Chapter 39

"Indeed, after what happened yesterday, I've come to understand. You letting me go to school is for my own good."

Zuan noticed Hong Xingying, who was following behind them, with a cold expression, not even glancing at him. He couldn't help but feel annoyed. Why is this guy acting so high and mighty? Do I owe him money or something?

"Teachable, teachable indeed." Chu Zhongtian stroked his beard, feeling in a great mood. "If Chuyan knew how motivated you are now, she would be very happy."

At the mention of Chuyan, Hong Xingying's eyes involuntarily showed a hint of fanaticism, but he quickly masked it.

Qin Wanru then said to Zuan, "Since you've decided to go, Xingying will escort you. From today on, he will also be attending the academy, so you can look out for each other. Xingying is a smart and sensible boy; you should learn from him."

Hong Xingying hurriedly bowed. "Madam, you flatter me. I will do my best to take care of him."

Zuan secretly sneered. Saying it nicely, it's looking out for him; saying it bluntly, it's monitoring him. It seems they're still worried about my truancy yesterday, so they've sent someone to prevent it from happening again.

He also suddenly understood why the guy was angry earlier. It turns out he finally had the chance to attend school, but because of my injury, his dream almost came to nothing, naturally causing him to be angry.

In this country, the academy is open to all, but admission isn't that easy. At least one must prove their outstanding potential, right? Of course, someone like Zuan, who has connections, is an exception.

For someone like Hong Xingying, who is also a servant of the Chu family, it's even harder to attend school without the master's approval.

But shouldn't he be grateful to me? If it weren't for me, he wouldn't have the chance to attend school at all.

Despite earning some anger points, Zuan still felt unhappy, thinking he was at a disadvantage.

The Chu couple gave a few more instructions before leaving. Hong Xingying raised his head and followed.

Zuan then started to freshen up. Someone brought breakfast, and Zuan casually invited Cheng Shoubing to sit and eat with him.

His unintentional gesture moved Cheng Shoubing to tears. "Although the young master is a bit stupid, a bit boastful, and a bit useless... he is still quite good to me. He doesn't treat me like a servant. I must help him establish himself in the Chu family."

If Zuan knew what he was thinking, he would probably kick him.

"Cough, cough~" A hunched figure passed by the window.

Zuan, who was eating breakfast, heard a whisper in his ear: "Don't skip school today. Remember what happened to Wei Hongde."

Zuan looked up, but the old man's frail figure had already left the window.

"Did you hear anything just now?" Zuan couldn't help but nudge Cheng Shoubing, who was eating heartily.

"No, burp~" Cheng Shoubing burped loudly, his eyes never leaving the food on the table.

"You're not afraid of choking to death." Zuan gave him a disdainful look, but in his heart, he was thinking, was that a secret message just now? This old man is really creepy. For some reason, he's afraid of this mysterious old man more than the Chu couple.

It seems I have to go to school today, at least for a round.

After breakfast, Cheng Shoubing helped Zuan pack some personal items. They came to the gate, where Hong Xingying was already waiting with a sword, looking impatient. "Why did it take so long?"

Anger points from Hong Xingying +99!

What's wrong with this guy?

Zuan immediately got angry. "Who's the young master here, me or you? What's wrong with making you wait?"

"What kind of young master are you? Everyone in the house knows. Who are you trying to fool?" Hong Xingying sneered.

Zuan tilted his head and sized him up. "Did I owe you money before?"

Hong Xingying was taken aback. "No, I didn't." He didn't understand why Zuan would suddenly ask this.

"Then why do you show such hostility when you see me?" Zuan asked.

Hong Xingying was taken aback. He hadn't expected Zuan to confront him directly. But he glanced at Cheng Shoubing and was cautious, not admitting it. "I'm not hostile towards you; I just feel sorry for the young lady. She is such a remarkable person, and you are not worthy of her."

Cheng Shoubing nervously interjected, "But he is the young master, and it's not right to say such things."

Zuan was amused. He didn't expect this guy to be so loyal at a critical moment.

Hong Xingying gave him a cold look. "Do you think what I said is wrong? Can you tell me what he is good at?"

Cheng Shoubing thought for a long time before answering, "Although the young master has many flaws, at least he looks good."

Zuan pushed him aside, his face black. This guy could survive in the Chu family until now, which was a miracle. "Oh, I see. You have a crush on Chuyan."

