Seeing Ning Rongrong Again (Seeking Reads, Seeking Recommendations)

As the sun prepared to crest the horizon, the river city was lost in mist, the rain barely a whisper.

When Yang Fan emerged from his secret chamber, he found the sky had already brightened, the entirety of Heaven Dou City shrouded in a thin morning fog.

Standing on the second floor of the Treasure Appraisal Pavilion and gazing out at the street, Yang Fan noticed that the world outside was already beginning to stir with life.

Half a year ago, this had been the most destitute district in Heaven Dou City, always permeated by an inescapable scent of mold and despair.

But today, with the rise of Yang's Treasure Appraisal Pavilion, this corner once filled with hopelessness had finally acquired a touch of prosperity.

In the past, those ragged women and old men had been forced to push creaking wooden carts laden with handmade goods, trekking all the way to the distant academy or central districts to beg for a few meager copper coins under the disdainful glares of nobles and Soul Masters.

But now, they no longer needed to.

Because on this street, Yang's Treasure Appraisal Pavilion itself was a center of traffic that could not be ignored.

Had this been a high-and-mighty auction house or a merchant guild, they would have undoubtedly driven these poor, foul-smelling commoners away like stray dogs to maintain their prestige.

But with Yang Fan, it was entirely different.

Not only did he have no intention of driving them away, but he had also allocated specific manpower and resources to designate a clean, level area in this district for them to settle and make a living.

With the experience left behind by the sages of his past life, coupled with the secret support of the current Crown Prince, Xue Qinghe, everything had progressed smoothly over the past six months.

There had been no blind fools coming to provoke him, and if there had been, they were likely already dealt with by the people around Xue Qinghe.

Yang Fan looked down at the bustling crowd below.

When poor, one keeps to oneself; when successful, one helps the world.

Looking at the ledgers, he hadn't made any money—he was even operating at a loss—but he felt this trade was well worth it.

In a place called Shambhala Village, he had been an orphan raised by fellow villagers who had nothing but their meager rations to share.

In the ten years he had lived in the world of Douluo, Yang Fan had come to deeply understand the sorrow of ordinary people in this era.

One had to realize that even for a first-ring Soul Master, the monthly subsidy of Gold Soul Coins was enough for a commoner family to live quite well for several weeks.

Having skirted the gates of the afterlife, Yang Fan had gained a new understanding of many things; if one did not become a god, one remained an ant, and he wanted to leave his own mark on this world.

Since he had come here, he had his own responsibilities.

Yang Fan's gaze swept past, and he suddenly caught sight of that little witch from the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect, who had somehow snuck back to the front of Yang's Treasure Appraisal Pavilion.

At this moment, she was sitting on the bluestone steps, looking bored, her pair of exquisitely crafted, soft-soled boots dangling in mid-air, swaying rhythmically with her mood.

Beside her, two guards with steady auras stood as straight as pine trees, their eyes scanning the surroundings with vigilance.

"Oh my, how many times do I have to say it? I'm just here to hang out with Pavilion Master Yang!"

Ning Rongrong's crisp, clear voice rang out, carrying a hint of petulance and pride.

She tilted her fair, delicate nose slightly and huffed, "The security in Heaven Dou City is so good, where is the need for you two to follow me every single step of the way?"

Having said that, as if remembering something, she couldn't help but mutter, "Besides, Yang's Treasure Appraisal Pavilion is about to open its doors to guests. You two blocking the entrance like wooden stakes is clearly hindering this young lady... ahem, hindering him from doing business!"

Yang Fan took in the whole scene, and watching those two guards, who stood like clay statues and ignored their mistress entirely, he couldn't help but chuckle aloud.

"Who is it? Who dares to laugh at this young lady behind her back!"

Ning Rongrong had excellent hearing and immediately looked toward the source of the sound.

She scanned her surroundings to no avail, then instinctively lifted her delicate, fair face, only to find Yang Fan at the second-floor window, waving at her leisurely with a playful smile.

Caught in the act, the girl's jade-white cheeks instantly flushed a deep crimson, the color spreading all the way to her ears.

"You lazy pig, Yang Fan! Since you're awake, hurry up and come down to open the doors!"

To hide her embarrassment, Ning Rongrong glared at him indignantly and pouted, "This young lady has been blowing in the cold wind on these steps for ages, and you have the nerve to laugh!"

Yang Fan walked down the stairs at a leisurely pace and pushed open the heavy wooden doors of the pavilion, the cool morning air rushing in and clearing his head.

"Yes, yes, yes, my apologies for keeping the young lady waiting."

He smiled and cupped his hands in a salute, though there wasn't a shred of apology in his tone, nor did he mention how unhurried he had been on his way down.

Seeing him like this, Ning Rongrong grew even more incensed. She stamped her small foot and turned to walk into the pavilion.

She lifted her delicate chin and huffed, "I have something important to tell you today, so you'd better treat me well. Otherwise, my memory isn't very good, and I might just forget~"

Yang Fan stepped aside and opened the door wide, watching her haughty back, and felt even more amused.

What could a little witch like Ning Rongrong possibly have to say that was important? If her family could truly trust her to deliver a message, then one had to wonder if Ning Fengzhi was being a bit too careless.

"Your arrival brings such splendor to my humble shop, Young Lady."

He spoke as he led her toward the private seating area on the second floor. "What is this important matter? Keep it brief, and make it quick; you know how busy this pavilion gets. Once A Wu arrives, it'll be time to open for business."

Ning Rongrong sat down on a sandalwood chair by the window, her gaze sweeping over the tea set already prepared on the table. She reached out, took a sip, and then spoke, "The tea is no different from last time. Do you want me to steal some of my father's private stash and bring it for you to try? As for the matter~"

She paused, her eyes dancing with a hint of mischief.

"You have so many strange and curious things; if you can bring out something I've never seen before to give to me, I'll tell you!"

Yang Fan sat down across from her and poured her more hot tea, his movements clean and efficient, leaving no room for criticism.

"I am not a man who appreciates tea; I only use it for hospitality. This tea was a gift from the Crown Prince, and I have no idea if it is good or bad. Since you've said as much, I suppose I shall have to discuss it with His Highness Xue Qinghe one of these days."

He raised his eyes to look at her, the morning light falling upon her gorgeous white dress, gilding her in a soft, radiant glow.

"Besides, the foundation of my Treasure Appraisal Pavilion is shallow; it can hardly compare to the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect. I'm afraid I don't have anything that could catch the young miss's eye. If you don't want to say it, then don't."

Ning Rongrong held the teacup, her fingertips feeling the warmth radiating from it.

"Don't tell Brother Xue Qinghe! That man is just like my old man, utterly boring."

She shouted a few words, her voice a few decibels brighter than before.

"You really can't take a joke! Father said you joined Xue Qinghe's faction, so you should know that Brother Qinghe's coming-of-age ceremony is in a few months. You'd better prepare a gift."

With the serious business finished, Ning Rongrong looked left and right, clearly still unwilling to give up, hoping to find something novel to play with.

"Since you really want to see something new, I did acquire a type of entertainment item that I can gift to you for fun."

Seeing this, Yang Fan casually took a few boxes of poker from his Space Bracelet.

He hadn't expected that the era of Legend of the Dragon King would have spawned this kind of pastime. The thing he looked forward to most every Friday was playing Fight the Landlord with Na'er and his teacher.

His teacher hadn't wanted to at first, complaining that it was childish, but as soon as Na'er begged her, her heart softened.