"Alright, Grandma."
Li Zhuyuan nodded and opened the book.
The "Liu Clan's Qi Observation Technique" was unlike other books that came with dozens of volumes; it only had one book divided into twenty-four scrolls, emphasizing concise and profound meanings.
Li Zhuyuan enjoyed quantifying mystical concepts, and in his view, this book was more like a comprehensive outline.
The Liu Clan used it as the core to develop multiple branches, so it could also be understood as the foundation.
Learning and comprehending it was the first step that disciples of the Liu Clan could not skip.
For outstanding disciples, it was a key.
With it, they could open the door to learn and master various branches left by their predecessors.
For instance, Uncle Qin taught his stance and breathing techniques, which contained the principles from the "Qin Clan's Dragon Observation Technique."
At that level, the deeper one's understanding of this book, the more effective their training in the various branch techniques would be.
Above that was another realm, akin to mastering a certain level of authority.
Then one could create branches that suited themselves best, and regarding the teachings from the predecessors, they would only need a glance to realize: Ah, this is a good idea.
Li Zhuyuan believed he had reached the peak of the first layer, seemingly not yet at the second layer.
In truth, he felt a bit guilty because he had taken a shortcut, standing on the shoulders of that "book thief."
However, everyone has their own areas of darkness, and under the inertia of established thought patterns, one can easily question the simplest matters, like wondering why others can’t solve such simple problems when they explain them to struggling students.
After all, the book was right there.
The so-called "book thief" must have been an extraordinary talent as well.
But when he copied this book, he probably didn’t even think about passing it on.
Otherwise, why would anyone deliberately set a barrier for future generations in such a poetic manner?
It was likely that he had either drunk a bit or was feeling an itch while copying the words, unconsciously revealing the rhythm of his understanding of the "Liu Clan's Qi Observation Technique" just for his own amusement.
In essence, he was born out of this book's understanding, and being able to empathize with his handwriting was also a great skill, indicating that on a cognitive level, he matched the depth of the "book thief" when writing those words.
One cannot say that using reference books to boost learning efficiency diminishes the solid learning achieved by diligently studying the texts.
Moreover, the youth had read too many books and hadn’t focused solely on this one.
He hadn’t received a complete inheritance; he only had a unique copy, equivalent to a broken edition.
The reason why he used to analyze geomancy and modify formations to the point of getting nosebleeds or becoming blind was that, at that time, he was purely relying on fundamental theories and temporarily forcing himself into practical methods.
Not to mention, he was just a child at the time.
If an ordinary adult were in his place, they would have long since been exhausted to tears, running out of energy.
"Grandma, I studied last night…"
"Xiaoyu, how much did you read last night?"
Li Zhuyuan paused for a moment and replied, "I read the first scroll."
"Xiaoyu, it’s not that I want to criticize you; I know you’re smart, but there’s no need to be so greedy. You must know that haste makes waste. Reading one scroll in a night means you could finish twenty-four scrolls in a month!"
Oh, he was too eager.
In fact, even if he took the shortcut by reading "Qin Clan’s Dragon Observation Technique," it wouldn’t take this long to finish both books.
"The boat must be well-built so it can brave hidden reefs and storms. Come, let me demonstrate for you."
Liu Yumei had originally wanted to hear Li Zhuyuan’s specific confusions before explaining them one by one, but seeing him so "carefree," though she felt a bit pleased, she couldn’t help but want to reprimand him.
Because she had high hopes for the youth.
Liu Yumei lightly tapped her finger on the teacup, drew out a drop of tea, and flicked it gently.
"Buzz!"
Li Zhuyuan felt his mind erupt with clarity.
At that moment, Liu Yumei leaned forward, intending to apply her thumb on the boy’s forehead to help him maintain a half "yin walking" state and to prevent excessive yin energy from depleting him.
But before her hand could touch him, she saw him half-open his eyes.
He didn’t need her worry; the control he had over the levels of yin walking was far beyond her expectations.
Though surprised, it was still within a range of understanding.
Liu Yumei settled back down, half-closing her eyes as well.
At that moment, the old lady and the youth sat across from each other in profound silence.
But in another layer of perception for both, Li Zhuyuan and Liu Yumei were standing, with a fist-sized droplet of water floating between them, surrounded by pitch darkness.
"The first scroll: Qi is the essence of creation, the source of all phenomena. When still, one thinks of movement; with clarity, one knows the end. Enlightenment leads to the beginning; this is correspondence, this is principle, this is law, this is the cosmos."
Liu Yumei smiled, her finger lightly teasing the floating water droplet, pulling it out with great flair.
