Chapter 133: Side Effects

Jiang City was a small town ranked one hundred and eightieth in size. At ten o’clock at night, most of the shops on the street had already closed. The dark night sky was void of stars, and only a few aged, poorly maintained street lamps cast a dim orange-yellow glow.

Two elongated shadows stretched against the wall, creating a strangely eerie scene.

“Stop right there!” an arrogant voice called out from behind.

“I said, stop!”

Two men slowly turned around. One wore a floral shirt and black shorts, his hair dyed yellow. The other was dressed in a clean white casual outfit, with short black hair and a refined, handsome appearance.

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

Dongfang Cheng scratched his yellow hair, nudged the man in white beside him, and chuckled softly.

“Brother Gu, between me and him, who do you think is more fashionable?”

A playful gleam flickered in Gu Ting’s eyes as he looked at the red-haired man opposite him. With a slight smile, he replied, “Six of one, half a dozen of the other.”

Dongfang Cheng was speechless... He had been waiting for a compliment!

The red-haired man’s expression darkened as he glanced at the two whispering men, as if their dozen or so brothers didn’t exist.

“Damn it! If you know what’s good for you, leave the money here!” The red-haired man spat his cigarette on the ground, his demeanor fierce.

These two outsiders looked quite wealthy—a fat sheep to be sheared.

“Hahaha...” Dongfang Cheng laughed. Robbery?

The red-haired man’s anger flared—did they look down on him?

Then they’d beat him until he called them daddy!

“Damn it! Brothers, beat them so badly they won’t recognize their own parents!”

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

A sneer tugged at Gu Ting’s lips, just as he was about to strike, when a clear, melodious voice rang out from behind.

“So noisy.”

Dongfang Cheng’s eyes lit up; from the sound, it was undoubtedly a beautiful woman!

Under the streetlamp, a young man and woman walked slowly toward them. The girl’s features were exquisite, with a small, delicate face. She wore a simple white T-shirt and denim shorts, revealing long, elegant legs. Her long hair flowed behind her as she walked with a breeze in her step. Her eyebrows and eyes were cool and serene, like a fairy fallen to the mortal world.

The boy behind her was about a head shorter, with a refined face and a faint trace of fierceness in his brows.

“Whoa! This girl’s a knockout!” The red-haired man and his group stared, eyes wide.

Gu Ting frowned; these people were filthy.

“Sis, this...?” Dongfang Cheng started to speak, but the girl had already rushed forward.

“My sister isn’t here to save you. You’re just too noisy.” The boy suddenly appeared beside Dongfang Cheng.

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

Gu Ting’s gaze settled on the girl. Her movements were crisp and decisive, striking precisely at the soft spots of the thugs. In no time, the small-time hooligans were staggering and falling to the ground.

“Get lost.” The girl relaxed her wrist, her gaze sharp.

The red-haired man dared not linger, scrambling away hastily.

“Zhong Yi, let’s go.” She glanced in the boy’s direction and their eyes met briefly.

This man had been staring at her from the start—she didn’t like it one bit.

Zhong Yi’s face broke into a broad smile as she ran forward.

“Little fairy, thank you.” Dongfang Cheng followed suit.

Shen Qing glanced at him. His yellow hair was flamboyant, and his narrow peach blossom eyes were slightly squinted, resembling a scoundrel.

“No need to thank me.”

“Can I add you on WeChat?” Dongfang Cheng blocked their path with a friendly smile.

“No.”

“Then let me walk you home.” Dongfang Cheng was persistent.

Zhong Yi glanced at him as if looking at a fool. Her sister was so powerful—why would she need an escort?

“Come along, it’ll be safer... for us.” Gu Ting stepped forward, standing beside Shen Qing. He lowered his head slightly, seeing the shadow cast by the girl’s eyelashes on her nose.

Dongfang Cheng was stunned. Looking at Gu Ting, he was full of disbelief. Had the man suddenly become sociable? A rare sight indeed.

Shen Qing’s gaze shifted. The man beside her wore a plain white tracksuit and the latest DL sneakers. His skin was pale, his features handsome but not effeminate.

“Suit yourself.” Shen Qing looked up, tugged at Zhong Yi’s shirt hem, and before anyone could react, she stepped forward.

“Are you from Jiang City?” Dongfang Cheng asked.

“Yeah.” Zhong Yi nodded.

“Brother Gu and I are just here to have fun. Any recommendations?”

“No.”

Dongfang Cheng gave an awkward laugh. “Haha, these kids are pretty cold.”

Gu Ting walked to Shen Qing’s left. From the close distance, he could smell a faint fragrance from her.

“Something wrong?” Shen Qing glanced at Gu Ting’s sleeve nearly brushing against her, frowning slightly in annoyance.

Gu Ting caught the subtle expression and hesitated.

“Why not add me on WeChat? We’re new here, so it’s a bit inconvenient.” He paused briefly before adding the last part.

Dongfang Cheng was aghast. This was the Gu Ting he knew—master of drinking, gambling, and all sorts of mischief?

Zhong Yi wrinkled her nose; that was a poor excuse for asking for WeChat.

Shen Qing glanced at him but ignored the request.

Perhaps the man’s gaze was too intense; Shen Qing grew impatient with being stared at all the way.

She pulled out a thick phone from her denim shorts pocket, its brand unrecognizable. Her hands were beautiful, with clear joints and slender fingers.

“I’ll scan yours, but don’t follow me.” Shen Qing said as Gu Ting offered his phone with a smiling gaze.

She smirked; he was quick.

“Add me too.” Dongfang Cheng pulled out his phone and opened WeChat.

“Sis, let’s go.” Zhong Yi took Shen Qing’s phone and led her away.

Dongfang Cheng was left speechless.

Kids really did this on purpose!

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

“Brother Gu, give me the little fairy’s WeChat number.” Dongfang Cheng smiled playfully.

“I earned it myself. Why should I give it to you?”

“...You’ve changed, Gouzi. Wah wah...”

“Get lost!”

*

The August sun was scorching, making people dizzy from the heat.

“Sis, the car’s here.”

Zhong Yi looked at the stopped car and pulled out some coins, paying for two fares. She boarded and found a window seat.

Once seated, Shen Qing opened a game on her phone, while Zhong Yi took out a small book from her backpack. Shen Qing glanced at it but said nothing.

After half a morning’s journey, Shen Qing and Zhong Yi arrived at Jiang City’s high-speed railway station. Zhong Yi quickly collected two tickets with her ID, then they hurriedly ate lunch. They didn’t reach Fancheng until six in the evening.

Outside the platform, a man holding a sign waited for them.

“Miss?” The middle-aged man looked at Shen Qing’s beautiful face uncertainly; she didn’t resemble the master of the house.

“Mm.” Shen Qing nodded.

Relieved, the butler He Zhong exhaled.

“Miss, I am the butler sent by the master to pick you up. The master has an engagement tonight and cannot come.”

“No problem, let’s go.” Whether Yu Fei came or not, Shen Qing was indifferent.

“Your luggage?” He Zhong looked at Shen Qing, who wasn’t carrying a single bag, and then noticed the youth trailing behind her.

“No luggage. This is my neighbor, Zhong Yi.” Shen Qing briefly introduced Zhong Yi’s identity.

He Zhong was startled—her neighbor came along to Fancheng?

But he wore a gentle smile. “Miss, please follow me.”

He Zhong led the two to a black sedan, opened the rear door for Shen Qing, then, seeing Zhong Yi was a young man of some age, invited him to sit in the front passenger seat.