Taking In an Orphan Girl

This decision did not come as a surprise to anyone.

It was just that the looks they cast at Wei Yu now carried even more envy, and even jealousy.

After all, becoming an Escort Guard meant officially entering the middle ranks of the Prosperity Escort Agency. Not only was the monthly pay far more generous than that of a menial, but the key was that they also received a share of the profits from every escort run.

After announcing these matters, Meng Lei waved everyone away, then led Wei Yu off.

Tan Dong stepped forward and said sourly, "Well, look at that. He's really soared straight to the heavens in a single step."

Zhao Ya chuckled. "That's what he deserved. You should train harder too and strive to achieve great success in Bone Forging as soon as possible."

"Me? Forget it. I'm not cut out for that. Besides, martial arts training is exhausting. How could it possibly be as fun as chatting and sharing my heart with the young ladies at the pleasure houses?"

"Then why are you saying all this?"

"Wasn't I just feeling wronged on your behalf?" As he said this, Tan Dong's expression turned serious.

"I firmly believe your talent is no weaker than his. It's only because your family circumstances were poor and your foundation was too weak that Wei Yu managed to surpass you. That's why I feel it's unfair for you."

Zhao Ya was stunned for a moment, then smiled and cupped his fists. "Then thank you for standing up for me."

After finishing the day's work, Zhao Ya declined Tan Dong's invitation to go listen to music and clear his head, then hurried over to Tang Zuier's home.

By then, the old woman's condition was even worse than it had been during the day. She had still been relatively lucid earlier, but by nightfall, she would not open her eyes at all.

Zhao Ya knew this was a sign that her end was near.

Tang Zuier had long since panicked. Other than crying, she had no idea what to do.

Zhao Ya was the one who went out onto the street, pounded open the door of a funeral-clothes shop, bought burial garments and other necessities, then had Tang Zuier dress the old woman in them.

Once she was dressed, the old woman miraculously sat up, and color even returned to her face.

Tang Zuier was overjoyed, believing her grandmother might be saved.

But Zhao Ya knew this was merely the final flash before the candle went out.

Sure enough.

The old woman stroked Tang Zuier's head.

"Silly girl, listen well to your Brother Xiaoya from now on."

Tang Zuier sensed that something was wrong as well. Tears streaming down her face, she nodded again and again.

The old woman fell back onto the bed, facing upward, and cried out, "My child!"

Then she breathed her last.

Tang Zuier threw herself over the old woman's body and wailed aloud.

Zhao Ya felt his eyes sting as well. He knelt and kowtowed to the old woman, then pulled up Tang Zuier, who was crying as though she wished she were dead, and began arranging the funeral.

Naturally, a poor family's funeral could not be very grand.

With the help of the old neighbors, the old woman was laid to rest in a thin coffin.

Dressed in deep mourning clothes, Tang Zuier knelt before the grave and wept without pause.

In the distance, the neighbors whispered among themselves.

"That little girl from the Tang family is growing prettier by the day."

"Haven't you heard? To look pretty, wear mourning white."

"Alas, now that the old woman is dead, that little girl has become an orphan."

"Hey, isn't Old Zhao's grandson at the mouth of the alley about due to take a wife? Why not play matchmaker for him and this little girl?"

"Forget it. Who doesn't know that grandson of his is a fool?"

"What's wrong with a fool? The Zhao family runs a grocery shop and has a solid household. That little girl definitely wouldn't suffer if she married in. That would count as doing good and accumulating virtue..."

"Shh!"

The woman was speaking with great enthusiasm when someone suddenly stopped her and quietly pointed.

She looked up and saw Zhao Ya walking toward the grave. She immediately shut her mouth, not daring to say another word.

After half a year of training, Zhao Ya had grown increasingly tall and upright, carrying an imposing air in every gesture.

On top of that, these people had all heard that Zhao Ya was doing well at the Prosperity Escort Agency and had learned some fine martial skills. The moment they saw him step forward, the women were so frightened that none dared make a sound.

Zhao Ya had actually heard these long-tongued women's gossip long ago, but he had not bothered with them.

It was only when they began speaking more and more outrageously that he stepped in.

After cowing them into silence, Zhao Ya walked over to Tang Zuier and gently patted her shoulder.

"Stop crying. Come home with me."

Tang Zuier stopped sobbing and looked at Zhao Ya through tear-filled eyes.

"The old woman is gone. I wouldn't feel at ease leaving you to live by yourself. Move in with me."

Tang Zuier's face visibly turned red, but she still nodded obediently and gave a nearly inaudible reply.

"Mm!"

And so Tang Zuier packed up her belongings and moved into Zhao Ya's home that very day.

The surrounding neighbors not only did not criticize this, but unanimously believed Zhao Ya was doing a good deed.

"You'll sleep here from now on."

After tidying the bed in the bedroom, Zhao Ya said this to Tang Zuier.

Tang Zuier's face was red as though it had caught fire, and she nodded somewhat flusteredly.

Then Zhao Ya moved his bedding into the outer room and set up a temporary sleeping place.

Tang Zuier did not understand.

"You'll sleep inside from now on. I'll sleep outside." Zhao Ya's answer was simple.

Hearing this, Tang Zuier felt complicated emotions. She felt relieved, yet beneath that relief was a faint sense of disappointment.

Zhao Ya paid no attention to that.

"There's rice in the rice jar, and the meat is in the basket hanging from the ceiling beam. When I'm not home, cook for yourself. Don't go out if there's no need. If you're bored, you can clean up. Tell me if there's anything you want to buy, and I'll get it for you. Understand?"

"Mm-hmm!" Tang Zuier nodded.

"All right, that should be about it."

Zhao Ya did not know how to get along with girls. He had taken Tang Zuier in entirely because he had promised her grandmother's dying request.

As for anything else, he truly had not given it any thought.

Zhao Ya took out a basin, preparing to rinse rice and cook.

The moment Tang Zuier saw this, she hurriedly reached out and took it from him.

"Brother Xiaoya, let me do it."

"Uh, all right."

"How much rice should I rinse? Half a basin?"

"Three basins!"

"Ah?"

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing, nothing!"

After Zhao Ya ate an entire pot of rice along with two huge plates of stewed meat, Tang Zuier stared at him as though he were some heavenly being.

"What are you looking at me for? Hurry up and eat. Remember to wash the dishes after you're done."

"Oh, all right!"

Zhao Ya went into the courtyard and began his daily, unchanging practice.

Though he had eaten so much, as the progress of unlocking his stomach increased, Zhao Ya's digestive ability had become downright terrifying.

The moment an entire pot of rice and two huge plates of stewed meat entered his stomach, they were ground up and absorbed.

This gave Zhao Ya a headache as well. He could already eat this much now—once he fully unlocked it, would he not become a human-shaped rice bucket?

It seemed he needed to find a way to get foods rich in vital energy, like Earthworm Jerky.

Ordinary food was becoming less and less able to meet Zhao Ya's needs.

After Tang Zuier finished her own portion of the meal, she began scrubbing the pot and washing the dishes.

When Zhao Ya had cooked alone before, he always cleaned up afterward, but he was not nearly as meticulous.

Tang Zuier scrubbed clean all the lingering grime around the stove and along the edge of the pot.

As she worked, Tang Zuier looked toward Zhao Ya, who was practicing his punches in the courtyard, and her heart suddenly filled with warmth and security.

In this world, having someone to rely on was already an unattainable luxury for many people.

(End of Chapter)