788: 15.7

15.7

"Gege… it's too much…."  0

"I'm not lacking in wealth. Don't worry about it. If you want to pay me back, you should be working hard and studying seriously under my tutelage."

Han Shun lowered his head, he felt ashamed that Bai Gege was so kind to him, but he had nothing to offer back, "I… I will work hard, Bai Gege…." Han Shun said as he also swore in his heart to devote his life to repay all the help that Bai Gege had given to him. 

The old tailor returned with three sets of black robes. He presented it to Bai Shijue and said, "This size should fit him. Do you want to buy all three? It's quite expensive, though."

"I'll take all three," Bai Shijue said. "Do you want another color, or you'll take only black?"

"Black…" Han Shun replied, still with his head lowered humbly. 

"Okay, I'll take all three, and don't forget the robes that have been ordered," Bai Shijue said as he took out his wallet. He glanced at Han Shun, and the kid stole a glance at his wallet, and his expression became even more ashamed. 

Bai Shijue didn't want Han Shun to see how much money he had to pay to get these robes because high-quality robes were expensive. So he told Han Shun to wait outside instead, which Han Shun obeyed. 

"How much do I have to pay?" Bai Shijue asked. 

The old man stared at Bai Shijue and sighed, "Young man, you must be a new Young Master who migrated to this town, right?"

"Yes, I'm the one who set up a tea house—or a tea shop, since it's not that big," Bai Shijue replied. 

"Young Master, if you want to find a little boy to play with, you shouldn't take a street rat like that. He must've been infested with fleas or any other sickness that might make you sick of an unknown illness," the old tailor said. "Besides, you're very handsome. You can just ask any young man, and they will play with you if you want."

Bai Shijue's eyes darkened instantly, especially when the old man said a boy to play with. 

[Pupa, he is talking about selling young boys to old men for sex, right?]

[Pupa: Yes. But don't make a ruckus about this because it's pretty normalized here. This era is difficult. The majority are poor, that's why selling their kids, boy or girl, to older men or women for coins or food is very common.]

[How about Han Shun? Did he get sold when he was a kid?]

[Pupa: No, he grew up in an orphanage and then kicked out to be a street kid. Nobody ever bought or adopted him from the orphanage either.]

[Phew, at least there's that. If someone has touched Han Shun, then I will have to do a clean-up today.]

Bai Shijue decided to give the old tailor five gold coins from his wallet. He took the three black robes and said, "That kid is my little brother now. He will live with me, and I won't let anyone slander him. He is not a street kid anymore," Bai Shijue said.

The old tailor was dazed, and when he realized that he had gotten five gold coins instead of the real price of two gold coins, the old tailor tried to chase Bai Shijue, "Y—Young Master, you're giving me too much money!"

"Keep the change. Just make sure that you do a good job and never slander my little brother!" Bai Shijue said as he exited the shop. 

Han Shun was waiting outside when Bai Gege came out of the shop with terrible expressions. 

Han Shun panicked instantly and approached Bai Shijue.

"Bai Gege, why do you look so mad? Was it too expensive? I—I can return the robes and take the money back!" Han Shun said. 

But Bai Shijue only shook his head and took a deep breath to calm himself down, "It's nothing, Han Shun. There is just a small misunderstanding there. Now let's go buy soap and return to the tea shop."

**

Bai Shijue and Han Shun bought a soap, willow twigs as a toothbrush, and a few other necessities. They returned to the tea shop, and Bai Shijue led Han Shun to his second courtyard in his residence, then to the smaller bathroom with a wooden bathtub. 

Bai Shijue snapped his finger, and the bamboo faucet suddenly channeled hot water to the tub for Han Shun to take a bath. 

"Take off your old clothes and throw them away. Use the soap and willow twigs to brush your teeth. Dip yourself in that hot bath to clean yourself, and the towel is right here," Bai Shijue pointed at a stacked towel at the corner of the bathroom. He put one robe near the towel and said. "Wear this robe after you're done. I will help you fasten the sash later on."

"Thank you… Gege…" Han Shun mumbled as he kept staring at Bai Shijue. 

"Yes, I'll be waiting outside. Just take your time," Bai Shijue said as he left the bathroom and closed the door. 

Han Shun stared at the wooden tub filled with hot water. Hot water as a bath was something only the nobles could afford. Everything in this place was clean and smelled really good. 

"Bai Gege is so kind to me…." Han Shun mumbled as he took off his old, torn clothes and then grabbed the soap and the twigs. He dipped himself inside the hot tub, feeling the hot water wash all the dirt on his body. 

Han Shun started cleaning himself, but his mind was still thinking about Bai Gege. He kept questioning Bai Gege's motive to do such a kind thing to him.

"I don't think Bai Gege only pities me. If he did, he could just give me food and leave me alone…." Han Shun thought. He knew that he didn't deserve such a luxurious bath and an expensive robes.

But the more he thought about Bai Gege, the more he realized that Bai Gege didn't seem to want anything from him.

"Maybe… Bai Gege wants my body?" 

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