From Beggar to Emperor: My Profession Has Its Own Characteristics

Zhu Yuan thought for a moment, but before he could answer...

Aunt Wang deftly grabbed four multigrain steamed buns from the wooden bucket and placed them steadily in the rough porcelain bowl in his hand. Then she scooped a large spoonful of hot stew from another bucket and covered it on top.

Her movements were practiced and nimble, with a quick and efficient air about her.

"You boys are at the age where you can eat a lot. After practicing your stance training all morning, four steamed buns might not even be enough," Aunt Wang said with a smile.

"Can I have more if it's not enough?" Zhu Yuan asked casually, holding the heavy bowl.

"Of course, just don't waste food." Aunt Wang nodded with a smile. "Our Dongyun Martial Arts School always provides a full meal for lunch, so you'll have the energy to continue training in the afternoon."

"Thank you, Aunt Wang." Zhu Yuan quickly expressed his gratitude with a smile on his face.

"Haha, what a polite young man." Aunt Wang's smile deepened upon hearing this, and she looked very happy.

When it was Zhao Tiezhu's turn, Aunt Wang glanced at him, said nothing, and quickly served him four steamed buns and a spoonful of stew, her movements as swift and efficient as ever.

Zhu Yuan, holding his bowl, found a relatively quiet spot on the edge of the shed and squatted down.

The steamed buns were made of coarse flour, yellowish in color, and a bit rough on the throat when you took a bite.

The cabbage in the stew was cooked until soft and tender, and the tofu had absorbed all the broth. It was bursting with a savory flavor with every bite. Small pieces of pig's blood were mixed in, making it slippery and giving it a unique aroma.

For him, the steamed buns at this lunch were not as good as the plain steamed buns he had been eating recently, but everything else was very good, with generous portions and delicious flavors.

"Zhu Yuan, why doesn't that Aunt Wang ask me anything? I'm new here too." Zhao Tiezhu, who was squatting next to Zhu Yuan, took a few big bites of food, then suddenly stopped, turned his head to Zhu Yuan and muttered in a low voice, with a hint of grievance on his face.

After swallowing a mouthful of soft tofu, Zhu Yuan casually replied:

"Maybe it's because I have a kind face."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Tiezhu indeed stopped chewing, carefully examined Zhu Yuan's profile, and then nodded vigorously.

In his opinion, Zhu Yuan did indeed have a kind face.

Not long after, a voice came from the side, carrying a hint of overly familiar enthusiasm.

"Hello, my two junior brothers."

Zhu Yuan turned his head upon hearing the sound and saw a young man who looked to be about seventeen or eighteen years old with slightly dark skin.

He held a bowl and squatted down beside them, just like them. His bowl also contained multigrain steamed buns and the same stew, clearly indicating that he was also a disciple of the martial arts school.

"Who are you?"

"My name is Luo Xiaoxing, and I've been at Dongyun Martial Arts School for five years."

The young man introduced himself readily, taking a large bite of his steamed bun as he spoke, swallowing it almost without chewing.

"I think I'll be able to become a martial artist and officially become a disciple of the martial arts school in less than a year."

"So it's Senior Brother Luo. My name is Zhu Yuan."

"Senior Brother Luo," Zhao Tiezhu called out in a deep voice, "My name is Zhao Tiezhu."

"I wonder what brings Senior Brother Luo to see us?" Zhu Yuan asked Luo Xiaoxing.

"Nothing special, I just wanted to get to know you." Luo Xiaoxing smiled, then seemed to feel he should be more honest, so he added, "I just saw Senior Brother Zhou personally take you to the backyard and chat with you for quite a while before we parted."

Senior Brother Zhou usually teaches us nominal disciples the basics. He's serious, but he doesn't talk much... So I guess you all have excellent natural talent and a good chance of becoming beginner disciples at the martial arts school in the future.

His words were direct, but they didn't offend people; instead, they conveyed a sense of honesty.

So they came here to make friends.

Knowing that it wouldn't hurt to get to know more people at the martial arts school, Zhu Yuan naturally wouldn't refuse.

The three chatted briefly while eating, and that's how they got to know each other.

Luo Xiaoxing was very tactful. Seeing that they were still eating, he chatted for a while, then took his bowl, stood up, smiled and nodded, and turned to find another place to eat without disturbing them further.

"Tiezhu, are you full?" Zhu Yuan looked at his empty bowl and then at Zhao Tiezhu's nearly empty bowl.

Zhao Tiezhu rubbed his stomach and said in a simple and honest way, "I still feel a little bit more settled."

"Shall we go get some more together?"

"good!"

The two got up and walked back to the shed where Aunt Wang served food.

"Aunt Wang, could you please give me two more steamed buns?" Zhu Yuan said politely, handing over the empty bowl.

"Alright!"

Aunt Wang readily agreed, took the bowl, deftly grabbed two multigrain steamed buns and put them in, then casually added half a spoonful of warm stewed vegetables to the side of the buns.

"Thank you, Aunt Wang," Zhu Yuan quickly said again.

"Aunt Wang, I'll just have half," Zhao Tiezhu said, handing over a bowl.

He was much larger than Zhu Yuan.

Zhu Yuan can eat much more than him.

Zhu Yuan had a large appetite, thanks to the third characteristic of the beggar profession.

For him, even if he eats a lot, he can recover to normal relatively quickly.

This is something he has already tested.

Zhu Yuan enjoyed his lunch at the martial arts school; he planned to go to the docks in the afternoon to make some money.

After saying goodbye to Zhao Tiezhu, Zhu Yuan quickly left the martial arts school and walked briskly towards Qingshui Street.

He had become a disciple of the martial arts school and begun learning martial arts; this news was to be told to the old beggar.

During his time working as a porter at the dock, he hadn't yet visited the old beggar due to time constraints.

At this time of day, the old beggar doesn't beg; he usually sits in a few places.

Zhu Yuan, who had arrived at Qingshui Street, quickly found him.

"Old Liu."

The old beggar, who was leaning against the wall with his eyes closed, slowly raised his head upon hearing the sound and looked in the direction of the sound.

Zhu Yuan strode briskly from the alley entrance, dressed in a neat and clean short brown outfit, his steps steady and powerful.

After only ten days apart, the old beggar noticed a significant change in Zhu Yuan.

Upon first glance at Zhu Yuan, a hint of surprise flashed across his aged face; he almost didn't recognize him.

"Zhu Yuan, it seems you've been doing well lately." The old beggar's wrinkles smoothed out, revealing a kind smile. Seeing Zhu Yuan like this, he felt relieved. He then patted the side of him, gesturing for Zhu Yuan to sit down.

Zhu Yuan sat down with a relaxed smile on his face. He turned slightly to the side and began to tell the old beggar about some of his recent experiences.

"Old Liu, I'm doing pretty well at the docks now. I'm doing well with the work and have saved enough money. I've officially become a disciple of the Dongyun Martial Arts School. Today was my first day there, and I learned Zhan Zhuang (standing meditation)..."

"Um."

The old beggar listened and nodded slowly. Only after Zhu Yuan finished speaking did he open his mouth, his tone serious.

"Now you need to spend your money wisely."

He understood Zhu Yuan and knew that he valued loyalty and righteousness, so he first needed to dispel some of his ideas.

"Another issue is time management. You need to practice martial arts and make money at the same time, so you need to focus your mind on the right path."

Don't think about how I'll get through the winter. You should know, I've been a beggar for twenty years.

As he finished speaking, the old beggar's tone was calm, and his eyes revealed a tranquility born of hardship.