Chapter 121: The Demon’s Tear

Jiang City was a small town ranked at one hundred and eightieth place. At ten o'clock at night, most of the shops on the street had already closed. The dark night sky held no stars, and only a few old, poorly maintained street lamps cast an orange-yellow glow along the road.

Two shadows stretched long and twisted against the wall, creating an eerie sight.

"Stop right there!" came a very arrogant voice from behind.

"I’m telling you to stop!"

Two men slowly turned around. One wore a floral shirt, black shorts, and had dyed yellow hair.

The other was dressed in a white casual outfit, with short black hair, looking refined and handsome.

The man with red hair rested a wooden stick on his shoulder, while one of his underlings stepped forward to light a cigarette for him.

Dongfang Cheng touched his yellow hair, nudged the man in white beside him, and whispered with a smile, "Brother Gu, between him and me, who’s more fashionable?"

A flicker of amusement crossed Gu Ting’s eyes as he looked at the red-haired man opposite them, his lips parting slightly. "Six of one, half a dozen of the other."

Dongfang Cheng: … Still waiting for you to compliment me!

The red-haired man’s expression darkened as he glanced at the two whispering figures. Did they think his dozen or so brothers didn’t exist?

"Damn it! Smart ones, just leave the money here!" The redhead spat his cigarette on the ground, looking ferocious.

These two outsiders looked quite well-off — a fat sheep ready for shearing.

"Hahaha…" Dongfang Cheng laughed. Robbery?

The redhead’s anger surged. Looking down on him?

Then we'll beat you until you call us daddy!

"Damn it! Brothers, beat him until he doesn’t recognize his parents!"

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

A sneer curled at Gu Ting’s lips just as he was about to make a move when a clear, melodious voice came from behind.

"So noisy."

Dongfang Cheng’s eyes brightened; that voice belonged to a beauty, no doubt.

Under the streetlamp, a young man and woman walked slowly toward them. The girl’s features were exquisitely delicate, with a small, refined face. She wore a simple white T-shirt and denim shorts that revealed long, beautiful legs. Her hair fluttered behind her as she walked with a brisk, compelling grace. Her brows and eyes were cool and distant, like a fairy fallen to the mortal world.

The young man behind her was a head shorter, with a refined face and a faint glint of fierceness between his brows.

"Wow! This girl’s hot!" The redhead and his gang stared with wide eyes.

Gu Ting frowned; these people were very dirty.

"Little sister, this...?" Dongfang Cheng had not finished speaking when the girl rushed forward.

"My sister isn’t here to save you. You’re just too noisy here." The young man suddenly appeared beside Dongfang Cheng.

He glanced at Dongfang Cheng and rolled his eyes — flashy and pretentious.

Gu Ting’s gaze fell on the girl. Her movements were clean and decisive, hitting those men’s weak spots without hesitation. In a few moments, the thugs were staggering, sprawled on the ground.

"Scram." The girl loosened her wrist bone, her eyes sharp.

The redhead dared not linger and scrambled away hastily.

"Zhong Yi, let’s go." She glanced in the direction of the young man and made eye contact with Gu Ting.

This man had been watching her from the start — not very pleasant.

Zhong Yi smiled broadly and ran over.

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

Shen Qing glanced at him. His yellow hair was flamboyant, and his narrow peach blossom eyes squinted slightly — looking every bit the scoundrel.

"No need to thank me."

"Add me on WeChat?" Dongfang Cheng blocked their path, his smile gentle and polite.

"No."

"Then I’ll walk you back." Dongfang Cheng persisted.

Zhong Yi glanced at him, as if looking at a fool.

Her sister’s fighting skills were so strong — why did she need him to escort her?

"Come together, and we can protect… each other." Gu Ting stepped forward, standing beside Shen Qing. He lowered his head slightly, seeing the shadows cast by her eyelashes over her nose.

Dongfang Cheng was surprised. Looking at Gu Ting with disbelief — was this really the Gu Ting he knew, who was adept at drinking, gambling, and everything else? Now he was actually initiating conversation? A rare occurrence indeed.

Shen Qing’s gaze shifted. The man beside her wore an ordinary white tracksuit and new DL sneakers. He had fair skin and handsome features, but with no hint of femininity.

"Whatever you want." Shen Qing looked up and tugged at Zhong Yi’s shirt corner. Before anyone could react, she stepped forward.

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

"Yes." Zhong Yi nodded.

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

"None."

Dongfang Cheng: …

He gave a dry laugh. "Haha, this kid’s pretty cold."

Gu Ting walked on Shen Qing’s left, close enough to catch a faint fragrance from her.

"Something the matter?" Shen Qing glanced at the sleeve Gu Ting was about to brush against, frowning slightly in annoyance.

Gu Ting caught the subtle expression and hesitated.

"How about adding me on WeChat? We’re new here and it’s a bit inconvenient." He paused briefly before adding the last part.

Dongfang Cheng was speechless. This was the Gu Ting he knew? The one who mastered all vices?

Zhong Yi wrinkled her nose. The excuse to get a WeChat contact was so clumsy!

Shen Qing glanced at him and ignored the request.

Perhaps Gu Ting’s gaze was too intense, as Shen Qing grew increasingly impatient under his stare.

She took a thick phone from her denim shorts pocket — the brand was unidentifiable. Her hands were graceful, with well-defined knuckles and slender fingers.

"I’ll scan you. Don’t follow me." Shen Qing said as Gu Ting handed over his phone with a smile.

She smirked; he was quick.

"Add me too," Dongfang Cheng took out his phone and opened WeChat.

"Sis, let’s go." Zhong Yi collected Shen Qing’s phone and led the way.

Dongfang Cheng: …

Kids are just being deliberately difficult!

Gu Ting agreed to add her. Her profile picture was a yellow Chinese rural dog baring its teeth at the camera.

"Brother Gu, give me the little fairy’s WeChat," Dongfang Cheng said with a grin, leaning in.

"I got it on my own. Why should I give it to you?"

"… You’ve changed, Gouzi. Wah wah wah..."

"Get lost!"

*

The August sun was scorching, making people dizzy.

"Sis, the car’s here."

Zhong Yi watched the vehicle stop, took out some change, paid for two, and found a window seat.

Once seated, Shen Qing opened a game on her phone. Zhong Yi pulled a small palm-sized book from her backpack. Shen Qing glanced at it but said nothing.

After half a morning on the bus, Shen Qing and Zhong Yi arrived at Jiang City’s high-speed rail station. Zhong Yi collected two tickets with her ID, they grabbed a quick lunch, and reached Fancheng by six in the evening.

Exiting the platform, Shen Qing immediately saw a man holding a sign for the Yu family.

"Miss?" The middle-aged man looked uncertain as he studied Shen Qing’s beautiful face — she bore little resemblance to the master.

"Yes." Shen Qing nodded.

Upon confirmation, the butler He Zhong breathed a sigh of relief.

"Miss, I’m the butler sent by the master to pick you up. The master has an engagement tonight and cannot leave."

"No problem, let’s go." Whether Yu Fei came or not didn’t matter to Shen Qing.

"Your luggage?" He Zhong asked, noticing Shen Qing carried no bag. Only then did he realize a young man was following her.

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

He Zhong was momentarily stunned. The neighbor came along to Fancheng too?

But he wore a kindly smile. "Miss, please follow me."

He Zhong led them to a black sedan, opened the rear door for Shen Qing, and, seeing Zhong Yi was male and not very young, let him sit in the front passenger seat.