Hearing his own name, Uncle Liu immediately beamed.
"Xiao Man, this time it was all thanks to you. Otherwise, I might not have been chosen."
Uncle Liu patted Zhou Man on the shoulder and laughed.
"Not at all, Uncle Liu. I only helped out a little. It's nothing worth praising."
Zhou Man felt a little embarrassed by Uncle Liu's lavish praise.
"Those whose names were called, step forward."
At that moment, the overseer's voice reached their ears again.
"Come on, Xiao Man. Looks like we'll be taking home a few more copper coins today."
Uncle Liu cheerfully led Zhou Man over to the overseer.
Several others whose names had just been called also stepped forward.
The overseer silently counted them. The number matched the names he had called, and he nodded at the Wild Wolf Gang member beside him.
Ordinary laborers usually lingered here for a while after finishing work, precisely so they would not miss out on a good opportunity like this.
Unless there was truly an urgent matter at home, all the laborers who had been called were still here.
At the same time, Zhou Man silently observed the people around him.
Looking at those familiar faces, he discovered that most of the laborers who had been called were the ones he had noted down earlier for carrying the most cargo.
Only two were unfamiliar faces, perhaps because he had not paid much attention to them before.
It made sense to pick laborers who could carry more. After all, they could hardly call a few old, weak, sick, and disabled men to handle heavy, urgent work.
Yet Zhou Man still felt a faint unease in his heart, as though something was about to happen.
Seeing Uncle Liu and the others smiling beside him, Zhou Man could only comfort himself in silence.
Let nothing happen...
"Everyone, if you're ready, follow me."
The speaker was the Wild Wolf Gang member beside the overseer. After speaking, he turned and left without caring whether the people behind him followed.
"Come on, come on, let's catch up."
The sky gradually darkened.
A young man with an extraordinary bearing arrived at Cloudwater Wharf.
The newcomer was Wu Yi.
Cloudwater City was neither particularly large nor particularly small.
However, Cloudwater Wharf lay in the southwest corner of the city, while Zhou Man's home was in the northeast corner of Cloudwater City.
It was practically crossing the entire city. Even with Wu Yi's speed, it took half an hour.
Thus, by the time Wu Yi arrived at Cloudwater Wharf, the sky had already dimmed.
He did not know whether Zhou Man had returned home or gone elsewhere, so he would have to ask around.
Since the Wild Wolf Gang had dared to lay hands on Wu Yi, how could they possibly spare Wu Yi's disciple?
That was why Wu Yi was so concerned about Zhou Man's movements.
Wu Yi was about to turn and leave when his gaze inadvertently caught sight of an incomparably beautiful figure walking along the wharf.
The woman wore a wine-red gauze dress cinched at the waist, outlining her exquisite and graceful figure.
She possessed alluring peach-blossom eyes, amber pupils flowing with seductive charm, while her black hair fell loosely over her shoulders.
Her steps were light and unhurried as she walked over the uneven bluestone slabs of the wharf. Her figure swayed gently, occasionally revealing a stretch of slender, fair calf.
Every step was calm and languid, yet every step landed squarely in people's hearts.
The few people on the wharf kept glancing at her. Some thinner-skinned men blushed crimson the instant her gaze swept over them, clutching themselves as they fled.
Wu Yi could only admit that she was indeed very beautiful.
In his eyes, the courtesan of that Spring Fragrance House was not even worthy of carrying her shoes.
By the standards of his past life, perhaps only the Eastern evil face-changing technique combined with a level-ten beauty filter could compare with her.
And that was only if there was no snake-like face or sense of artificiality. Thus, in Wu Yi's view, this woman was still a cut above.
Of course, to Wu Yi, who had seen every manner of demon and monster in his past life, a mere woman could not shake his composure.
He was a genuine Sigma man.
Withdrawing his gaze, Wu Yi turned to leave.
"Were you looking at this little woman just now, young master?"
Her voice was soft and coquettish, sweet and supple.
The voice seemed to carry some sort of magic, making Wu Yi turn around despite himself.
