After leaving the café, Yu Qing hurried out of the school, called an Internet Ride, and headed toward the address Fu Mingxuan had given her.
During their earlier conversation, she had asked Fu Mingxuan to recommend a skilled blacksmith.
This request had initially left Fu Mingxuan a little stunned—after all, in an era where machines had replaced humans, finding a highly skilled blacksmith wasn’t an easy task.
Of course, no one would even bother searching for one anymore.
Anything you needed could just be made using 3D modeling technology—create the model, import it into the right machine, and you’d have the item in no time.
But as it happened, he did know someone. Because of the family business, Fu Mingxuan’s father had introduced him to various experienced seniors from a young age, including many highly skilled blacksmiths who had retired from famous steel factories.
He still maintained occasional contact with them, just to keep up appearances in case of future needs.
He hadn’t expected the first request for help would be for someone else’s sake, but he was happy to oblige, and curious to see what Yu Qing intended.
The Internet Ride wove through the busy city traffic.
Yu Qing leaned against the window, quietly watching the scenery speed by outside.
The driver was quite talkative—a middle-aged uncle who, seeing how good-looking Yu Qing was, tried to set her up for his son.
Yu Qing replied intermittently, never impatient.
The uncle was enthusiastic, and she enjoyed being the center of attention.
Fu Yi’s beautiful face was reflected in the dark tint of the car window.
Every time Yu Qing saw it, she felt a little intoxicated inside.
So beautiful.
Soon, I’ll be able to completely possess you…
Upon arriving at her destination, Yu Qing politely declined the uncle’s request for her contact information.
She paid the fare and got out of the car.
“Iron Tree Silver Flower? Isn’t that a non-material cultural heritage name? Someone actually used it for a shop.”
Yu Qing looked over the shop before her—simple decorations, cluttered objects, the floor stained with black oil marks, long since dried and fused with the cement.
Without professional tools, they’d be hard to remove.
“Is anyone here?”
Yu Qing rang the bell at the shop entrance.
A clear chime sounded, and a sturdy young man emerged from a room further inside.
“Are you a customer? Sorry, it’s busy in the shop today. I’m afraid we can’t take your commission for a while.”
The young man wiped oil off his hands onto his leather apron and then looked up at Yu Qing.
One glance—and he froze.
“You’re really good-looking, customer!”
The young man gave her a thumbs up, flashing a row of big white teeth!
“………….”
“Do you watch Naruto?”
Yu Qing suddenly hallucinated, asking for no particular reason.
“Oh! Does the customer think I’m as cool as Might Guy? To be praised by someone as beautiful as you is a great honor!”
The young man’s eyes shone with excitement.
He felt like love might be coming his way!
No, I just think you look as silly as Lee when he sees Sakura.
Yu Qing silently retorted in her heart.
Unlike before, after systematic study, even when she was complaining inside, she could still wear a gentle and sweet smile on her face.
“Yes, you’re very cool.”
With a smile, Yu Qing lied to the young man in front of her and smoothly shifted the topic.
“I’m here to see Master Wang, recommended by a friend. Is he in?”
“Huh? Oh! You’re looking for the old man? He’s resting in the studio on the second floor. Come on, Miss, I’ll take you to him.”
As he spoke, the young man moved the equipment in front of Yu Qing aside, diligently clearing the way for her.
“Thank you.”
Yu Qing smiled, following the young man up to the second floor of the shop.
“I told you not to come up here unless it’s important! Are you deaf, kid?”
No sooner had they reached the top than a wave of scolding resounded—an old, yet vigorous voice.
This was likely Wang Qianjin, Master Wang, just as Fu Mingxuan had described.
“Hey, old man, I brought a customer. Can’t you speak nicely?”
The young man covered his face helplessly, leading Yu Qing down the corridor to a room.
The door wasn’t locked.
Yu Qing’s gaze passed the young man and fell on an old man in the room, holding a ham in one hand and flipping through a magazine with the other.
His hair and beard were white, but his physique was still strong.
Even in old age, the outline of muscle could be seen.
But why read a magazine with your eyes so close to the page?
Is it presbyopia? Can he really make equipment like this?
Yu Qing wondered.
