After paying his respects to Shang He, Zuo Yi sat down on the sofa.
Although Shang Yulin clearly had reservations and did not want to say much about Shang He's cause of death, he still hoped to learn more.
The room was very quiet.
After a moment, perhaps Zuo Yi's silence made Shang Yulin feel pressured. She pressed her lips together and said, "Zuo Yi, just say whatever you want to say."
"I just got back."
Zuo Yi said, "I wanted to find a job and settle down. I originally came here looking for work."
Zuo Yi did not press her about Shang He's cause of death because he did not want to force Shang Yulin. In any case, he would learn the truth sooner or later.
Shang Yulin gave a bitter smile. "To be honest, Tianhong is in very bad shape right now. Several of our instructors have already left, and there aren't many students remaining. Even the recruitment ad at the bus stop was put up by a friend, and it'll be taken down in a couple of days."
"If you're looking for work, I can ask some friends for you. No matter what, it would still be better than working here."
The real situation was even worse than she had described. Heavenly Vast Martial Arts Hall was facing enormous difficulties. They could not recruit new instructors or students; people would come in to ask around, then leave.
Shang Yulin was struggling to keep things afloat, but no matter how hard it was, she would not drag Zuo Yi into this mess.
Zuo Yi thought for a moment and said, "Senior Sister Shang, since I don't have any other work right now, how about I work part-time here for a while? The salary doesn't matter. We can talk about everything else later, all right?"
"I have a Professional Rank Three swordsmanship certificate, so I meet the requirements to be an instructor at a martial arts hall."
Shang Yulin hesitated for a moment.
Emotionally, she did not want to trouble or implicate Zuo Yi, but rationally, she knew his suggestion was a good one.
"Then it's settled."
Zuo Yi made the decision directly. "Senior Sister Shang—no, Hall Master—I'll start work tomorrow."
"You should still call me Senior Sister."
Shang Yulin finally came up with a solution that satisfied both sides. "Help out at Tianhong for now, and I'll find you another job."
Zuo Yi stood up and smiled. "There's no need to rush."
Shang Yulin said, "I'll see you out."
The two had just left the room when three or four people came toward them.
The leader was a burly man with the build of a tiger and the back of a bear. He wore a black sleeveless compression shirt that showed off his bulging, well-defined muscles, while a pair of shorts exposed his thick thighs. He looked exceptionally imposing.
The burly man first shot Shang Yulin a quick glance, then turned his gaze on Zuo Yi with obvious hostility.
Like a large black dog guarding its food.
He asked in a muffled voice, "Senior Sister, what's this guy here for?"
Shang Yulin frowned. "This is Zuo Yi. Starting tomorrow, he'll be a swordsmanship instructor at our martial arts hall."
She then introduced the other man to Zuo Yi. "Zhang Dahai, a Professional Rank Four combat instructor. He's also my junior brother."
Zuo Yi nodded.
Since Shang Yulin called him her junior brother, that meant Zhang Dahai was Shang He's direct disciple.
But this junior brother clearly had some designs on his senior sister.
"A swordsmanship instructor?"
The burly Zhang Dahai immediately extended his large hand toward Zuo Yi and grinned. "Hello, Instructor Zuo!"
The two martial arts hall students behind him wore gloating expressions, their eyes full of mockery as they looked at Zuo Yi.
The skin on Zhang Dahai's right hand was rough, his fingers as thick as carrots, and his knuckles covered in calluses. One could easily imagine what it would feel like to be gripped by such a hand.
The students who followed Zhang Dahai had personally seen him squeeze one man until he cried for his parents and nearly wet his pants.
That had been some pretty boy trying to court Shang Yulin.
Zuo Yi looked much better than an ordinary pretty boy, but could he withstand Zhang Dahai's grip?
"Zhang Dahai!"
Shang Yulin scolded him.
She naturally knew exactly what trick her junior brother was trying to pull, so she warned him not to go too far.
Before Shang Yulin had finished speaking, their hands had already clasped tightly together.
Zhang Dahai said loudly, "A pleasure to meet you!"
Zuo Yi smiled.
That smile made Zhang Dahai's teeth itch. He truly wanted to throw a punch at Zuo Yi's face right there and see whether he could still smile afterward.
Zhang Dahai had just returned to the martial arts hall with the two students when the receptionist told him that a tall, handsome man had arrived. The man had gone into a small room with Shang Yulin to talk privately, and the two had known each other before.
