Chapter 111: Feelings Begin to Grow

The young man was utterly stunned upon hearing this—how did Yun Zui know everything?

Xiao Tianming, who was inside the room, couldn’t help but rush out when he heard the voices outside.

When he saw Yun Zui, the wary expression in his eyes was no less guarded than that of Xiao Qier.

But Yun Zui remained calm. After all, a young man who had already taken on the role of head of the household would naturally be more composed; it was perfectly normal to be cautious of a stranger.

“Qier, go fetch the doctor,” Xiao Tianming said to Xiao Qier.

Xiao Qier, who had no other ideas anyway, immediately nodded and hurried off at Xiao Tianming’s command.

Xiao Tianming was only about 1.7 meters tall, not much taller than Yun Zui. His messy hair concealed his face, but from his figure, it was clear he was still in the throes of adolescence.

At that moment, Yun Zui suddenly realized that he and Xiao Tianming seemed to be about the same age.

It was truly laughable.

“Do you have business here?” Xiao Tianming scrutinized Yun Zui from head to toe.

Yun Zui wore a white shirt embroidered with sky-blue patterns. His elegant attire and demeanor clearly marked him as someone of either wealth or noble birth. Was it not strange for such a person to visit this place?

“I admire your courage and sharp mind. Do you understand recruiting talented people?” Yun Zui felt somewhat awkward in front of Xiao Tianming.

Chi Mie was twenty-five, not much different in age from the modern-day Yun Zui. Their conversation felt like two peers speaking on equal footing. But this sixteen-year-old boy before him and present-day Yun Zui were the same age, yet Yun Zui felt disoriented.

In maturity of heart, Yun Zui was more experienced than Xiao Tianming, but in stature, he lagged behind. More than that, in Xiao Tianming’s eyes, Yun Zui was just another young lad like himself…

How embarrassing!

“Sorry, I’m just a beggar with no talent,” Xiao Tianming said, clearly wanting to send him away.

But Yun Zui spoke calmly, without hurry or irritation: “You have four brothers. Just now, one named Gou’er and a sick little girl named Xiangbao. I know you’re responsible for six children. Xiangbao is still ill. You’ve already spent twenty-five taels buying a roast chicken. If you keep spending on medicine and treatment, your money will run out. They’re all still growing—they need nutrition, enough food and warm clothes, and books to read. You, as their older brother, surely wouldn’t want them to be beggars their whole lives, would you?”

Yun Zui spoke evenly, but each point hit Xiao Tianming’s predicament squarely.

His expression grew complicated before he said quietly, “You’ve been watching us all along? But I have no skills to offer…”

He looked rather disappointed.

Yun Zui replied, “No, you’re quite eloquent. You’ll be very useful to me.”

“What do I need to do then?” Xiao Tianming’s guard lessened slightly, but it remained.

He knew how cruel the rich and powerful could be; he didn’t want to be deceived or taken advantage of, even though he owned nothing.

“Don’t worry—I’m not asking you to do anything bad. We can discuss that later. Right now, Xiangbao’s illness is the priority.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Tianming’s demeanor softened even more. As they spoke, Xiao Qier had already hurried back with a doctor in tow.

Seeing this, Yun Zui immediately stepped aside to let them pass.

Though a small gesture, it deepened Xiao Tianming’s favorable impression of Yun Zui, and he asked, “How can I find you in the future?”

Yun Zui, however, said, “I’ll go inside and check on Xiangbao.”