Tomorrow's Venue
Xu Huo noticed the many children's toys scattered on the floor. They clearly hadn't been prepared for Xiao Dou by Dong Jingxuan or Zeng An. Looking at the boy, who had stopped eating, he asked, "Have you made a new friend?"
"A young master," Zeng An answered for him. "But the young master has classes and is busy most of the time."
Xu Huo nodded slightly and sat down beside Xiao Dou. "Are you happy?"
Xiao Dou glanced at Zeng An and silently gripped his utensils, his expression blank.
"Looks like you're not happy," Xu Huo said with a smile. "Are the Dong family's children bullying you?"
"No." Xiao Dou answered this time, without any strain in his expression. "He's being bullied too."
"That's normal." Xu Huo casually picked up a piece of bread from the table and took a bite. "You're from Zone 002. It's best for you to stay here."
Xiao Dou whipped his head around to look at him. "I want to go with you!"
Xu Huo patted his head. "Don't change your mind so quickly. Things outside might not be any better."
Xiao Dou had used a little cunning. He trusted no one, and certainly wouldn't trust an Outer District Player, which was why he'd run when he was being sold. But children could read a room, too. Given the circumstances, going with Xu Huo had been his best option.
But choosing to go with him didn't necessarily mean leaving Zone 002. The Dong family, at least, would make a good place to stay.
The Dong family would certainly provide him with food, but there was no chance of them treating him especially well. If he had a decent aptitude as a player, that was one thing. Without it, he'd be thrown out sooner