Tang Xiaoyu was singing a song, unconsciously recalling his previous life's love and marriage. His originally sad emotions gradually calmed down.
As the song ended, Tang Xiaoyu began to look around at the people around him. At first glance, he was shocked.
【There are so many people, there weren't this many people before!】
After settling his mind, he went in front of Sister Lan and asked, "Boss, are you satisfied with my singing?"
Sister Lan was still immersed in her own world. Hearing Tang Xiaoyu's words, she finally reacted, "You little rascal who only knows how to make women cry, come back tomorrow evening!"
Tang Xiaoyu raised his eyes and looked at Sister Lan 【Where am I going? What's going on here? How come she's crying?】
"Thank you boss, we will definitely be here on time tomorrow."
"Alright, go back and pack up your luggage. You can move in and live here starting tomorrow! There are specially prepared rooms for workers like you in the backyard."
Upon hearing this, Tang Xiaoyu hurriedly bowed and gave his thanks, "Thank you boss, thank you boss."
Lu Changchun also bowed like Tang Xiaoyu: "Thank you boss, not only are you a beauty that captivates the nation, but your heart is as kind as your looks."
Tang Xiaoyu glanced at Lu Changchun: 【Kiss ass】
Lu Changchun seemed to feel something and looked back at Tang Xiaoyu: 【I learned it from you】
After the two of them left, Sister Lan took another look at Lu Changchun's back: "Interesting."
Tang Xiaoyu and Lu Changchun returned under the bridge. Tang Xiaoyu rubbed his hands with a big smile on his face as he looked at Lu Changchun: "Uncle, let's discuss something!"
Lu Changchun saw his expression and flatly refused: "Nothing to discuss, I didn't come here to help the poor."
"Don't refuse first, hear me out."
"Go on then."
"I just want to borrow some money to freshen up."
Lu Changchun looked him up and down: "With how you look, you still need to freshen up? No matter how you freshen up you'll still look the same."
Tang Xiaoyu was unhappy: "Uncle, I don't want to hear that. I'm still a passionate youth in my twenties. Although my talents eclipse my handsome looks, it can't erase my heart's desire for beauty."
Lu Changchun rolled his eyes: "Desire for beauty? I don't see you liking those beautiful women. Why do you always lower your eyes when you see beautiful women?"
"That's different. I'm not a pervert who can't walk straight when I see a beautiful woman. Lowering my eyes is just showing them respect. You also don't like people staring straight at you, right?"
Lu Changchun recalled Tang Xiaoyu's previous stares and felt a chill down his spine: "You win. It's just freshening up anyway! Simple, I'll take care of it. Tell me what you want done?"
Tang Xiaoyu stroked his beard: "This scruffy beard really damages my image."
"Got it." He took out a dagger and walked towards Tang Xiaoyu.
Seeing this, Tang Xiaoyu hurriedly backed away: "Uncle, let's talk nicely, don't take out the knife!"
"Stop wasting time."
He went up and held Tang Xiaoyu down, and started shaving his beard.
Soon, a handsome face appeared before Lu Changchun.
"Not bad, half as handsome as I was when I was young."
Tang Xiaoyu wanted to retort but after seeing Lu Changchun's face, he could only sigh: "You're right, uncle."
"What else?"
Tang Xiaoyu pointed to his hair. Lu Changchun indicated he understood.
Then he carried Tang Xiaoyu by the collar to the riverbank and started moving his hands up and down.
"Uncle...gurgle, gurgle"
"You...gurgle, gurgle"
When he was put down, Tang Xiaoyu slumped directly to the ground.
Anger suddenly rose from his heart as he angrily yelled at Lu Changchun: "Uncle!"
"What, want to hit me?"
Tang Xiaoyu viciously said: "No, shave my hair for me."
Lu Changchun was confused. With that vicious look, this is what you want to do?
"That's it, easy. How do you want it shaved?"
Afterwards, Tang Xiaoyu told Lu Changchun the slightly longer crew cut style he wanted.
When it was shaved, Tang Xiaoyu felt an unprecedented feeling of clarity and refreshment.
【Should I pretend a little? Act a bit more grieved?】
Thinking this, he immediately got into character as an actor and held his hair wailing, "Our bodies, skin and hair are gifts from our parents. Father, mother, your child is unfilial! Your child is unfilial!"
Lu Changchun walked over and patted his shoulder: "At least squeeze out a few tears! Just yelling is useless. What does some hair have to do with your parents?"
Tang Xiaoyu thought about it: 【He's right! This isn't like Mencius, Laozi, Confucius and those guys. What am I pretending for?】
Then he smiled and said, "Our bodies, skin and hair are gifts from our parents! I'm just expressing gratitude for my parents' upbringing."
