Facing the other party's question, Mr. Su Bai naturally wouldn't bluntly reply: "No, scram."
Because here, there seems to be no point in modesty and self-appreciation; putting it nicely, it's like being a part-time civil servant under one's command, or putting it bluntly, it's like an always-on-duty gate-keeping dog. Ancient literati often said "attain proficiency in both the literary and military arts, to offer them to the service of the emperor's court," which simply means strive to improve oneself in order to secure a better future, facilitate one's ancestors' glorious reputation, and ultimately, it's all about showing off outside.
And now Mr. Su Bai, as well as his counterpart, to go out, it's really a luxury beyond reach. Since there's no way out, how can one show off?
