Early the next morning.

Zhang Meng arrived in front of Qin Lu’s courtyard with several bundles of luggage, accompanied by the innocent-looking young child, Xiao Ziyun.

Qin Lu opened the door.

“Greetings, Senior!”

The little one, Xiao Ziyun, immediately bowed and shouted loudly.

“Ah, so well-behaved~”

Qin Lu patted Xiao Ziyun’s head, his face full of smiles.

However, when he saw Zhang Meng standing to the side looking a bit reserved, his tone faltered, and he stammered:

“Uh… p-please, come in!”

A trace of embarrassment appeared on Qin Lu’s face. He hurriedly ushered Zhang Meng and the child inside and turned to lead the way.

Zhang Meng’s face was also slightly flushed at this moment. Holding several bundles, she followed behind Qin Lu in silence.

Xiao Ziyun, meanwhile, looked around curiously at the new residence, his eyes filled with childish innocence.

They walked all the way to the door of the west wing. Qin Lu pushed open the wooden door.

The room was not very large, about twenty-some square meters.

The entire room was very clean. Tables, chairs, benches, beds, and bedding were all present. There were also some miscellaneous items in the corner. Overall, it exuded an air of simple poverty.

“Fellow Daoist Zhang, you’ll live here from now on.”

“Thank you for the trouble, Fellow Daoist Qin.”

Zhang Meng performed a wanfu bow to express her gratitude.

“Alright then, that’s settled for now. You can put your things away first. If you need anything, you can call me.”

Qin Lu bowed slightly and retreated from the room.

“Wait!”

Zhang Meng hurriedly called out. She quickly put down her bundles, then crouched down to rummage through them. After a moment, she pulled out an embroidered pouch and walked quickly up to Qin Lu.

“Fellow Daoist Qin, I am extremely grateful that you accepted me into the market to live, allowing me to stay away from those ruffians. Please, you must accept this small amount of Spirit Stones.”

“This isn’t…”

Qin Lu had just begun to politely refuse, but when he saw the determined look in Zhang Meng’s eyes, he knew this sum of Spirit Stones likely could not be refused.

He thought for a moment, then said with a smile, “Alright, I’ll accept it then.”

He casually took the pouch. Qin Lu subtly gauged its weight and could tell it contained at least ten or more Spirit Stones.

This was likely a significant portion of Zhang Meng’s meager Spirit Stone savings.

“Thank you.” Zhang Meng revealed her white teeth in a brilliant smile.

After accepting the Spirit Stones, the awkward atmosphere between the two lessened considerably.

“Then you two rest for a while. When it’s noon, I’ll make a meal for you, a proper welcome feast,” Qin Lu said with a laugh.

Hearing this, Zhang Meng quickly said, “There’s no need to trouble Fellow Daoist Qin. I’ll cook myself later. It will also let Fellow Daoist Qin try my cooking skills. In this area, I am somewhat confident…”

“Well… alright then.”

Qin Lu didn’t refuse either, agreeing with a smile.

He wasn’t very Proficient at cooking to begin with, only knowing how to stir-fry simple spirit vegetables with meat. Although spirit beast meat was delicious, after eating it for so many days, he was getting a bit tired of it.

“Mother, this place is so big~” Xiao Ziyun suddenly said in a childish voice.

“Be good, Ziyun. This will be our new home from now on,” Zhang Meng bent down and whispered softly into Xiao Ziyun’s ear.

Seeing this scene, Qin Lu quietly exited the room and casually closed the door behind him.

…

Noon.

After Zhang Meng had tidied up the room, she entered the kitchen and began busying herself inside.

Qin Lu sat in the courtyard, playing with Xiao Ziyun.

Xiao Ziyun was still young, not yet of the age to test for spiritual roots, so he had not yet drawn spiritual energy into his body. For now, he was just an ordinary mortal.

In Wuji Market, not everyone was a cultivator. In fact, there were some scattered mortals among them.

These mortals were usually close relatives of various cultivators, either brought along because a cultivator came to live here, or, like Zhang Meng’s situation, born in the market after cultivators married and settled down.

Mortals did exist, but they were very few.

Just as Qin Lu was happily amusing the child, Zhang Meng had already finished preparing the dishes and began calling them to eat.

