Pursuer

After parking the motorcycle in front of Jiaping Building, Zuo Yi lifted Bao'er out of the child safety seat.

Jiaping Building was the building that housed Heavenly Vast Martial Arts Hall.

Despite being called a building, it perfectly met the standard of "old, shabby, and rundown" among the surrounding high-rises of the commercial district. Sooner or later, it would be slated for demolition.

After setting the little girl down, Zuo Yi suggested, "Take Taike out."

Now that Taike had a dog license and tag, as well as a collar and leash, it could be taken out for walks openly and properly.

"Okay!"

Bao'er agreed one hundred percent and immediately opened the space capsule.

Although Taike had been given a special carrier, she always worried that A-Tai would feel uncomfortable inside.

In truth, let alone an expensive space-capsule pet carrier, even if it were thrown into any harsh environment, it would still be lively and energetic.

The Abyssal Cerberus had exceptionally strong vitality and adaptability.

It was just that Bao'er had practically spoiled Taike rotten.

Woof~

After leaving the space capsule, Taike shook its body, and its fluffy snow-white fur immediately puffed out. It raised its head and acted cute toward the little girl.

"Wow, what an adorable puppy!"

Two young women passing by were instantly charmed. One of them even stopped to secretly take pictures with her phone.

Foodie Tai paid them no attention at all, wagging its tail and rubbing itself eagerly against the little girl.

Bao'er, Bao'er, hug me! Give me a princess carry!

The little girl giggled. Despite holding the leash and being able to lead it along, she immediately bent down and picked it up.

Then she took the lead toward the building's elevator lobby.

Zuo Yi shook his head helplessly and followed behind her.

He realized that he had been shaking his head helplessly rather often lately. Perhaps it was because he had encountered his fated nemesis.

But he was more than willing to indulge her.

After taking the elevator to the fourth floor, Bao'er reluctantly put Taike down only after the doors opened.

She commented, "A-Tai, you've gotten fat."

It's a little tiring to hold you.

Taike whined in grievance. How am I fat? I've never even been full!

As usual, Bao'er gave it a comforting head pat.

Zuo Yi did not notice the interaction between the two little ones. His attention had been drawn to what was happening at the martial arts hall's entrance.

A large bouquet of vibrant red roses sat on the front desk counter. A handsome young man was eagerly saying something to Shang Yulin, while she remained expressionless and cold as frost.

"Yu Lin, just give me one chance. Let me treat you to a meal, okay?"

The young man spoke sincerely. "Just once!"

However, his sincerity clearly failed to move Shang Yulin. She said coldly, "Mr. Chen, I've already told you that I have no intention of dating. So please stop coming here to bother me. I'm very busy."

After a pause, she added, "Also, we aren't that familiar. Please call me by my full name from now on."

Her words were as cold and piercing as blades. Even the receptionist standing nearby as a spectator could not bear to watch.

Such a high-quality handsome guy, and she rejected him so decisively and mercilessly?

"Yu Lin..."

Under Shang Yulin's icy gaze, the handsome man still changed his form of address. "Sh-Shang, Miss Shang, even if we're not dating, we can still be friends."

"I'm very busy. I don't have time to make friends!"

Shang Yulin was already getting impatient. She waved her hand and said, "That's enough."

Just as she was about to turn around and leave, she spotted Zuo Yi and Bao'er standing by the elevator doors and immediately smiled.

Shang Yulin was a very beautiful woman. However, she had always shown no kindness to men who tried to approach her, making her seem cold and stiff.

Yet when she smiled, it was like an orchid blossoming in the shadows. Her eyes and brows were full of warmth, revealing an indescribable charm.

The handsome man was instantly stunned stiff.

But Shang Yulin's smile was not for him at all. "Bao'er, good morning!"

Holding Taike's leash, Bao'er replied sweetly, "Good morning, Sister Yu Lin!"

When they first met, Bao'er had called Shang Yulin "Auntie." Shang Yulin had taken that somewhat to heart, so she asked Bao'er to call her "Sister" instead.

Although they had not known each other for long, Shang Yulin liked the obedient and adorable Bao'er very much.

Shang Yulin noticed Taike that Bao'er was leading and smiled. "Oh, you got Taike registered! Come on, I'll take you inside for some cake. A friend gave me a fresh cream cake."

