Chapter 786 - 15.5

"I have enough money to eat meat daily. If you want to eat it, just come here every day and work with me. You need to eat a lot because you're so scrawny," Bai Shijue commented lightly, but for Han Shun, such comment that showed concern and care was a rare thing.

So rare that he didn't remember when was the last time someone looked concerned for him. Maybe when he was just a baby, that was the last time someone actually cared for him. 

Han Shun lowered his head again. This time, he got even more embarrassed. He cupped his hands together and hid his hands on his lap. He also curled his toes, afraid the dirt in him would ruin the smooth wooden floor. 

Bai Shijue saw how Han Shun suddenly became so timid that he wanted to curl himself into a small ball on the wooden stool.

Curious, Bai Shijue asked, "What's wrong? Do you feel uncomfortable everywhere?" 

"Um… no, Gege. I'm just… ashamed…."

"Ashamed? Why? Did you do something wrong?"

"Y—Yeah, I ate such expensive food and sat in an expensive tea shop. You're also caring to me, Bai Gege. But I'm so poor, I cannot do much to repay you back…."

"I'm sorry, Bai Gege. Thank you for the food. I will leave now," Han Shun got up and tiptoed on the floor, so he would do minimum damage to the floor with the dirt sticking his barefoot. 

Bai Shijue sighed and grabbed Han Shun's shoulder before he left, "Why are you ashamed for something like this? I didn't ask you for money!"

Han Shun jolted out of shock. He froze on the spot when Bai Gege's soft hand touched his shoulder. He got even more scared because he had lots of dirt in his shirt to taint Bai Gege's hand.

"G—Gege, I'm scared that you will get sick after touching me…." Han Shun said timidly. "I… um… I sleep in a dirty alley. You might get sick if you touch me…."

[Aish, this kid is so dramatic! All I did was touch his shoulder, and he became so scared!]

[Pupa: Well, you should consider his background. Han Shun lived as a street rat for 1 year, and before that, he lived in an overcrowded orphanage. Nobody ever treated him so kindly. That's why he got scared that he might disgust you with his dirt and stench.]

[I know, he is so cute, but he seems to be a kid who needs reassurance daily to make sure that he has a worth in this world. Just look at him. He doesn't even see himself as a human being.]

[Pupa: Well, that's what happens when you grow up without a family and eat food from the dumpster every day.]

Bai Shijue sighed, "No need to act so scaredly around me. I didn't give you food just because I pitied you. But because you're doing the errand I gave."

"And you don't need to be scared that I will feel disgusted. Do you think I'm an arrogant young master who would ridicule you?"

…

"Anyway, I'm just a regular person like you. I'm not a noble. You don't need to be scared around me," Bai Shijue said. 

But Han Shun still couldn't believe that. He always thought that he didn't deserve such kindness. He had one experience when a middle-aged uncle suddenly wanted to take him to a place for food, but instead, he was almost sold as a child slave. Luckily, he could escape before he was sold.

So he didn't believe that Bai Gege didn't have any hidden agenda for him.

'But Bai Gege doesn't seem to lack money… and I think I would be too cheap to sell as a slave. But why is he so kind to me?' Han Shun asked himself over and over and found no answer to that.

…

…

There was a long silence between them, with Han Shun questioning in his head.

Bai Shijue knew Han Shun wouldn't believe him, so he asked, "Do you want another errand for your food?"

"Y—Yes!" Han Shun finally raised his voice. He felt more useful when getting his usual payment, such as a bowl of soup with one or two dumplings, or just a stale bread would do.

He felt safer being treated like his usual self rather than being treated with too much kindness. 

[Ah, now I get it! This kid is just not used to being favored. I think I can slowly make him feel comfortable around me as time passes by. Seriously, what a pitiful kid…]

"Ah, I can give you another errand, but I think it's weird if you just come to my tea shop and leave after getting your food," Bai Shijue sighed. "How about this? I will hire you to work in my tea shop. In exchange, I will let you eat three times a day," Bai Shijue offered.

Han Shun's round eyes widened instantly, "G—Gege, you'll hire me to work every day? But I don't know how to work in a tea shop."

"That's not a problem. I will teach you how to brew tea and clean up the shop. I also need a little help in the tea shop since I have another business in another city," Bai Shijue said. Of course, he lied about the business in another city. He was a Sect leader anyway. Why would he need to do business when he could literally create gold coins with his power. 

"So, how about it? You want to work here?"

Han Shun thought this was a lot better than just treating him with kindness without any reason. He nodded excitedly, "Yes! I will try my best to work here, Bai Gege! Thank you so much!"

"No need to thank me, you're here to work, right?"

"Yes!"

"Then, that means you need better clothes. Of course, I won't let my customer see you with that dirty clothes of yours. You also need a shower, and you shouldn't be sleeping on the street because you might get sick and miss a day of work.. I don't want that."