Chapter 4, Strolling Around the Streets

Xiao Lu turned back before walking ahead and tugged at Fang Zheng's mouth corner. Fang Zheng believed this was a smile filled with gratitude, after all, Young Master Fang was so understanding. Xiao Lu, at fifteen, was a beautiful young girl, and her smile was enough to stir ripples in the hearts of any normal man.

My dear brother remains petrified

The house is large like this, with a total of three family members, and it even has separate eastern and western courtyards, requiring two stewards to manage it. This is too extravagant! ... I should persuade my father to rent out the extra rooms to collect rent; even though mosquitoes are small ... they are still flesh.

The little man accidentally bumped into the young master, which is truly a crime deserving of death! Although he stood up, this gentleman was still trembling in fear

Enough, enough, stop! Get up!" Fang Zheng, seeing that he was endlessly bowing, impatiently ordered him to rise.

Upon regaining his senses, the man saw Young Master Fang smiling at him, which startled him so much that he instinctively knelt down on the ground, his face pale, and he bowed his head repeatedly like pounding garlic: "Young Master, spare my life, Young Master, spare my life, I did not know it was you..."

Of course, Xiao Wu did not understand what "shaving flat" meant, and he did not dare to ask. Since the young master wanted him to go out together, then it was fine to go out. There are many rules in this era; servants can block their master's path, question their master's decisions, and so on. The master can beat them to death without facing any legal consequences.

Now, the Fang residence has become his own home. Fang Zheng must understand every building in the house and every piece of furniture, and it would be best if he could also recognize every servant. The last item is the most important; Fang Zheng refers to this as "the foundation of the masses"

"West Courtyard? Steward Liu? Isn't the steward of our residence surnamed Sun?" "That Steward Sun, Fang Zheng, whom I've met, is a plump and cheerful person. Every day, he runs over to Fang Zheng's small courtyard to ask what we are having for dinner today, if the young master needs anything else, and so on, it's quite tiresome.

The monthly salary has been issued

However, the performance of Da Huang was quite disappointing to Young Master Fang. It turned its head to glance at Fang Zheng, and its expression was not particularly friendly.

He waved his five fingers in front of him: "Hey! Speak up! What's wrong with you? Do you need to see a doctor?"

In response to the young master's words, I, a humble servant named Xiao Wu, have grown up in the manor since childhood and serve as a handyman under the supervision of Steward Liu from the western courtyard

"Young Master, Butler Liu has instructed me to go out and procure some items." The term "errand boy" refers to someone who does various tasks, including running errands.

Since the mood is good, it is certainly necessary to find something to do, such as strolling around Fangfu. Having traveled through time for so long, he has yet to properly explore it. As the future master of the Fang family, he has the obligation to thoroughly inspect this territory that belongs to him.

With no one to accompany him, Young Master Fang had no choice but to wander aimlessly. It was early spring, and the morning sun was quite warm, slightly blinding. Fang Zheng squinted his eyes, walking slowly in the courtyard with his hands behind his back. The leisurely stroll made him suddenly feel that life in this new world was not so bad after all, as he did not have to bear the heavy burden of survival, competing in the job market with a group of highly educated and physically capable talents who far surpassed him.

It must be said that Young Master Fang's smile is indeed quite charming; however, this unfortunate fellow who has been stepped on clearly does not share the same sentiment. To appreciate Young Master Fang's smile, which is as refreshing as a spring breeze, one must pay a painful price. Thus, Young Master Fang's smile inevitably carries the regret of "a precious pearl cast into the dark"

Fang Zheng is in a good mood now. It seems that although ideals are higher than reality, they at least stem from reality. The dreams of a wealthy young master are not too far-fetched.

"Young Master, you... could it be that you do not remember?" Xiao Wu looked at Fang Zheng with a strange expression, "The steward of the West Courtyard is Steward Liu, and the steward of the East Courtyard is Steward Sun. Young Master, you reside in the East Courtyard, so your daily living and meals are all managed by Steward Sun"

Unfortunately, this suggestion was rejected by Xiao Lu.

At that time, Xiao Lu expressed herself rather tactfully: "Madam instructed that I should take Da Huang out to bask in the sun."

The Fang residence is vast, extraordinarily so. To be precise, it resembles an ecological park with a greening rate of over 50%. If it were to be used for living, it would be considered quite perfect. At least Fang Zheng has never seen such a large, opulent, and magnificently adorned residence. The yellow-green glazed tiles, the nine-colored screen wall, and the main gate standing over ten feet high, adorned with dozens of brass studs. As one walks inside, the gardens intertwine, with winding paths leading to secluded spots, and the flower halls and side rooms layered and partially hidden. Back in the twenty-first century, being able to purchase a two-bedroom apartment of several dozen square meters would have been quite good; who would have such luxury? To the left, a small bridge; to the right, a corridor; in front, a pond; and behind, hmm? A golf course?

