Starting with a blind date with a female constable, you acquire the Nine Swords of Dugu.

The rain gradually subsided.

The puddles on the bluestone path reflected the dim light of the lanterns, scattering into shimmering spots of light. Shen Qingqiu, holding an umbrella and carrying a lantern, escorted Lin Yan'er back to Pear Blossom Lane.

After handing Lin Yan'er over to the Lin family

Seeing the Lin family members weeping with joy, she felt quite awkward in the situation and took her leave.

As she turned around, Lin Yan'er's voice suddenly came from behind her.

"Sister Qingqiu—"

Shen Qingqiu turned around.

Lin Yan'er stood under the porch, head bowed, and asked cautiously, "You...you really will help Young Master Gu find a partner?"

That was a sudden question.

Shen Qingqiu looked at her, remained silent for a moment, and then said, "Not necessarily. I will investigate him first."

Lin Yan'er asked, puzzled, "Why?"

Shen Qingqiu said calmly, "His martial arts skills are of unknown origin. As a member of the Six Doors, I must find out the truth. It is a big problem that such a master is in my jurisdiction and I know nothing about him."

"But..." Lin Yan'er said anxiously, "He just helped you kill a notorious bandit today, is it appropriate for you to investigate him?"

"That's precisely why I'm determined to get to the bottom of this." Shen Qingqiu said calmly, "Yan'er, think about it—he's only twenty years old this year, and he has martial arts skills that could kill Feng Yu, yet he has been a doctor in Qingyang City for so many years without ever showing off in front of others."

She paused, her gaze fixed on the rain, as if looking into the distance.

"Have you ever seen a young person with such talent who is willing to remain unknown? Even a true hermit must have seen it all before they can achieve anything."

Lin Yan'er opened her mouth, wanting to refute, but didn't know where to begin.

Shen Qingqiu turned around, looked into her eyes, and softened his voice, but remained serious: "Even those grandmasters and great masters can't escape the pursuit of fame and fortune. Whether it's to make a name for themselves, to establish a sect, or to compete for supremacy... they always have something in mind. If he were in his forties or fifties, having experienced the ways of the world and become indifferent to fame, that would be understandable. But he's only twenty, and hasn't even entered the martial world yet, but he's already left it, which is very strange."

She shook her head slightly, her tone carrying a seasoned wisdom that came from observing countless people: "A twenty-year-old who hides his skills so well—either he has ulterior motives or he has something to hide. Either way, I need to find out."

Lin Yan'er fell silent after hearing these words.

She looked down at the rain-soaked marks on her skirt, the mud splatters on the toes of her shoes, and the small clump of moss growing in the cracks of the stone steps. Rain dripped from the eaves, landing precisely on the moss and splashing up a tiny droplet.

She hesitated for a moment before retorting, "Then... what if he simply doesn't care about fame and fortune?"

Shen Qingqiu was slightly taken aback.

Looking at Lin Yan'er's lowered eyes and slightly pursed lips, she suddenly understood something.

"If that's the case, then this person's level of cultivation is truly exceptional," Shen Qingqiu said softly. "Then I really need to help him find a suitable partner."

Lin Yan'er suddenly raised her head.

Shen Qingqiu's lips curled slightly, a faint smile carrying a knowing gentleness: "Don't rush things. Think this through yourself first. If you're really interested, go tell him yourself. He'll definitely prioritize you. If you two get together, why would I need to look for someone for him?"

Lin Yan'er's face flushed red instantly.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something to cover it up, but the words stuck in her throat. She lowered her eyelashes, her fingers twisting the hem of her skirt, twisting and twisting until the already soaked fabric was almost dripping wet.

After a long while, she spoke in a voice barely above a whisper, "Then... if... if he is truly such a person of such high cultivation, how could I be worthy of him? If he is not such a person of such high cultivation, or if he has ulterior motives or a past in the martial world, I certainly cannot be with him. Our Lin family is merely an ordinary farming and scholarly family, unable to withstand the storms of the martial world!"

Shen Qingqiu asked in surprise, "Didn't you always admire chivalrous heroes? Just now at the clinic, you seemed to be practically glued to Gu Guanqi. Why are you saying this now?"

Lin Yan'er was silent for a while before saying, "Young Master Gu saved me today, and I was indeed moved. At that time, I even felt it was very romantic, like a scene from a storybook had come to life for me."

But when I saw my parents and grandfather, that dreamlike feeling returned to reality. I remembered the night watchman who was silenced in front of me. It wasn't the lighthearted "one-hit kill" or "blood splattered five steps" from the storybooks. He was a living person. One moment he was still sermoning, and the next he was a corpse lying in the mud, never to move again.

He was innocent; he did nothing wrong. He died silently simply because he appeared in a martial arts tale. And what about the Lin family today? If those two notorious bandits were to act rashly in anger, perhaps my entire Lin family would be wiped out.

Lin Yan'er raised her head, looked at Shen Qingqiu, and said, "Sister Qingqiu, I was too naive before. I only saw the romance depicted in the stories, but I ignored the blood and tears hidden beneath that romance. The martial world... in reality, is not romantic at all. The Lin family cannot withstand the storms of the martial world, and neither can I. Therefore, my feelings should stop at just being feelings!"

Shen Qingqiu looked at Lin Yan'er, slowly reached out and smoothed the wet hair on Lin Yan'er's cheek, and said, "You've grown up."

"Sister Qingqiu, when you're introducing potential partners to Young Master Gu... don't worry about me, and I can't bother him."

After saying this, she took half a step back, retreating into the shadows of the porch. The lantern light couldn't illuminate her face; only the outline of her light blue silk dress could be seen, swaying slightly in the night breeze.

