Zhang Heng did not expect Gaby to bring him directly to Mark Reuss's residence.
Mark Reuss's domus was not located in the gladiator school, but diagonally across the street. It was a good location.
The so-called domus referred to the mansion of the rich. Unlike the villas in modern society, it looked more like a small fortress. It was shaped a bit like a shell, and it had almost no windows. It did not look like the kind of apartment with balconies that civilians lived in.
Zhang Heng followed Gaby into the gate, through the vestibule, and came to the front hall. Although there were no windows, the light inside was pretty good. This was because the front hall had no roof. Such a design not only allowed sunlight to shine in, but it could also collect rainwater.
When it rained, rainwater would flow out from the mouths of several statues on the edge of the roof, and it would fall into a square rain-bearing pond.
The rain-bearing pond could play a decorative role, allowing the sparkling water to be reflected on the surrounding walls, adding to the atmosphere. It was also connected to the underground water storage tank, ensuring that the domus could have water at any time. On the contrary, the civilians living in the apartment building would have to go out and fetch water from the wells and fountains in the city.
Zhang Heng did not expect Mark Reuss to be standing in the front hall waiting for him. When he saw Zhang Heng, he immediately walked over enthusiastically and put his arm around Zhang Heng's shoulder.
In the eyes of other Romans, this was a shocking move. The master personally came out to greet the slave, and he even did something that only friends would do. What was even rarer was that Mark Reuss's face did not show any signs of reluctance. It was as if everything he did was natural, and it came from the bottom of his heart.
Now, he looked kind and approachable. Compared to the time when he sat on the balcony on the second floor and looked down at the slave under his feet, he was like a different person.
However, just when everything was joyous and harmonious, a cold snort destroyed the joyous atmosphere between the host and the guest.
Zhang Heng had long noticed the girl standing on the second floor. When he walked into the front hall, the girl's face turned gloomy. When Mark Reuss put his arm around Zhang Heng's shoulder, the girl stomped her feet, turned around, and went back into the house.
"Oh, that is my second daughter, Doma." Mark Reuss introduced, "Don't take it to heart. I have been busy with the gladiator school, and I have no time to take care of her. That's why she developed such a wild temper. Let's go to the reception room."
Gaby seemed to be a little worried about Mark Reuss's safety, and he said, "Master … should we find a few more people?"
"It doesn't matter," Mark Reuss waved his hand and said, "Zhang Heng is one of us. Besides, with his skills, if he really wants to kill me, your men may not be able to stop him."
Gaby bowed and said nothing more.
Mark Reuss smiled and said, "Let's go to the reception room."
Compared to the front hall, the reception room was a little dimmer. However, once the eyes got used to the dim light, they could see the murals on the walls and the mosaic tiles under their feet. The colors were quite gorgeous.
Of course, the most eye-catching thing was the magnificent big table and the chair inlaid with gems behind it. Mark Reuss was now sitting on the chair, and he pointed to another chair opposite him.
So, Zhang Heng sat down without hesitation.
"Interesting. I asked Gaby and other people who were responsible for contacting the slave traders and inspecting the goods. They couldn't remember who bought you from that day," said Mark Reuss while looking at Zhang Heng.
"So?" Zhang Heng raised his eyebrows.
"So I guess this is a good thing because it means that no one knows about your past. We can make some articles about it to increase your attractiveness and mystery to the audience. This is a good thing because it has a fatal attraction to women. But now, the mystery about you is not enough. I can ask someone to release some ambiguous gossip. For example, you are a prince or a general of a country in the East. You were plotted against and ended up in Rome. After that, you unfortunately became a slave and were sold to the arena. Every woman likes this kind of story, and it can also inspire their sympathy …" Zhang Heng looked at Zhang Heng and said, "So I guess this is a good thing.
I want you to be the new trump card of the Victor Arena. Do you know Sethnets? When he was still in the gladiator school, he was the most popular and worshipped person in Rome. And I can give you everything he once had. No, I can give you more than what he had. I can make you more famous than him. "Mark Reuss spoke with confidence, but when he was halfway through, he realized that Zhang Heng did not respond to him. So, he slapped his head again," Oh, did I not tell you yet? I want you to be the new trump card of the Victor Arena.
"And what do I have to pay?" Zhang Heng asked.
"Victory. A lot of victory. Continuous victory," Mark Reuss leaned back, "I have nothing else to ask for from you except victory, my friend. Of course, when necessary, we also need you to cooperate with us to do some publicity."
"I am your slave. You can just order me to do this kind of thing. If I can't do it, you can threaten me with death," Zhang Heng said.
"No, no, no, I don't treat you as a slave. You are different from those guys," Mark Reuss said, taking out a bottle of wine and two glasses from under the table. "Those who are familiar with me know that I respect talents very much. As long as you are capable, I will respect you. What's more, I don't know why I felt that you are a little special from the first time I saw you. I'm not talking about your appearance. This feeling is more like the soul. I like you, and I feel that we can definitely do something great together. With your strength and my operation, the entire Rome will go crazy for you."
Mark Reuss poured the wine into two glasses and said enthusiastically, "Try it. This is wine from Persia."
After Zhang Heng took the glass and finished it, he continued, "Now that we are friends, you can tell me if you have any requests or needs. Beautiful women, good wine … or anything else. As long as it is within my capabilities, I will satisfy you."
Zhang Heng put down the glass and said, "I want to go out and get some fresh air."
"No problem. You can leave the gladiator school whenever you want as long as you tell Gaby." Mark Reuss nodded without hesitation. He was not worried that Zhang Heng would run away. The latter had no relatives in Rome, and he had a unique appearance. Now that he had become famous, it would be even more difficult for him to escape.
However, Zhang Heng did not want to leave for the time being. His main purpose was to retrieve the things that he had deposited outside the gladiator school. Now that he became famous, it seemed that Mark Reuss still wanted to maintain a relatively close relationship with him. In other words, Zhang Heng would not covet his things anymore. Besides, Zhang Heng had been bored in the gladiator school for so many days, and he wanted to visit the ancient city of Rome.
"Is there anything else?" Mark Reuss asked thoughtfully.
"Also, I don't want to date anyone," Zhang Heng said.
Mark Reuss gradually stopped smiling when he heard Zhang Heng's words, and a look of embarrassment appeared on his face.
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