Zhi Yong glanced over at Hun Xiong Kun, waiting for his reply.
This made Lin Xuan Qi feel that Zhi Yong was much smarter than he seemed.
At least he knew to have confirmation from Hun Xiong Kun before believing what he had said.
After Hun Xiong Kun nodded at Zhi Yong, Zhi Yong frowned and bowed deeply at Hun Xiong Kun.
A gesture of gratitude to Hun Xiong Kun for taking him in.
Hun Xiong Kun stood up and patted Zhi Yong on his back and said, "Youâve done well, so donât feel that itâs because of what happened that I have to let you go.
"Master Lin is a kind and fair master, youâll do better with him."
Zhi Yong nodded, and he turned around and bowed deeply at Lin Xuan Qi next.
"Me work hard, Master Lin."
Lin Xuan Qi quickly helped him stand up straight and said, "As long as you do what I say, you will be rewarded accordingly.
"Donât worry."
Zhi Yong gave Lin Xuan Qi that child-like smile as he scratched his head.
"Pack your stuff and follow us back home," Lin Xuan Qi said, and Zhi Yong proceeded to do so.
"Thatâs all?"
When Zhi Yong came back, he saw that Zhi Yong only had a bundle of cloth, just as Lin Xuan Qi had when he first came to Hong Feng City.
Zhi Yong nodded, confirming his query, and they left for the mansion.
Outside the entrance, Zhi Yong stood for a few moments, looking through the entrance at Hun Xiong Kun.
Hun Xiong Kun waved at him, gesturing for him to go.
Zhi Yong bowed at him again and he turned away.
It didnât take him long to catch up with Lin Xuan Qi and Lee He Song with his long strides.
Not far away, men wearing straw hats and carrying knives in their hands watched what happened.
They disappeared into one of the dark alleys a moment later.
...
In the mansion, Liu Shi Shi was sipping her tea, watching Xue Cong, Yue Jie, and Yue Xin doing their work.
She started to notice a pattern as she watched.
All of them, with their looks, werenât considered to be pretty in Da Qian.
She herself was the same, but Liu Shi Shi had always considered herself to be pretty.
Does he have some weird taste? Liu Shi Shi started to speculate.
It also reminded her of how Lin Xuan Qi was still unmarried.
Which was something that wasnât common in Da Qian.
Most of the young masters would either be married or have tong fang servant girls to quench their lust.
Lin Xuan Qi, on the other hand....
She smirked as it intrigued her.
"Is there anything on my face?" Xue Cong asked when she realized that Liu Shi Shi was looking at her too closely for comfort.
Yue Jie and Yue Xin stopped what they were doing and glanced over.
They also felt the gaze from Liu Shi Shi.
"Itâs nothing, I was thinking about how to better teach you multiplication and division," Liu Shi Shi thought of an excuse and said.
It worked.
When Xue Cong and Yue Xin heard her, they gave an awkward smile and quickly got back to work.
They didnât want to be reminded of their nightmare.
"Great, everyone is here," Lin Xuan Qi said, and everyone glanced over at him.
He entered through the wooden gates, and words began appearing in his mind.
[Congratulations to host for recruiting sixth person to the mansion.]
[10KG of rice will be delivered to the mansion daily.]
[Total amount of rice delivered daily: 60KG.]
"This is our new member, Zhi Yong. He will be helping with the chores and any heavy-duty work."
Zhi Yong stood beside him, giving out his signature child-like smile and said, "Me, Zhi Yong."
"Pleased to meet you."
Xue Cong, Yue Jie, Yue Xin, and Liu Shi Shi greeted him and introduced themselves.
"Since this is a joyous occasion..."
"Yes, Master Lin. We will prepare the welcome meal," Xue Cong said even before Lin Xuan Qi completed his sentence.
She was just as attentive as ever.
Lin Xuan Qi nodded and said, "Bring him to the servant quarters and let him choose a room for himself."
"Yes, Master Lin," Xue Cong nodded and gestured for Zhi Yong to follow her.
Yue Jie and Yue Xin also followed behind.
"I wonder if he is suitable to learn Martial Arts," Lee He Song couldnât help himself but ponder.
Zhi Yongâs tall and burly build was too good for him to ignore.
Lin Xuan Qi sat down, poured a cup of tea from the teapot, and said, "You can try. I wouldnât mind more people being able to protect the mansion."
He wasnât too worried if Zhi Yong was indeed made for Martial Arts; Zhi Yong wouldnât be able to defeat him in the mansion anyway.
"Master Lin," a familiar voice boomed at the entrance of the mansion.
It was Sima Longâs voice.
Lin Xuan Qi recalled that Sima Long had said he would visit, and now Sima Long had come to fulfill his promise.
He got to the entrance and opened the wooden gates for Sima Long.
"Master Lin, you sure have a big..." Sima Long said as he saw Lin Xuan Qi, but he stopped himself when he noticed that the mansion was void of people and the garden was in a messy state.
"Sorry for the intrusion.
"But Iâve promised you, and my father was persistent in asking me to pay you a visit.
"Here are some gifts as compensation for what Iâve done."
Sima Long said and clapped his hands.
A few servant girls appeared behind him with boxes in their hands.
There were also bodyguards standing behind Sima Long and Sima Longâs servant girls.
"You shouldnât have to. Come in first," Lin Xuan Qi welcomed Sima Long into the mansion.
Sima Long nodded and he glanced at his bodyguards.
Gesturing for them to be on guard outside.
He didnât want Lin Xuan Qi to be worried if his guards outnumbered Lin Xuan Qiâs.
He and his servant girls then followed Lin Xuan Qi into the main hall.