Hong Xingying's pale face instantly turned red. "No, I don't, you're lying!"

Seeing his denial, Zuan couldn't help but sigh. "A capable servant and a beautiful young lady, what a tragic love story. But liking someone else's wife, isn't that a bit shameless?"

"You!" Hong Xingying glared at him and turned away, not wanting to argue with him.

Anger points from Hong Xingying +100!

Zuan wasn't willing to let him off. He caught up and put his hand on Hong Xingying's back. "Let me rephrase it. The woman you like became my wife. This way, you don't seem so despicable, right?"

Anger points from Hong Xingying +333!

Hong Xingying's teeth chattered, and his hand instinctively gripped the sword hilt, but he didn't draw it. He took a deep breath and said coldly, "You're just good at talking. Once we enter the academy, the school will treat everyone equally, and then I'll show you the gap between us!"

Zuan laughed. "I admire your confidence, but you act one way in front of the master and his wife and another behind their backs. Aren't you afraid I'll report you to them?"

Hong Xingying said indifferently, "Go ahead and report. See if they believe you, a wimp, or me, a capable servant."

Zuan pulled Cheng Shoubing over. "There's a witness here."

Cheng Shoubing shook his head vigorously. "I didn't hear anything, I didn't see anything."

Zuan was furious. "So cowardly?"

Hong Xingying sneered. "It won't do you any good to force him. The master and his wife trust him the least."

He walked ahead, keeping a distance from them, as if being with them would contaminate him.

Zuan and Cheng Shoubing looked at each other, and Zuan couldn't help but sigh. "You're in such a mess, you might as well just die."

Cheng Shoubing muttered, "You're in such a mess that even a servant dares to talk to you like this, and you still have the nerve to say it to me."

Zuan smiled, looking at the other person's back. He wasn't in a hurry. It's not easy to catch a sheep, so he couldn't fleece it too quickly, or it would be bald.

Finally, they arrived at the entrance of Mingyue Academy. Zuan couldn't help but look at the quiet side path, and the image of the woman in white, barefoot, and holding a wine gourd, came to mind. He wondered if he would ever see her again.

There were fewer people at the school gate today, but some were still queuing. Zuan, bored, looked around and noticed a young couple arguing nearby.

The man was quite handsome, but he had a feminine air, with skin whiter than many women's, and his eyes occasionally revealed a hint of coquetry. Zuan thought, did I just encounter a cross-dressing drama?

I'm not a naive Liang Shanbo. How could I let such a good opportunity slip by?

So he walked over and grabbed the man's arm. "Buddy, have we met before?"

"Who are you?" The man's eyes showed confusion, clearly trying to remember where he had seen this person.

Zuan's heart skipped a beat. This reaction was a bit off. He looked down and noticed the Adam's apple on the man's neck. His stomach churned. Damn, it's actually a guy with a feminine appearance.

He quickly withdrew his hand. "Sorry, I must have mistaken you for someone else."

The girl glared at him, clearly annoyed that he had interrupted their conversation. "Hey, where were we?"

"Oh, I remember. Xiu brother, what did I do wrong to make you tired of me? Can't I change? Why do we have to break up?"

The girl, who was already quite pretty, looked even more pitiful with tears in her eyes.

Zuan couldn't help but look at the man with a feminine appearance, secretly admiring his charm. Compared to him, I'm nothing. What a pity.

The young man held the girl's hand and said earnestly, "It's not your fault. I'm afraid I might not like you in the future, so I'm proposing a breakup while we still love each other. This way, only I will suffer."

Zuan couldn't help but stop. Can this happen? This guy is the master of heartbreakers.

The girl cried. "Xiu brother, you've always been thinking of me. It's my fault for pushing you. They say a short separation is like a new marriage. Maybe if we separate for a while, you'll fall in love with me again."

Zuan's eyes widened. Are the women in this world so gullible? Looks like I'm in for a treat.

"That you can understand me is wonderful," the young man said, getting excited. Suddenly, he changed his tone. "Since we've broken up, can you introduce me to your friend? The Liu family girl you were with last time..."

Slap~

The girl, who had her limits, couldn't help but slap him and ran away, crying.

The young man unfolded his fan, touching the mark on his face, with a mysterious look. "A beauty's touch is always so intoxicating."