I Can Devour Spirits

Chapter 58: Chapter 58: Fooling Around

Just as Kong Bin stepped out of the courtyard, he hadn’t gone far before overhearing some servant disciples dispersing gossip.

Initially, Kong Bin didn’t pay much attention, but after catching a few words, he found it increasingly odd.

”...A painter?!”

”Ten taels a painting?”

”The county magistrate invited him to dinner...”

After listening to a couple of groups chatting, Kong Bin grew more and more suspicious. ”Are they talking about Duan Rong?”

This seemed completely different from the Duan Rong he knew...

Duan Rong’s antics had not only made him famous in the Escort Agency but had also become the talk of the town all over Xianggu County.

When Duan Rong went to the dining hall in the middle courtyard, the escorts who knew him stopped calling him Little Rong, and started addressing him as Brother Rong instead.

Duan Rong would always just foolishly grin and never respond.

”The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.”

His previous life’s experience as a corporate worker had given Duan Rong enough survival wisdom.

In social interactions, it’s best to appear simple-minded so others feel safe around you and find you likable.

The escort attire Zhou An had gotten for Duan Rong was never worn by him; he neatly folded it and placed it in the wardrobe.

He continued wearing his casual outfit every day and carried on with his daily activities.

Gradually, the commotion passed...

This was just as Duan Rong hoped; being honest and steadily developing was the true way to go!

The county magistrate only invited him for a simple meal!

If one lacks true strength, any kind of relationship is just a joke!

Had he taken this seriously, he would’ve been foolish!

That day, Duan Rong was standing in a secluded corner of the Martial Arts Arena practicing his Pile Skill.

By now, he had been cultivating his second level of Inner Breath for almost a month. The Inner Breath within his Dantian was already as thick as a little finger, spiraling continuously like a small snake, lively and ceaselessly swirling.

Duan Rong estimated that in about ten days, he would accomplish the second level of Inner Breath!

As Duan Rong was practicing his Complete Round Pile Skill, he suddenly heard a crisp female voice calling out in front of him, ”Hey, silly boy, stop practicing!”

Duan Rong was somewhat annoyed, as he was about to complete a full Circulation, and this interruption almost disturbed him. Fortunately, he controlled his Inner Breath, completed a full Circulation, and let it revolve within his Dantian, before opening his eyes and realizing it was Zhu Xiaoqi who had come, extinguishing his anger immediately.

This was the first time Zhu Xiaoqi had called him silly boy face-to-face, and Duan Rong didn’t recognize her voice at first.

”Oh, it’s Xiaoqi? Is Elder Xiao looking for me?” Duan Rong asked with a smile.

”No, it’s my Second Miss looking for you.”

”Second Miss wants to see me! What for?” Duan Rong’s heart raced at the thought, as Xiao Baijiao’s white, tender face flashed through his mind.

”How would I know? She just asked me to fetch you.”

”Then... then let me wash the sweat off first...”

Duan Rong thought that his sweaty self might be too abrupt for Xiao Baijiao.

”Wash it in the courtyard with me!” Zhu Xiaoqi glanced at Duan Rong and, without waiting for him to agree, turned and walked away.

Duan Rong had to jog a few steps to keep up.

Though Zhu Xiaoqi was a head shorter than Duan Rong and only seemed to move her legs in a slow, steady manner, her speed was surprisingly fast, making Duan Rong have to jog to catch up!

”It must have something to do with her Lightweight Skill training...”

Duan Rong’s eyes flickered, occasionally watching Zhu Xiaoqi’s steps, but with his limited martial arts knowledge and complete ignorance about Lightweight Skill, he couldn’t grasp any deeper insights!

However, Duan Rong noticed a silver anklet on Zhu Xiaoqi’s right ankle!

The two passed through the Martial Arts Arena, walked along a small path for a while, then turned into another alley, emerging right outside Xiao Zongting’s courtyard.

Zhu Xiaoqi entered the courtyard with Duan Rong following closely behind.

Zhu Xiaoqi scooped up a ladle of clear water from the kitchen, stood on the threshold, and said, ”Come over and wash your face!”