Shen Qingqiu looked at her for a long time, and finally just nodded.

"it is good."

She turned around, opened her umbrella, and stepped into the rain.

Lin Yan'er gazed at the dark night and murmured something so softly that she could barely hear it herself:

"Being a doctor... is really great."

……

The commotion caused by a gust of wind in Huaibei gradually began to dissipate.

After a few days of closure, Gu Guanqi's clinic reopened. However, to Gu Guanqi's dismay, his business was greatly affected because news of his killing two notorious bandits inevitably spread.

Everyone around him knew he was a martial arts master, and they all felt great awe towards him.

In reality, many people enjoy listening to stories of the martial arts world, but that's just listening to stories. Very few people are willing to live with people from the martial arts world; they all keep their distance, fearing that they might cause trouble.

Although Gu Guanqi was not a member of the martial arts world, no one would believe that he possessed such martial arts skills and was just an ordinary doctor. People would only think that he had some unspeakable secrets, and therefore, they would not want to get close to him.

Even Old Man Lin, who used to come to play chess almost every day, only came once. It was the day after Gu Guanqi saved Lin Yan'er that he came to express his gratitude and make a promise. After that, he stopped playing chess altogether.

The reason they came to express their gratitude was because the Lin family was cultured and would remember the kindness. The reason they didn't come again was because the Lin family knew they were just an ordinary family and should not get involved with the martial arts world.

but,

Fortunately, Gu Guanqi still had some money to spare, so even without business for a short period, he didn't need to worry about making a living.

Moreover, now that he possesses martial arts skills, even if the clinic goes out of business, he has nothing to worry about, as his livelihood is no longer based on this clinic.

At noon that day,

Gu Guanqi's clinic was still empty. After most of the day, only one patient had come, so Gu Guanqi decided to close up shop.

Just as he was about to close the door, a voice came from outside:

"Dr. Gu, are you closing so early today?"

The voice was not loud, but rather clear and cold.

Gu Guanqi straightened up and looked in the direction of the sound.

It was Shen Qingqiu, walking against the light from the alley entrance. Behind her was the entire long street, bathed in sunlight. She was still wearing her usual blue official robe, with two swords hanging at her waist and her hands behind her back.

Gu Guanqi smiled slightly and cupped his hands in greeting, saying, "Commander Shen, what a coincidence? On a mission?"

"Unfortunately, I came here specifically to find you," Shen Qingqiu said.

Gu Guanqi stepped aside and said, "Please come in."

Shen Qingqiu didn't stand on ceremony and went straight into the clinic.

Gu Guanqi then noticed that she was holding a small bundle in her hands behind her back.

Shen Qingqiu placed the bundle on the table, cupped his hands in greeting to Gu Guanqi, and said, "I have come today specifically on behalf of the Six Doors and the county government to thank you, Doctor Gu, for your righteous act of killing the notorious bandits Yang Lin and Feng Yu."

After saying this, Shen Qingqiu bowed and clasped his hands in greeting.

Gu Guanqi quickly helped Shen Qingqiu up, saying, "It was nothing!"

Shen Qingqiu straightened up, pointed to the bundle on the table, and said, "Also, this is one hundred taels of silver, a reward from the yamen. Doctor Gu, please keep it safe."

Gu Guanqi chuckled and said, "Since it's a government reward, then I'll accept it."

While speaking,

Gu Guanqi poured Shen Qingqiu a cup of tea.

Shen Qingqiu thanked him, took the teacup, and sat down opposite Gu Guanqi.

For a moment, the atmosphere fell silent.

The two were not familiar with each other, and being of different genders, they really didn't know what to say when they sat together.

After a long silence, Shen Qingqiu spoke up: "Actually, I also need to thank you, Doctor Gu. The reason Yang Lin and Feng Yu kidnapped Yan'er that day was to threaten me. If it weren't for you saving Yan'er, Doctor Gu, I wouldn't know what to do. I will always remember this kindness!"

Gu Guanqi chuckled and said, "Commander Shen, you flatter me. If you're truly grateful, then fulfill our previous agreement and help me find a suitable blind date!"

Shen Qingqiu was taken aback for a moment, then laughed, "Doctor Gu, you really are... in such a hurry?"

Gu Guanqi said, "Life's most important matters, how can we not be in a hurry? I don't have any grand ambitions, I just want to settle down and start a family."

Shen Qingqiu nodded slightly and said, "That's fine too. I came here today not only to express my gratitude, but also to tell you about this. I have a friend who is three years older than you. Do you mind?"

Gu Guanqi was pleasantly surprised.

He had been waiting for this opportunity. His own network consisted mostly of ordinary people, who couldn't possibly introduce him to women who met the system's rating requirements.

But Shen Qingqiu is different.

As a member of the Six Doors, Shen Qingqiu's reputation resounded throughout both the legitimate and criminal worlds, so his network of connections must be quite impressive.

Moreover, Shen Qingqiu knew that his martial arts skills were not bad, so the person he introduced must also be good.

"I don't mind," Gu Guanqi said. "It's good to be three years older than a woman."

Shen Qingqiu said, "My friend is named Xue Fuling. She is a direct disciple of Gu Gu, the Medicine King of Yunzhou. Her medical skills are extremely high. She currently serves as the Medical Supervisor in the Six Doors. She is gentle, beautiful, and elegant. She is definitely a rare and wonderful girl. I have told her about your situation, and she thinks it would be good to meet her first. What do you say?"

Gu Guanqi quickly replied, "I'm available anytime."

"Then let's do it tomorrow."