Zhao Tie led Fang Yuan onward without lingering in the Inner City, turning onto another street and heading for the Outer City.
At the end of the Inner City's bluestone-paved roads, they gave way to the uneven dirt roads of the Outer City, where the clamor of voices abruptly surged.
Fang Yuan's attire was nothing remarkable outside the city, but in the Outer City, it stood out conspicuously.
Quite a few gazes swept over him, carrying awe, curiosity, and a trace of barely perceptible envy.
Zhao Tie's burly frame easily parted the crowd. He leaned closer and lowered his voice.
"Brother Fang, don't mind it. Houses in the Inner City are frighteningly expensive, and they're hostile to outsiders. Quite a few of us brothers from the Martial Arts School, myself included, have settled down in the Outer City for the freedom of it."
Seeing the heavy basket on Fang Yuan's back, he reached out to take it. "Let me carry it?"
"No need, Brother Zhao. I can manage it myself." Fang Yuan shook his head, his voice steady.
He had only just arrived. Zhao Tie was being courteous for Chen Zhengyang's sake; if he truly let someone else help him, it would only make him seem tactless.
Zhao Tie did not insist. Instead, he gave Liu Wanwan and Little Bean Sprout an honest nod, formally greeting them.
Behind Fang Yuan, Liu Wanwan held Little Bean Sprout's hand and followed nervously. In response to Zhao Tie's glance, she merely nodded slightly in return.
Little Bean Sprout, meanwhile, curiously sized up this man who was even taller and sturdier than her brother.
Zhao Tie withdrew his hand and continued the earlier topic, lowering his voice even further.
"Brother Fang, since you've just arrived, there are some things you need to keep in