Lu Changchun impatiently said: "In your words, I can't beat anyone, except you."
"Don't mind these little details. Let me see how I look now."
Lu Changchun impatiently said: "Go look at yourself in the river tomorrow."
Without another word that night, early the next morning Tang Xiaoyu was admiring his peerless looks by the riverbank.
As he continuously changed poses, he mumbled to himself: "The word handsome summarizes all of me. I wonder which girl will get lucky."
"Stop admiring yourself. With your looks, at best you're decent. You're nowhere near handsome."
Tang Xiaoyu glanced at Lu Changchun: "Hmph, no appreciation."
The two packed up and headed to the teahouse they agreed to yesterday.
On the other side, Wang Ziyan and the others finished their business in White Tiger City and prepared to return to the sect.
"Senior brother, senior sister, can we play for one more day?"
The senior brother said: "There's nothing fun here anyway. Let's go back and cultivate."
Wang Ziyan said: "Let's go find Brother Xiaoyu. I have some things I want to ask him."
After thinking about it, they agreed.
With a sweep of their divine sense, they located Tang Xiaoyu and the others.
When Tang Xiaoyu arrived at the teahouse, there were already some customers, mostly older folks.
They found the boss. The boss told them to wait a moment. Not long after, a thin, delicate looking young girl carrying a pipa walked in.
Despite the crude cloth clothes with several patches, they were clean and tidy.
As soon as the girl walked in, the boss came over and told her about Tang Xiaoyu and the others who would also be singing here.
The bright eyes of the girl instantly darkened, but she still walked up to Tang Xiaoyu with a smile and greeted them.
"Two brothers, I also sing here. Just call me Xiao Lian."
Tang Xiaoyu felt a little bad and said, "Little sister Lian, really sorry about that, we took your livelihood. How about this, we'll give you a third of what we earn as partnership fee."
Xiao Lian quickly shook her head: "Big brother doesn't need to. I can't take your songs, that's how you make a living."
Tang Xiaoyu put on a stern face: "Still quibbling over it. Being wishy washy all day, aren't you annoyed? I'm already disgusted!"
Xiao Lian was frightened by Tang Xiaoyu's expression and quickly waved her hands.
"Then it's settled."
Lu Changchun pulled Tang Xiaoyu and whispered: "That's not like you."
"Cutting off someone's income is like killing their parents. Don't you think I should give her a third? There's another plan I have in mind."
"You're right, what plan?"
"I'll tell you later."
【Singing might not work. How about storytelling? Other than novels, I haven't read any books! Talk about myths from antiquity and Journey to the West? That could work.】
【But will this world's Heavenly Dao smite me with lightning? It should be fine! The big shots from antiquity were born when Pangu opened up the heavens and earth, so this world's Heavenly Dao is like a younger brother!】
【Nevermind, I'll just say I'm the descendant of Nüwa! Who cares! I'm not defying the heavens, so the Heavenly Dao can't touch me.】
Thinking of this, Tang Xiaoyu told the boss his idea.
The boss said, you guys figure it out between yourselves, as long as the customers like it.
"Little Lian, let me discuss something with you."
"What is it?"
"You sing, I'll tell stories. We'll take turns so I'll teach you some of my songs for you to sing. We'll split the money earned evenly."
"Big brother, I can't accept that. Those are your songs, how you earn money."
Tang Xiaoyu really disliked her wishy washy attitude and sternly said: "Stop with the nonsense. Being so fussy all day, aren't you tired? I'm already disgusted!"
"Also, call me Brother Tang."
Xiao Lian was frightened by Tang Xiaoyu into timidly saying: "I understand, Brother Tang."
"Can you speak with more confidence? In life and work, can you be a bit bolder and more decisive? What are you even afraid of? If you're afraid of this and that, then don't come out to earn money."
Xiao Lian spoke a little louder: "Got it, Brother Tang."
"Louder, and lift your head up."
Xiao Lian raised her head, mustering up her courage to shout: “I understand, Brother Tang.”
Tang Xiaoyu patted Xiao Lian's shoulder gently: “That’s right, remember, we can be conciliatory, but we can’t lose our backbone.”
“Yes, Brother Tang.”
“Very good, remember this feeling and keep it up.”
Xiao Lian clenched her small fists: “Got it.”
“In a bit, brother will give you a demonstration to follow.”
Xiao Lian nodded vigorously: “Mm-hmm.”
Tang Xiaoyu prepared to go find a table while Lu Changchun whispered in his ear: “I didn’t expect you to have a knack for misleading people too.”
“Tch, too lazy to bother with you.”
Arriving at the tea house's specially reserved empty seats for the likes of Tang Xiaoyu, Tang Xiaoyu put down the table he had asked for.
Tang Xiaoyu slapped the table decisively.