Zhang Wei's First Encounter with Qin Tian: The Antiquated Inn and the Cunning Innkeeper

Zhang Wei and the young boy stood in front of an antiquated inn, and the latter informed Zhang Wei that the individual he was seeking was lodging in the establishment. Without hesitation, Zhang Wei entered the inn, accompanied by the young boy.

The inn appeared to be a typical two-story building with the ground floor serving as a dining area and the upper level reserved for lodging guests. As it was still early for lunch, the first floor was relatively vacant, and Zhang Wei noticed an elderly innkeeper lazily seated behind a table. Zhang Wei approached the old man with a polite inquiry. "Excuse me," he said. "I am looking for a person named Qin Tian. Is he staying here?"

The old man, who had previously been gazing downwards, raised his head and observed a young man, roughly between the ages of 22 to 25 years old, wearing black glasses and holding a cane. The old man discerned that Zhang Wei was visually impaired and accompanied by a young boy. In response to Zhang Wei's query, the innkeeper responded that he could not disclose information regarding any guests and furthermore claimed that there was no person with the name of Qin Tian staying in the inn.

The young boy, with an air of indignation, spoke up and insisted, "That's a lie! I have asked around, and I know for a fact that Qin Tian is here!"

The innkeeper, his brows furrowed, looked down at the boy with disdain and retorted, "What does a hairless brat like you know?" He then shifted his gaze back to Zhang Wei and remarked, "Forgive me for saying this, sir, but due to your blindness, it's possible that the boy may have provided you with false information. He is just an ignorant child, after all."

The young boy, eager to defend himself, was about to speak up when Zhang Wei stepped in and stopped him. He handed the innkeeper a silver coin from his pocket. The innkeeper's eyes lit up as he quietly took the coin, and with a sly grin, he said, "Oh, how silly of me. Now that you mention it, there is indeed a guest by that name staying on the second floor." The innkeeper's tone had suddenly shifted from solemn to cunning. He kept his mouth closed after reveling this information and it was clear that he wanted more compensation for his cooperation.

Zhang Wei calmly handed another silver coin to the innkeeper and asked, "Can you please tell me which room he is staying in and is he in the room now?" The innkeeper's face lit up as he took the coin and replied, "The second room from the end of the corridor, on the left side. He is in the room now."

The old man then offered to help Zhang Wei, saying, "Sir, do you need me to show you the room? It will be difficult for you to find the room with your blindness."

Although the old man offered to help, he still sat on his chair, revealing no further action to assist Zhang Wei. It was clear that he was waiting for something in return for his help. It was obvious that the old man was waiting for Zhang Wei to give him more money to help him find Qin Tian's room. One must know that even though Zhang Wei was spending silver coins like they were nothing, silver coins were very precious in this world. One silver coin was equal to 100 copper coins, and an ordinary family could spend a month with just 4-5 copper coins. Even this old man's inn earned only 6 or 7 silver coins a month. Seeing someone like Zhang Wei, who had plenty of money, he wanted to squeeze more out of him.

Aware of the old man's intentions, Zhang Wei responded icily, "That won't be necessary. I am accustomed to finding my way even without sight."

The old man could only laugh cheekily as he realized his plan wouldn't work. Zhang Wei turned and followed the young boy up the stairs to the second floor. "Sir, follow me. I will take you to Qin Tian's room," the boy said.

Zhang Wei nodded, and the boy led the way. "This is the room. You can go in, and I will wait for you outside," he said once they reached their destination.

Initially, Zhang Wei had made a deal with the boy that he would find Qin Tian for him. However, the boy's offer to wait for him outside once his business with Qin Tian was done showed that he was kind-hearted and considerate, knowing that Zhang Wei was blind and may need help getting back. Zhang Wei smiled, appreciating the boy's good intentions, but declined his offer, insisting that he could find his own way back. "Thank you for your service. Although you are young, you are very smart. Here are the coins I promised," Zhang Wei said, handing the boy six silver coins.

The boy counted the coins and noticed that Zhang Wei had given him two extra coins. "Mister, you mistakenly gave me two extra coins. Our deal was four coins. Let me return them to you," the boy said.

Zhang Wei smiled and refused, saying, "No need. I intentionally gave you two extra coins as a reward for your good work and attitude." The young boy was overjoyed to receive the extra reward and thanked Zhang Wei before turning to leave. As soon as he turned around, Zhang Wei remembered to ask for the boy's name. "I forgot to ask you your name. What is it?" he inquired.

The boy replied, "It's Lu Hong, sir," before happily walking away. Zhang Wei watched as Lu Hong disappeared from view before turning his attention to the door of Qin Tian's room. He knocked and waited for a response. After a moment, the door creaked open, revealing a young man with handsome facial features and an extraordinary temperament. Zhang Wei recognized him as Qin Tian.

Qin Tian was surprised to see Zhang Wei, as they had never met before. However, during the martial arts competition, Qin Tian had noticed Zhang Wei standing behind a daughter of the Long family. He inferred that Zhang Wei was a servant of the Long family. Although one might not usually pay attention to a servant, Qin Tian remembered Zhang Wei clearly because he was blind. He had wondered why the Long family would allow a blind servant to serve their young miss. Now, he was surprised that a servant of the Long family had come to see him.

Qin Tian asked, "Aren't you the servant of the Long family who stood behind the second miss of the Long family on the day of the competition? Are you looking for me for something?"

Zhang Wei was surprised that Qin Tian had noticed him on the day of the competition. He smiled and nodded, then replied, "Yes, I am the second miss's personal servant. I am here to discuss something with you. Can I come inside?"