C11 Kindness for the People

Understanding that Zhong Tingyue's visit was for Labino's future prospects, Liu Xiaobao couldn't in good conscience rob her of that potential. Still, Liu Xiaobao held firm to his belief that it all hinged on Labino's own decision. Life is most fulfilling when lived according to one's own desires. If Labino genuinely didn't want to go with Zhong Tingyue, forcing her to leave would only lead to discomfort.

Liu Xiaobao halted Yan Yongchun's martial arts lesson and summoned them to the stone table in the courtyard. The four exchanged awkward glances. Labino was not fond of Zhong Tingyue, who constantly clashed with Liu Xiaobao. Yan Yongchun appraised the newcomer, while Liu Xiaobao's gaze remained fixed on Zhong Tingyue, unnerving her.

"Could you please look elsewhere?" Zhong Tingyue was clearly annoyed with Liu Xiaobao.

"What's the matter?" Liu Xiaobao responded. "I was just admiring the beautiful tea flowers blooming behind you, Tingyue. I'm simply taking in their beauty."

Zhong Tingyue, not one to stoop to Liu Xiaobao's level, turned to Labino and said, "Sister Labino, your martial talent is extraordinary. How about joining me for school? There, you can quickly advance your skills and learn advanced martial arts. Plus, you'll meet many new friends. Would you like to come with me?"

"No, I don't want to go with you!" Labino hadn't forgotten how this woman had knocked out her young master. "I need to stay by my young master's side. Without Labino, how would he manage?"

"Hasn't your young master hired this lady as the housekeeper?" Zhong Tingyue pointed to Yan Yongchun. "She can look after your young master. Think about it; if you leave with me, you won't have to toil away every day. You could live joyfully. Isn't that appealing? With your talent, I assure you that within five years, you could become the youngest Level 5 Golden Knight in history."

"No, I don't want to go with you. Sister, you are not a good person!"

Labino's words were a piercing rebuke. To be called not a good person was a bitter pill to swallow.

"Why am I not considered a good person?" Zhong Tingyue was taken aback, not expecting to be seen as a villain in the eyes of the young girl.

Labino explained, "Yesterday, those people nearly killed the young master. Labino wants revenge, but you wouldn't let me. You even let the bad guys get away."

"Oh, I see." Zhong Tingyue hadn't realized that releasing Chen Wenkai would cast her as the villain in Labino's eyes. "Labino, you have to understand that if I hadn't let Chen Wenkai go and instead had given him a harsh lesson, he would have sought revenge. He wouldn't bother me, but he would certainly take it out on you and your young master, making you both even more vulnerable."

Labino couldn't grasp the complexities of Zhong Tingyue's reasoning, but Liu Xiaobao and Yan Yongchun got the gist of it.

"Labino, she's not a bad person; she's a very good person. She even helped us and came to our home to treat my injuries. It's rare to find someone as kind as her," Liu Xiaobao coaxed Labino. "Don't you want to protect the young master even better?"

"Of course, I do. The young master only knows how to spend money. Without Labino, he might very well starve."

"Ugh?" Zhong Tingyue found the girl's point hard to argue with, knowing full well Liu Xiaobao's penchant for extravagance. Without someone to look after him, he could indeed end up in dire straits. Liu Xiaobao wished Labino would show the young master a bit more respect in front of others instead of spilling such blunt truths.

Liu Xiaobao offered an awkward smile. "Labino, today's young master is not the same as yesterday's, and certainly not the day before's."

"Does that mean tomorrow's young master won't be the same as today's?"

"Let's not dwell on that. Labino, have you forgotten what happened this morning? The young master is now under divine protection! If Labino doesn't keep up, the young master's abilities might soon surpass hers. So, Labino, you need to embrace quality education to make significant progress." Liu Xiaobao genuinely wanted the best for Labino, encouraging her to attend school, recognizing the critical role of education in the 21st century.

"Does the Young Master want Labino to leave with sister?" Labino asked with a heavy heart. "Has the Young Master grown tired of Labino? I can give the silver notes I exchanged yesterday to the Young Master. Please, don't send Labino away, alright?"

"How could I possibly dislike you, Labino? I'm not sending you away; I want you to gain better knowledge. And let's not talk about money anymore. I'm no longer the spendthrift I used to be, understood?" Liu Xiaobao realized he needed to change how others perceived him.

After a long silence, Yan Yongchun spoke up, "Labino, you should heed your young master's advice and go with this lady. Rest assured, the Young Master will be well cared for by me. And it's just schooling, after all. You can always visit when you have the time. My Spring Chant Fist is merely a mortal's martial art; it pales in comparison to the superior martial arts taught at the academy."

Yan Yongchun was aware of the extraordinary nature of this world. Here, she was merely a Level 2 weakling, and even a young girl could match her strength. Since the Young Master had appointed her as the butler, she resolved to fulfill her duties faithfully.

