Chapter 74: Roommate

As everyone spoke, though they muttered, the sound was quite loud, and they did not avoid Zhang Xiaohua.

Some even said, "Who said this name can only be used by girls? My aunt's second sister has a puppy named Xiaohua."

"Right, my uncle's second aunt's granddaughter has a kitten named Xiaohua."

After saying this, it provoked even more laughter from the people in blue robes and small hats.

The few people in martial attire looked at them, neither joining in the conversation nor laughing, their faces only showing a mocking expression, but it was unclear whether it was directed at Zhang Xiaohua or the people in blue robes and small hats.

Zhang Xiaohua, hearing this, felt his face flush with embarrassment. He had used this name for over ten years, but he had never heard so many comments about it. When he was young, playing with other children, they never mocked him. Now, just after leaving home, even his name became a problem. Zhang Xiaohua didn't know whether to blame his mother for giving him the wrong name or to blame these well-informed people in blue robes and small hats.

Hearing the laughter, the thin, tall leader seemed to realize it was inappropriate and turned to scold them, "How can you be so unruly? Bullying a new person like this, go back to your rooms quickly."

Those few people pouted, their faces full of ridicule, and easily returned to their rooms, as if all the fatigue of the day had vanished. The people in martial attire watched them leave, and the plain-looking middle-aged man walked over, patted Zhang Xiaohua's shoulder, smiled, and led a few people back to their room.

Zhang Xiaohua noticed that their room was one of the connected rooms on the right side of the small courtyard.

The thin, tall young man, seeing everyone leave, approached with an apologetic smile and said, "Hello, Zhang Xiaohua, my surname is Tian, and my name is Chongxi. Everyone calls me Brother Xi. I am the manager here. Those people were being ignorant, don't take it to heart. They didn't mean any harm, just bored and looking for some fun. You'll understand better if you stay longer. By the way, how did Old Yu, oh, the one-armed old man, arrange for you?"

Zhang Xiaohua looked gratefully at the smiling young man and said, "He hasn't said yet. Old Yu left and hasn't returned, so I don't know how he arranged for me."

Tian Chongxi said, "Why don't you come with me first? Stay in my room for a while, and we'll wait for Old Yu to return."

Zhang Xiaohua hesitated and said, "This, isn't it inappropriate? I'll wait here."

But Tian Chongxi picked up Zhang Xiaohua's small bundle from the stone table, not giving him a chance to hesitate, and said, "Come on, it's fine. It's already dark, and the night wind is quite cold. Don't catch a cold before you start working, that would be very bad."

He walked ahead, and Zhang Xiaohua, feeling very grateful, followed behind.

Tian Chongxi's room was the first one from the inner door. It was a very simple room with a table, two chairs, and two beds. One bed had bedding, and the other had a cabinet. The items on the ground were neatly arranged. Tian Chongxi put Zhang Xiaohua's bundle on the table, poured a cup of water from the teapot, and said kindly, "Drink some water and wait here. If you need more, pour it yourself. I'll go wash my face."

Zhang Xiaohua thanked him, took the teacup, and drank it in one go. He had been thirsty since lunch, and his throat was parched. He poured another cup and drank it all, then put down the teacup.

Tian Chongxi handed the teacup to Zhang Xiaohua, took a copper basin from the door, and went out to fetch water to wash his face.

While Zhang Xiaohua was waiting for Tian Chongxi to return, he heard a shout from outside, "Zhang Xiaohua, Zhang Xiaohua, where are you?"

Zhang Xiaohua thought it was bad and ran out quickly. Indeed, the one-armed Old Yu was shouting loudly under the stone table.

Zhang Xiaohua ran to Old Yu and said, "Hello, Old Yu, I was sitting in Brother Xi's room for a while."

Old Yu still had a stern face and said, "Hmm, since you know I'm Old Yu, you should also know that the medicinal fields are under my management. I don't care who brought you here, but once you're here, you have to listen to me. Your task hasn't been assigned yet, so you'll just familiarize yourself with the environment for now."

At this moment, Tian Chongxi also came with the copper basin. Old Yu stopped him and said, "Chongxi, come here. You've met, right? This is Zhang Xiaohua from the Lotus Dart Agency. Don't assign him any tasks for now, just let him familiarize himself. You arrange it."

Tian Chongxi's face twitched when he heard "Lotus Dart Agency," but he quickly smiled and said, "Sure, Old Yu, you can rest assured. I'll take good care of Zhang Xiaohua. Liu Er left in a hurry and didn't even tidy up his bedding. I think it's best if Zhang Xiaohua stays on Liu Er's bed."

Old Yu nodded and said, "You decide."

He then walked into the inner door and quickly disappeared.

