Cloudwater Drifting Blossoms

Hearing his own name, Uncle Liu immediately broke into a broad smile.

"Xiao Man, we really have you to thank this time. Otherwise, they might not have picked me."

Uncle Liu laughed as he patted Zhou Man on the shoulder.

"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.

"Everyone whose name was called, step forward."

Just then, the overseer's voice reached their ears again.

"Come on, Xiao Man. Looks like we'll be taking home some extra coins today."

Uncle Liu cheerfully led Zhou Man over to the overseer.

Several others whose names had been called stepped forward as well.

The overseer silently counted heads. Once he confirmed the number matched those called, he nodded to the Wild Wolf Gang member beside him.

Ordinary laborers usually lingered here for a while after work, afraid of missing out on a lucky opportunity like today's.

Unless there was a real emergency at home, all the laborers who had been called were still here.

Meanwhile, Zhou Man quietly observed the people around him.

Looking at those familiar faces, he noticed that most of the laborers called over were the ones he had previously recorded as carrying the most goods.

Only two were unfamiliar faces, perhaps because he had not paid much attention to them before.

It made sense to choose the laborers who carried the most. After all, they could hardly call a few old, weak, sick, and disabled people to do urgent heavy labor.

Yet Zhou Man still felt a faint unease, as though something was about to happen.

Seeing the smiling faces of Uncle Liu and the others, Zhou Man could only quietly comfort himself.

Hopefully, nothing happens...

"Everyone, if you're ready, follow me."

The speaker was the Wild Wolf Gang member standing beside the overseer. After saying that, he turned and left without caring whether the people behind him followed.

"Come on, come on, let's catch up."

As dusk gradually fell,

A young man of extraordinary bearing arrived at Cloudwater Wharf.

The newcomer was none other than Wu Yi.

Cloudwater City was neither particularly large nor particularly small.

However, Cloudwater Wharf lay in the southwestern corner of the city, while Zhou Man's home was in the northeastern corner.

It was practically a journey across the entire city. Even with Wu Yi's pace, it took half an hour.

Thus, by the time Wu Yi arrived at Cloudwater Wharf, the sky had already darkened.

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 make a move against him, Wu Yi, how could they possibly spare Wu Yi's disciple?

That was why Wu Yi cared so much about Zhou Man's whereabouts.

Wu Yi was about to turn and leave when his eyes involuntarily caught sight of a stunning figure approaching along the wharf.

The woman wore a wine-red gauze dress cinched at the waist, outlining her delicate and graceful figure.

She had a pair of alluring peach blossom eyes, amber pupils shimmering with seductive charm, while her black hair fell loosely around her shoulders.

She walked slowly over the uneven bluestone slabs of the wharf, her body swaying gently as a slender, fair calf occasionally showed beneath her skirt.

Every step was leisurely and unhurried, yet every step seemed to land squarely in people's hearts.

The few people on the wharf kept stealing glances at her. Some thinner-skinned men flushed bright red the moment her gaze swept over them, clutching themselves as they fled.

All Wu Yi could say was that she truly was beautiful.

In his eyes, even the top courtesan of that Spring Fragrance House was not worthy of carrying her shoes.

By the standards of his previous life, only some Eastern evil face-changing technique combined with a level-ten beauty filter could possibly compare to her.

And that was assuming there was no snake-like face or unnatural-looking effect. In Wu Yi's opinion, this woman was still superior.

Of course, for Wu Yi, who had seen every sort of demon and monster in his previous 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 flirtatious, sweet and smooth.

The sound seemed to carry some sort of magic, making Wu Yi turn around despite himself.

An incomparably seductive, dazzlingly beautiful face suddenly filled Wu Yi's vision.

For an instant, the entire world seemed to fall still, and Wu Yi nearly forgot to breathe.

Seeing his reaction, the beauty could not help letting out a soft laugh.

She lowered her eyes and covered her mouth, yet every smile and frown only made her more enchanting.

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 in endless silence and loneliness...

Wu Yi shuddered in fright. The woman opposite him seemed startled by his reaction as well.

"Young master, what's wrong?"

Her delicate voice reached him, but it no longer sounded as pleasant as celestial music.

Wu Yi instinctively glanced at his status panel.

There did not seem to be anything wrong. What had that been just now?

"It's nothing. It's just that your beauty is so exceptional, miss, that Wu could not help staring blankly for a moment."

Perhaps she had not expected Wu Yi to answer so directly. The beauty covered her mouth and laughed again. "Young Master Wu is quite honest, unlike those pretentious scholars this little woman has met before."

"They go on all day about sages and worthies, the manners of gentlemen, and propriety, yet every last one of them wishes they could glue their eyes to this little woman."

"There truly are not many honest men like Young Master Wu."

After saying that, the woman seemed to think of something. She puffed out her cheeks in annoyance, lending her a different sort of charm.

Wu Yi watched her, but he no longer looked as entranced as before.

"Not at all. You flatter me, miss."

"Everyone loves beauty. Especially when faced with a woman as breathtakingly beautiful as you."

Wu Yi immediately began praising her, then put on an annoyed expression.

"Ah, how foolish of me. I am Wu Yong, yet I have not even asked for your name, miss."

There had been no shortage of strange characters online in his previous life. Wu Yi had learned quite a bit from them, though he rarely used it. Still, he deeply understood one saying.

When traveling abroad, one's identity was self-made.

"Young Master Wu certainly knows how to flatter someone. This little woman's surname is Su, and my given name is Yan. I am from Blackwater City. Young Master Wu may simply call me Yan Yan."

Su Yan's crescent-shaped eyes curved into a smile, captivating to the soul.

"So it is Miss Su Yan of Blackwater City. My apologies, my apologies."

Wu Yi gave Su Yan a slight bow.

"May I ask what brings Miss Su to our Cloudwater City? I dare not boast too much, but I have lived in Cloudwater City for over twenty years and know it fairly well."

"If you are looking for someone or need something done, Wu has a few connections as well."

Wu Yi said with a smile, clearly wanting to become more familiar with Su Yan.

"I never expected Young Master Wu to have such abilities. Unfortunately, this little woman came here with my father on business, so I doubt I will need to trouble you."

"No matter, no matter. If Miss Su wishes to learn more about the customs and local sights of Cloudwater City, Wu would be happy to help."

Before Su Yan could respond,

Wu Yi hurriedly continued,

"The sky is growing late, and Cloudwater Wharf is cold and windy at night. A lady as precious as Miss Su must not catch a chill. Might I boldly ask Miss Su to honor me with a visit to my residence for a chat?"

Upon 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 nearby."

As she spoke, Su Yan pointed to a brightly lit pleasure boat moored not far from the shore.

"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 nearly showing.

"It would be an honor."

Wu Yi promptly followed Su Yan toward the pleasure boat.

"I saw Miss Su wandering the wharf alone earlier. Is something troubling you..."

The two chatted as they walked, as though they had endless things to say.

Anyone who saw them could not help praising them as a handsome man and beautiful woman.