Inquiring

Lin Zheyu stopped in his tracks, feeling helpless. Was there really no avoiding them? "We've seen you heading into the city every day lately. Did you stumble onto some good fortune? How about lending your brothers a helping hand?" Gao Yu said with a smirk, his eyes scanning Lin Zheyu up and down. "Where would I find such luck?" Lin Zheyu forced a wry smile. "You know how hard it is to find work these days. I figured since I had some book learning, I'd try earning a bite to eat as a storyteller in the city. But my craft isn't up to snuff, so hardly anyone listened." "You? A storyteller?" "Hahaha!" The men couldn't help laughing out loud. The scrawny one, nicknamed Skinny Monkey, kept sizing Lin Zheyu up before suddenly snatching the bag from his hands. "Tsk, tsk. Looks like you made a few copper coins after all, to actually afford meat," Skinny Monkey chuckled, clicking his tongue. The piece of pork wasn't big, just a small cut marbled with fat and lean. "I've been feeling weak lately, so I gritted my teeth and bought this tiny cut. That was every coin I owned," Lin Zheyu said, pulling out his empty pockets. After his previous experience of being robbed, he had split his money into several portions and hidden them in concealed spots along the way. A cunning hare had three burrows; even if one hiding place was found, he still had silver tucked away elsewhere. Seeing how gaunt and scrawny Lin Zheyu was, the men agreed he didn't look like someone with money. "Fine, get lost. Next time you see us, come over and greet us properly, got it?" Gao Yu said, waving him away. "Yes, yes, understood," Lin Zheyu said, not mentioning the meat at all. Circumstances were stronger than men. With no family or companions by his side, taking a beating would just mean suffering for nothing. "Phew..." Lin Zheyu let out a long breath, swallowing down the bitterness in his heart. It was easy to deal with the King of Hell, but hard to fend off the petty demons. When the situation was unfavorable, keeping one's head down and quietly building up strength was the only sensible path. *I'll move first thing tomorrow morning. Rent in the city might be a bit steep, but at least the public order is better than here,* Lin Zheyu thought. Order in the inner city was vastly superior to the outer slums, maintained by both large and small gangs as well as yamen constables. Petty thugs and ruffians didn't dare run wild there; if caught, they would easily suffer a brutal thrashing. Returning home, Lin Zheyu's stomach let out an audible rumble. His meat for the night had been stolen, leaving him with nothing but thin congee. ... Borrowing some pickled vegetables from the auntie next door, Lin Zheyu downed five large bowls of thin porridge. He was in the middle of nursing his body back to health, so keeping his nutrition up was essential. The next morning, Lin Zheyu rose bright and early. After explaining his departure to the landlord, he picked up his small bundle and left; he didn't have much to pack in the first place. "Morning, Manager Wu!" Lin Zheyu arrived at Bidan Teahouse. Early in the morning, the teahouse was quiet and unhurried. "Oh? What brings you here so early today?" Wu Yinghe asked in surprise. "Well, I'm planning to move. The outer city is too chaotic, and living in Baishan District has become unbearable." Lin Zheyu gestured toward his bundle and asked, "Do you have any recommendations, Manager Wu?" "Baishan District is indeed no place to live." Manager Wu nodded, pondering for a moment before saying, "I know a few middlemen who handle rental properties at very reasonable rates." "Then I'll have to trouble you, Manager Wu," Lin Zheyu said with a smile. "Why be so polite between the two of us?" Manager Wu replied cheerfully. Lin Zheyu was currently his little god of wealth. Giving a few instructions to the staff, Wu personally escorted Lin Zheyu to look for a place. With Manager Wu's help, Lin Zheyu found a quiet residence three streets away from Baiwei Street. It was a small courtyard costing five hundred copper coins a month, quite a fair price. A single room would have been even cheaper at just two hundred coins, but this small courtyard was relatively secluded, with few neighbors around. That suited him perfectly. In the future, he would certainly be practicing martial arts, so an out-of-the-way spot would ensure he didn't disturb anyone. On Baiwei Street, Manager Wu treated him to a meal at Qingsu Restaurant. Qingsu Restaurant was quite well known on Baiwei Street, not only for its reasonable prices but also for its delicious food. Lin Zheyu had originally intended to treat Manager Wu as a gesture of gratitude, but Manager Wu adamantly refused, insisting on paying the bill himself. "Do you still plan to sit for the imperial examinations in the future, young sir?" Manager Wu asked, watching him closely. This young sir was the teahouse's cash cow; whether the teahouse would continue to thrive depended entirely on him. If Lin Zheyu truly intended to pursue official honors, he wouldn't be able to stay and tell stories at the teahouse. "No," Lin Zheyu replied, shaking his head. "Given my current circumstances, getting another recommendation to qualify for the exams wouldn't be easy. Besides, passing the examinations is far too difficult." After arriving in Songyi City, he had obtained a temporary identity token and registered under the temporary municipal administration. With that kind of household registry, qualifying for the imperial examinations was an enormous headache. One had to find an accepting clan to sponsor student status or win the favor of some prominent figure. *Phew...* Manager Wu inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. "Your stories are so captivating, young sir. I'm certain that in just a few years, you'll be a household name across Songyi City!" Manager Wu flattered him warmly. "From your lips to heaven's ears!" Lin Zheyu chuckled. The two chatted as they ate. After a few bites to fill his belly, Lin Zheyu brought up his true concern. "Manager Wu, do you know any master who teaches martial arts?" "You want to practice martial arts, young sir?" Manager Wu asked, surprised. "Yes, I'd like to learn some skills for self-defense. As you know, I'm all alone making a living in Songyi City with no family around, making me an easy target for petty scoundrels. I figured learning some martial arts would help me protect myself," Lin Zheyu explained. "That's true enough." Manager Wu nodded in agreement. The rule of law in this world was nowhere near as structured as in Lin Zheyu's previous life; the local government had limited reach, and many civic disputes were handled by gentry clans themselves. Someone like Lin Zheyu, wandering alone without a family clan to back him up, was usually left at the mercy of bullies. "If you want to learn martial arts, I actually know someone," Manager Wu said with a smile. "In fact, you've met him before."