Zhang Dahai immediately became anxious and was about to go take a look when Shang Yulin and Zuo Yi came out.
The moment he saw Zuo Yi, he felt deeply displeased. He decided to teach him a lesson, curling his fingers and rapidly increasing the strength of his grip.
Yet what Zhang Dahai never expected was that no matter how much force he used, Zuo Yi remained completely unmoved. It felt as though he was not gripping flesh and blood, but incomparably hard steel!
This is bad!
Zhang Dahai immediately realized that he had underestimated Zuo Yi—greatly underestimated his strength. This time, he had kicked an iron plate.
He gritted his teeth and prepared to endure Zuo Yi's retaliation, thinking that even if Zuo Yi crushed the bones in his hand, he had to bear it.
His bones could break, but he could not lose face—especially not in front of Shang Yulin.
But the retaliation he had expected never came. Zuo Yi casually released his hand, turned to Shang Yulin, and said, "Senior Sister Shang, I'll be heading back first. See you tomorrow."
With that, he walked straight out of the martial arts hall.
Shang Yulin stared blankly at Zuo Yi's broad, imposing figure as he walked farther and farther away, until he disappeared through the doorway.
Then she shot Zhang Dahai a fierce glare and turned back toward the room.
Zhang Dahai wilted like an eggplant struck by frost.
The two students beside him exchanged looks, not knowing how to comfort him.
They had thought they would get to watch a good show, but Zhang Dahai had been utterly unable to do anything to Zuo Yi and had even angered Shang Yulin.
He had truly lost both the lady and the army.
This also made them greatly curious about Zuo Yi and gave them a little more anticipation.
They wondered what changes this swordsmanship instructor's arrival would bring to Heavenly Vast Martial Arts Hall.
But what they truly needed to know was what kind of impact Zuo Yi's return would have on this world!
By West Lake, among ancient lanes and green willows.
Guan Zhishang carefully followed a maid in traditional Han clothing along a forest path paved with rain flower pebbles.
He was currently in Hang City's most elite and mysterious private club. Guan Zhishang had only heard others mention it as some strange tale during banquets before; today, he was finally seeing its true face for himself.
It was said to be a social gathering place for dignitaries and wealthy magnates, frequented by descendants of prestigious families, high-ranking officials, and legislators. Thus, Guan Zhishang was especially cautious. He did not even dare look directly at the slender, swaying waist of the beautiful maid ahead of him.
The winding path led into seclusion. After passing through the willow grove, an elegant courtyard appeared ahead.
The maid led Guan Zhishang into the main hall of a three-sided courtyard, where several young men and women were already seated.
Two bodyguards in black suits stood on either side of the doorway.
The moment Guan Zhishang entered, both bodyguards focused their gazes on him. Even through their sunglasses, he could feel their sharpness.
Guan Zhishang froze on the spot, cold sweat immediately seeping down his back.
He felt like prey being watched by fierce beasts, instinctively gripped by fear.
The maid in ancient dress walked over to a young man, bent her graceful waist, and whispered a few words into his ear.
The young man turned his head and glanced at Guan Zhishang by the door, then gave a slight nod.
Guan Zhishang hurriedly forced out a fawning smile, then obediently stood to one side and patiently waited for the other man to summon him.
His heart settled considerably.
This young man was Yuan Bin, the young master of Golden Jade Fortune Group.
Guan Zhishang had worked diligently in one of Golden Jade Fortune's jewelry stores for more than ten years. He had been fortunate enough to earn Yuan Bin's appreciation, which was how he had risen to his current position as store manager.
Although Yuan Bin had summoned Guan Zhishang here today, Young Master Yuan clearly had no intention of addressing him immediately. He turned his attention back to the hundred-inch projection screen in front of him.
A sharp-looking office lady held a laser pointer and explained to the screen, "Everyone, please look. This is Riverside Town, currently the area with the greatest development potential on the South Bank of the Qian River. The total area of land currently available for use is 12.75 square kilometers."
A high-definition satellite image of Riverside Town was displayed on the projection screen.
The capable woman continued, "We plan to complete all demolition and relocation work in Riverside Town during the first half of next year. Construction on the first phase of Jiangnan New City will begin in the second half of next year, with an initial investment of 17 billion yuan."
The red dot from her laser pointer landed, by pure coincidence, directly on the location of Zuo Yi's home!
Here's the second update. Where are the votes?
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