Chapter 90: Sent to the Door

Despite the complaints, it was still necessary to study diligently. After all, it concerned life and safety; an extra combat skill could mean an extra life.

He listened attentively as Bai Susu explained each move and stance. Wei Suo, sitting beside him, tried to speak to him several times but received no response, leaving Wei Suo with a resentful look. "Brother, are you in the wrong class?" Wei Suo seemed to think. "Our Yellow Class isn't primarily focused on cultivation."

After class, Zu An was mentally reviewing what he had learned when a school staff member approached him. "Teacher Zu," the staff member began, "your quarters have been arranged. Would you like to go see them?"

He couldn't help but feel a bit awkward. It was absurd that just days ago he had been a student, and now he was a teacher. The title felt incredibly strange.

"Oh, it's you," Zu An said, looking up with a smile. They were old acquaintances; this was the same staff member who had led him to meet the headmaster when he first entered the school.

"It is indeed," the staff member chuckled awkwardly. "Come on, I'll take you to familiarize yourself with the area."

"Great!" Zu An's spirits immediately lifted. It was lunchtime, and he still had some time before his afternoon class, so it was a perfect opportunity to see his new quarters.

"What should I call you?" Zu An couldn't help but ask along the way. It was their second meeting, and he thought it would be good to get acquainted.

The staff member replied, "My name is Zhu Gan. I'm responsible for some of the school's logistical operations."

"Zhu Gan?" Zu An mused. "That's a good surname, and a powerful name too – like 'don't care about life or death, just do it if you're not convinced!'"

Zhu Gan's face clouded over; it was clear this wasn't the first time his name had been misunderstood. He quickly explained, "It's not *that* 'gan.' It's the character with the 'water' radical next to 'gold'."

Zu An looked embarrassed and chuckled, "Ah, that name's good too! Sounds very cultured, haha, hahahaha."

Zhu Gan looked dejected, thinking, *Buddy, are you always so insincere with your compliments?*

The two soon arrived at what Zu An considered a quiet "villa district." It was a serene area with groves of trees, meticulously manicured lawns along the paths, and many vibrant flowers. Every so often, independent courtyards peeked out from among the trees, strikingly similar to the upscale communities from his previous life.

"Teacher Zu, this is your residence," Zhu Gan said, handing him a translucent jade token. "This token is your key; your information has been registered, and the courtyard's magical array will automatically recognize your access."

Zu An took the token and examined it. *Hmm, this definitely has a xianxia world feel, much more sophisticated than the keys from my past life,* he thought. "By the way," he asked, "can this open other teachers' doors?"

Zhu Gan instantly looked exasperated. *Is this guy an idiot? Even a fool would know that's not how it works.*

However, remembering Zu An's unconventional nature and how he had stirred up trouble in just a few days at the school, Zhu Gan felt compelled to warn him: "Of course not. If the magical array of any teacher's courtyard detects a malicious intrusion, it will automatically launch an attack. You absolutely must not fool around."

"Oh," Zu An said, his face falling. "Then where is Teacher Shang Liuyu's courtyard? Is it next to mine?"

"Dream on," Zhu Gan finally snapped, unable to contain himself. After all, Shang Liuyu was the dream girl of countless male teachers at the school, himself included. "Teacher Shang's courtyard is isolated and not in this area."

Zu An couldn't help but inwardly complain about how extravagant the academies in this world were, assigning every teacher an individual courtyard. The schools from his previous life were much better, with unified classroom and dormitory buildings. You might even have a beautiful female teacher living next door, and who knew what might happen in the middle of the night.

Zhu Gan offered a few more instructions before quickly departing. He worried that if he stayed any longer, he wouldn't be able to resist punching Zu An, who looked far too smug.

Zu An then surveyed his new residence. The courtyard resembled a traditional *siheyuan*, and though not massive, the rooms were more than ample. The furnishings and decor inside were exceptionally elegant, and all necessary household items were already provided. It seemed the treatment for academy teachers in this world was indeed excellent.

*This saves me the trouble of buying a courtyard in the city,* he thought. *Hmph, if the Chu family dares to upset me again, I'll… I'll just come here to sleep!*

*I just wonder if the academy allows me to acquire a few gentle and beautiful maidservants…*

Just then, a soft, melodious voice drifted from outside. "Teacher Zu, are you in there?"

Zu An froze. *Speak of the devil! Does the academy really provide beautiful young women for every teacher?* But then, the voice struck him as strangely familiar.

He quickly rushed to open the door, revealing a classically beautiful woman standing gracefully at the entrance, her almond-shaped eyes full of warmth and a gentle smile.

"You're... Zheng Dan?" Zu An blinked. *Is my luck with women really this strong? Being called "teacher" repeatedly by a beautiful young woman feels fantastic.*

*Hmph, I should really bring the others from school here to see how sweetly and willingly this young woman addresses me. They could learn a thing or two.*

The beautiful young woman smiled sweetly. "Teacher Zu's memory is truly exceptional, to still remember me."