"Young Master?" Labino's eyes, brimming with tears, fixed on Liu Xiaobao, melting his resolve. He almost wished he could instantly refuse Zhong Tingyue's request.

Nevertheless, considering Labino's future, Liu Xiaobao made up his mind, "Labino, make sure you study diligently at the academy, and don't slack off."

He managed to see Labino off, maintaining a facade of normalcy.

Feeling helpless, Labino finally agreed to go to the academy with Zhong Tingyue. "Young Master, may I stay one more night at home? There's so much I haven't done yet. I haven't fully mastered the Spring Chant Fist, my room isn't clean, and my belongings aren't packed..."

"Labino, those are minor issues," Liu Xiaobao conceded softly. "You can stay one more night, but remember, starting school early is a good thing."

"That's wonderful."

Liu Xiaobao rose to his feet and instructed, "Since you're leaving tomorrow, go and diligently practice the Spring Chant Fist now. Make sure you memorize every detail of the technique."

"Alright, Young Master, I'll go practice now," Labino said, dashing off to the courtyard to begin her martial arts training. Yan Yongchun followed, taking her under her wing with earnest instruction.

Zhong Tingyue observed the poignant interaction for a while before commenting, "I never would have guessed that a degenerate like you would show such concern for your little maid. Had I not been aware of your notorious past, I'd find it hard to believe you were ever the wasteful black sheep you're rumored to be."

"Life is full of disappointments, and I admit I was less than impressive before. But now, I've resolved to change," Liu Xiaobao declared to Zhong Tingyue with conviction. "For you, for everyone, for the entire world, I must possess the power to save all."

Zhong Tingyue was tempted to punch Liu Xiaobao. His initial words hinted at a reformed rogue, but then he veered into nonsense. What did he mean by saving the world for her? She wondered if he should be more concerned about starving to death first.

Liu Xiaobao began to outline his noble aspirations to Zhong Tingyue. "I aim to be a good person."

"You, a disgrace, aspire to be good?" she questioned skeptically.

"Yes, indeed. You see, even you label me as such, so it stands to reason others do as well. That's why I must become a good person," Liu Xiaobao explained. "To change my image, I must start with good deeds. Besides, acts of kindness can elevate one's soul. I'm convinced that once I've changed, you'll think better of me, Tingyue."

"Think better of you? Don't hold your breath," Zhong Tingyue retorted, unsure how to engage with Liu Xiaobao's erratic dialogue. His words started off with the wisdom of a sage but quickly lost their luster. Did he still see himself as Yueting, the woman who shared her name and beliefs?

Liu Xiaobao persisted, "Whether you believe me now or not, when my kindness and love fill the world, you'll understand my intentions."

"I've had enough of this conversation. I'm leaving. Today, I'll head to the Imperial Capital Academy to finalize Labino's paperwork, and I'll come to pick her up tomorrow morning," Zhong Tingyue declared, eager to put distance between herself and Liu Xiaobao as she swiftly exited the Liu Manor.

"Sigh! To truly get close to Tingyue, I must change how the commoners in the Imperial Capital perceive me," Liu Xiaobao mused, glancing at the sun overhead. It was shortly after noon. "Time to do some good deeds. There's no point in squandering time on unnecessary luxuries."

Liu Xiaobao approached Labino with an awkward gait. "Labino, could you spare a few hundred taels of silver for the Young Master?"

"What do you need the silver for, Young Master?" Labino asked, nearly striking Liu Xiaobao with a martial arts move as he appeared suddenly.

"Of course, it's for doing good deeds. Unlike you, Labino, I don't possess such martial talent. The only way for me to grow stronger is through acts of kindness, which you've witnessed firsthand," Liu Xiaobao explained.

"I see. Here's a hundred taels of silver, Young Master," Labino said, reluctantly pulling out the silver notes from her pocket. She had intended to keep them at home, but after yesterday's break-in, it wasn't safe, leaving her no choice but to carry the two thousand taels on her person.

Liu Xiaobao accepted the hundred taels and then asked, "Could you possibly give the Young Master a bit more? It would be troublesome to face an emergency unprepared."

Labino produced two more banknotes. "Three hundred taels is all I can give. We may have some wealth, but we mustn't be wasteful. If we spend hundreds of taels today and tomorrow, you and Yongchun might end up going hungry not long after we leave."

Labino had a point; they couldn't afford to deplete their resources without a plan to replenish them.

Tucking the three hundred taels into his clothing, Liu Xiaobao prepared to leave. "Practice well with Butler Yan at home, Labino, and keep her informed about the household."

"Understood, Young Master."

Truth be told, asking a young girl for living expenses was hardly dignified, but what choice did he have when Labino controlled the purse strings?

"How to do good deeds and accumulate merit? Should I assist those beggars again?" Liu Xiaobao pondered without finding a quick solution. "No matter, I'll start in the Commoner District. With so many impoverished souls there, I'm bound to find a few who could use a helping hand."