Zhao Qing looked at Yun Fei quietly for a moment. Seeing her insistence, he finally spoke. "I understand your situation. But I don't have a residence of my own."
Yun Fei looked slightly surprised.
Zhao Qing continued calmly. "As a member of the Iron Guard, I live inside the organization. It isn't a place where outsiders can stay."
Yun Fei fell silent.
Zhao Qing then said, "So the offer I mentioned before still stands. I can arrange a small shop for you in Tiandao City. With the Iron Guard's protection, no one will dare trouble you."
Yun Fei lowered her head slightly. She naturally remembered that she had already refused this offer earlier. At that time, she had hoped to remain by his side. But now she also understood that continuing to insist would only make things difficult.
After a moment of silence, she gently nodded. "Then… I will follow young master's arrangement."
Zhao Qing gave a small nod. "It will be safer for you."
Yun Fei bowed slightly. "Thank you, young master."
On the surface she appeared calm, but inside she quickly adjusted her thoughts. Even if it was only a shop, as long as she remained in Tiandao City, she would still have chances in the future.
After returning together, they soon arrived back in Tiandou City.
Zhao Qing began taking Yun Fei through several nearby streets to look for a suitable place. Since the shop would also serve as her residence, the location had to be appropriate.
They walked through a few areas close to the Iron Guard base, checking several empty shops. However, none of them were particularly suitable.
After nearly an hour of searching, Yun Fei spoke softly.
"Young Master, we have been walking for quite some time. If you have time… shall we have lunch first?"
Zhao Qing paused briefly before nodding.
The two entered a nearby restaurant and had a simple meal. Yun Fei behaved politely throughout, speaking only occasionally.
After finishing lunch, they resumed their search.
Not long after, they found a small two-story shop not far from the Iron Guard base. The front space could be used for business, while the upper floor could serve as living quarters.
Zhao Qing spoke with the owner and quickly arranged the matter.
The shop itself was settled that day, though the goods would arrive the following morning. With the Iron Guard's connections, gathering merchandise was not difficult, and several basic items were arranged to be delivered.
The next day, Yun Fei began organizing the shop and arranging the goods.
Gradually, the small shop near the Iron Guard base began operating under her management.
Time passed quietly.
Under Yun Fei's careful management, the small shop gradually began to run smoothly. The goods supplied through the Iron Guards sold steadily, and the shop slowly built a modest but stable flow of customers.
Since the shop was located not far from the Iron Guard base, its safety was never a concern. The area was already within the Iron Guards' regular patrol routes, and the shop itself was occasionally kept under their quiet watch.
Life soon settled into a steady rhythm.
About once every week, Zhao Qing would stop by the shop to check on things. Sometimes he would simply ask if the business was running well. Other times he would bring small suggestions or ask Yun Fei whether she needed any changes or additional goods.
Each time he came, Yun Fei would greet him respectfully.
"Young Master Zhao Qing."
Their conversations were simple at first—mostly about the shop and daily matters. But Yun Fei was patient.
During those visits, small and seemingly accidental moments began to appear. Sometimes, while arranging goods on a high shelf, she would lose her balance slightly and Zhao Qing would instinctively steady her. Other times, when passing items across the counter, their hands would briefly brush.
None of it appeared deliberate. None of it felt inappropriate.
They were simply small, natural interactions between two people who saw each other regularly.
Weeks passed. After nearly a month, the atmosphere between them had already grown more relaxed.
By the second month, their conversations were no longer limited to the shop. They occasionally spoke about daily life, small events in the city, and matters related to the Iron Guards.
Zhao Qing gradually grew more comfortable around her.
Since Yun Fei was a few years older than him, Zhao Qing eventually began addressing her casually. "Sister Yun Fei."
Yet Yun Fei still maintained her respectful tone.
"Young Master Zhao Qing."
Despite the difference in address, the distance between them had quietly shortened.
As time passed, Zhao Qing began visiting the shop more often. What had once been a weekly visit gradually became two or three times a week.
Eventually, it was not unusual for him to stop by almost every day.
Sometimes he came to check the shop. Sometimes he simply sat for a while and talked.
Nearly four months passed since the shop had first been established.
By then, the small shop had become stable, and the relationship between Zhao Qing and Yun Fei had grown noticeably close.
.....
The evening inside the shop was calm.
Behind the counter, Yun Fei sat with the day's ledger open before her. With steady and practiced movements, she finished calculating the day's accounts, sliding the abacus beads one last time before gently closing the book.