Stand up straight! When the Fang family goes out, we must present ourselves properly; do not bring shame to the Fang family. Slouching like a eunuch, is that how a man should behave? Lift your head, stand tall! Wear a slight smile; it adds to your charm, very good! That was a silly grin; tone it down a bit, yes! Just like that, maintain that smile, I have high hopes for you!

Oh dear! Have you lost your eyesight? The gentleman who is crying out is currently focused on rubbing his ankle, while continuously complaining.

As Fang Zheng was lost in admiration of the mansion that belonged to him, he suddenly felt as if he had stepped on something, followed by a scream of agony.

Brother is petrified

In fact, it is not absurd at all. The servants of the Fang residence all know that the previous Young Master Fang was a typical smiling tiger; the deeper his smile, the more unfortunate you would be. The consequences could range from minor physical pain to severe injuries leading to disability. Of course, what the servants do not know is that the body of the smiling tiger has long been occupied by a time traveler. The current Young Master Fang, while not necessarily a paragon among men, is at least a modest gentleman and a scholarly individual.

Fang Zheng did not mind Xiao Lu's rejection; in fact, he had not yet developed the bad temper typical of a wealthy young master from a feudal society. He believed that, as a practitioner in the ancient service industry, Xiao Lu had the right to choose his clients. Whether it was taking Fang Zheng to stroll around the Fang family mansion or taking Da Huang out to bask in the sun, the significance was the same. Both were working for the Fang family; it was merely a different division of labor in the revolution. Although there was only one young master in the Fang residence, there was also only one dog named Da Huang.

Xiao Wu walked hunched over, following Young Master Fang, maintaining this posture was exhausting, but he dared not voice any complaints. After all, this gentleman before him was widely recognized as a living Yama, so it was always wise to be cautious in every matter.

What happened? Fang Zheng noticed that this gentleman was staring blankly, which made him a bit puzzled. Did I step on your foot, or has your brain been stepped on as well?

Fang Zheng rolled his eyes, it seems I have quite a bit of authority in the Fang residence

What is your name

Ah! Where is it? Where is it? This gentleman has finally recovered

"What are you up to?" If Xiao Wu had no important matters to attend to, Fang Zheng decided to have him accompany him for a stroll.

"Respect requires one to bend down? If you admire me, wouldn't that mean you have to lie on the ground?" Fang Zheng believed such etiquette was too hypocritical. After all, Young Master Fang was a time traveler; the rigid hierarchical notions of respect and inferiority in feudal society were, in his eyes, complete nonsense.

"Nonsense! Let me step on you and see what happens..." The unfortunate fellow at https://www.hetushu.com raised his head in anger, only to find that the culprit was actually Young Master Fang, and he was instantly dumbfounded

Ah, I am truly sorry, I really am sorry, I wasn't paying attention. Does it still hurt? Fang Zheng is a polite person and is very reasonable; he apologizes when he is wrong

"What are you doing?" Fang Zheng said, puzzled by the other person's actions

"Young Master, I am not disrespecting you." Xiao Wu said, feeling a bit wronged

Dahuang, the Chinese rural dog that is not particularly fond of Fang Zheng, is commonly referred to as a "native dog".

"Shopping?" Fang Zheng's eyes lit up, and then he smiled and said, "Xiao Ping, haha, Xiao Ping is great, I like Xiao Ping the most. Come on, let's go together."

Look, there is a beautiful woman

Xiao Wu has no complaints, but Fang Zheng does: "Xiao Wu, were you born with a hunchback? What’s the matter with walking with your back bent all the time?"

A master and a servant swaggered down the street like this

It is strange; clearly, I stepped on him, so why did he bow to me? Fang Zheng found it somewhat absurd

If he had a close maid accompanying him while strolling, it would be even more delightful. The warm sun, gentle breeze, beautiful scenery, and a lovely companion—what a wonderful picture it is. ... When they reach a secluded spot, he could wrap his arms around her slender waist, hold her delicate hand, and taste the rouge on her small lips. ... How intoxicating that experience must be.

"Young Master... what should I do?" Xiao Wu felt somewhat helpless; he believed that in front of this young master who enjoyed picking fights, it was best not to have his own opinions.