Chapter 2: Enlightenment (Part 1)
As Zhang Xuanning deliberately kept a low profile and avoided suspicion, he was able to do the job well. After all, there were not many workers who were diligent and strong and did not need to be paid.
Meditation at night and noon every day is the secret that is not passed on. Zhang Xuanning found that this is an excellent method of cultivation. His true energy is constantly becoming purer and stronger. The only regret is that the remaining memories seem to have been excavated almost. He can only remember some of the most impressive fragments, especially the martial arts, but other things can never be recovered.
In a blink of an eye, another three months have passed and the weather is getting colder.
"Ah, it's snowing at night!" When Zhang Xuanning got up from the warm bed and went to open the door, he suddenly discovered a vast expanse of white between the sky and the earth. Is there snow in the south too?
Cui Han also stood up, looking reluctant.
In winter, the nights get longer, but the business is still quite good, so they still open the store at dawn.
Zhang Xuanning glanced at his hesitation and said nothing. He had seen through Cui Han. He was nothing more than a scheming but essentially vulgar villain. Because of this, he was not so diligent in working on cold days. Although the boss was a little suspicious and wary, he still liked the more diligent Zhang Xuanning, at least on the surface.
In the final analysis, a good guy is one who works for the boss and makes money.
"Good morning, boss." Zhang Xuanning finished his work and removed the door panel. Just as he was about to sweep the snow in front of the door, he saw the boss coming out. The boss yawned and said, "Oh, Xiao Zhang, you're already out. Go buy some food at the market. It's the last day of the year. Buy whatever you can. You don't have to sweep the snow here."
"Okay, I'll go right away." Zhang Xuanning pulled the two-wheeled vegetable cart and pulled it out of the snow effortlessly, ignoring the strange expression of the boss behind him.
Pulling the vegetable cart and walking on the street, Zhang Xuanning recalled the scenes in the modern world. No matter how good the winter was back then, there was no such white snow as now... Although there were still many people on the street, there were far fewer than usual. After all, the Chinese New Year was coming soon. In this era, the Chinese New Year was the most sacred day. No one would give up the Chinese New Year just to make some money...
Zhang Xuanning walked very fast, pulling the sled , and did not feel tired. Snowflakes fell on his body, and his true energy flowed slowly. Zhang Xuanning could not help but look up at the sky.
"Xiao Zhang, come out to get food again!"
"Yes, Uncle Li, yes, this is the last bus before the New Year."
Over the past three months, Zhang Xuanning has been trying to personally understand the lives of people in this world and obtain first-hand information. Therefore, when he is free, he often helps his neighbors. He has a good relationship with people on the nearby streets. Many people will say hello to him when they see him, and he will respond one by one.
It didn't take long for Zhang Xuanning to arrive at the shop in the vegetable market as if he was familiar with the place. He saw several car owners pulling up their carts to attract customers. Zhang Xuanning smiled. It was the New Year, so the business was less.
After stopping the car and entering the store, he saw an old man sitting in the store. Mr. Su was drinking tea. Seeing him drinking tea, Zhang Xuanning couldn't help but frown again.
Tea, it was not until the middle of the Tang Dynasty that the so-called tea-making and tea-brewing came into being. It is the Sui Dynasty now, so it should not have been. However, in this world, he has already seen many things that are inconsistent with historical records, so he did not care at the moment, but just smiled and said: "Old Su, I wish you a happy new year!"
"Ah, it's Xiao Zhang, great! Did your boss ask you to pick up the food?" Mr. Su, who was sitting alone, brightened his eyes, smiled, and said in a hoarse voice: "It's rare that you still have the heart to greet me, an old man. Come on, the food is ready and waiting for you. After this truck of food, I will also close the shop for the New Year."
"I'm really sorry to have kept you waiting for so long." Zhang Xuanning smiled, "Besides, it's only natural for me to pay my respects to you. Apart from anything else, I'm grateful for your care over the past few months."
Old Su nodded and watched him busying himself, carrying bundles of vegetables onto the car effortlessly.
"You speak so elegantly. Have you ever been to school?" Seeing this, the old man suddenly asked.
" Maybe . I can read a few words, and maybe I read a few books before, but I have forgotten everything before. I don't know what happened."
Sitting on the Hu stool, Master Su wanted to say something else, but when he saw that the young man's clothes were really thin in the cold wind, but he was not afraid of the cold at all, his eyes fixed, waited for a moment, sighed, and kept silent.
In silence, the young man finished the work swiftly. Just as he was about to load the truck, Master Su's hoarse voice rang out again: "So you were saved by Zhen? Didn't you sign a contract with the boss?"
"No."
Zhang Xuanning said that he had not signed any contract to sell himself. He was with Lao Feng just to make a living temporarily and to repay Sister Zhen for her kindness. But he would never agree to become someone else's slave.
After tying up the vegetables and meat and thinking for a while, Zhang Xuanning felt that they would not loosen on the way. He raised his head and was about to take a long breath, but he saw the old man staring at him with a strange look.
"Mr. Su, do you have anything to say to me?" Zhang Xuanning was suspicious. He took out the money for buying vegetables, arranged it one penny at a time, and presented it to him. He counted the extra copper coins and put them away after making sure the number was right.
"Well, yes, come and sit down and talk. You run fast, so it won't waste any more time if we talk more here." Master Su looked at him and hesitated for a while.
Zhang Xuanning listened and smiled: "Okay!"
Sitting just opposite him, although Master Su didn't say anything for a while, he was still calm and didn't show any sign of anxiety.
"Have you ever practiced martial arts?" Master Su suddenly asked.
"Yes, I have practiced it. A while ago, although I can't remember the previous things clearly, I still remember some things. It seems that I have practiced martial arts before." Zhang Xuanning said without hiding it. In his situation, anyone with a little vision would know that he had practiced martial arts. However, in this world, from his observation, martial arts are very popular. There are many martial arts schools in Yangzhou City, and even a constable has some skills. This is not too special.
"So how old are you?"
"Fourteen, I guess. I'll be fifteen during the Chinese New Year."
"Fortunately, there was no delay, no delay." Master Su murmured, and after a pause, he continued: "I have observed you for a long time. You work diligently and firmly, never greedy, and never complain. It is really rare for you to be so at your age."
"Mr. Su, you are too kind." Zhang Xuanning knew that what Mr. Su said was actually that he had been working diligently for the past few months, buying vegetables and never taking a penny - this was actually a common thing for other people. However, Zhang Xuanning did not know that he did not care about these few pennies at all , and was unwilling to tarnish his reputation for such a small matter.
"I'm not flattering you, but it's the truth. For example, Cui Han likes to be clever, but he can't do things half as well as you do." Master Su shook his head and said, "You've studied and practiced martial arts. Although you've forgotten a lot, it's enough. Master Su, I want to discuss something with you."
"Master Su, you are too polite. If you have any instructions, just tell me directly and I will do it."
"This is something special. I have to tell you about it. Do you know the Bamboo Flower Gang?"
"I don't know. I need your guidance, Master Su."
"When I heard you say that, I knew you were a cautious person and a scholar. Haha, but since you asked, I'll tell you." When Master Su said this, a hint of pride came out.