An incomparably enchanting, dazzlingly beautiful face entered Wu Yi's sight.
In an instant, heaven and earth seemed to fall silent. Wu Yi nearly forgot how to breathe.
Seeing his reaction, the beauty could not help but let out a soft laugh.
Though she lowered her eyes and covered her mouth, every smile and frown only added to her boundless charm.
Wu Yi found himself staring even more foolishly...
Suddenly, heaven and earth turned dark and colorless. Sound, light, and every other sensation vanished, as though he had been imprisoned within endless silence and loneliness...
Wu Yi shuddered in fright. The woman opposite him seemed startled by his reaction as well.
"Young master, what is wrong?"
Her sweetly delicate voice reached him, but it no longer sounded as pleasant as celestial music.
Wu Yi instinctively glanced at the panel.
There did not seem to be anything wrong. What had happened just now?
"Nothing. It is only that, seeing a lady of such peerless beauty, Wu could not help becoming a little dazed."
Apparently not expecting Wu Yi to answer so directly, the beauty covered her mouth and laughed again. "Young Master Wu is quite honest. You are unlike those pretentious scholars this little woman has met before."
"They prattle all day about sages and worthies, the manners and propriety of gentlemen, yet every last one of them wishes they could grow their eyes on this little woman."
"There are not many honest people like Young Master Wu."
After saying that, the woman seemed to think of something. Her puffed-up expression possessed a charm all its own.
Wu Yi saw it, but he no longer wore his earlier dazed expression.
"Not at all, not at all. You overpraise me, miss."
"Everyone loves beauty. Especially when faced with a woman as devastatingly beautiful as you, miss."
Wu Yi immediately praised her, then put on a vexed expression.
"Ah, how muddleheaded of me. This humble one is Wu Yong. May I ask your name, miss?"
There had been all manner of demons and monsters on the internet in his past life. Wu Yi had learned quite a bit from them, though he rarely used it. Still, he understood one saying well.
When traveling beyond one's door, one's identity is what one gives oneself.
"Young Master Wu certainly knows how to flatter people. This little woman's surname is Su, given name Yan. I am from Blackwater City. Young Master Wu may call me by my pet name, Yanyan."
Su Yan's crescent-moon eyes curved beautifully, stirring the soul.
"So it is Miss Su Yan of Blackwater City. My apologies, my apologies."
Wu Yi slightly bowed to Su Yan in greeting.
"May I ask what brings Miss Su to our Cloudwater City? I dare not boast of anything else, but having lived in Cloudwater City for over twenty years, Wu knows a thing or two."
"If you are looking for someone or need something done, Wu has a few connections as well."
Wu Yi said with a smile, clearly hoping to grow more familiar with Su Yan.
"I did not expect Young Master Wu to be so capable. Unfortunately, this little woman came here with my father on business, so I do not think I will need to trouble you."
"No matter, no matter. If Miss Su wishes to learn more about Cloudwater City's customs and local color, Wu would be happy to assist."
Before Su Yan could respond.
Wu Yi hurriedly spoke again.
"I see that it is growing late. Cloudwater Wharf is cold at night and the wind is sharp. Miss Su's precious body must not catch a chill. Might this thick-skinned one invite Miss Su to honor my residence with a conversation?"
Hearing this, Su Yan gave another coquettish smile.
"Young Master Wu is certainly thoughtful, but there is no need to visit your residence. My father's merchant ship is not far away."
As she spoke, Su Yan pointed toward a brightly lit pleasure boat moored nearby.
"If Young Master Wu does not mind, you may board the ship with this little woman and have a look."
How could Wu Yi possibly refuse?
The fox's tail was practically showing.
"It would be an honor."
Wu Yi immediately followed Su Yan toward the pleasure boat.
"Earlier, I saw Miss Su wandering alone along the wharf. Do you have something troubling your heart...?"
The two chatted as they walked, as though they had endless things to say.
Anyone who saw them could not help but praise them as a handsome man and a beautiful woman.
Before you continue