Chapter 140: Q

Jiang City is a remote, third-tier town. By ten o’clock at night, most of the street-side shops were already closed. The pitch-black sky held not a single star, and the only illumination came from a few dilapidated streetlights casting a dim, orange glow.

Two shadows were stretched long, cast against the wall in a way that looked rather eerie.

"Stop right there!" a highly arrogant voice rang out from behind.

"I said stop, damn it!"

Two men turned slowly. One wore a floral shirt and black shorts, his hair dyed a vibrant yellow. The other wore a white casual outfit, 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, nudged the man in white beside him, and chuckled under his breath.

"Brother Gu, between him and me, who do you think is more stylish?"

A hint of amusement flickered in Gu Ting’s eyes 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 had been waiting for a compliment!

Seeing the two whispering to each other, the red-haired man’s face darkened. 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—they were fat sheep.

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

The red-haired man seethed. Were they looking down on him?

Then he would beat them until they begged for mercy!

"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?"

Gu Ting’s lips curled in a sneer, and just as he was about to move, a clear, melodious voice sounded from behind.

"So noisy."

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

Under the streetlight, a young man and a woman walked over slowly. The girl had exquisite features, a small, delicate face, and wore a simple white T-shirt and denim shorts that revealed long, beautiful legs. She walked with a light, brisk gait, her long hair drifting behind her shoulders. Her expression was cold, like a fairy fallen into the mortal world.

The boy behind her was a head shorter, with refined features and a trace of hostility hidden in his brow.

"Whoa! That chick is a stunner!" The red-haired man and his group 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 lunged forward.

"My sister isn't doing this to save you; you’re just too loud," the boy said, appearing beside Dongfang Cheng out of nowhere.

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

Gu Ting’s gaze remained on the girl. Her movements were clean and efficient, with no wasted motion. Every strike landed on the vital spots of her opponents. In just a few moments, the thugs were sprawled on the ground, groaning.

"Get lost." The girl flexed her wrists, her eyes sharp and cold.

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 very beginning. She didn't like it.

Zhong Yi wore a wide grin as he trotted over.

"Little fairy, thank you!" Dongfang Cheng followed close behind.

Shen Qing glanced at him. His yellow hair was flamboyant, and his peach-blossom eyes were narrow; he looked exactly like a womanizer.

"No need."

"How about we exchange WeChat?" Dongfang Cheng blocked their path, his smile gentle and polite.

"No."

"Then I’ll walk you home." Dongfang Cheng was persistent.

Zhong Yi shot him a look as if he were a fool. With his sister’s combat skills, did she need him to walk her home?

"Let’s go together; we can protect... each other." Gu Ting stepped forward, standing next to Shen Qing. He leaned in slightly, seeing the heavy shadows cast by the girl’s eyelashes against the bridge of her nose.

Dongfang Cheng was shocked, looking at Gu Ting in disbelief.

He was actually taking the initiative to talk to 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 looking 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 from Jiang City?" Dongfang Cheng asked.

"Yes," Zhong Yi nodded.

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

"No."

Dongfang Cheng: ...

He gave a dry laugh. "Hahaha, the kid is quite aloof."

Gu Ting walked on Shen Qing’s left. Being close, he could smell a faint fragrance coming from her.

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

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

"How about adding me on WeChat? We’re new in town, and things can be inconvenient." Gu Ting added the second half of the sentence after a one-second pause.

Dongfang Cheng was speechless. Was this really the Gu Ting he knew—the one who was a master of every vice?

Zhong Yi sneered. What a pathetic excuse to get a WeChat!

Shen Qing glanced at him and ignored him.

Perhaps the man’s gaze was too intense; Shen Qing grew impatient along the way.

She pulled a thick phone from her denim shorts pocket—the brand unrecognizable. Her hands were beautiful, with clear knuckles and slender fingers.

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

Shen Qing twitched her lips. He was quick.

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

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

Dongfang Cheng: ...

That little brat was doing it on purpose!

Gu Ting clicked 'Accept.' The other party’s profile picture was a yellow Chinese rural dog, baring its teeth at the camera.

"Brother Gu, give me the little fairy’s WeChat, won't you?" Dongfang Cheng leaned in with a cheeky grin.

"I got this through my own effort; why should I give it to you?"

"You've changed, doggie. *Sigh*..."

"Get lost!"

*

The August sun was scorching, enough to make one dizzy.

"Sister, the bus is here."

Zhong Yi watched the bus pull over, took out some change, paid for both of them, and found a window seat.

Once seated, Shen Qing opened a game. Zhong Yi pulled a palm-sized book from 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 their IDs to collect the tickets, they grabbed a quick lunch, and finally arrived in Fan City at six in the evening.

As they exited the station, Shen Qing spotted the sign held 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.

"Yes." Shen Qing nodded.

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

"Greetings, Miss. I am the butler sent by the master to pick you up. He has a business banquet tonight and couldn't get away."

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

He Zhong was stunned. A neighbor was also coming to Fan City?

But he maintained a kind smile. "Miss, please follow me."

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