Chapter 701: Everyone Wants to Cash In on Nanyuan’s Aquatic Products

"Is Dayu City always this lively?" Ye Qianning suddenly asked.

"It’s very lively, but it’ll be even more so for the next two months," the lead guard said, turning his head.

"Why is that?"

"In another month, it’s the triennial commercial conference. All the major merchants from the Four Kingdoms will gather here."

"A commercial conference? People from all Four Kingdoms will be here?"

"Yes. They all want to make a fortune off Nanyuan’s seafood."

"Is Boss Gu in Dayu City?"

"He’s not here right now, but Boss Gu will be back in a few days."

Ye Qianning nodded slightly. ’A commercial conference of the Four Kingdoms... this could be interesting. The most important thing for me right now is to figure out the situation in Nanyuan, and then...’

She looked down at the boy. ’Settle them in, then go check out the Immortal Sea Building.’

A short while later, they arrived at the Yan Hui Inn. The shopkeeper spotted them and hurried forward to greet them.

"Guard Luo, what brings you here?"

"Prepare two rooms," said the lead guard, whose name was Luo Feng.

The shopkeeper’s gaze swept over Ye Qianning and her companions. "Right away. Please, follow me."

"Miss, you should go upstairs and rest. I’ll send someone to fetch a doctor."

Ye Qianning nodded and led the boy upstairs, following the shopkeeper.

Once inside the room, Ye Qianning looked at the boy again, her voice slightly cold. "Let go."

The boy’s fingers loosened slightly. He then clutched the swaddled baby and backed away to lean against the wall, growing wary again.

Seeing this, Ye Qianning gave a cool laugh. She walked over, sat down at the table, lifted the teapot, poured a cup, and took a sip. Looking at him, she said, "People say you’re not all there, but you seem perfectly sharp to me."

The boy kept his head down.

"Speak. Why did you follow me?"

The boy didn’t say anything.

Ye Qianning stood up. "If you won’t talk, then I have no reason to stay here."

With that, she walked toward the door.

The boy froze, then scrambled to the door and pressed his back against it, as if to keep her from leaving.

"Do you think you can stop me?" With a light flick of her sleeve, Ye Qianning sent the boy flying with her Inner Strength.

The boy stared intently at Ye Qianning.

Ye Qianning said no more and opened the door.

"I... I beg you... don’t go," the boy stammered.

Ye Qianning only glanced back once, but she seemed to have little sympathy. She stepped out of the room. She had no patience for people with mysterious origins who were trying to use her.

"Please... I beg you..."

The boy ran out after her, his knees buckled, and he knelt on the floor.

Ye Qianning didn’t turn back. But before she could reach the top of the stairs, a small figure, about four or five years old, blocked her path.

The little child stretched out their arms, lips pressed into a tight line, and said nothing.

"If you tell me the truth, I might be willing to help you." Ye Qianning was, after all, somewhat curious about their identities.

The boy remained kneeling by the door, his eyes fixed on Ye Qianning.

Ye Qianning just looked at him. ’If he refuses, I won’t stay a second longer. Kindness is a fatal weakness in this land.’

"I’ll talk..." the boy said, as if he had just made a great decision.

Only then did Ye Qianning walk back.

「Inside the room.」

Ye Qianning sat in a chair, looking at the boy who was now standing before her again.

She slowly untied the Jade Pendant from her waist. "You recognize this?"

’Of all the people there, he chose me. It must have been because he saw the Jade Pendant I accidentally revealed.’

The boy gazed at the Jade Pendant and nodded slightly. "My... my father has one too..."