Chapter 137: Zhong Yi Protects Her Sister

Jiang City was a third-tier, backwater town. By ten o'clock at night, most shops on the street had already closed their doors. The pitch-black sky was devoid of stars, and the only illumination came from a few dilapidated streetlights casting a dim, orange glow.

Two figures cast long, distorted shadows that stretched across the wall, looking undeniably eerie.

"Stop right there!" a highly arrogant voice barked from behind. "I told you to stop, damn it!"

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

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

Dongfang Cheng touched his yellow hair, bumped the arm of the man in white beside him, and chuckled softly. "Brother Gu, who do you think is more fashionable, me or him?"

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

Dongfang Cheng: "..."

He was waiting for a compliment!

The red-haired man watched the two whispering to each other, his face darkening. Did they think his dozen or so brothers didn't exist?

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

"Hahaha..." Dongfang Cheng laughed. A robbery?

The red-haired man seethed. Was he being looked down upon? Fine, then he would beat them until they called him daddy!

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

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

A sneer played on Gu Ting's lips, and just as he was about to make a move, a clear, melodious 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 streetlight, 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, revealing beautiful, slender legs. She moved with a brisk, natural grace, her long hair flowing behind her shoulders. Her expression was cold and detached, like a fairy who had fallen into the mortal realm.

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

"Whoa! That chick is hot!" The red-haired man and his group stared, their eyes transfixed.

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 guys; you’re just too noisy," the boy said, appearing beside Dongfang Cheng out of nowhere. He glanced at Dongfang Cheng and rolled his eyes—flashy, pretentious guy.

Gu Ting’s gaze remained fixed on the girl. Her movements were clean and decisive, without a hint of hesitation. With every strike landing precisely on the gang's weak points, the thugs were soon sprawled across the ground in a heap.

"Get lost." The girl shook out her wrists, her eyes sharp.

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

"Zhong Yi, let's go." She glanced in the direction where the boy stood and her gaze met Gu Ting’s. This man had been staring at her from the start; she didn't like it.

Zhong Yi broke into a wide grin and trotted over.

"Little fairy, thanks!" Dongfang Cheng followed suit.

Shen Qing glanced at him. His yellow hair was gaudy, and his peach-blossom eyes were narrow, currently squinting in a way that made him look like a total playboy.

"No thanks needed."

"Mind if we add you on WeChat?" Dongfang Cheng blocked their path, his smile gentle and polite.

"No."

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

Zhong Yi shot him a look as if he were looking at an idiot. With his sister’s combat skills, did she need a ride from him?

"Let’s go together; we can protect... each other." Gu Ting stepped forward, standing beside Shen Qing. He leaned down slightly, seeing the long shadows cast by the girl’s eyelashes on the bridge of her nose.

Dongfang Cheng was stunned, looking at Gu Ting in disbelief. He had actually taken the initiative to talk to a girl—had the iron tree finally blossomed?

Shen Qing’s gaze shifted. The man beside her was wearing 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 lifted her eyes, reached out to tug on Zhong Yi’s sleeve, and before anyone could react, she had already taken a step forward.

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

"Yeah," Zhong Yi nodded.

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

"No."

Dongfang Cheng: "..."

He let out a dry laugh. "Haha, this kid is quite cold."

Gu Ting walked on Shen Qing’s left, close enough to catch the faint scent of the girl.

"Something wrong?" Shen Qing glanced at her sleeve, which was nearly brushing against Gu Ting, her brows furrowed with slight distaste.

Gu Ting noted her micro-expression, his gaze stalling for a second.

"How about we add each other on WeChat? Since we're new here, things might be inconvenient." He added the last half-sentence after a second’s pause.

Dongfang Cheng gasped. Was this really the Gu Ting he knew, who was an expert in every vice?

Zhong Yi scoffed; what a clumsy excuse to get her WeChat!

Shen Qing glanced at him and ignored him. Perhaps the man’s gaze was too intense; she grew impatient with being stared at the entire way. She pulled a thick, nondescript phone from her denim shorts pocket. Her hands were beautiful, with well-defined joints and slender fingers.

"I’ll scan you, don’t follow me." As soon as Shen Qing finished speaking, Gu Ting held out his QR code, his eyes brimming with a smile.

Shen Qing scoffed—he was fast.

"Add me too!" Dongfang Cheng pulled out his phone and opened WeChat.

"Sister, let’s go." Zhong Yi took the phone from Shen Qing and pulled her ahead.

Dongfang Cheng: "..."

That brat was doing it on purpose!

Gu Ting clicked accept. The other person’s profile picture was a yellow rural dog, baring its teeth at the camera.

"Brother Gu, give me the little fairy’s WeChat ID," Dongfang Cheng chirped, leaning in.

"I earned this myself; why should I give it to you?"

"...You’ve changed, doggo. Boohoo..."

"Get lost!"

*

The August sun was scorching, making people feel dizzy.

"Sister, the bus is here."

Zhong Yi watched the bus stop, pulled out some change, paid for two, and found a seat by the window. Once seated, Shen Qing opened a game, and Zhong Yi took a palm-sized book out of his bag. Shen Qing glanced at it but said nothing.

Shen Qing and Zhong Yi rode the bus for half the morning before reaching the Jiang City high-speed railway station. Zhong Yi used his ID to collect the tickets, and after a hurried lunch, they arrived in Fan City at six in the evening.

As soon as they exited the platform, Shen Qing saw the sign held by the Yu family.

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

"Yes," Shen Qing nodded.

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

"Hello, Miss. I am the butler sent by the master to pick you up. The master has a social engagement tonight and couldn't get away."

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

"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 my neighbor, Zhong Yi." Shen Qing briefly introduced him.

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

He Zhong led them to a black sedan and opened the rear door for Shen Qing. Since Zhong Yi was a young man, he had him sit in the front passenger seat.