She was standing far away, so she didn’t hear the strange laughter the old man made—but the young man heard it loud and clear.
His face darkened.
He walked over, grabbed the magazine, and threw it out the window.
As the magazine fell, Yu Qing caught a glimpse of an image—two bikini-clad beauties hugging, faces flushed.
“………….”
Yu Qing fell silent, suspecting Fu Mingxuan had set her up.
Who looks at erotic manga at seventy?!
“My treasure!”
The old man cried out in agony, clutching his chest and pointing at the young man.
“Ungrateful apprentice! You’d better finish the task I gave you, or go fetch my magazine and prepare for a scolding!”
“I brought a customer, and she’s a beautiful young lady.”
The young man spoke expressionlessly.
“Ahem! As your master, I’ve always told you not to read such unhealthy books. Since you’ve treated our guest well, I’ll forgive you for now!”
In a second, he transformed from a shameless scoundrel to a respectable teacher.
The speed of the change stunned Yu Qing.
This old man is interesting.
“I need a collar for human use, custom-made.”
Seeing the conversation had turned to her, Yu Qing spoke calmly.
“There needs to be a slot on the inside just big enough for a bead to fit. The material should be skin-friendly and comfortable to wear.”
Her crisp, pleasant voice filled the studio, but her words were far from flattering.
“A custom collar? And at a blacksmith’s?”
The old man had wanted to sneak a look at the beautiful young customer, but her first words shocked him.
Come to a blacksmith for a collar—that’s an iron collar, isn’t it?
And it’s for people, and it has to be comfortable.
He had to see for himself what kind of person would make such a request.
“Sorry, we’re a legitimate shop, with principles. No matter who—”
The old man pushed aside the young man and saw Yu Qing standing behind him.
“Wha—how did you show up again, you troublemaker!”
Upon seeing Yu Qing, the old man was startled, glancing around to make sure there were no unhealthy magazines left nearby before finally relaxing.
“What, am I not allowed to come, Senior Wang~?”
Yu Qing watched the old man’s reaction, inwardly pondering, but on the surface, she played the part of Fu Yi, asking back.
The result was that the old man trembled even more at her tone.
“Xiao Yi, I really haven’t been reading anything unhealthy lately. Eating and sleeping regularly, I swear—don’t torment this old man. Look at me, just a bag of old bones.”
The old man put on a bitter face, looking pitifully at Yu Qing.
“Then I’ll let you off this once.”
Yu Qing crossed her arms, going along with it.
The old man seemed very familiar with Fu Yi, and yet Fu Mingxuan had recommended him to her.
Either he was unaware, or this was a test from him.
In any case, she’d remember this debt.
“Did you get my requirements? Can you do it?”
Yu Qing repeated, handing over the blueprints she’d spent several nights drawing.
If it’s you, customizing a collar doesn’t seem strange anymore.
The old man muttered internally, pushed up his glasses, and examined the design.
“This is a pretty unique request. How big is the bead? Does it need to be removed often?”
“About the size of a fingernail.”
Yu Qing described it.
“Not often, but it shouldn’t fall out easily once it’s in.”
She paused, then added,
“The appearance should be simple—not too eye-catching.”
The old man nodded thoughtfully, analyzing how best to craft the collar.
After a while, he came up with a plan.
“Use soft leather as the inner lining, wrap a layer of fine silver on the outside, and make the clasp hidden. It’ll look like a normal accessory.”
“How long will it take?”
Yu Qing asked.
“Rush job—three days.”
The old man replied automatically.
“But for you, no extra charge. I’ll finish it quickly. Come pick it up the day after tomorrow.”
“You’ll be paid properly.”
Yu Qing cut him off crisply.
With Fu Yi’s personality, she wouldn’t take advantage, and neither would she.
“I’ll come to get it the day after tomorrow. Tell me the price then.”
With that, Yu Qing turned and left the studio without lingering—worried the old man might pull her aside to chat.
She hailed a taxi by the roadside, gave the address for Warm Grace Studio, and hurried off to her next stop.
The journey was long. She leaned against the window, watching the city blur by, fingers unconsciously rubbing the strap of her bag.
The old Camera now lay quietly inside, loaded with a second roll of film.