*I only saw her this morning,* Zu An thought. *If I forgot that quickly, I'd have Alzheimer's.*

"Miss Zheng, is there something I can help you with?" Zu An asked, recalling his sister-in-law's warning from that morning, and thus not letting beauty entirely cloud his judgment.

"This morning was too rushed, and I didn't get a chance to thank you for saving my life," Zheng Dan said, lifting her hand and gently shaking the food container she held. "It's lunchtime now, and I presumed you hadn't eaten yet. I specifically prepared a few small dishes, and I hope you won't dislike them."

"You cooked them yourself?" Zu An asked, his expression strange. "Miss Zheng, weren't you in class this morning?"

*You're insulting my intelligence. I clearly saw you at school this morning; how could you have had time to go home and cook?*

Zheng Dan, however, was sharp-witted and immediately guessed his thoughts. She calmly explained, "Our Zheng family also arranged a courtyard for me at the school; I prepared them there."

"Ah, students can have such courtyards too?" Zu An asked, surprised.

Zheng Dan pursed her lips and smiled. "Ordinary people, of course, cannot. But our Zheng family does have some influence in Brightmoon City, so we're afforded this small privilege."

Zu An suddenly understood. Besides her, it was likely that other young masters and ladies from prominent aristocratic families also had private courtyards at the academy.

*Pfft, and I thought this academy was so high-class. Turns out they also indulge in such practices.*

"Teacher Zu, could you please let me in first?" Zheng Dan asked, looking at him with a pitiful expression, her gaze capable of melting any man's heart. "If passersby see us, it might create a bad impression."

Zu An, naturally, was no exception. As he stepped aside to let her enter, he asked teasingly, "Are you worried it might reach General Sang's ears and tarnish your reputation, Miss?"

Zheng Dan sighed softly. "So you already know about my engagement, Teacher. Alas, born into a prominent family, one's marriage is not one's own to decide. Please excuse my situation."

Zu An couldn't help but admire her artistry with words. She hadn't said a single negative thing about Sang Qian, yet she clearly conveyed her powerlessness in the engagement, and even subtly implied her reluctance.

Yet, upon reflection, she hadn't actually said anything concrete, so even if her words reached others, it wouldn't be a significant issue.

"Let's not dwell on those things," Zheng Dan said. "I came here specifically to thank you." Her large, shimmering eyes fixed on him; at such close proximity, her beauty seemed almost to glow.

Even though he regularly saw the various beauties of the Chu family, Zu An had to admit that the young woman before him was an exceptionally stunning beauty. It was no wonder she was ranked alongside Chu Chuyan on the Beauty List.

At that moment, Zheng Dan slowly began to take the dishes out of the wooden box, one by one. The entire process was unhurried, her movements incredibly graceful, exuding a unique classical charm. She was like the Jiangnan ladies in *qipao* he used to see on television in his previous life, who could eat even hairy crabs with such captivating elegance that it sparked endless fantasies.

Soon, the table was adorned with several small dishes, each perfect in color, aroma, and taste. A mere glance was a treat in itself.

Zheng Dan felt a hint of pride. She was not only skilled at brewing tea but even more so at cooking, holding complete confidence in her culinary abilities. Though she rarely cooked, doing so purely out of interest, even Sang Qian had never had the fortune to enjoy her food. Yet, this man was getting to sample it first.

She was waiting for him to praise her culinary skills, after which she would humbly deflect the compliment. She had mastered this entire routine, having cultivated her image as the perfect gentlewoman for years, and was now exceptionally proficient at it.

"Oh, your food container actually has an insulation function," Zu An said, picking up the wooden box from the table and examining it closely.

Zheng Dan's breath hitched. She was utterly perplexed by his comment, but she maintained a faint smile. "The wooden box has insulation runes carved around it; it's nothing unusual."

"I see," Zu An realized. *It seems I truly can't underestimate this world. While their technology isn't as advanced as my previous life's, they can achieve similar effects using cultivation. The shock-absorbing runes on Chu Chuyan's carriage, the energy-blocking runes around the dice cup at the Silver Hook Casino, and I'd even heard that the Chu family's weapons require corresponding runes. I should definitely pay more attention to this kind of knowledge in the future.*

Observing his reaction, Zheng Dan suddenly realized: *This man was just an idle rogue in the city a month ago, only recently chosen as the Chu family's son-in-law. He probably hasn't even encountered such artifacts from prominent families. Indeed, a sparrow that lands on a branch does not become a phoenix.*

Despite her internal disdain, she maintained an impeccable smile. "Teacher, please have a seat quickly. These dishes might lose their essence if they get cold. I'll pour you some wine."

"Wine?" Zu An said with a half-smile, watching the half of her white, jade-like wrist emerge from her sleeve as she poured. "Drinking can easily lead to… indiscretions."