Dong Family's Small World

"Old soldier, you've got guests? Business treating you well?" The man swung down from his horse, handing the reins in his hand to the old soldier as he spoke.

Lu Changwen, who had been drinking tea, looked up at the sound. Before the man stood a handsome youth with brows dark as ink and well-proportioned features. He wore the short clothes of a farmhand, yet he brimmed with vigor, making one feel refreshed at the sight of him.

Lu Changwen saw that the square-faced man held a horsewhip and had a towering build. Though he had not approached, he already gave off an oppressive air.

After finishing his tea, Lu Changwen took out several copper coins, intending to buy more dry rations from the shopkeeper for the road ahead and his examination trip. Yet the shopkeeper was busy attending to that man and left him hanging to one side. He could only sit back down, while a phrase surfaced in his heart: People look down on others with dog eyes.

"Thanks to the general's blessings, it's good, mighty good!" the old soldier answered. He took the reins and tied them to the fence behind the teahouse. The camel beside it snorted, clearly displeased by this sudden visitor.

Hearing the exchange between the shopkeeper and the man, Lu Changwen could not help shooting a glare at the man's back. Yet the man seemed to have eyes in the back of his head and abruptly turned to look at Lu Changwen.

Seeing Lu Changwen's scholarly air, he merely turned back and continued chatting with the old soldier.

Lu Changwen's expression stiffened. After nodding, he hurriedly lowered his head and pretended to drink tea, only to find his bowl empty. Feeling thoroughly embarrassed, he hastily fished several copper coins from his shoulder bag