Chapter 28

Liang Xiao had never imagined that he would one day drool.

In his previous life, though he hadn't eaten much exotic delicacies or the grand Manchu-Han Imperial Feast, he at least belonged to the category of over-nourished people. He would occasionally think about losing weight, instinctively avoiding fatty and greasy foods, and trying to choose lighter dishes. He never thought that in just a few days in this era, he would taste the bitterness of hunger.

Two meals a day, with eggs as a nutritional supplement, and if he wanted to eat fish, he had to catch it himself.

Before seeing the Hu family's lavish banquet, he hadn't felt much, and he was even somewhat pleased, thinking he was finally eating pure, organic food. But when he saw the grandeur of the Hu family's night feast, he realized what kind of life he had been living these past few days.

As for Tu Nuer, it was even worse. The living standard of the Tu family was even lower than that of the Liang family.

Lying on the fence, smelling the aroma wafting through the courtyard, Liang Xiao and Tu Nuer drooled. Liang Xiao clearly heard Tu Nuer's stomach rumbling, and he couldn't help but feel a headache. What a glutton, he had just eaten a large bowl of rice and was already hungry again.

Liang Xiao didn't dare to delay, fearing that Tu Nuer might lose control and slide down the wall. He quickly pulled him away. He regretted it a bit, thinking that since it was midnight, everyone should be asleep. But it turned out that only the poor were sleeping, while the rich were just starting their nightlife.

Thinking about his mother still working late into the night weaving brocade, and Tu Nuer's mother worrying about the failed land sale, while the Hu family was feasting and wasting, Liang Xiao felt very uncomfortable. The flames of class hatred burned fiercely in his heart.

"Let's go," Liang Xiao turned to leave.

"Go?" Tu Nuer held him back. "We haven't finished our business, and you want to leave?"

"There are so many people at the Hu family, how can we do anything?"

"The front yard is crowded, but the back yard is quiet." Tu Nuer pulled Liang Xiao towards the back yard. "Let's go see the little beauty, maybe we can get some affection."

Liang Xiao tried to break free, but he couldn't resist Tu Nuer's brute strength. He was dragged forward and didn't dare to shout loudly, fearing that it would attract the Hu family's guards. If they were caught, it would be a capital offense. Trespassing and theft could result in immediate execution.

"You're going to get me killed one day," Liang Xiao forcefully pried Tu Nuer's hand off. "You're just a pig who drags down the team."

"You ungrateful person, have you forgotten who saved you multiple times?" Tu Nuer pointed to his face, grinding his teeth in anger. "Look at my face, such a handsome face, all ruined because of you. And you say I drag down the team, it's always you who drags me down, right?"

"Uh—okay, I was wrong," Liang Xiao was speechless.

"Of course," Tu Nuer proudly raised his head and walked forward with a dignified air.

The two followed the Hu family's courtyard wall to the back yard. When they reached the northwest corner, they suddenly heard a whistling sound from inside the wall, and faint shouts could be heard. Liang Xiao grabbed Tu Nuer and pointed. Tu Nuer finally noticed, listened for a moment, and immediately became excited.

"Shall we go up and take a look?"

Liang Xiao was also very curious. In the middle of the night, how could someone still be practicing martial arts? From the sound, it seemed the skills were quite advanced. If it was a master practicing, learning a move or two would be great. He looked around, signaled Tu Nuer to crouch down, and then climbed up the wall, peering inside.

He saw two familiar faces: Lei Bei, the first swordsman of Huainan, and the young man in brocade. Lei Bei was instructing the young man in brocade to practice swordsmanship. The whistling sound of the sword was probably from Lei Bei's demonstration, and the young man's sword skills were clearly not at that level.

"What did you see?" Tu Nuer asked impatiently.

Liang Xiao quietly jumped down and whispered, "Let's go, it's Lei Bei and his group."

"Lei Bei?" Tu Nuer's eyes lit up. "Then I have to take a look. If I can learn a move or two, I can become a swordsman in the future, wouldn't that be great?"

"Still want to be a swordsman?" Liang Xiao didn't finish his sentence, feeling a blur in front of his eyes. The words got stuck in his throat. He focused and saw that Lei Bei, who had just been practicing in the courtyard, was now standing in front of him, sword in hand, pointing at Tu Nuer's back.

Liang Xiao was stunned. The Hu family's courtyard wall was at least ten feet high, and he had to stand on Tu Nuer's shoulders to see inside. How did Lei Bei get out? Tu Nuer was still excitedly describing his future, and Liang Xiao tugged at him, stammering, "Nuer, behind you..."

"What's behind me?" Tu Nuer scratched his head, realizing something. "Oh, my back feels a bit cold, chilly."

"Lei... Lei Bei is behind you."

Tu Nuer was taken aback, turned around, and saw Lei Bei standing with his sword. He was both surprised and delighted, and with a thud, he knelt down. "Lord Lei, thank you for saving my life."

Lei Bei also recognized Tu Nuer and Liang Xiao, looking somewhat surprised. "It's you two."

"Yes, yes. Today, we were saved by Lord Lei, and we haven't thanked you, so we came to..."

Liang Xiao knew it was bad as soon as he heard Tu Nuer's words. If he said they came to thank him, Lei Bei might think they were following him. For someone like Lei Bei, being followed would be very taboo. He quickly pulled Tu Nuer, stepped forward, and blocked him, bowing and smiling. "It's Lord Lei, a misunderstanding, a misunderstanding. Please continue your practice, we'll leave..."

Before Liang Xiao could finish, Lei Bei stepped forward, grabbed Liang Xiao with one hand and Tu Nuer with the other. Without any visible effort, Liang Xiao felt himself flying and in a blink, they were inside the courtyard, with several cold, gleaming swords pointing at their faces, making his scalp tingle.

Tu Nuer, who had been excited, was also scared speechless.

"Watch them, I'll check if there are any others," Lei Bei said, letting go of Liang Xiao and Tu Nuer, and leaping over the wall again.

A servant held a lamp, illuminating Liang Xiao's face. The young man in brocade walked over, looked them over, and smiled. "It's you, the escape expert." He then looked at Tu Nuer. "Hmm, you're that rather brave but not very good-looking young man, Tu Nuer."

"How do you know my name?" Tu Nuer was very pleased, winking.

"Your name is well-known," the young man in brocade said with a teasing smile, turning to Liang Xiao. "How did you know we were here?"

Liang Xiao sighed. He glanced around and knew that none of them had attended the Hu family's banquet. Being guests at the Hu family but so low-key, they clearly didn't want others to know their whereabouts. If he didn't explain clearly, things wouldn't end well today.

"If I say I wasn't looking for you but for Hu, would you believe me?"

The young man in brocade replied without hesitation, "I believe you!"

Liang Xiao couldn't believe his ears. Was this happiness too easy? Seeing Liang Xiao's confusion, the young man in brocade added, "Though we just met, we feel like old friends. I want to be friends with you, Liang Xiao, would you be willing to be my friend?"

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