Surrounded by the crowd, Qin Yao felt his head swelling to twice its size. He repeatedly waved his hands. "Folks, folks, whether I'll be joining the Village Office is still nowhere near settled!
"Please don't call me 'sir.' Just call me by my name."
"Oh, we wouldn't dare!"
"That's right. You are the Wenqu Star descended from the heavens. Being able to exchange even a few words with you is already the greatest honor—how could we dare show you disrespect?"
"Exactly, exactly..."
Left with no choice, Qin Yao used his little sister as a shield. "Thank you all for your kindness, but my sister is young and shy, and it's getting late. How about everyone heads home early to rest?"
"Then we won't disturb you, sir!"
"I'm A-Cai, sir. I'll be waiting outside the courtyard. If you need anything, just call out!"
"Oh, and sir, your staying in this old man's shabby house is an honor you've bestowed upon me.
"You can stay as long as you wish from now on. Please, never mention rent again!"
Uncle Liang, the landlord of the little run-down courtyard Old Master Qin had rented, bowed and scraped as he spoke.
Yet the moment his words fell, someone immediately jumped out to call him out. "What a joke! Do you think Lord Qin would care about your piddling pennies?"
"Besides, from now on, sir will be working at the village government. Sooner or later, he'll move into East Village and live behind lofty gates in a grand courtyard!"
"How could he possibly keep staying in this lousy nest of yours?"
"Yes, yes, yes, this old man was muddleheaded!"
Uncle Liang hurriedly bowed and apologized.
"Go on, go on! Don't disturb sir's rest."
Someone shouted.
When they arrived, the crowd had surged into the house like