When she arrived at Warm Grace Studio, a faint scent of sandalwood greeted her.
Wen Wan was making tea at the table. Seeing Yu Qing, she smiled gently and waved her over.
“Xiao Yi, you look well today.”
“Hello, Miss Wen Wan.”
Yu Qing greeted her, sitting down elegantly opposite her.
Looking at the beautiful and mature Wen Wan, Yu Qing felt her resolve firm.
After sitting, Yu Qing placed her bag by her side, making sure the Camera was within reach.
Today’s lesson was on etiquette for various occasions.
Wen Wan demonstrated how to raise a glass gracefully, explaining as she did, “Remember, an elegant lady must remain composed in any situation.”
“Even if the tea is scalding, you must never lose your poise.”
Yu Qing listened intently, her gaze focused, yet inside she was waiting for the right moment.
When Wen Wan stood to fetch materials from the bookshelf, Yu Qing swiftly pulled the Camera from her bag and snapped a photo of Wen Wan’s back.
“Click.”
The sound was crisp in the quiet room.
Wen Wan turned, a little curious.
“What was that sound?”
Yu Qing calmly slid the Camera back into her bag and picked up the teacup.
“Maybe my cuff hit the cup.”
She took a sip of tea, smiling at Wen Wan.
“I remember what you said—face surprises with composure.”
Wen Wan smiled, not pursuing it, and continued teaching.
Yu Qing quietly breathed a sigh of relief. Only then did she realize her palm was sweaty.
The seven-hour lesson felt especially long today.
Yu Qing grew restless, Wen Wan’s teaching leaving her mind muddled and unable to focus.
Wen Wan noticed but said nothing, simply watching Yu Qing’s anxious state, using it as silent punishment for her dishonesty.
After class, Yu Qing politely declined Wen Wan’s invitation to dinner and quickly left the studio.
She needed to develop the photo as soon as possible.
She returned to the Old Photo Studio, the one with self-service development.
The place was the same, but everything felt different.
Yu Qing felt a little sentimental, but didn’t linger.
The air inside was thick with the smell of chemicals, the lighting dim.
After paying, Yu Qing entered the darkroom alone, locking the door behind her.
Only the safety lamp glowed a ghostly red.
In the dim light, Yu Qing worked deftly.
She placed the negative with Wen Wan’s image into the solution.
As Wen Wan’s figure gradually appeared, something strange happened.
Just like the first time, the negative in the solution started to twist, shrink, and finally condensed into a dark bead, sinking to the bottom of the tray.
Yu Qing was prepared this time.
She used a small iron box to catch the bead and quickly closed the lid.
With experience, she didn’t touch the newly formed Black Pearl directly, worried that if she transformed while holding it, there might be unexpected consequences.
After securing the box, Yu Qing left the photo studio at a brisk pace.
Night had fallen, city lights sparkling.
Standing by the street, Yu Qing gazed at the passing cars and let out a gentle breath.
The collar was being made.
The new Black Pearl was in hand.
She didn’t know yet if this Black Pearl would work like the First Ink Pearl, but having another card to play was always good.
Thinking this, Yu Qing touched the Camera in her bag, then the box in her pocket, her eyes growing determined.
This was a game of chess, and she intended to survive to the end.
No matter if her opponent was Fu Yi or Fu Mingxuan, she would not surrender easily.
Back at the apartment, Yu Qing locked the box with the new Black Pearl in a drawer.
She stood by the window, gazing at the distant lights, and suddenly recalled glimpsing Fu Yi outside the café earlier that day.
It had only been a brief look—she hadn’t dared linger, pretending not to see and leaving immediately.
Now, looking back, she was grateful for her choice.
But…
When had Fu Yi returned?
And when did she find out about her collaboration with Fu Mingxuan?
What was she thinking about now?
What was she planning?
Too many thoughts, impossible to untangle.
Yu Qing shook her head, pushing aside the distractions.
Now wasn’t the time for this.
She’d been busy all day—she needed rest, and tomorrow there was more to do.
She undressed and walked into the bathroom.
Looking at the increasingly familiar face in the mirror, her doubts faded.
Sigh.
The road ahead was long.
Premium Chapter
Login to buy access to this Chapter.