Tian Zhongxi's words were like a thunderclap, leaving Zhang Xiaohua stunned on the spot. W-what was going on?
Zhang Xiaohua turned back toward Ma Jing and saw that fellow eating and grinning, as though he had already hidden Xiao Taohong away in a golden house. The smile on his face was deeply buried behind the folds of his dark, thin features. By the dining hall's firelight, Zhang Xiaohua could see the excitement in his eyes, and there was even a flush on his forehead.
Zhang Xiaohua seemed to understand something. Rage shot to the heavens within him. Though he was a country boy who had never seen much of the world, that did not mean others could scheme against him and bully him as they pleased. He had never offended Ma Jing. All he had done was advise him to wash his feet and pay some attention to personal hygiene, yet Ma Jing had played tricks to set him up, making Tian Zhongxi despise him utterly. It was truly hateful.
Zhang Xiaohua gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and walked toward Ma Jing. But after only two steps, he saw Ma Jing's utterly fearless manner. Suddenly, a thought rose in his mind and immediately doused the blazing anger in his heart like melted snowwater. If he went over like this, Ma Jing would naturally deny it. How could Zhang Xiaohua claim the moral high ground? Besides, these people around him were usually scoundrels. They knew perfectly well who was close and who was distant—how could they possibly help him? And even if he went over and beat Ma Jing, what then? Was he supposed to be thrown out before he had even learned martial arts?
Those several questions in succession calmed Zhang Xiaohua down. He stopped, looked at Ma Jing,