Chapter 512: The Bad Tempered Old Man (II)

"Stop looking down at me." After Han Ruochen’s explanation, Old Master Xu realised that he might have misunderstood her. He blushed red in shame, but he did not want to accept that he was in the wrong. "How can you be so sure that I am not in a good condition? I might look like I am thin and frail; the truth is that I am really healthy." Most elderly people refused to admit that they were sick and weak; Old Master Xu was one of them.

"Shall I address you as the old master then? Look at yourself. You are even fairer than me; why don’t we compare our arms and see who has more strength? Do you think we can compare in terms of strength?" Han Ruochen reached out her hands in front of Old Master Xu.

Although she was not tanned, even though she went to the sea every day, Han Ruochen was still a shade darker than Old Master Xu. Most importantly, Han Ruochen worked at the docks; even though her arms were thin, they were muscular—compared to hers, Old Master Xu’s arms resembled those of a little girl.

Despite their age and gender difference, it was quite clear that Old Master Xu had never gone through difficult times. He did not seem to have any physical strength and was as weak as a chicken.

"Old Master, there is no point in lying about such things."

She could continue helping the old man, but he would be the one hurting at night. After all, he was thin as a stick, and if he stayed stubborn, there was a good chance that there would be trouble waiting for this old man tomorrow.

Anyway, facts spoke louder than words. An adult like Old Master Xu was not as strong as a young woman like her. Besides, as a man, and an old man, Old Master Xu felt humiliated that his arms were not even as strong as a thin young lady’s.

After he calmed down, Old Master Xu was not as confrontational as he had been before when he looked at Han Ruochen, but he was still prejudiced against her. "Fine, since you helped me out in moving these three pots, you can come inside the mansion with me. I will ask someone to serve you a glass of chilled water."

Han Ruochen no longer felt as refreshed as she did when she arrived earlier. She looked terrible and wet, just like a small white flower that was soaked in morning dew.

Her face was flushed red and her bangs were plastered to her forehead. Most importantly, her clothes were sticking to her body.

"No, it’s okay. I am waiting for someone. If I leave with you, he might not be able to find me." Though Han Ruochen felt rather uncomfortable and longed to wash her face and have a drink, she didn’t agree with the old master. But this was not the Zhai or the Han family residence. She dared not wander around the house, lest she anger the owner of the house and disgrace Zhai Muchen.

If Brother Zhai could not find her when he came back, he would be very anxious. "Old Master, you do not need to worry about me. I am fine. You should heed my advice and rub some medicinal wine. Otherwise, you will be aching all over. If you cannot come to work tomorrow, then the owner of the house might deduct your wages."

Han Ruochen felt sorry for the old man who had to work even in this age and kindly reminded him.

Old Master Xu: "..."

He could not help but frown when he realised that the young woman mistook him for a worker. He carefully looked at her and realised that the woman was sincere in advising him. "You really don’t know who I am?" Earlier, he thought that the woman was pretending not to know him. That was the reason why he made her move so many flowerpots, because he wanted to teach her a lesson.

However, the young woman was quite strong despite looking so frail. She was able to carry most of the weight of the three flowerpots on her own.

"Old Master, this is my first time here. How will I know who you are?" Han Ruochen was a bit exasperated. This old man seemed to have some kind of persecution complex.

"Then why did you come here?" She was here to become his disciple, and yet she did not even clear up the important topics before coming in through the back door. Was she really here to get through the back door?

"My friend brought me over. I have no idea why he brought me here either—he just asked me to wait for him." Brother Muchen had not told her his reasons for bringing her over.

"Who is your friend?" Old Master Xu asked with a sullen expression. What was this? This young lady was brought over without knowing anything. No matter how he looked at it, it was as if someone was trying to take advantage of the young lady. What were they even doing bringing her here without telling her why they brought her over?

"Brother Zhai."

"Brother Zhai? You mean to say Zhai Muchen? That brat from the Zhai family?"

Old Master Xu was stunned. He recalled that Zhai Muchen told him that he was going to bring the lady who forged the new path to the Devil’s Teeth today, but he never expected that the young lady who could wade through those dangerous channels was such a beautiful young woman. It was no surprise that he did not recognise Han Ruochen; it was because he never expected her to look like this.

"Are you Han Ruochen?" Old Master Xu asked tentatively, even though he already had a feeling that the person in front of him was his last disciple.

Han Ruochen tilted her head to one side and asked, "How do you know me, old master?"

Old Master Xu: !!!

He was rude to her again.