Chapter 138: Old Master Qi Has Arrived

Jiang City is a remote, third-tier town. By ten o’clock at night, the shops along the street were mostly shuttered. The pitch-black sky held not a single star, and the only illumination came from a few dilapidated streetlamps casting dim, orange light.

Two figures cast long, distorted shadows against the walls, creating a rather eerie sight.

"Stop right there!" a loud, arrogant voice barked from behind.

"I said stop, damn it!"

The two men slowed and turned around. One was dressed in a floral shirt and black shorts, his hair dyed a striking yellow. The other wore a white casual suit, his black hair cropped short, looking refined and strikingly handsome.

The red-haired man rested a wooden club on his shoulder while a lackey stepped forward to light his cigarette.

Dongfang Cheng ran a hand through his yellow hair, bumped his companion’s arm, and let out a low chuckle. "Brother Gu, between him and me, who looks more stylish?"

Gu Ting’s eyes flickered with amusement as he glanced at the redhead. His thin lips parted, "Six of one, half a dozen of the other."

Dongfang Cheng: ...

And here he was, waiting for a compliment!

The red-haired man watched the two whispering and his face darkened. Did they think his dozen or so brothers didn’t exist?

"Damn it! If you know what’s good for you, leave the money!" The redhead spat his cigarette onto the ground, looking menacing. These two outsiders looked wealthy—a pair of fat sheep.

"Hahaha..." Dongfang Cheng laughed. Robbery?

The redhead felt his temper flare. Were they looking down on him? Then he’d beat them until they were calling him "Daddy!"

"Damn it! Brothers, beat them until their own parents wouldn't recognize them!"

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

A look of mockery played on Gu Ting’s lips. Just as he was about to move, a clear, pleasant voice rang out from behind them.

"So noisy."

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

Under the streetlamp, a boy and a girl walked over slowly. The girl had exquisite features and a delicate, palm-sized face. She wore a simple white T-shirt and denim shorts that revealed long, beautiful legs. She walked with a brisk, natural grace, her long hair blowing behind her shoulders. Her expression was cold and detached, like a fairy fallen to the mortal realm.

The boy behind her was a head shorter, with refined features and a hint of ferocity in his brows.

"Whoa! That chick is a stunner!" The red-haired gang stared, their eyes glazing over.

Gu Ting frowned. These people were filthy.

"Little sister, this is...?" Before Dongfang Cheng could finish, the girl had already charged forward.

"My sister isn't doing this to save you; you’re just too noisy," the boy said, having moved to stand next to Dongfang Cheng at some point. He glanced at Dongfang Cheng and rolled his eyes—what a flamboyant, flashy peacock.

Gu Ting’s gaze remained on the girl. Her movements were clean and decisive, without a hint of hesitation. Every strike landed precisely on the thugs' weak points. Within moments, the hooligans were sprawled across the ground in a heap.

"Get lost." The girl loosened her wrists, her eyes sharp.

The red-haired man didn't dare linger, scrambling away as fast as he could.

"Zhong Yi, let's go." She glanced toward where the boy was standing, her eyes meeting Gu Ting’s. This man had been staring at her from the start; she didn't much like it.

Zhong Yi flashed a bright, wide smile and trotted over.

"Little fairy, thanks a lot," Dongfang Cheng followed.

Shen Qing glanced at him—the yellow hair was flamboyant, and his peach-blossom eyes were narrow and slightly squinted, making him look exactly like a playboy.

"No need to thank me."

"Can I add you on WeChat?" Dongfang Cheng blocked their path, his smile gentle and polite.

"No."

"Then let me walk you home." Dongfang Cheng was relentless.

Zhong Yi glanced at him as if looking at an idiot. With his sister’s combat skills, did she need anyone to walk her home?

"Let’s go together; we can provide... protection," Gu Ting stepped forward, standing beside Shen Qing. He looked down slightly, noticing the deep shadows her long lashes cast on her nose bridge.

Dongfang Cheng was stunned, staring at Gu Ting in disbelief. He was actually initiating conversation with a girl? Had the iron tree finally blossomed?

Shen Qing shifted her gaze. The man beside her wore a plain white tracksuit and a new pair of DL sneakers. His skin was pale, and his features were handsome without being effeminate.

"Suit yourself." Shen Qing looked up, tugged the corner of Zhong Yi’s shirt, and before anyone could react, she had already walked ahead.

"Are you from Jiang City?" Dongfang Cheng asked.

"Yes," Zhong Yi nodded.

"Brother Gu and I are here for a trip. Do you have any recommendations?"

"No."

Dongfang Cheng: ...

He let out a dry laugh. "Hahaha, the kid is quite cold."

Gu Ting walked to Shen Qing’s left. As he got closer, he could smell a faint scent lingering on her.

"Something up?" Shen Qing looked at her sleeve, which was nearly brushing against Gu Ting, her brow furrowing with slight disdain.

Gu Ting caught the micro-expression, his gaze stalling for a second.

"How about adding me on WeChat? We’re new here, so we might need some help." Gu Ting added the last clause after a brief pause.

Dongfang Cheng was speechless. Was this really the Gu Ting he knew—the one who spent his life indulging in every vice?

Zhong Yi scoffed. What a clumsy excuse to get a WeChat!

Shen Qing ignored him. Perhaps because the man’s gaze was too intense, she grew impatient along the way. She pulled a thick phone out of her denim pocket; the brand was unrecognizable. Her hands were beautiful—slender, with well-defined knuckles.

"I’ll scan you, just stop following me." As soon as she finished speaking, Gu Ting held out his QR code, his eyes crinkling with a smile.

Shen Qing smirked. He was fast.

"Add me too," Dongfang Cheng said, pulling out his phone.

"Sis, let’s go." Zhong Yi took the phone for Shen Qing and pulled her forward.

Dongfang Cheng: ...

That brat was doing it on purpose!

Gu Ting accepted the request. Her profile picture was a yellow Chinese rural dog, baring its teeth at the camera.

"Brother Gu, give me the little fairy’s WeChat ID," Dongfang Cheng pleaded, grinning as he leaned in.

"I got it with my own effort, why should I give it to you?"

"You've changed, doggo... sob..."

"Get lost!"

*

The August sun was scorching, making people feel dizzy.

"Sis, the bus is here."

Zhong Yi watched the bus pull up, fished out some change for two fares, and found seats by the window. Once seated, Shen Qing opened a game on her phone, while Zhong Yi pulled a palm-sized book from his bag. Shen Qing glanced at it but said nothing.

They spent half the morning on the bus to reach the Jiang City High-Speed Railway station. Zhong Yi picked up their tickets, they grabbed a hurried lunch, and it was six in the evening by the time they reached Fan City.

As they exited the platform, Shen Qing saw a sign held up by the Yu family.

"Miss?" The middle-aged man looked at Shen Qing’s beautiful face, feeling uncertain—she didn’t look like the master of the house at all.

"Yes." Shen Qing nodded.

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

"Greetings, Miss. I am the butler sent by your father to pick you up. He has a social engagement tonight and couldn't get away."

"That's fine, let's go." Shen Qing didn't care whether Yu Fei came or not.

"And your luggage?" He Zhong looked at Shen Qing, who didn't even have a bag, and only then noticed the boy following her.

"No luggage. This is Zhong Yi, our neighbor." Shen Qing briefly introduced him.

He Zhong was stunned. A neighbor was coming to Fan City too? But he kept a kind smile on his face. "Miss, please follow me."

He led them to a black sedan. He opened the back door for Shen Qing, but since Zhong Yi was a young man of a certain age, he motioned for him to sit in the front passenger seat.