the constant attention.

She drew a thick phone from her denim pocket—it was hard to tell the brand. Her hands were elegant, with long, slender fingers and distinct knuckles.

"I'll scan yours. But don’t follow me." As soon as she spoke, Gu Ting handed over his QR code, eyes full of mirth.

Shen Qing’s lips twitched—he was quick.

"Add me too?" Dongfang Cheng pulled out his phone, opening WeChat.

"Let’s go, Sis," Zhong Yi cut in, taking Shen Qing’s phone and pulling her ahead.

Dongfang Cheng: …

Little brat! That was on purpose!

Gu Ting accepted the friend request. The profile picture was a yellow country dog, baring its teeth at the camera.

"Brother Gu, share the fairy’s WeChat with me," Dongfang Cheng sidled up, grinning.

"I asked for it myself—why should I give it to you?"

"You've changed, man… sob sob sob…”

"Get lost!"

*

August’s sun was merciless, beating down until people grew dizzy.

"Sis, the bus is here."

Zhong Yi watched the bus pull up, fished out some coins, and paid the fare for two. They found seats by the window.

As soon as they sat, Shen Qing opened her game; Zhong Yi took a small book from his backpack, hardly bigger than his palm. Shen Qing glanced over but said nothing.

They rode the bus all morning before finally reaching Jiang City’s high-speed rail station. Zhong Yi used their IDs to collect two tickets, they grabbed a hasty lunch, and by six in the evening, they arrived in Fancheng.

Exiting the station, Shen Qing spotted someone holding a sign with her family name.

"Miss?" The middle-aged man looked uncertainly at Shen Qing’s pretty face. She didn’t resemble the master at all.

"Yes," Shen Qing nodded.

Once her identity was confirmed, the butler, He Zhong, breathed a sigh of relief.

"Miss, I am the butler your father sent to pick you up. He has a business engagement this evening and couldn't make it."

"That's fine. Let's go," Shen Qing replied, unconcerned whether Yu Fei came or not.

"Your luggage?" He Zhong asked, only now noticing that Shen Qing had no bags, and a young boy trailed behind her.

"No luggage. This is my neighbor, Zhong Yi." Shen Qing introduced him simply.

He Zhong was momentarily stunned—the neighbor had come all the way to Fancheng with her?

Still, he kept a kindly smile. "Please, follow me."

He led them to a black sedan, opening the back door for Shen Qing. Since Zhong Yi was a young man and not so little, he offered him the front passenger seat.