Chapter Sixty-One: Can Bad Bamboo Produce Good Shoots?

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The sun was still high in the sky, and it would be quite some time before classes ended. Xie Yanzhi scratched his head in frustration.

Uncle Wang, according to Aunt Wang, had been hired by Cheng Yuan to work at the shop and no longer drove the ox cart. Today, he had come on foot, setting out before dawn.

His legs ached so badly it reminded him of the hardships during his exile. Without caring about his appearance, he sat by the roadside, determined to catch the person he was looking for.

"Brother Lu, you go to Master Chen’s place first, I—"

"Brother Wang!"

Wang Jiabin was speaking to Lu Bai with some instructions when suddenly a shadow dashed toward him from the roadside.

Lu Bai’s pupils contracted sharply.

Before Wang Jiabin could react, the man had grabbed his arm.

"Brother Wang! It’s me!"

Startled, Wang Jiabin recognized the face and exclaimed joyfully, "Brother Xie!"

At the academy gate, the guard had almost fainted upon seeing this young man rush toward the Master’s favored student. He hurried forward with his stick to intervene.

But seeing the two were acquaintances, he relaxed and returned to his post.

"Why have you come to the academy? Looking for someone?"

Knowing that Xie Yanzhi’s father was once the runner-up scholar, Wang Jiabin naturally thought he wouldn’t come all this way to study but rather to deliver a message.

"Yes, my family asked me to bring a message, but the guards wouldn’t let me in, insisting I wait until after classes to have someone bring the person out."

Xie Yanzhi nodded repeatedly, then blinked. "Brother Wang…"

Wang Jiabin nodded firmly. "This is easy. Who is it? This should be the noon break; speaking with him shouldn’t be a problem."

Xie Yanzhi replied, "His name should be Jiang Yun."

"Brother Yun?" Wang Jiabin eyed him carefully, but seeing Xie Yanzhi’s sincere gaze, he nodded.

"Wait here for a short incense stick to burn. Lu Bai, let’s go inside first."

The two entered the academy, turning several corners before reaching the Master’s residence. Wang Jiabin noticed Lu Bai was distracted and gave him some extra instructions.

"Mm. Brother Wang."

Suddenly, Lu Bai called out to Wang Jiabin again, "Why has Xie Yanzhi come to see Jiang Yun? Isn’t the Cheng family at odds with the Jiang family? Could it be that…"

Wang Jiabin furrowed his brow, thinking for a moment before replying, "Though the two families have disputes, it doesn’t concern the younger generation. Perhaps he has business with him. Brother Xie is straightforward; he wouldn’t do anything underhanded."

Lu Bai’s expression darkened.

That was to say, he was thinking something underhanded.

Suppressing his discontent, he said, "Yes, Brother Wang, I’m just overthinking. I’ll go in now. Thank you for today."

Wang Jiabin smiled wryly and urged him to hurry inside.

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Turning his head, his expression grew more serious.

—

Xie Yanzhi waited by the gate for a while, wondering if Wang Jiabin was just humoring him, when he spotted a slender figure walking slowly inside.

Only then did Xie remember he had never met Jiang Yun before. Was this him?

Jiang Yun was walking very slowly. His gaze met the man watching him from the roadside—a youth with handsome features, still bearing a hint of youthfulness. With no one else around, this must be the Brother Wang mentioned, Xie Yanzhi.

He had been away from home for too long and had not returned; it seemed something major had happened at home, though his fellow villagers deliberately concealed much, so he knew little.

Would his mother and grandmother already be urging him to come back?

Jiang Yun clenched his fists behind his back. As they drew near, he bowed slightly.

"Are you Brother Xie?"

Xie Yanzhi’s eyes lit up. "Yes, it’s me. Your mother asked me to bring a message. Do you have time? Let’s find a place to sit and talk."

He propped his hands on his hips, standing awkwardly.

Jiang Yun seemed to ponder for a long moment before nodding slightly.

"At most half an hour."

"That’s plenty. Come on, I’ll treat you to wontons."

Passing by a wonton stall with a tempting aroma, now that he had found the person, Xie Yanzhi grabbed his wrist and started to pull him along.

Jiang Yun’s eyes widened slightly, words he wanted to say stuck in his throat.

Xie Yanzhi ordered, "Madam, two small bowls of wontons. One without scallions, but spicy. Brother Jiang, what about you?"

Still recovering, Jiang Yun lowered his head to tidy his clothes.

"Thank you. No scallions, no spice."

"Madam, the other bowl without scallions or spice as well!"

Xie Yanzhi cheerfully sat opposite him on a bamboo chair, which creaked as he shifted.

Jiang Yun frowned slightly at the noise from across.

He pursed his lips. "Brother Xie, what message are you bringing exactly?"

He thought, if they wanted him to return again, then this New Year would be his last trip home.

"Oh, actually, it’s not a big deal."

Xie Yanzhi glanced around to ensure no one was paying attention, then shifted his chair closer to shorten the distance between them.

The youth tilted his head slightly as Xie Yanzhi began explaining the situation.

Jiang Yun’s eyes trembled. The overwhelming information left him unable to fully take it in.

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He had been away for only half a year, yet his home was turned upside down.

"This is the situation. Your grandmother is unreasonable, and I won’t say much about your mother. But I think you’re a sensible person—whether you side with your mother or grandmother is your choice. Though we’re only cooperating temporarily, you can trust my character."

Xie Yanzhi’s gaze casually swept over the hem of Jiang Yun’s academy robe. A few patches were clearly new, carefully matched with similar-colored fabric.

"Don’t you want to ask me how I got into this mess?"

Jiang Yun lowered his long lashes.

Xie Yanzhi looked at him oddly. "What’s there to ask? I’m not an idiot."

Such things were not uncommon even in the capital, though he usually avoided meddling.

Jiang Yun clenched his sleeve, smiled bitterly. "Can you help me?"

That question was an unspoken agreement to stand on Xie Yanzhi’s side, and a glimmer of hope appeared in his eyes.

"In terms of martial skill, I’ve got it. As for backing, well… my sister-in-law does," Xie Yanzhi scratched his head.

Seeing the confusion on Jiang Yun’s face, Xie sighed.

"Anyway, don’t worry about this now. After school, you lure them out. The rest is my business. I guarantee in a couple of days you’ll be able to live normally again."

"Though maybe in a few days, you’ll have to meet your mother and persuade her. I’ll have her come to the county to see you."

Jiang Yun nodded softly. "Thank you, Brother Xie."

He lifted his spoon, revealing a faint blue vein on his wrist. Xie Yanzhi noticed and furrowed his brow.

Thinking of something else, he lowered his head and hungrily ate the wontons.

The small bowl was quickly emptied. Jiang Yun stood to take his leave.

"Class ends at the Shen hour. I’ll lead them out then."

Xie Yanzhi nodded, watching his pine-like figure disappear into the distance.

Muttering to himself:

"A bad stalk produces good bamboo shoots?"

—

"Master."

Lu Bai entered calmly, adjusting himself to his best composure. Just as he was about to speak, a book was thrown at his face.

"Tell me, did you really go home to visit family yesterday?"

The steady voice carried an unspoken authority.