Chapter 99

When the scorching sun became a bit milder, the three men, well-fed and rosy-cheeked, emerged from the Xilai Tavern. Lü Puxin went to inquire about the residence and shop matters, while Lü Shaohui accompanied Lü Buqi to the Civil Household Office.

Lü Shaohui had initially intended for Lü Buqi to return to the dormitory, and he would go and get the identity plate for him. However, Lü Buqi had his own thoughts and thus came along in the carriage.

The Civil Household Office was similar to the Civil Affairs Bureau on Earth, but it also managed household registration. Any commoner, at the very least, would have a record in the local Civil Household Office.

While Lü Shaohui was using the restroom, Lü Buqi had already registered and obtained his identity plate. He casually asked, "I wonder if you can help me look up someone?"

"Civil household records are not something that can be casually accessed!" The staff member responsible for issuing the identity plate to Lü Buqi was clearly not very enthusiastic, and he immediately shot back.

Lü Buqi was taken aback, but thinking of how in his previous life, such information required significant authority to access, he did not get angry. "Then, who has the right to access them?"

The staff member glanced at Lü Buqi, seemingly remembering that he was someone the higher-ups had specifically instructed to issue the identity plate to. He then replied indifferently, "Such a task that requires a lot of manpower can only be done by the head of the Civil Household Office."

Lü Buqi raised his eyebrows slightly. "Then, may I ask who the head of the Civil Household Office is?"

"You don't know?" The staff member was quite surprised. "If the higher-ups hadn't informed you, how would you have gotten the plate so easily? Anyway, I have a lot of work to do. If you want to look up someone, talk to the higher-ups."

Thinking of that smiling but insincere face, Lü Buqi couldn't help but frown. At that moment, Lü Shaohui, who had just returned from the restroom, came over. "Brother Buqi, what's up? Are you looking for someone?"

Lü Buqi smiled lightly. "I was just asking, no particular intention!"

"Oh, hehe... This Hongshan County has millions of commoners. If you really want to find someone, it's not easy," Lü Shaohui replied. "However, if you really want to find someone, you can post a task at the Warrior Mercenary Tavern with a high reward. Anyone can take it, and you might get some results."

Lü Buqi nodded. "Yes, I understand."

Lü Buqi was not actually looking for someone. He just wanted to investigate the main reason he chose Hongshan County, which was to find out who his parents were and why they had fallen from commoners to slaves.

If Lü Buqi were just a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy, he might have naively proclaimed that he was looking for someone named 'Lu Kang.' However, Lü Buqi was not naive. He knew that someone who could use a single name was probably not an ordinary commoner. Moreover, if his parents were indeed framed and were from Hongshan County, it was likely that the Lu family was involved.

However, Lü Buqi did not plan to share these thoughts with anyone for the time being. He could only investigate secretly, looking for clues. This was not something that could be rushed. At worst, he could wait until he returned to Yangze County, rescued his parents, and protected them before directly asking.

Lü Puxin's efficiency was remarkable, and he quickly brought good news to Lü Buqi. In the eastern part of the inner city, there was a household that, due to financial difficulties, was selling their ancestral home, which had about fifteen to sixteen rooms. The key was that it had a large backyard, and the total area was not less than a typical twenty-room residence.

The three of them then went to the eastern part of the city to see the house, and Lü Buqi was very satisfied. He didn't care much about the newness or layout of the house. When he saw the large backyard with a small pond, he decided to buy it immediately.

At 28 million knives, according to Lü Puxin, it was a good price. The owner was clearly eager to sell, otherwise, such a house would probably cost around 32 million knives.

Lü Buqi nodded, and Lü Shaohui paid for it. However, Lü Buqi did not feel overly elated. After all, he was not Long Buli, and Lü Shaohui was not Lü Yi or Lü Ruisi.

Owing someone a favor means you have to repay it. Although this could be seen as Lü Shaohui repaying his debt for saving and helping Lü Buqi, Lü Buqi's character was such that if someone showed him a little respect, he would return it tenfold.