Qin Lu carried Xiao Ziyun to the dining table.

Because it was a welcome feast, Qin Lu had specifically asked Zhang Meng to make two extra dishes, so now there were three dishes and one soup, quite a sumptuous spread.

The three of them gathered around the table and began to eat.

It must be said, Zhang Meng’s culinary skills were much better than Qin Lu’s. She made the already delicious spirit beast meat even more flavorful.

While eating, Qin Lu and Zhang Meng chatted casually. Unconsciously, the atmosphere gradually became harmonious.

It truly felt like a family of three.

As they chatted, Zhang Meng suddenly spoke in a low voice:

“Fellow Daoist Qin, now that we’re settled, I’d like to find some work to start over. You are well-traveled and knowledgeable. Do you have any suitable work to recommend?”

Hearing this, Qin Lu was slightly taken aback. He thought for a moment, then asked:

“What kind of work did you do before?”

Zhang Meng’s face flushed slightly. “It’s embarrassing to say. Because Ziyun was still young, I’ve been taking care of him these past few years and haven’t gone out to work…”

Qin Lu glanced at Xiao Ziyun, who was eating happily beside them, then showed an understanding expression.

Xiao Ziyun was only a little over three years old now, just the age that needed constant care. Presumably, Zhang Meng had been staying home to look after the child all along.

Qin Lu pondered for a moment, then slowly said:

“I usually just go to set up a stall and sell some talismans. I don’t pay much attention to other livelihood jobs. But don’t worry, I’ll keep an eye out for you.”

“Mhmm, thank you, Fellow Daoist Qin.”

…

They ate and chatted, and the three dishes and one soup were soon finished.

Full and satisfied, Zhang Meng, displaying her domestic virtues, began clearing the dishes. Watching her back, Qin Lu suddenly had an idea and walked towards the door.

He opened the courtyard gate, walked about ten meters to the right, and arrived in front of another courtyard gate.

This was precisely Lu Xian’s courtyard.

Qin Lu reached out and knocked.

Tap! Tap! Tap!

Not long after, the courtyard gate opened.

But to Qin Lu’s surprise, the person who opened the door was not Lu Xian, but a youth of about eighteen or nineteen.

His skin was fair, his features delicate with a touch of handsomeness. His deep brown eyes were clear, carrying a hint of coolness.

“Who are you?” he asked flatly.

“Uh…”

Seeing this youth, Qin Lu’s expression froze for a moment, but he immediately realized this person should be Lu Xian’s son—Lu Anchen!

“I’m looking for your father!” Qin Lu said directly.

“He’s not here.”

“Not here? Then when will he be back?”

“Don’t know.”

“Alright then…”

Qin Lu seemed a bit disappointed, but then he changed the subject. “When your father returns, go tell him that Qin Lu from next door is looking for him.”

“Oh…” Hearing this, Lu Anchen looked Qin Lu up and down, then said indifferently, “So you’re the new guy next door. No wonder your mouth is so big. Speak, what do you want with my father?”

Hearing this, Qin Lu felt a wave of speechlessness inwardly.

Had his big mouth become a defining feature others used to introduce him?

“I just wanted to ask your father if there’s any work in the market suitable for a woman, hoping he could help recommend something.”

“So that’s what it is. Alright, I know. I’ll tell him,” Lu Anchen agreed.

“Good, then I’ll be going.”

Qin Lu immediately bid farewell.

But he hadn’t taken two steps before Lu Anchen called out to him again. “By the way, I saw Yueman Tower hiring people a couple of days ago. You can tell that woman to go take a look there.”

Hearing this, Qin Lu’s face lit up with joy. He turned around and quickly said:

“Good, thank you!”

Hearing this, Lu Anchen didn’t reply. With a flick of his hand, he slammed the courtyard gate shut with a thud.

Looking at the closed gate, Qin Lu couldn’t help but smile, thinking to himself:

“This kid seems to be the type with a cold face but a warm heart…”

Walking back to his own courtyard, Qin Lu immediately found Zhang Meng and told her about this, suggesting she go take a look tomorrow when she had time.

This matter earned Qin Lu another round of thanks from Zhang Meng.

Afterwards, the two chatted a bit more casually before parting to attend to their own affairs.

And this was the first day of their shared living arrangement…