28. Though impoverished, their words were never lacking.

Little Cloud couldn’t help but burst into laughter when he saw Steward Yu Xi, a man of considerable age, address a woman much younger than himself as “Big Sister.”

Though Second Xie held a lower position than Steward Yu, he did not match his enthusiasm in addressing the young woman as “Big Sister.” He simply offered a smile and said, “Miss Hong, hello.”

Yu Xi, noticing Little Cloud’s laughter, grew uneasy and snapped, “Boy, what are you laughing at?”

Little Cloud pointed at Yu Xi, curiosity shining in his eyes. “You’re already quite old, yet you call a young lady ‘Big Sister’—isn’t that funny?”

Second Xie hastily interjected, “Little Cloud, don’t talk nonsense!” Yu Xi’s face darkened, his authority challenged for the first time. In his attempts to curry favor with Little Red, he had always called her Big Sister, and others, out of fear, had never dared mock him to his face.

But Little Cloud, new to the place and oblivious to the ways of the world, had just done so without a second thought—unknowingly offending Yu Xi.

Yu Xi, fuming, turned to Second Xie. “This kid knows nothing of proper conduct. He cannot stay, no matter what.”

Curious, Little Red asked, “What’s the story with this child?”

Catching sight of the beautiful Little Red, Little Cloud instinctively felt his luck was turning, for here was another powerful woman crossing his path today.

All his life, Little Cloud had never suffered at the hands of women. From Xiaoyan, Lingzhi, to Snow White, even the famed Xiao Tianfeng had treated him well—for he was handsome and always left a favorable first impression.

Sensing an opportunity, Second Xie quickly smiled, “Miss Hong, this child’s family is quite pitiful. He’s hoping to do some odd jobs here for a bit of food.”

Little Red looked Little Cloud up and down with her bright eyes. “This child is certainly handsome and adorable, but those eyes are full of untamed wildness. Such a person is unlikely to ever behave properly or work diligently.”

Yu Xi hurried to add, “Exactly! He’s a wild child from the mountains, ignorant of proper conduct, unreliable, unwilling to work—most troublesome.”

Indeed, Little Cloud was born in the mountains, with an innate wildness. He knew nothing of the rules or customs of the wealthy, nor of the many social niceties. And truth be told, even if he did, with his nature he would not follow them strictly. His gaze was bright and unrestrained, utterly different from the servants of wealthy households.

Those servants, eager to please their wealthy masters, had timid eyes, never daring to meet anyone’s gaze directly.

But Little Cloud, a wild mountain child, was naturally proud, unused to serving others, and possessed a stubborn spirit—a unique pride born of his origins.

Yet his wildness was tempered by a certain delicacy, thanks to his foster mother who had dressed him up as a girl in his childhood, lending him an air of gentleness.

When he heard Yu Xi’s harsh words, Little Cloud retorted angrily, “What’s wrong with mountain children like us? If you don’t want me, fine, but don’t badmouth me!”

Second Xie thought, “This is bad—Yu Xi will never let Little Cloud stay now.” He was about to intervene when Little Cloud spoke again.

“Uncle Second Xie, you want to tell me not to speak out of turn, right? But I already know this Yu-whatever steward will never keep me, no matter what. So whether I speak or not, it makes no difference. I might as well have my say and enjoy it.”

Yu Xi was furious. “You insolent brat! What are you, running your mouth so much?”

Little Cloud laughed, “I’m nothing special. But are you any better? Tell me, what are you?”

Little Red couldn’t help but laugh at that. Now Yu Xi’s face was burning with shame. He shouted, “You little bastard, raised without parents—you’re looking for trouble!”

Little Cloud shot back, “Old bastard, born of bastards yourself—who’s afraid of you?”

Second Xie quickly cut in, “Little Cloud, you mustn’t use foul language!” Little Red also chided, “Yu Xi, that’s enough. You’re a grown man—there’s no pride in winning a shouting match with a child.”

But Little Cloud pressed on, “Hmph! If it comes to insults, he’s no match for me. If Uncle Second Xie didn’t still need this job, I’d have plenty more to say! After all, insults are free.”

Little Red laughed, “Naturally, you mountain folk are never short of curses. You may not be rich in other things, but you’re wealthy when it comes to insults.”

Little Cloud grinned, “That’s what we call ‘poor in possessions, but rich in words.’ For someone like me, if there’s something to say, I won’t keep it bottled up. Words left unsaid are uncomfortable.”

Little Red smiled, “So you still have much to say? Go on, let’s hear it.”

But Little Cloud replied, “I tend to speak roughly. Some things are better left unsaid.”

Little Red laughed, “What’s this, growing modest now? Your words just now weren’t so harsh. Go ahead, I don’t mind.”

Flattered by her praise, Little Cloud grew bolder. “Of course. I’ve had fine teachers; not everything I say is crude. But I’m not like some people, pretending at refinement.”

Little Red asked, “What do you mean by pretending at refinement?”

Little Cloud replied, “For example, a man in his thirties or forties sees a young lady, yet greets her with a soft, fawning voice, ‘Big Sister, if there’s anything you need…’”

Imitating Steward Yu, Little Cloud mimicked his earlier words to Little Red, nailing the tone perfectly. Both Little Red and Second Xie burst out laughing. Little Cloud continued, “Such people really have no backbone, shaming all men.”

Yu Xi’s face turned ashen. He glared at Second Xie. “Second Xie, did you bring him here just to make a fool of me?”

Second Xie was inwardly groaning. “This troublemaker Little Cloud has gotten me into real trouble now. Steward Yu Xi will surely take it out on me.”

Little Cloud realized that while mocking Yu Xi might be of little consequence, it would spell trouble for Second Xie who had brought him here. Steward Yu would no doubt make things hard for him. So he squared his shoulders and said to Yu Xi, “Yu, if I’ve offended you, that’s on me. It has nothing to do with Uncle Second Xie. If you want revenge, come for me. I’m not afraid of you. But if you make things hard for Second Xie, then you’re nothing but a cowardly turtle.”

Yu Xi roared, “Fine, I’ll settle the score with you first!” At last, his patience snapped, and regardless of Little Red’s presence, he lunged forward, hand raised to strike Little Cloud.

But Little Cloud was quick by nature and had always been a favorite with women. Noting Little Red’s interest in him, the moment Yu Xi moved to strike, he darted behind Little Red, crying, “Sister Little Red, save me!”

Little Red frowned and shouted, “Yu Xi, do you mean to stoop to the level of a child?” Yu Xi was startled, lowering his hand at once. “Yes, ma’am.” Clearly, Little Red wielded considerable authority here.

Seeing Little Red’s intervention and Yu Xi’s embarrassed expression, Little Cloud couldn’t help but make a funny face at Yu Xi from behind her back.