However, time was on his side. A gentleman's revenge can wait ten years, and repaying a favor is a lifelong matter. Therefore, it was better to have fewer grudges or favors.

After buying the house and receiving the deed, Lü Buqi gave the family three days to pack their things. This act of kindness undoubtedly made the original owner extremely grateful.

That night, Lü Buqi and Long Buli's two women left the dormitory. In Lü Buqi's view, since they had not officially joined the Lu family, they should not continue to use others' resources.

The two women naturally supported this. Although other inns were not as good as the Lu family's dormitory, the environment was still decent, and the best ones even had ice vats and hot water, though there were no servants to help with bathing. Long Buli pointed out that since Lü Buqi didn't lack servants, there was no need for other rough women to serve him.

Knowing that Lü Buqi had a relatively smooth day, finally obtaining a respected name, becoming a commoner, and receiving two significant gifts—a large house and an iron forge—the two women were very happy and expressed that they had not saved the wrong person.

"Buqi, aren't you curious about what we did all day?" After dinner, Long Buli asked, somewhat surprised.

Lü Buqi smiled lightly. "If you want to tell me, you will. Besides, didn't Lü Yi and Lü Ruisi follow you? Did they buy things for you again?"

"Go away, am I that shallow? Those two idiots, I just used a little trick to get rid of them!" Long Buli rolled her eyes. "I took Buli to the library."

Lü Buqi was slightly taken aback. "The library?"

Long Buli nodded. "Of course. For Buli to truly integrate into the human world, she needs to start with human culture. She should at least learn the basics of writing and customs. You wouldn't object, would you?"

"How could I? This is a good thing!" Lü Buqi nodded in strong approval. "You did very well in this regard, like a good older sister."

"What do you mean by that, as if I wasn't a good older sister before!" Long Buli laughed, somewhat displeased. "Just because I taught Buli to help you bathe? That's what she should do, and besides, do you dare say you didn't enjoy it?"

Lü Buqi was speechless, feeling Buli's large, watery eyes looking at him. He had no choice but to nod silently.

Long Buli nodded in satisfaction. "Isn't that right? Buli is happy to do these things, and you get to enjoy them. It's a win-win situation... However, during the day, Buli will go to the library to learn. If you need someone to serve you, you can hire more servants at home."

Lü Buqi shook his head. "Why so many people? I'm at the iron forge during the day, or practicing. Besides, we have Jingxue Dan and Guyuan Dan, so we can satisfy our appetites by buying food from shops and taverns... Of course, you and Buli can find two young girls to help with laundry and other chores."

"Seems like you're not a stingy master!" Long Buli looked at Lü Buqi with a teasing smile. "However, Buqi, from your words, it seems you plan to have me stay for a long time. Even I would have young girls to serve me?"

Lü Buqi was slightly stunned. He suddenly remembered that Long Buli was not his female slave or his real sister. At most, she was now just a good friend. The idea of her living with him long-term was a bit much. He pinched his nose lightly. "The girl can help with the house and water the plants. Besides, the house is so big, with so many rooms. If they're empty, you can stay if you want, and leave if you want..."

"Hmph, not a bit sincere. If it weren't for Buli not being fully adapted to the human world and you being so careless, I would have already wandered the world, looking for my treasure!" Long Buli pouted, looking at Lü Buqi. The corner of the bench she was sitting on was crushed like tofu by her powerful hand.

Lü Buqi was embarrassed and looked at Buli. "Am I not sincere?"

Buli nodded innocently. "A bit insincere. You should say you hope Buli stays. Her master is dead, and she doesn't have the strength to find the treasure yet. Where could she go?"

Seeing Buli's pitiful look, as if she was talking about herself, Lü Buqi's heart softened. Looking at Long Buli, he noticed the loneliness in her stubborn face, despite her efforts to hide it. He pinched his nose again. "Then, what would be sincere?"

"Hmph, it's too late now!" Long Buli grunted. "Buli, don't give him a massage today. Let him wash himself."

With that, Long Buli left the table, leaving Lü Buqi and Buli staring at each other, both looking innocent.

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