A Suitor

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

Jiaping Building was the building where Heavenly Vast Martial Arts Hall was located. Though it bore the title of "building," among the towering commercial structures surrounding it, it perfectly met the standards of being old, rundown, and shabby. 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, a tag, a collar, and a leash, they could take it out for walks openly.

"Okay!"

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

Although Taike had been given a special carrier, she was 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 possessed extremely powerful vitality and adaptability.

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

Woof!

After leaving the space capsule, Taike shook its body, and its pure white, fluffy 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 and secretly snapped photos with her phone.

How could food-loving Taike spare them any attention? It wagged its tail and rubbed itself hard against the little girl.

Bao'er, Bao'er, pick me up! 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 he had encountered his fated nemesis.

Yet he enjoyed every moment of it.

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

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

You're a little tiring to hold.

Taike whined indignantly. How am I fat? I've never even had my fill!

As usual, Bao'er comforted it with a head pat.

Zuo Yi did not notice the interaction between the two little ones. His attention was drawn to the scene unfolding at the entrance of the martial arts hall.

A huge bouquet of vibrant red roses sat on the front desk counter. A handsome young man was speaking eagerly to Shang Yulin, while she remained expressionless and frosty.

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

The young man said 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 plans to date. So please don't come and bother me again. I'm very busy."

After a pause, she added, "Also, we're not that close. Please use my full name from now on."

Her words were as cold and sharp as blades. Even the young receptionist watching the drama beside them looked somewhat sympathetic.

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

"Yulin..."

Under Shang Yulin's icy gaze, the handsome man changed his form of address. "Miss... Miss Shang, even if we don't date, we can still be friends."

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

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

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

Shang Yulin was a very beautiful woman, but she had never shown any warmth toward men who tried to approach her, making her seem cold and rigid.

Yet when she smiled, it was like an orchid blooming in secret, her eyes and brows filled with affection and 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 Yulin!"

When they had first met, Bao'er had called Shang Yulin "Auntie." Shang Yulin had remained rather bothered by that, so she had asked Bao'er to call her sister instead.

Although they had only known each other for a short time, Shang Yulin liked the obedient and adorable Bao'er very much.

Shang Yulin noticed Taike in Bao'er's hand and smiled. "Oh my, 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 ate breakfast."

She hesitated because she found it 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 the little girl was led away by her.

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

Zuo Yi politely nodded at 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 east-ear Chen, 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 particularly unpleasant. His smile was bright, and his speech and manners were refined. Judging from his clothes and appearance, he was likely the son of a wealthy family.

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

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 wanted to court her, didn't he?

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

Why would he go out of his way to help him?

As for the rewards and commissions for recruiting new students, if Zuo Yi had been short on that little money, he would not have proposed joining Heavenly Vast 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 him. "Mr. Chen, we can talk another time. Goodbye."

With that, Zuo Yi left directly, leaving Chen Zhe standing there looking lost.

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

Sure enough, Bao'er was eating cream cake there, while Taike crouched at her feet, drooling greedily.

"Oh!"

The moment the little girl saw Zuo Yi enter, she guiltily put 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. Just don't eat any more if you get too full."

It made Shang Yulin seem to think that he deprived Bao'er at home. How could that possibly be true?

Zuo Yi could not spoil the little girl enough!

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

"Mm."

Having received 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 unclearly, "I'm finished."

Then she hopped down from the chair, leaving food-loving Taike deeply disappointed.

"Wipe your mouth."

Shang Yulin pulled out a tissue and lovingly wiped the cream from the corner of her mouth.

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

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

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

"Okay!"

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

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

After Bao'er left, Zuo Yi sat down across from Shang Yulin's desk and said with a smile, "Senior Sister, that guy seemed pretty good. You really won't consider him?"

Shang Yulin had just sat back down when she could not help rolling her eyes at Zuo Yi. "You think he's good, but I think he's awful, so there's no need for you 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 took it curiously.

Shang Yulin explained, "This is a membership card for West Creek Underground Market. You need the card 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!