Across from her, Zhao Qing sat on a wooden chair, waiting patiently.
After she closed the ledger, Zhao Qing spoke. "Finished with the accounts, Sister Yun Fei?"
Yun Fei nodded softly. "Yes, Young Master Zhao Qing. Everything has been checked."
Zhao Qing leaned forward slightly.
"Sister Yun Fei, every evening we friends usually gather together," he explained. He paused briefly before continuing. "Today we are meeting at Liu Ming's house."
Yun Fei listened quietly.
Zhao Qing then added,
"You have been managing the shop near our Iron Guard base for several months now, yet you have not met them. So today I thought… if Sister Yun Fei is willing, you could accompany me. I would like to introduce you to my friends."
Yun Fei lowered her gaze politely. "If Young Master Zhao Qing has no objection, Yun Fei will accompany you."
Zhao Qing nodded. "Good. Then let's go."
After closing the shop for the evening, the two of them headed toward Liu Ming's residence.
When they arrived, several people were already gathered in the courtyard.
Liu Ming, Wang Yan, and Chen Yu were seated around a table talking calmly. Nearby sat Tang Yuehua and Shuo Ling'er, who were quietly chatting.
When Zhao Qing entered the courtyard, Liu Ming looked up.
"You're here."
Zhao Qing nodded and stepped forward.
The others soon noticed the woman standing beside him.
Zhao Qing spoke calmly. "This is Sister Yun Fei," he said respectfully. "She manages the shop near our Iron Guard base."
Yun Fei stepped forward slightly and greeted them politely. "Greetings. Yun Fei is pleased to meet everyone."
Seeing that Zhao Qing addressed her as Sister, and noticing that she was clearly older than all of them, the group naturally responded with respect.
Liu Ming nodded. "Welcome, Sister Yun Fei."
Beside him, Wang Yan also greeted her politely. "It is good to meet you."
Nearby, Tang Yuehua smiled warmly. "Please sit, Sister Yun Fei."
Next to her, Shuo Ling'er also greeted her gently.
Yun Fei thanked them and sat down.
After everyone settled, Liu Ming looked toward Zhao Qing.
"How did you meet Sister Yun Fei?" he asked.
Zhao Qing calmly explained the situation. "Some months ago, I encountered her outside the city. She had run into some trouble."
He continued, "Her husband passed away years ago, and she had been working in a shop to support herself. Later that shop was destroyed due to a conflict involving powerful soul masters."
Zhao Qing paused briefly before finishing. "After that she had nowhere to go. So I helped arrange a shop for her near our Iron Guard base. Since then, she has been managing the shop there."
When the others heard the full explanation, their expressions softened.
Tang Yuehua's eyes showed clear sympathy. "That must have been very difficult," she said gently.
Shuo Ling'er also looked at Yun Fei with compassion. "You've endured a lot, Sister Yun Fei."
Even Liu Ming, Chen Yu and Wang Yan exchanged brief glances, their expressions showing quiet understanding.
Losing her husband, losing her work, and then facing such hardships alone… it was natural that they felt some empathy for her situation.
Yun Fei lowered her gaze slightly, maintaining a calm and humble expression. "It was indeed a difficult time," she said softly. "Fortunately, Young Master Zhao Qing helped me when I needed it the most."
Zhao Qing shook his head lightly. "It was nothing."
The atmosphere gradually relaxed after that, and the group continued their calm conversation.
Meanwhile, Yun Fei quietly observed the four young men before her.
Earlier, Yun Fei had already noticed the calm and steady temperament of Zhao Qing. His gentle nature and respectful conduct were exactly why she had chosen him as her target.
But now, sitting here and seeing all four of them together, she could not hide the quiet surprise within her heart.
These four young men were not only talented—they were all remarkably handsome.
Chen Yu carried a relaxed and confident charm, his demeanor easygoing yet sharp.
Liu Ming appeared calm and thoughtful, his eyes reflecting clear intelligence and composure.
Then her gaze shifted toward Wang Yan. For a brief moment, Yun Fei felt her heart tighten slightly.
Among them, Wang Yan stood out the most. His handsome appearance was accompanied by a natural aura of dominance. Even while sitting quietly, he carried an invisible pressure, as if authority naturally surrounded him.
Yun Fei quickly lowered her gaze.
Inwardly, she realized these four core members of the Iron Guards were far more extraordinary than she had imagined.
End of chapter.