Lu Yaoyao’s entire aura seemed lively, faintly giving off an oppressive feeling.
Yan Xiaohu’s eyes were full of disbelief, and he blurted out, "Did you break through to the mid-Nascent Soul stage?"
Lu Yaoyao happily nodded and responded, "Yes, I just broke through not long ago. Senior Brother Yan, where is Senior Brother Zhou?"
"Don’t call me senior brother anymore. From now on, I’ll call you senior sister. It’s too demoralizing!"
Yan Xiaohu looked bitter. When he himself was in the late Golden Core Realm, Lu Yaoyao had just been accepted as a disciple by Master, not even having stepped into the threshold of cultivation.
But now, she had surpassed him just like that.
Upon hearing this, Lu Yaoyao quickly waved her hands and said seriously, "Senior Brother Yan, don’t joke. You will always be the senior brother I respect the most. By the way, where is Senior Brother Zhou?"
Yan Xiaohu scratched his head. Why did this question sound so familiar?
"Him? He was taken away by the Second Elder. I haven’t been in touch with him for more than three months," Yan Xiaohu had to say.
As soon as Lu Yaoyao heard this, she turned around without another word, "I’ll go find the Second Elder!"
Seeing this, Yan Xiaohu had to remind her, "The Second Elder isn’t here either!"
Lu Yaoyao’s steps came to an abrupt halt, her face full of disappointment.
She still wanted to tell her father this good news as soon as possible.
"I’ll find Master Lu. She must have a way!" Lu Yaoyao turned and left again.
Not seen for three months, Zhou Qing now had the appearance of a small vendor. His once fair skin had been tanned dark by the scorching sun, giving off a sense of simplicity.
"Elder Weng, the big perch you wanted, freshly caught this morning. I brought it over right away. Look, it’s still lively."
The other end of the hemp rope had a fat perch and three grass carps tied to it, which Zhou Qing carried behind his straw raincoat.
At this moment, he skillfully walked into a small grocery shop.
The store was not big but was filled with a dazzling array of items. On the old shelves, everything from household pots, bowls, and pans to all kinds of quirky little things was available.
But the business didn’t look good, as many shelves had long been covered with dust.
In a corner of the shop, there was an old bamboo chair, slightly worn, where an old man was leisurely napping.
The old man was thin, wearing a coarse cloth robe that had faded to white, with a few patches sewn on the hem. His collar was slightly open, revealing a neck bulging with veins.
His sparse white hair fell carelessly, and his loose skin was dotted with age spots.
Upon hearing Zhou Qing’s voice, the old man slowly opened his eyes, his mouth turning up in a smile, revealing the few teeth he had left, and got up cheerfully to greet him.
"Zhou, you’re here again. This fish is great. You’re amazing; you always come back with a full load!"
Elder Weng pushed himself up from the armrests of the bamboo chair, slowly stood up, and gently patted the dust off himself, then walked unsteadily towards Zhou Qing.
Zhou Qing smiled, walking straight through the back hall to the kitchen, where he placed the big perch into a wooden basin and drew some water from the vat.
Then he wiped the sweat from his forehead, came out with a proud face, and said, "Of course, no one can beat me at fishing. I’ll leave it in the kitchen for you. It’s better to make soup with it."
Elder Weng looked gratefully at Zhou Qing and said, "Thank you. I’ll get some money for you." Saying this, he started heading towards the counter.
Zhou Qing hurriedly waved his hand to stop him, "No need, no need. Please sit down and rest. One more fish is easy for me."
After saying that, he ran off because he still had to deliver the remaining three grass carps to the restaurant.
"This kid never takes any money. Does he pity this old man?" Elder Weng said, watching Zhou Qing leave, full of emotion.
Just as he sat down, a figure quietly walked into the shop.
The visitor was a beautiful woman with a graceful figure and a cold demeanor.
Elder Weng opened his eyes slightly, looking at the beautiful woman, and asked, "Why are you here today?"
Lu Yuanzhi looked respectful, bowing to Elder Weng, with a hint of hesitation in her voice, "Dean, I want to ask you for something."
After leaving the restaurant, Zhou Qing weighed the fifty coins in his hand with a satisfied smile, then carefully put them into his money bag.
Looking up at the sky, he saw several streaks of light flying by, drawing the eyes of passing pedestrians.
Zhou Qing then smiled slightly, turned, and walked into a nearby shop, carefully selecting some pastries, and then headed towards South Alley.
Because he lived there!
"Elder Weng, congratulations on opening today!" As soon as Zhou Qing stepped into the grocery store, he saw two women carrying newly purchased goods, chatting and laughing as they left.
Weng Yunqi raised his head at the sound, and his face lit up with a kind smile, "Thank you for your good fortune. I made some money today. Oh, pastries from Jufu Building."
His eyes fell on the pastries in Zhou Qing’s hand, and he couldn’t help but exclaim.
"Yes, knowing you have trouble chewing, I bought these especially for you. They’re very soft."
As Zhou Qing spoke, he skillfully opened the package, gently took out a piece of pastry, and handed it to Elder Weng.
Weng Yunqi accepted the pastry, mumbling a bit embarrassedly, "You’ve spent money again. When this old man is gone, this shop will be yours." Nᴇw novel chapters are publɪshed on NoveI-Fire.ɴet
"Stop it. If you say that, I won’t come anymore. It’ll seem like I’m being nice to you for your inheritance."
Zhou Qing pretended to be angry, but his eyes sparkled with laughter.
Elder Weng couldn’t help but laugh heartily, "Just joking with you. You come because you care about this old man."