Fang Zhiyi sat in the courtyard flipping through a picture book, deliberately ignoring the commotion outside.
Huang Li, who had gone to answer the door, glanced at Fu Tingxiu standing at the entrance and then at the carriage, eyeing him suspiciously. "Who are you looking for?"
Fu Tingxiu bowed gracefully. "I’m here to see Miss Fang."
Huang Li squinted at him for a moment before heading back into the courtyard to call Fang Xiaoxiao. On her way, she glanced at Fang Zhiyi, who had fallen asleep with the book covering his face, and decided not to disturb him.
After some hesitation, Fang Xiaoxiao agreed to Fu Tingxiu’s invitation, and Huang Li accompanied her.
"Host, are you just going to watch her walk down that path again?" the system asked Fang Zhiyi, who was pretending to sleep.
"I’m just a task executor, not a god. How can I dictate her choices? Some things must be decided by her."
Before afternoon, the two returned.
Fang Xiaoxiao looked upset, and Huang Li trailed behind her, muttering angrily.
"Oh? What’s wrong?" Fang Zhiyi stretched lazily, having just woken up from a nap.
Huang Li huffed. "That Fu guy is a complete scoundrel! He has a fiancée, yet he had the nerve to invite our young lady to admire flowers with him. If we hadn’t run into his fiancée at the pastry shop, our lady might have been fooled!"
Fang Zhiyi turned to Fang Xiaoxiao, who explained, "Second Uncle, his fiancée is Qin Lan, my former classmate from school. She’s also the one who… last time you saved me…" She trailed off, too embarrassed to continue.
Fang Zhiyi nodded in understanding. "So that’s why you’re so upset?"
Huang Li chimed in again, "That woman is such a hypocrite! She kept implying that our lady isn’t good enough, bringing up how she used to struggle in difficult circumstances. If our lady hadn’t stopped me, I would’ve torn her mouth shut!"
Fang Zhiyi inwardly noted that Qin Lan hadn’t yet revealed that incident. Still, he felt pleased—these two girls had clearly learned a thing or two, given how accurately they’d described the situation.
That night, the courtyard gate was knocked on again. Huang Li stormed over, expecting to see that scoundrel Fu, but instead found three men standing outside. The leader, wearing a hat, asked politely, "Excuse me, does Fang Zhiyi live here?"
"Second Master! Someone’s here for you!" Huang Li called out.
Fang Zhiyi sauntered over, feigning confusion at the sight of the visitor. "You are…?"
The man clasped Fang Zhiyi’s hand. "It’s me, Zhou Huaqiang."
Fang Zhiyi pretended to recall. "Ah, yes! How’s your sister doing?"
Zhou Huaqiang replied eagerly, "She’s recovered and came back to Guang City with me. Thank you, old friend."
The two took their seats while the two men in black remained stationed at the gate.
"I had to ask around to find you. The Fang family wouldn’t tell me your address—had to get directions from a passerby. You’re quite well-known, old friend."
"Don’t tease me. I’m just a loafer who wanders around. Naturally, people recognize me."
Zhou Huaqiang studied the man before him. Though his words were careless, his demeanor carried an inexplicable air of refinement.
Zhou Huaqiang signaled his men to bring in gifts, but Fang Zhiyi waved them off. "Hold on, hold on. If this is about that incident, I can’t accept these." Truthfully, he felt a little guilty—while he had saved someone, he’d also manipulated the situation.
Zhou Huaqiang insisted.
Suddenly, Fang Zhiyi seemed to remember something. "Wait—you said you’re in Guang City, right?"
Zhou Huaqiang nodded but didn’t elaborate on his business there.
Fang Zhiyi looked intrigued. "Actually, I have a favor to ask. I was planning to go there myself, but since you’re here…"
"Oh? What is it?"
"I recently learned about a business opportunity from a merchant and wanted to explore it. I’m thinking of renting a warehouse in Guang City to import Western medicine. Since you’re there, could you tell me if it’s viable?"
Zhou Huaqiang studied Fang Zhiyi’s indifferent expression. "Old friend, I’m not too familiar with that industry, but I’ll look into it for you when I return. How’s that?"
"Too much trouble. I’ll just go myself," Fang Zhiyi declined. "I only asked because you live there. No need to trouble yourself."
After some small talk, Zhou Huaqiang excused himself, citing other business.
Once the gate closed, Fang Zhiyi’s smile faded, his gaze sharpening like a fox’s as he stared at the door.
The next day, shocking news spread through the city—the police station had been bombed, and the chief’s fate was unknown. Fang Zhiyi merely chuckled upon hearing it.
Two days later, he boarded a train to Guang City with Fang Xiaoxiao and Huang Li in tow.
The trio marveled at the unfamiliar city, and Fang Zhiyi took them sightseeing, buying all sorts of trinkets. Finally, the system alerted him.
"Host, someone’s noticed you."
"Be specific! Is it a robber or a pickpocket?"
"Zhou Huaqiang’s men have spotted you."
"That’s more like it."
As they searched for a hotel, a car pulled up in front of them.
"Brother Fang!" Zhou Huaqiang stepped out and embraced Fang Zhiyi. "You really came!"
Fang Zhiyi eyed the car behind him. "Well, well, you’re doing quite well for yourself! Haha, give me a moment—I’ll book a room and come down."
Zhou Huaqiang waved dismissively. "No need. As guests in Guang City, I’ll take care of everything—lodging, meals, transportation!"
Another figure emerged from the car—Zhou Huaqiang’s sister, Zhou Ling.
"Brother Fang."
"Ah, you look much better. Good." Fang Zhiyi praised, and the girl smiled shyly.
They dined at an upscale restaurant, where Zhou Huaqiang observed Fang Xiaoxiao’s poised demeanor with admiration. Who would’ve thought this seemingly carefree Fang Zhiyi could raise such a refined niece?
After a few rounds of drinks, Zhou Huaqiang spoke up. "Old friend, I’ve already taken care of what you mentioned last time."
Fang Zhiyi paused. There was a world of difference between looking into it and arranging it.
Zhou Huaqiang produced a key. "This is for the warehouse. I’ll show you tomorrow. I’ve also contacted representatives and compradors—tomorrow night, I’ll arrange a dinner so you can meet them."
Fang Zhiyi stood. "This is…"
Zhou Huaqiang laughed and pulled him back down. "You didn’t hesitate to use your family’s secret medicine on a stranger. What I’ve done is nothing." He’d later learned that the anesthetic, in large doses, could be lethal. The man Fang Zhiyi had saved was indeed a stranger—the only oddity was Fang Zhiyi’s timely appearance.
As Fang Zhiyi pondered how to react, Zhou Huaqiang suddenly lowered his voice. "By the way, I must thank you properly for that day. But… do you often visit Baihua Gate?"