Song Zhiyi came out.
"The city lord is out."
Those people took a few steps back, while Zhao Shuning just turned around.
Seeing Song Zhiyi, she let out a sigh of relief. Finally, she understood that sometimes, the slanderous remarks could kill a person.
"City lord, we've tried to persuade this girl, but she refuses to leave."
"City lord, please don't be so heartless. Last time, it was already..."
Zhao Shuning immediately turned around and said to the crowd, "Could you please stop for a while?"
The crowd fell silent.
Song Zhiyi looked at Zhao Shuning.
"What did you call me just now?"
"Song Zhiyi, little kid?"
Song Zhiyi tightened his fists a bit.
"Which family do you belong to?"
"I'm from the Zhao family in Qinghui Town. But I also have another name."
Song Zhiyi smiled.
"Can you tell me about your family situation?"
"I have five younger siblings."
"Are they all your full - siblings?"
Zhao Shuning shook her head. "One younger sister and four younger brothers. They are half - siblings. I just took them with me."
"This is quite interesting."
"Everyone has a corresponding eight - character description. For example, you, Song Zhiyi."
"What about me?"
At this moment, Song Zhiyi was already having trouble controlling his emotions, but he still managed to hold back.
The crowd also found it strange. Usually, when the city lord faced women he didn't like, he would never talk so much. Today, he had broken his rule twice in a row.
First with Chu Wen, and now with this young girl in front of him.
"All - knowing and unexpected."
The smile on Song Zhiyi's face was so warm.
"What's your name?"
"Zhao Shuning."
Song Zhiyi then asked, "Why did you come to find me?"
"If you're free, come with me to the Carp Inn for a cup of tea and some pear - brewed wine."
Doesn't the city lord drink? Doesn't this girl know?
Song Zhiyi smiled. "How about adding a plate of peanuts, two pork hocks, and a plate of garlic - flavored greens?"
"Of course, it's better to eat less pork hock. It's too greasy."
Song Zhiyi nodded.
He replied, "Okay."
"After all these years, have you been obedient?"
"Yes, I've been very obedient."
Song Zhiyi's voice was already a bit trembling. His emotions were on the verge of collapse, and his body became stiff.
"You're back, right?"
Zhao Shuning nodded.
"Sorry, it's my fault that I didn't take good care of you."
Then! Right in front of everyone, the usually elegant and woman - avoiding City Lord Song actually cried like a child and buried his head in the young girl's arms.
Everyone was shocked.
Their jaws almost dropped to the ground.
No way! What's going on here?
Could this young girl be the long - lost sister of the city lord?
It didn't seem so. Besides, the city lord had been in Haiyou City for so many years, and they had never heard that he had any relatives.
Could she be the woman he once loved?
Everyone shook their heads.
It was even more impossible. In the past twenty - odd years, City Lord Song had been staying in Haiyou City. When he first came here, he was just a teenage boy. How could he understand the feelings between men and women?
"Then let's go."
"Okay."
Song Zhiyi turned around, looked at the stunned guards, and ordered, "You don't need to follow. Go to the prison and check the list of prisoners again."
The guards were still in shock.
The city lord and the young girl had already walked far away.
The on - looking crowd hadn't recovered yet.
When they could no longer see the two people, they suddenly erupted like a boiling pot and immediately started discussing.
The guards stopped the crowd and dispersed them. Then, the guards got together and also started discussing.
Who said only women were gossipy? Men were just as curious about such things.
Song Zhiyi and Zhao Shuning walked side by side. The breeze was gentle, and the sun was not so scorching at this time.
Zhao Shuning said, "Sorry, little kid. I've only come to find you now."
Song Zhiyi quickly shook his head.
"No, no."
Zhao Shuning said, "Aren't you afraid of me? Besides, my appearance is completely different from before. How can you be sure it's me?"
"Those three questions can only be answered by people who are familiar with me. Even the guards in the city don't know my habits."
Since the city lord was a very dangerous position, Song Zhiyi didn't dare to show his specific food preferences, for fear that someone would tamper with his food.
"Is that all?"
Zhao Shuning didn't believe it. Song Zhiyi was a very cautious kid, and his intelligence was on a par with Dongfang Yuxi.
"Also, only you know that I like to eat pork hocks, but you never let me eat too much, saying it's too greasy."
"Although I never drink alcohol, I will drink a little of the pear - brewed sake and pear pastries."
Song Zhiyi stopped.
By this time, the sun was almost setting.
The setting sun stretched their shadows very long.
Song Zhiyi said, "There's one more thing. I know Sister Ling's living habits. Even if you change your appearance, I can still recognize you."
Zhao Shuning laughed.
"It's not that exaggerated."
Song Zhiyi also smiled but didn't respond.
But he knew that what he said was not exaggerated at all. He was really familiar with Ye Ling to the core. There was no romantic love between him and Ye Ling, but their relationship was as deep as family.
"Sister Ling, weren't you..."
"I don't know what happened either. When I died, I only felt that a towering red lotus was burning around me. Then, I completely lost consciousness. It's all in the past. By the way, Xia Wanning is acting strangely. If she comes to you for something in the future, be careful."
Song Zhiyi said, "I never liked her anyway. Among us kids, except for Ji Qinglin, who is so naive and always follows Xia Wanning around, none of the others can stand her. Sister Ling, what do you mean by saying this? Does it mean..."
"For now, it's just my speculation. But caution ensures long - term safety. We'd better be more careful."
Song Zhiyi also nodded.
When they arrived at the entrance of the Carp Inn.
Li Shuang'er, who had heard that City Lord Song was going to bring a young girl to the inn for tea, had been waiting at the entrance of the inn early.
She was really eager to see.
Which woman had such great charm? Since she had confessed her feelings to Song Zhiyi, this man had never come to the Carp Inn again. How did this woman persuade Song Zhiyi to come this time?
The two people arrived.
Shuang'er stood at the entrance.
She watched the two of them walking slowly towards her.
"Still wearing a veil. Do you think you're some kind of peerless beauty?"
But as the two got closer, Shuang'er's sarcastic expression turned into one of stupefaction.
Her mouth was wide open, wide enough to fit an egg.