At first, Zhu Qing had no idea what Zhang Xian meant. But as soon as she did, her pretty big eyes widened in shock.
What was he implying? Coming to her house to scrounge for food and acting high-and-mighty, but also daring to insult the lady of the house? Unthinkable!
"Hey..." Zhu Qing rebuked, angered, "You rascal, stand up now."
"What for?" Zhang Xian obediently stood up.
"You come to my house for a free meal and then dare to insult me? Who gave you the guts?" Zhu Qing glared, her anger evident.
She had plans to enjoy her day off tomorrow and upon returning from home, was looking forward to finding some pleasure. But then, she found a stranger sitting there.
What she hadn't expected was to be insulted by a vagrant-looking man before she could even enjoy her day. How was she, the lady of the Zhu Family, supposed to tolerate such disrespect?
"Isn't it?" Zhang Xian said, "Just because my clothes are a little shabby, doesn't mean a sane person should immediately associate me with a beggar."
"What if I'm joking around?" said Zhu Qing, puffing up her cheeks in annoyance.
"Oh, so it was a joke!" Zhang Xian chuckled, sitting back in his chair, "Well, I was kidding too. You're actually quite normal."
"You..." Zhu Qing was nearly hopping mad. It felt so awkward to hear 'actually quite normal'. What did he mean 'quite normal'?
The man in front of her was dressed in disgustingly shabby clothes and had hair as messy as a bird's nest. Did he believe himself to be some kind of artist, just sitting there acting smugly? Who did he think he was?
"Qingqing, have you returned?"
At that moment, Zhu Wen walked out, smiling, and was about to introduce Zhang Xian.
However, before he could speak, Zhu Qing hurriedly ran over to him and asked, "Grandpa, who is this beggar? Why would you bring just anyone into our home?"
"Beggar..." Zhu Wen, taken aback first, then his face darkened. "Qingqing, mind your language! How could you be so impolite? Apologize now."
"Why? I won't apologize to him!" Zhu Qing pouted, "This guy, I can tell he's no good."
"You..." Zhu Wen was lost for words, gasping for breath.
Although Zhu Wen didn't know what disagreement Zhu Qing had with Zhang Xian, Zhang Xian was a distinguished guest in the Zhu family. Moreover, deep down, Zhu Wen respected Zhang Xian's abilities.
His mouth twitched unnaturally several times, and then he sternly said, "Qingqing, stop making a fuss."
"Grandpa, what do you mean? Why are you always taking his side?" Zhou Qing now felt even more bewildered by Zhu Wen's behavior.
"I side with reason, not with kin. Who taught you to call people beggars as soon as you meet them? Did your grandfather teach you that?" Zhu Wen rebuked, "You need to apologize and act like a proper young lady."
"I won't apologize to that guy," Zhu Qing glared at Zhang Xian before turning her head away.
"You... apologize now..." Zhu Wen demanded sternly.
Zhui Qing was visibly distressed, and her big eyes quickly welled up with tears. It was the first time her normally gentle grandfather had yelled at her, and all for a mere outsider.
"Mr. Zhu, I was just joking with Qingqing. There's no need for you to get angry," Zhang Xian, noticing that the situation was escalating uncontrollably, hurriedly attempted to mediate.
"Bah, a man's word is his bond! I raised this girl with my own hands, I won't stand for such ingratitude!" Zhu Wen retorted coldly, "She must apologize."
"I won't, why should I apologize?" Zhu Qing glared at Zhang Xian and then stomped off into the house.
"Look at her! What behavior is this? She doesn't even listen to her grandfather anymore... Her unruly antics have spoiled her!" Zhu Wen sighed, shaking his head in disappointment.
Zhang Xian also shook his head and smiled bitterly. It seemed that he had upset the young lady of the house on his very first day here. His days ahead would certainly be tumultuous, all because he had let his mouth run away with him.
"Come on, forget about her. Let's continue eating." Zhu Wen sat down at the table, "Once we finish our meal, I'll prepare a room for you. Rest up for the night, and tomorrow I'll have Qingqing show you around. You might also want to buy some new clothes. For such a handsome lad like you, these shabby clothes really are not flattering. No wonder my granddaughter thought something was off the moment she saw you."
"Um, you sure you want your granddaughter to take me shopping?" Zhang Xian asked in surprise, "It seems that I just upset her."
"Who else, me? As an old man?" Zhu Wen laughed, "And besides, we all live under the same roof, you can't avoid each other forever, right?"
...
The next day, Zhang Xian woke up early from his state of meditation and left his room.
A session of meditation does not necessarily result in immediate improvement. A balance between work and rest is required. After a period of practice, one must rest to let their body absorb the Spiritual Energy better.
Zhu Qing woke up a little late, emerging only after nine am.
After breakfast, at the insistence of her grandfather, a very reluctant Zhu Qing went out with Zhang Xian.
Frankly speaking, not only was she mad at Zhang Xian, but also with his shabby appearance, which made her hesitant about being seen with him. Thus, she did her best to maintain her distance from him once they went out.
"This girl has quite a temper!"
Zhang Xian, trailing behind her, felt gloomy. Maybe he shouldn't have upset Zhu Qing yesterday. At least things wouldn't be so miserable now.
"Qingqing, what a coincidence? Good morning!"
Suddenly, a young man sauntered over with a few other men, all of them beaming.
"Why are you here again?" Zhu Qing frowned and asked.
"Hehe, Qingqing, are you playing dumb with me? My intentions for you are clear as day!" the young man widely grinned, revealing his black and yellow teeth.
Zhu Qing felt sick looking at the young man's appearance. A layabout trying to woo her? What a joke. He could at least get a steady job first, right?
It must be said that some guys are just self-absorbed and put on airs as if they are the best in the world.
After frowning slightly, she suddenly turned her head to look at Zhang Xian, her eyes filled with a strange expectation.
"Um, why are you looking at me?" Zhang Xian asked.
"What do you think?" Zhu Qing managed to repress the urge to slap him, "A damsel in distress, and you as a man, shouldn't you step up?"
Zhang Xian nodded, stepped forward, and stood straight in front of Zhu Qing as if he was a protective spear.
"Thief, what's your deal? Are you trying to mess with me?" the young man sneered at Zhang Xian: "Who in the neighborhood does not know me, Brother Ji? You dare to cross me?"
"Brother Ji? As in, chicken?" Zhang Xian looked at San Ji with surprise, "Your name does have some deep inner meaning! Who gave you the name?"