This decision didn't come as a surprise to everyone.
But the way they looked at Wei Yu now carried a hint of envy, even jealousy.
After all, becoming a Porter meant officially entering the middle ranks of Changlong Escort Agency, not only earning a much more generous monthly salary than a menial worker but also receiving bonuses each time there was a delivery.
After announcing these matters, Meng Lei waved everyone away and then left with Wei Yu.
Tan Dong approached with a tinge of bitterness, saying, "Well, he really hit it big this time."
Zhao Ya chuckled, "That's because he earned it. You should keep practicing hard and strive to achieve Great Success in Bone Refining soon."
"Me? Forget it. I'm not cut out for that. Besides, practicing martial arts is exhausting. It's much more fun to chat with the ladies in the brothels."
"Then why bring it up?"
"I'm just feeling unfair on your behalf." Tan Dong's expression turned serious.
"I firmly believe your talent is no less than his. It's just that your family conditions aren't as good, and the foundation you received was too weak, so Wei Yu surpassed you. That's why I'm feeling unjust for you."
Zhao Ya was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and clasped his hands, "Well, thank you for your indignation."
After a day's work, Zhao Ya declined Tan Dong's invitation to listen to music for relaxation and hurried to Tang Zui'Er's house.
By then, the old lady's condition had worsened compared to earlier in the day. She had been relatively lucid in the daytime, but by night, she no longer opened her eyes.
Zhao Ya knew it was a sign that her end was near.
Tang Zui'Er had been in a panic for a while, not knowing what to do except cry.
It was Zhao Ya who broke open the door of the funeral clothes shop on the street, bought funeral clothes and other items, and then asked Tang Zui'Er to dress the old lady.
Once dressed, the old lady miraculously sat up, her face rosy.
Tang Zui'Er was overjoyed, thinking her grandmother had been saved.
But Zhao Ya knew it was just the brief revival before death.
Indeed,
The old lady touched Tang Zui'Er's head.
"Silly girl, listen to Ya from now on."
Tang Zui'Er sensed something was wrong, nodded continuously with tears streaming down her face.
The old lady lay back on the bed, shouted "Son!"
And then passed away.
Tang Zui'Er threw herself onto the old lady's body and wailed.
Zhao Ya felt his eyes stinging, knelt down to bow to the old lady, and then pulled up the heartbroken Tang Zui'Er to start the funeral arrangements.
A poor family's funeral couldn't be too grand.
With the help of old neighbors, they placed the old lady in a simple coffin and buried her.
Tang Zui'Er, wearing heavy mourning clothes, knelt in front of the grave, crying nonstop.
In the distance, neighbors whispered among themselves.
"The Tang Family girl is getting prettier by the day."
"Haven't you heard the saying—a mourning dress makes one beautiful?"
"Alas, with the old lady gone, this girl is now an orphan."
"Hey, doesn't the grandson of Old Zhao's family at the alley entrance need a wife? How about setting him up with this girl?"
"Come on, everyone knows their grandson is a fool."
"So what if he's a fool? The Zhao Family runs a grocery store and is well-off; the girl wouldn't suffer if she married there, and it would be a good deed..."
"Shh!"
As the woman was speaking eagerly, someone suddenly stopped her and pointed quietly.
The woman looked up and saw Zhao Ya walking toward the grave, immediately shutting her mouth and not daring to speak.
Zhao Ya, having spent half a year training, was now taller and more imposing, exuding an aura of power with every move.
Moreover, people had heard that Zhao Ya was doing well at Changlong Escort Agency and had learned some impressive skills, so when he appeared, the women didn't dare make a sound.
In truth, Zhao Ya had long heard their gossip but couldn't be bothered to deal with them.
It was only when their talk became too inappropriate that he intervened.
After intimidating the crowd, Zhao Ya went over to Tang Zui'Er and gently patted her shoulder.
"Stop crying, come home with me."
Tang Zui'Er held back her sobs, looking at Zhao Ya with tearful eyes.
"With Grandma gone, I'm not comfortable with you living alone. Move to my place."
Tang Zui'Er's face visibly reddened, but she still obediently nodded, barely audible.
"Okay!"
So Tang Zui'Er packed up her belongings and moved to Zhao Ya's house that same day.
Neighbors, instead of condemning it, collectively thought Zhao Ya was doing a good deed.
"From now on, you sleep here."
Zhao Ya prepared the bed in the bedroom and said to Tang Zui'Er.
Tang Zui'Er's face turned as red as a flame, and she nodded nervously.
After that, Zhao Ya moved his bedding to the outer room and set up a temporary bed.
Tang Zui'Er was puzzled.
"From now on, you sleep inside, I'll sleep outside," Zhao Ya replied simply.
Tang Zui'Er felt complicated at his words; she was relieved, yet slightly disappointed.
Zhao Ya didn't concern himself with these thoughts.
"There's rice in the jar, meat in the basket hanging from the beam. When I'm not home, cook for yourself, don't go out unnecessarily. If you're bored, you can clean up a bit. Let me know if you need anything, and I'll buy it for you, understand?"
"Mm-hmm!" Tang Zui'Er nodded.
"Alright, that's about it."
Zhao Ya truly didn't know how to interact with girls; he took in Tang Zui'Er solely because he had promised her grandmother on her deathbed.
As for anything else, he hadn't thought about it.
Zhao Ya took out a basin to rinse the rice for cooking.
Tang Zui'Er hurriedly reached out to take over.
"Ya, let me do it."
"Uh, alright then."
"How much rice should I rinse? Half a basin?"
"Three basins!"
"What?"
"What's wrong?"
"N-nothing!"
When Zhao Ya finished eating a whole pot of rice and two large plates of stewed meat, Tang Zui'Er looked at him in awe.
"What are you staring at? Hurry up and eat, and remember to wash the dishes after."
"Oh, okay!"
Zhao Ya went out to the courtyard to begin his daily martial arts training.
Although he ate so much, his digestive capacity had become phenomenal with the progress of unlocking his stomach's potential.
The entire pot of rice and two large plates of stewed meat were crushed and absorbed quickly.
Zhao Ya was somewhat worried; if he could eat this much now, wouldn't he be a human rice bucket once fully unlocked?
He realized he needed to figure out a way to get foods like Earthworm Dried Meat that were rich in blood energy.
Ordinary food was becoming less and less able to meet Zhao Ya's needs.
Meanwhile, after finishing her meal, Tang Zui'Er started cleaning pots and dishes.
When Zhao Ya cooked alone in the past, he would clean up after eating, but he wasn't very meticulous.
Tang Zui'Er scrubbed off all the remaining stains on the stove and pot edges.
As she tidied up, she looked at Zhao Ya practicing boxing in the courtyard, feeling a sense of warmth and security in her heart.
In these times, having someone to rely on was a luxury for many.