The next day, when Zhao Ya opened his eyes, Zui’Er was already awake.
Seeing Zhao Ya’s smiling gaze, Zui’Er couldn’t help but blush, wanting to get out of bed.
But as soon as she tried to move, she frowned.
Zhao Ya noticed this, gently pinched her nose, and said softly.
"You can’t move well right now, just rest, I’ll go make breakfast."
"Okay!" Zui’Er called out happily.
Zhao Ya got up to get busy, while Zui’Er quietly pulled out a white handkerchief from under the quilt, with a striking red plum blossom embroidered on it.
Blushing deeply, Zui’Er put it away and then looked at Zhao Ya, who was cooking outside, feeling a profound sense of security.
Soon, breakfast was ready.
Zhao Ya brought it to the bedside, and they had a sweet breakfast together. Zhao Ya then advised Zui’Er to rest well before heading to the Escort Agency.
Once at the Escort Agency, everyone who saw Zhao Ya stopped and smiled.
"Master Zhao!"
"Good morning, Master Zhao!"
Zhao Ya responded to each one without the slightest arrogance.
After he passed by, some couldn’t help but sigh emotionally.
"To think that I joined the Escort Agency at the same time as Master Zhao, yet now he’s an Escort Master, while I’m still doing odd jobs. Comparing oneself to others is truly frustrating!"
"The key is that Master Zhao, at such a young age, is exceedingly steady. If it were someone else, with such achievements at this age, they’d be bragging to the skies, yet Master Zhao shows no arrogance and treats even us odd-job workers equally. It’s quite commendable."
"That’s right, if it were Wei Yu in the past, he would have flown to the sky by now!"
The mention of Wei Yu brought a look of discomfort to many faces.
"Alright, stop bringing him up. The Escort Agency brought in so many doctors for him; they’ve done their utmost. What happened was his own doing, no one else to blame."
Zhao Ya naturally knew nothing of these discussions.
Upon arriving at the Escort Agency, he first dealt with some mundane tasks, then summoned Tan Dong.
At this time, Tan Dong was yawning incessantly, barely able to keep his eyes open.
"Brother Zhao, why are you calling me?"
Zhao Ya sighed with resignation, "Went to the brothel again last night, huh!"
"Hehe, there’s a newly arrived girl who’s quite pitiful. Naturally, I, Tan Dong, had to take good care of her," Tan Dong said, rubbing his hands.
Zhao Ya: "..."
Then he said, "I called you to give you some extra lessons."
"Lessons? What lessons?" Tan Dong asked, utterly puzzled.
"Don’t you want to achieve Great Success in Bone Refining quickly and become a Porter?"
"Of course I do!"
"Then I’ll give you some extra lessons. As you keep going on like this, it’s becoming somewhat decadent."
Zhao Ya sincerely wanted to tutor Tan Dong, having received many benefits from the Tan Family, it was natural to give something back.
After thinking it over, helping Tan Dong advance in martial arts seemed the best way.
On hearing this, Tan Dong immediately wore a grim expression, "But I’m too tired today, how about tomorrow?"
Zhao Ya was both amused and exasperated.
"Are you going to have an excuse tomorrow too?"
"Hehe!" Tan Dong smiled awkwardly.
"Alright then, take a nap first, and after lunch, we’ll begin."
"Okay then!"
After lunch, Zhao Ya dragged Tan Dong to the training ground, starting his meticulous instruction in martial arts.
"The essence of the Five Tiger Fist lies in its ferocious momentum like a tiger descending the mountain, so before practicing, you must focus entirely, imagine yourself as a fierce tiger, with your fists being your sharp claws...."
Zhao Ya explained in detail, occasionally demonstrating with punches.
Initially, Tan Dong was somewhat distracted, but as he listened, he became captivated.
Not only that, at some point, many odd-job workers, and even porters, gathered around to listen quietly to Zhao Ya’s explanation.
Zhao Ya held nothing back, teaching earnestly.
Anyone who didn’t understand was given patient explanations.
In such an atmosphere, the training ground exuded an enthusiastic, eager-to-learn vibe.
Meng Lei, along with Luo Qiang, Lin Sheng, and other Escort Masters heard the news and came over, watching from a distance.
Upon hearing Zhao Ya’s thorough analysis of the Five Tiger Fist, so penetrating it enlightened even Luo Qiang and others, Meng Lei nodded in contentment.
"How do you all find Zhao Ya?"
Lin Sheng first replied, "This young man is steadfast, exceptionally talented, and a promising candidate."
Luo Qiang pondered for a moment before earnestly saying, "Observing his words and actions, it’s clear he’s someone who knows gratitude and revenge, indeed deserving of great responsibility."
"Oh? Why do you say that?"
Meng Lei hadn’t been too concerned about Zhao Ya’s talent; it was when Luo Qiang mentioned knowing gratitude and revenge that he became interested.
Luo Qiang smiled, "Actually, I heard this from my nephew Luo Feng once. He said that Zhao Ya lost his parents at a young age, living in destitution. A neighbor surnamed Tang helped him out of pity."
"Later, the Tang family suffered a great misfortune, leaving only an old lady and a young girl depending on each other. Zhao Ya regularly aided them as much as he could, and after the old lady passed, he even took that girl in to care for her. This sufficiently demonstrates his character."
This was the first time Meng Lei had heard of this, and upon hearing it, he couldn’t help but nod.
"Indeed commendable, in this world, being able to know gratitude and revenge is truly rare."
For Meng Lei, who had experienced many trials and tribulations, talent wasn’t the most important thing; a sincere heart was crucial.
Otherwise, if one cultivated earnestly but ended up raising an ungrateful person, wouldn’t it all have been in vain?
Meng Lei valued this aspect of Zhao Ya, which is why he decisively invested a considerable sum, providing him with Blood Qi Pills.
Even in those large families in the Inner City, not every descendant enjoys such treatment.
"Does everyone understand?" After dissecting the Five Tiger Fist, Zhao Ya couldn’t help but ask.
"We understand!"
"Thank you, Master Zhao!"
"Master Zhao, thank you so much!"
These words of gratitude were heartfelt.
Everyone knew that Zhao Ya was under no obligation to teach them martial arts, especially since he had arranged a private lesson for Tan Dong. Even when others gathered around, he showed no impatience and even took the initiative to answer questions.
This favor was greatly appreciated.
Smiling, Zhao Ya declined their invitations to drink and then asked Tan Dong.
"How does it feel?"
Tan Dong felt he gained a lot that afternoon, thus giving a thumbs up.
"It’s great!"
"Just memorizing these theories isn’t enough; you have to practice diligently. How about this: I’ll check your progress every other day."
"No way, that strict?" Tan Dong’s face fell instantly.
Zhao Ya was unmoved, "It’s decided then. If you have any objections, should I write a letter to your uncle for approval?"
Tan Dong shivered, immediately shouting, "I promise to complete the task!"
Smiling slightly, Zhao Ya patted Tan Dong’s shoulder, "Seems like the girls at the brothel might start missing you soon!"