Bao'er hesitated. "But... but I already had breakfast."

She hesitated because she found it a little difficult to resist the temptation of cream cake. It was one of her favorite sweets.

"It's fine to have just a little more."

Shang Yulin smiled and held out her hand to Bao'er. "Let's go."

And so, she led the little girl away.

That left only Zuo Yi and the awkward-looking handsome young man in the reception area.

Zuo Yi nodded politely to him.

Just as he was about to follow them into the martial arts hall, the handsome man took the initiative to extend his hand. "Hello, I'm Chen Zhe. Chen as in the eastern ear radical, and Zhe as in philosophy."

Zuo Yi paused and shook his hand. "Zuo Yi. Zuo as in left and right, Yi as in perseverance."

This handsome man was not unpleasant. His smile was bright, and he was well-mannered in both speech and conduct. Judging from his clothes and appearance, he was probably from a wealthy family.

Chen Zhe asked curiously, "Mr. Zuo, are you an instructor at Tianhong?"

Zuo Yi nodded. "Yes, I'm a swordsmanship instructor."

"That's wonderful."

Chen Zhe said happily, "Instructor Zuo, can I learn swordsmanship from you?"

Learn swordsmanship?

He wants to court her, doesn't he?

Back when Zuo Yi had been at the martial arts hall, he had seen plenty of people like this one, pursuing Shang Yulin under the pretense of learning martial arts.

Why would he go out of his way to help the other man?

As for the rewards and commission for recruiting new students, if Zuo Yi were really short of that little money, he would not have proposed joining Tianhong as a swordsmanship instructor in the first place.

Zuo Yi smiled. "You'll have to ask Hall Master Shang about that. I'm only responsible for instructing students."

He could not be bothered to waste more words on the man. "Mr. Chen, perhaps we'll talk again sometime. Goodbye."

With that, Zuo Yi walked away, leaving Chen Zhe looking utterly dejected.

Once inside the martial arts hall, Zuo Yi did not head to the sword room first. Instead, he went to Shang Yulin's office.

Bao'er was indeed there eating cream cake, while Taike crouched beside her feet, drooling greedily.

"Ah!"

The moment she saw Zuo Yi come in, the little girl guiltily set down her fork and said softly, "Daddy, I won't eat anymore."

Her reaction made Shang Yulin look at Zuo Yi suspiciously.

Zuo Yi did not know whether to laugh or cry. "It's fine. Finish it first. Don't waste it. If you're too full, then don't eat any more."

It made Shang Yulin seem to suspect that he mistreated Bao'er at home. How could that be possible?

Zuo Yi did not spoil the little girl enough as it was!

In fact, Zuo Yi had never told her that she could not eat cake or snacks after meals. Most likely, Su Wanqing, who had taken care of her before, had taught her that.

"Mm."

With Zuo Yi's permission, the little girl picked up her fork again.

She put the last bit of cake from the paper plate into her mouth and said indistinctly, "I'm done eating."

Then she hopped down from the chair, leaving Foodie Tai very disappointed.

"Wipe your mouth."

Shang Yulin pulled over a tissue and lovingly wiped the cream residue from the corner of Bao'er's mouth.

Bao'er said obediently, "Thank you, Sister."

Zuo Yi stroked her head and said, "Take Taike to the sword room to play. I need to talk to your Sister Yu Lin about something."

When she heard Zuo Yi say "Sister Yu Lin," Shang Yulin's pretty face immediately flushed slightly.

"Okay!"

Bao'er grabbed the leash handle from the table and said, "A-Tai, let's go."

Taike followed her out gloomily—it had not gotten any cake.

After Bao'er left, Zuo Yi sat down across from Shang Yulin's desk and smiled. "Senior Sister, that guy earlier seemed pretty good. Aren't you going to consider him?"

Shang Yulin had just sat back down when she rolled her eyes at Zuo Yi. "You think he's good, but I think he's awful. So you don't need to worry about me!"

As she spoke, she opened a drawer, took out a card, and handed it to Zuo Yi. "This is for you."

"What is this?"

Zuo Yi accepted it curiously.

Shang Yulin explained, "This is a membership card for West Creek Underground Market. You need it to rent a temporary stall there."

The underground market actually had membership cards?

Zuo Yi found that rather interesting.

Here's the second update. Please keep supporting with recommendation votes!