Oh, Fu Bo, I merely aspire to a bit more freedom; why so many sighs from you, old sir?" Lin Wanrong said with a smile, diverting Fu Bo's attention. "Rest assured, as long as the Xiao family has any need for my services, I will exert the utmost effort to assist. Consider it a repayment for your discerning patronage."
Observing his playful demeanor, there was hardly a sense of repaying a favor. Fu Bo chuckled and remarked, "You, lad, slip through like an eel; it's hard to distinguish between truth and falsehood."
Lin Wanrong said solemnly, "Fu Bo, you can trust me. While I may have flaws, honoring gratitude is something I can certainly uphold."
Fu Bo nodded, saying, "Alright, Lin San, you said it. Let's hope we haven't misjudged you."
Lin Wanrong laughed heartily, "Enough, enough. Let's not dwell on this, Fu Bo. Why don't you teach me how to distinguish flowers and recognize herbs? I've grown up only picking flowers."
Fu Bo shook his head wryly. This lad seemed to lack seriousness. He couldn't fathom whether Lin Wanrong could truly aid the Xiao family. Nonetheless, he decided to take it one step at a time.
In the following days, Fu Bo began instructing Lin Wanrong on pruning flower branches, soil cultivation, and familiarizing him with the characteristics of various plants. Despite Lin Wanrong's initial disinterest in gardening, he had a good memory. After a few days, he became acquainted with all the flowers and plants in the garden, even understanding their temperaments. Fu Bo was quite satisfied with his progress.
During this time, Lin Wanrong, suppressing his impatience, stayed in the garden, learning from Fu Bo. His daily routine was disciplined, and he strolled around the large courtyard in his leisure time. As a member of the gardening department, he was one of only two servants. Fu Bo was the head, and Lin Wanrong was his assistant. With no one to supervise him, he lived comfortably.
Occasionally, he encountered the bookish Xiao Feng, who treated him warmly. Lin Wanrong shared some ideas on how to avoid the scolding from the steward. In no time, life became carefree.
One day, after the maids fled upon hearing the barking dogs, they returned to seek Lin Wanrong. Avoiding the topic of the mysterious woman, they chatted with him. Lin Wanrong no longer held their "retreating in the face of danger" against them and often inquired about the woman. However, the maids skillfully changed the subject each time, revealing their unease. Through these interactions, they became more familiar with each other, and Lin Wanrong became less puzzled by Fu Bo's reluctance to discuss the woman and the ferocious dog.
Observing Fu Bo's reluctance, Lin Wanrong couldn't find a solution. Reluctantly, he followed Fu Bo, listening to him talk about the various flowers and plants in the garden. Fu Bo had immersed himself in gardening for over thirty years, boasting rich experience. Even Lin Wanrong, a complete novice in gardening, found himself enlightened.
"Fu Bo, you are remarkably knowledgeable about flowers and plants. Probably, in the entire city of Jinling, few can match your expertise," Lin Wanrong praised sincerely. It wasn't flattery but genuine admiration.
"There are countless experts in the world. I have only accumulated some experience over the years. It's just a matter of practice making perfect," Fu Bo modestly replied. "In Jinling, there are only a few who truly understand flowers and plants. I've visited them and exchanged knowledge."
Fu Bo's face carried a touch of pride, clearly confident in his skills.
"Fu Bo, have you ever seen a kind of tree like this?" Lin Wanrong recalled the day he fought with Dong Qingshan and encountered a familiar-looking plant outside the city. He roughly described its appearance to Fu Bo, expecting him to be more informed in this area.
After listening to Lin Wanrong's description, Fu Bo fell into deep thought. "Lin San, the tree you mentioned, I have never seen it. Perhaps, one day, when you have time, you can take me to see it."
Lin Wanrong looked troubled. "Fu Bo, your status in the Xiao family is transcendent, free to come and go. As for me, I'm just a lowly servant. I can't move around freely like you."
"That's true," Fu Bo nodded. "I owe my current status to the trust of the old master and the young mistress. Lin San, as long as you work diligently, you will surely reach my level one day. By the way, tell me the location in the south of the city where you saw that tree. If you can't go, I'll check it out myself tomorrow."
Lin Wanrong intended to use Fu Bo to gain some freedom. Being a newcomer in the Xiao family, he needed the steward's approval to leave the mansion. Considering his relationship with Steward Wang, who was unlikely to grant him such freedom easily, Lin Wanrong hoped Fu Bo could help him.
"Fu Bo, I'm naturally a hardworking person. I enjoy traveling around, and if I have to stay in the mansion all day, I'll find it hard to adapt," Lin Wanrong boldly expressed. He had gauged Fu Bo's preferences and dared to make such a request. Other servants wouldn't dare to think about it, let alone express it.
Fu Bo gave Lin Wanrong a deep look. "Lin San, do you not want to serve in the Xiao mansion?"
"Yes, no, um," Lin Wanrong hastily changed his tune. "Since I've come to the Xiao family, whether voluntarily or not, I must fulfill my duties. It's a matter of professional ethics."
"Professional ethics? I've never heard of that term. What does it mean?" Fu Bo asked curiously.
"Oh, it means that since I receive a salary from the Xiao family, I must wholeheartedly serve the Xiao family. That's called professional ethics," Lin Wanrong quickly explained.
Fu Bo sighed and said, "Lin San, even without your explanation, I can see that you are a clever and resourceful person. If you don't want to serve in the Xiao family, that's your choice. However, since you've taken the salary from the lady and the young miss, you should do your best for the Xiao family. I've spent my whole life in the Xiao family, and it's where I'll grow old. I hope you can genuinely help the Xiao family."
Fu Bo's words were weighty and sincere, and Lin Wanrong felt somewhat embarrassed. He could only smile awkwardly and say, "Fu Bo, where are you going with this? I'm now a servant of the Xiao family, and I'll certainly do my best for the family. As for helping the Xiao family, you're overestimating me. I'm just a humble servant. How can I be of much assistance?"
Fu Bo's tone was profound, "Lin San, our Xiao family may seem prosperous on the surface, but in reality, we are in dire straits. Alas, you'll slowly understand these things. Honestly, when I first saw you, I felt that you could be of great help to the Xiao family. Perhaps you joined the Xiao family
for some reason, but fate has brought you here. I hope you can genuinely help the Xiao family in the future."
Lin Wanrong nodded, feeling that Fu Bo's words were a bit mysterious. However, he didn't delve deeper into the matter. He needed to build trust with Fu Bo gradually, and time would reveal more about the Xiao family's situation.
Thus, Lin Wanrong continued to follow Fu Bo and listen to his teachings on flower cultivation, appreciating the wisdom and knowledge of the experienced steward.