Tian Chongxi led Zhang Xiaohua, took his bundle, and brought him to a room. As soon as Zhang Xiaohua entered, he smelled a strong odor of stinky feet. He looked up and saw a thin, middle-aged man in a blue robe and small hat sitting on the bed, squinting his eyes, humming a tune, and rubbing his stinky feet, occasionally sniffing his fingers as if they were night-blooming jasmine.

Not only did Zhang Xiaohua frown, but Tian Chongxi also called out, "Ma Jing." Then he quickly walked over and opened the window. Ma Jing, hearing Tian Chongxi's call, quickly jumped off the bed, put on his shoes, rubbed his hands on his clothes, and said, "Brother Xi, why are you in my room? Is there something you need?"

Tian Chongxi did not walk over but stood by the window, frowning, and said, "Ma Jing, I'm not saying this to criticize you, but you're almost thirty, and you're still like this. No wonder you can't find a wife."

Ma Jing was unhappy and said sarcastically, "Brother Xi, don't always bring this up, okay? No one marries me because no one has discovered my hidden gem. I'm refined inside, unlike those pretty boys, who need careful and deep interaction to be discovered."

Not only did Tian Chongxi laugh, but Zhang Xiaohua, looking at this short, shifty-eyed, and lecherous man, also burst out laughing. Ma Jing immediately asked, "Zhang Xiaohua, do you have any objections?"

Zhang Xiaohua quickly gave him a thumbs up and said, "Brother Ma is a great person. I just met you, and I already feel your noble and dignified presence. How could I have any objections? I'm just thinking about how to learn from you in the future."

As he said this, his skin broke out in goosebumps. He thought to himself, "Flattery is not something just anyone can do. I'm new here, so I need to be careful. This place is not like Guo Village. To survive, I need to change. Maybe being simple is good, but as Liu Kai said, the fittest survive. If you can't survive, what's the point of being simple?"

Unconsciously, Zhang Xiaohua's mind matured greatly, and a shy country boy gradually grew and adapted to the world.

Ma Jing, hearing Zhang Xiaohua's words, said happily, "Brother, no problem, from now on, I'll take care of you. Come, sit down."

As he said this, he tried to pull Zhang Xiaohua, but Zhang Xiaohua, looking at those hands, felt very uncomfortable and quickly said, "Oh, wait, let's hear what Brother Xi has to say first."

Ma Jing stopped and nodded, "Yes, that makes sense. Brother Xi, are you going to let Zhang Xiaohua stay on Liu Er's bed?"

Tian Chongxi nodded and said, "Yes, it's already late, and there's no time to prepare. Let Zhang Xiaohua stay here for now. We'll see how Liu Er is doing and decide later."

Ma Jing said, "No problem. Since you're in our Huanxi Manor, you're our brother. We can work it out. Come, brother, I'll put your bundle down for you."

As he said this, his hands reached for Zhang Xiaohua's bundle. Zhang Xiaohua quickly took two steps to the side, to an empty bed, and threw the bundle on it, saying, "Brother Ma, you should rest more. I can do this myself."

Ma Jing stood there, chuckling but saying nothing.

Tian Chongxi looked at Ma Jing and Zhang Xiaohua and said, "Zhang Xiaohua, you'll stay here for now. If you have any problems, come find me. Your current clothes won't do here, but what you wear is a problem. I'll have to ask Old Yu about it."

Ma Jing added, "Brother Xi, Zhang Xiaohua is a bit small, but there are many young servants in the manor like him. The manager has plenty of clothes his size. Just find a set, no need to ask Old Yu."

Tian Chongxi didn't say much to him, smiled, and turned to leave, saying, "Zhang Xiaohua is from the Lotus Dart Agency. It's not appropriate to use the manor's style of clothing."

Ma Jing was stunned and muttered, "Lotus Dart Agency?"

He turned to look at Zhang Xiaohua and laughed wildly, "You, from the Lotus Dart Agency? Hahaha."

Laughing, he sat back on the bed, crossed his legs, and naturally held his feet, saying, "A kid from the Lotus Dart Agency? Who would believe it. But this is interesting."

Then he pouted and said to Zhang Xiaohua, "Brother Xiaohua, make yourself at home. From today on, we're roommates. Don't be shy, if you have any problems, just tell me. I'm not afraid of trouble."

Zhang Xiaohua smiled and said, "Sure, Brother Ma, I understand. If I have any problems, I'll definitely tell you."

Although this roommate had some unusual quirks, Zhang Xiaohua was very satisfied with the spacious room. It was larger than the two rooms at home, and sleeping here would be very comfortable. He just wondered how his second brother was doing, and how his mother and father were. Sigh, he missed them after just a few days.

However, Zhang Xiaohua quickly warned himself not to be lazy or homesick. Any effort now was for the future, to avoid bloodshed and loss of life, and to ensure the safety of his family.

Thinking this, his homesickness gradually faded.