Chapter 39: Flower Cluster Expert

“Yes, after what happened yesterday, I’ve come to understand. Your insistence on my schooling is for my own good.” Zu An then noticed Hong Xingying trailing behind them. Hong Xingying’s expression was indifferent, not even glancing at him, which annoyed Zu An. *Why is this guy acting so high and mighty? Do I owe him money or something?*

“A promising young man, very promising indeed!” Chu Zhongtian stroked his beard, feeling greatly pleased. “If Chu Yan knew how motivated you are now, she would be very happy.”

Hearing the name Chu Yan, a hint of fervent zeal appeared in Hong Xingying’s eyes, who was behind him, but he quickly concealed it.

Qin Wanru turned to Zu An and said, “Since you’ve decided to go, Xingying will escort you. Starting today, he will also be attending the academy, so you two can look out for each other. Xingying is a clever and sensible child; you should learn from him.”

Hong Xingying immediately bowed in deference, “You flatter me, Madam. I will certainly do my best to look after him.”

Zu An secretly pouted. “Looking out for each other” was a nice way to put it; more accurately, it was surveillance. He figured his truancy yesterday had made them uneasy, so they sent someone to prevent it from happening again.

He also realized why Hong Xingying had been angry before. It turned out Hong Xingying had finally gotten an opportunity to attend the academy, but Zu An’s injury had almost ruined his dream, naturally causing resentment.

Although the academies in this country accepted all students regardless of background, admission wasn’t easy. One usually had to prove exceptional aptitude, right? Of course, exceptions were made for those with connections, like Zu An.

For someone like Hong Xingying, who was also a servant of the Chu family, it would be difficult to attend school without the master’s approval.

But then again, shouldn’t he be grateful to me? Without me, how would he have gotten this chance to go to school?

Despite having gained a good amount of Rage points, Zu An still looked displeased, feeling somewhat at a disadvantage.

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

Next, Zu An began to wash up. Breakfast was brought to him, and Zu An casually invited Cheng Shouping to sit and eat with him.

His unintentional gesture deeply moved Cheng Shouping. “Although the young master is a bit foolish, a bit boastful, and a bit incompetent… he’s still quite kind to me. He doesn’t treat me like a mere servant. Yes, I must help him establish himself in the Chu family.”

If Zu An knew what he was thinking, he would probably kick him flying.

“Cough, cough.” A hunched figure passed by the window.

Zu An, who was eating breakfast, heard a whispered message in his ear: “Don’t skip school again today. Remember what happened to Wei Hongde.”

Zu An looked up, but Old Mi’s aged figure had already moved away from the window.

“Did you hear anything just now?” Zu An couldn’t help but nudge Cheng Shouping, who was gorging himself next to him.

“No, I didn’t. *Burp*.” Cheng Shouping let out a long burp, his eyes never leaving the food on the table.

“Aren’t you afraid of choking?” Zu An gave him a disdainful look, but in his mind, he wondered if that had been a sound transmission technique. This old man was truly unsettling. For some reason, he was a little afraid of this mysterious old man; comparatively, he wasn’t nearly as afraid of the Chu couple.

It seemed he’d have to at least show his face at school today.

After breakfast, Cheng Shouping helped Zu An pack some personal items. Then, the two arrived at the main gate, where Hong Xingying was already waiting, holding a sword. Seeing them come out, he looked impatient: “What took you so long?”

Rage points from Hong Xingying: 99!

*Is something wrong with this guy?*

Zu An immediately retorted, “Are you the young master, or am I? What’s wrong with making you wait a little?”

“Everyone in the manor knows what kind of young master you are. Who are you trying to fool?” Hong Xingying sneered.

Zu An tilted his head, sizing him up. “Did I owe you money before?”

Hong Xingying was taken aback. “No, not at all.” He didn’t understand why Zu An would suddenly ask that.

“Then why are you so hostile towards me the moment we meet?” Zu An asked.

Hong Xingying’s breath caught. He hadn’t expected Zu An to be so direct. However, he glanced at Cheng Shouping nearby and, still cautious, did not admit anything. “I’m not hostile towards you. I merely feel pity for the Young Lady. She is a woman of unparalleled grace and beauty; how could you possibly be worthy of her?”

Cheng Shouping stammered, “Um... he is the young master, after all. Perhaps it’s not appropriate to speak that way.”

Zu An was amused. He hadn’t expected this guy to be quite protective of his master in a crucial moment.

Hong Xingying gave him a cold look. “Do you think there’s anything wrong with what I said? Can you name one thing he’s good at?”

After thinking for a long time, Cheng Shouping finally replied, “While the young master isn’t good at this or that, at least he’s decent-looking.”

Zu An’s face darkened, and he pushed Cheng Shouping aside. *It’s a miracle this guy has survived in the Chu family this long.* “Oh, I see. So you harbor feelings for Chu Yan.”

Hong Xingying’s fair face instantly flushed. “I’m not! I don’t! You’re talking nonsense!”

Seeing his triple denial, Zu An couldn’t help but exclaim, “A capable servant and a beautiful young lady—what a tragic and beautiful love story! But isn’t it a bit shameless to be in love with someone else’s wife?”

