Zhou Qi narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched the two men spar.
"Shopkeeper Shi misunderstands. Mr. Yang is merely thrown into confusion by his concern."
After a long while, once the two had secretly begun wrestling with each other, Zhou Qi rose to smooth things over and continued:
"However, even if the key isn't here, Shopkeeper Shi, you are!"
"We were sent here by Young Master Qing. With all three of us present, that should carry enough weight."
"Young Master Qing took over the Treasure Pavilion on the master's orders. I believe he has the authority to smash a lock."
Shi Donglai set down his teacup and shifted his gaze from Yang Zhenshan to Zhou Qi.
"Of course Young Master has the authority to smash a lock. But Guard Zhou, which young master are you planning to smash it for?"
Those words were meant to knock Zhou Qi into line.
Which side are you on, exactly? I can't make heads or tails of you!
"Which young master? Aren't they all young masters of our Yao Residence?" Zhou Qi replied with a soft laugh.
Shi Donglai stood where he was, his expression changing again and again.
He looked at Zhou Qi, then at Yang Zhenshan. At last, he forced out a smile. "Guard Zhou is right. I was muddleheaded."
"I'll go ask about the spare key!"
With that, Shi Donglai cupped his hands and headed downstairs.
Downstairs.
A string of loud, furious shouts from Shi Donglai carried up to the second floor.
"Old Liu, where's the spare key?!!!"
"Damn it, nobody uses the spare key all day long! What the hell are you looking for a key for?"
"Hurry up and find it! If you can't, I'll break every last one of your legs!!"
Zhou Qi and Yang Zhenshan exchanged