Duan Rong immediately rolled up his sleeves, walked over, and stood before Zhu Xiaoqi with hands cupped.

Zhu Xiaoqi tilted the ladle, pouring a scoop of water for him.

Duan Rong caught the water, slapping it on his face, and rubbed vigorously!

After rinsing three or four more times, Duan Rong had cleaned the sweat off his neck and face.

Zhu Xiaoqi handed him a towel to dry off, then led him toward the inner courtyard.

Xiao Zongting sat in a deck chair at the entrance of the flower hall, smoking and sunbathing. As he saw Duan Rong following Zhu Xiaoqi inside, he blew a smoke ring, looked at Duan Rong, and coldly asked, ”What’s going on?”

Zhu Xiaoqi shot Xiao Zongting a glance and said, ”Not here for you, it’s for Second Miss!”

Duan Rong followed Zhu Xiaoqi, giving Xiao Zongting a silly smile, as if someone had his back.

Xiao Zongting only grunted in response, then turned away, eyes closed, continuing to smoke and sunbathe.

Zhu Xiaoqi entered the main room in the backyard, lifted the curtain of the eastern room, and went inside.

Duan Rong’s heart pounded as he followed Zhu Xiaoqi into Xiao Baijiao’s boudoir, surrounded by a faint fragrance.

The room was surprisingly spacious, with a carved bed hung with gauzy drapes behind a four-panel screen.

Cabinets and boxes were all in their places, and the southern carved window lattice was propped open, letting sunlight stream in.

As they entered, Xiao Baijiao was sitting at a desk, holding a needle and doing embroidery, wearing a light green gauze skirt that glowed under the sunlight.

Standing at the doorway, Duan Rong found himself momentarily entranced.

Xiao Baijiao smiled lightly, placing her embroidery gently on the desk, stood gracefully, and said with a smile, ”Senior Brother Duan, please have a seat!”

Duan Rong glanced over, noticing the embroidery was of a budding peach blossom, with tightly stitched details and exquisite craftsmanship!

Xiao Baijiao was Xiao Zongting’s daughter, and since Duan Rong was now learning from Xiao Zongting, it was appropriate for her to address him as Senior Brother.

Duan Rong had been here several times; last time they even had a meal together, fostering a sense of familiarity!

Otherwise, Xiao Baijiao wouldn’t have casually sent Xiaoqi to call him over!

With a smile, Duan Rong took a seat at the desk, and Xiao Baijiao brought a plate of pastries and a pot of tea, personally pouring him a cup in a gentle voice, ”These mung bean cakes are quite delicious, Senior Brother, have a taste.”

Every time Xiao Baijiao called him ”Senior Brother,” Duan Rong’s heart felt a little weak; add to that the light fragrance wafting from her, and he was already intoxicated before even tasting the tea.

”You’ve found him! What do you want him for?” Zhu Xiaoqi stood at the door, curiously asking.

In fact, a basket of dried string beans had already been sun-dried in the courtyard, and Zhu Xiaoqi still needed to chop them up to make steamed buns today.

When she left to call Duan Rong, the dough was almost ready.

She hurried along the way, fearing the dough would sour.

But now seeing Duan Rong here, she couldn’t help being curious about what Xiao Baijiao wanted with him, so she lingered by the door.

Xiao Baijiao shot Zhu Xiaoqi a glance, ignoring her question, and looked at Duan Rong with a smile, ”Senior Brother Duan, Bai Jiao would like to commission a painting from you!”

Duan Rong’s recent incident had already created quite a stir.

But Xiao Baijiao stayed home in her boudoir, and Zhu Xiaoqi was always busy, so unless Xiao Zongting mentioned it to them, they would be unaware.

They had only heard about it recently when Zhao Mu told Zhu Xiaoqi, who then told Xiao Baijiao.

Upon hearing it was for a painting, Zhu Xiaoqi turned and lifted the curtain, heading out.

Zhu Xiaoqi didn’t just dislike those painting-related matters; she also had little interest in embroidery, seeing them as useless pastimes for idle hands.