“You!” Hong Xingying glared at him, then immediately turned away, unwilling to stoop to his level.

Rage points from Hong Xingying: 100!

Zu An, however, wasn’t done with him. He walked right up to him and put a hand on his back. “Let me put it another way then: the woman you love became my wife. Doesn’t that make you feel a little better, knowing you’re not such a scoundrel?”

Rage points from Hong Xingying: 333!

Hong Xingying’s teeth gritted, and his hand instinctively went to his sword hilt. But in the end, he didn’t draw it. He took a deep breath and said coldly, “All you can do is run your mouth. Once we’re in the academy, the school will treat everyone equally. Then, I’ll show you just how vast the difference between us is!”

Zu An smiled. “I admire your confidence. But you act one way towards me when the Master and Madam are around, and another when they’re not. Aren’t you afraid I’ll report you to them?”

Hong Xingying said indifferently, “Go ahead and report me. Let’s see if they believe you, a good-for-nothing, or me, their capable right-hand man.”

Zu An pulled Cheng Shouping from behind him. “Here’s a witness!”

Cheng Shouping immediately shook his head like a rattle-drum. “I didn’t hear anything, I didn’t see anything.”

Zu An cursed angrily, “Are you such a coward?!”

Hong Xingying scoffed, “Forcing him is useless. The Master and Madam trust his words the least.” With that, he walked ahead, putting some distance between them, as if he would be contaminated by staying with such good-for-nothings.

Zu An and Cheng Shouping exchanged bewildered glances. Zu An couldn’t help but sigh, “You’re such a mess, you might as well bash your head against a wall and die.”

Cheng Shouping grumbled, “You’re doing so badly that even a servant dares to talk to you like that, and you still have the nerve to lecture me.”

Zu An smiled faintly, watching Hong Xingying’s retreating back without urgency. He had finally found a source of easy rage points; he couldn’t drain him too quickly, lest he run dry.

The group finally arrived at the entrance of Brightmoon Academy. Zu An couldn’t help but glance at a quiet path nearby. The elegant figure of the woman in plain clothes, barefoot, with a wine gourd dangling from her finger, reappeared in his mind. He wondered if he would ever have the chance to see her again.

There were far fewer people at the academy gate today than yesterday, but some were still queuing. Bored of waiting, Zu An looked around. He suddenly noticed a young man and woman not far away, pulling at each other and talking.

The man was quite handsome, but he had a pampered, effeminate air, with skin fairer than many women. His shifting gaze inadvertently revealed a hint of charm. Zu An wondered if he had stumbled upon a man disguised as a woman.

*I’m not some foolish Liang Shanbo. How could I let such a good opportunity pass?*

So he walked directly over and put an arm around the person’s arm. “Buddy, haven’t we met somewhere before?”

*Since you’re pretending to be a man, you can’t exactly get mad if I take advantage, hahaha.*

“You are?” A hint of confusion flashed in the person’s eyes; he was clearly trying to recall where he had seen Zu An.

Zu An’s heart skipped a beat. This reaction wasn’t right. His gaze dropped, and he noticed an Adam’s apple on the person’s neck. His stomach churned instantly. *Damn, it’s a guy with a feminine appearance!*

He pulled his hand back as if he had been electrocuted. He quickly said, “My apologies, I’ve mistaken you for someone else. My mistake.”

The girl opposite him glared at him with a look reserved for idiots, clearly annoyed that he had interrupted their conversation. “Hey, where was I?”

“Oh, I remember now. Brother Xiu, what did I do wrong to make you tired of me? Can’t I change? Why do you want to break up?” The girl was already quite pretty, but with her teary eyes, she looked even more pitiful.

Zu An couldn’t help but cast a sideways glance at the effeminate man, secretly admiring him. *This guy’s charm is actually this potent? Compared to him, I’m… sigh, the less said, the better.*

The young man, holding the girl’s hand, said tenderly, “It’s not about you. I’m afraid I might stop loving you in the future, so I’m proposing we break up while we still love each other. That way, only I will suffer.”

Zu An couldn’t help but stop. *He can do that, too? This guy is practically the grand patriarch of scumbags!*

At this point, the girl opposite him burst into tears. “Brother Xiu, so you’ve been thinking of me all along! It’s my fault; I shouldn’t have pressured you. They say a short separation makes the heart grow fonder. Maybe if we’re apart for a while, you’ll fall in love with me again.”

Zu An’s eyes widened. *Are women in this world really so easily fooled? It seems heaven awaits me in the future.*

“It’s wonderful that you understand me,” the young man said, also a little emotional, then abruptly changed his tone: “Now that we’ve broken up, could you introduce me to your best friend? You know, Miss Liu, who was with you last time…”

Even the most foolish girl has her limits. Hearing this, she could no longer hold back and slapped him across the face, then covered her face and ran away, sobbing.

The fair-faced young man flicked open his fan, touched the mark on his face, and showed a strange expression. “A beauty’s soft hands are always so intoxicating.”