A ribbon of water rippled outward, continuously changing, sometimes still, sometimes moving, sometimes appearing, sometimes vanishing.
Then, Liu Yumei closed her palm slightly, causing the water ripple to disappear, opened her palm again, and the water ripple reappeared, constantly exhibiting various transformations, reflecting numerous light and shadows.
She shattered each obscure concept into pieces and personally fed them to him.
For the first time in a year, the youth, who had been buried in reading, felt the warmth of mentorship.
Indeed, as long as there’s a teacher to teach, nothing would be hard to grasp, and how could exams be poor?
However, the warmth of teacher-student relationships was always short-lived.
During student days, the mutual torment between students and old professors was the unchanged main theme:
"Grandma."
"You tell me."
"Can there be another interpretation?"
"Please, share it."
Li Zhuyuan raised his hand, clenched his fist, and dashed towards the large floating water droplet.
"Bang."
The water droplet burst open immediately, scattering in all directions.
Liu Yumei was taken aback, not understanding at first, but then her eyes widened gradually.
The scattering water formed a mist enveloping that space.
Coupled with the ink wash skill he learned from A Li, it created a painting of mountains and rivers that combined roughness with elegance.
The old lady and the youth were now standing amidst the scenery.
In the mountains, there were streams and pools, both dynamic and tranquil; the west was draped in rain, while the east basked in bright sunshine, signifying beginnings and endings, fullness and emptiness; amidst the mountains and clouds, everything had verification, visible places held ties, all was nature.
Liu Yumei pursed her lips, staring incredulously at the youth before her.
In her life, she had seen countless talents, but only at this moment did she truly realize that, throughout her life, one who was particular about exquisite food had not really enjoyed anything good.
This didn’t mean the youth had surpassed her; in fact, he was still far from her level, but she could already glimpse his future—surpassing her, her husband, and son remembered in her mind was just a matter of time.
From last night to today, she had been bubbling with excitement, eager to be a teacher, but at this moment, that flame flickered like it had been extinguished by a bucket of ice water, leaving only wisps of lingering unhappiness.
She vaguely realized that it was very possible that she couldn’t teach him anything at all.
But she still wanted to struggle, for her own dignity, for the face of the Liu Clan.
Liu Yumei continued reciting the next point in the first scroll of the "Liu Clan’s Qi Observation Technique":
"What is a situation of rushing into adversity?"
Li Zhuyuan glanced around, and the mountains suddenly turned to snow-capped peaks, the snow melting into a small stream cascading down from the mountain top, ultimately disappearing into the cracks of the rocks, leaving no trace.
Liu Yumei asked, "Where is the adversity?"
"Knowing it’s unfeasible yet still attempting it constitutes adversity."
"What then is the situation of life and death?"
Li Zhuyuan looked down at his feet, Liu Yumei also lowered her head to see.
The previously cut-off stream had soaked for a long time, and between the rock crevices, a new path was carved out, gathering back into a flow.
Liu Yumei continued asking from the first scroll, and each time the youth merely let his peripheral vision glance and the answers formed automatically in his mind.
The usual meticulous examination, cautious deduction, and reverent observation of geomancy seemed so effortless and poetic with him, like spontaneous doodles while showcasing essential essence.
The latter was evidently harder because capturing real-life observations involved concrete references, while these spontaneous expressions were the simplest.
Liu Yumei understood very well that at this level, wherever the youth went, he could quickly observe the geomantic patterns, even make alterations based on the essence discovered.
This talent was no longer just a blessing from heaven, rather it was like heavens turning the bowl and spoon towards him, chasing him around the table, begging for him to take a bite.
"Ha…"
Liu Yumei closed her eyes and acknowledged this.
Like an art master, she was astonished to find that her newly accepted student had surpassed her in intent, scope, and aesthetics—this terrifying talent had erupted, and if she went on teaching or guiding here, it might just end up being overdoing it.
This did not mean the youth no longer needed learning.
In fact, foundational teachings and detailed techniques could simply require time for mastery.
He needed to continue learning but without Liu Yumei as his teacher.
Let Aunt Liu or Uncle Qin teach him those basics—best suited for them.
And Liu Yumei would just need to sit back with her tea, do nothing, and that would be her best contribution.
She couldn’t even fulfill logistical support because the old lady didn't know how to cook.
Liu Yumei took a deep breath, forcing herself to recognize reality and prepare her mindset.
There was no need to deliberately pursue a sense of participation; this child would join her family soon enough.
When he gained fame from his journeys later on, that would also reflect upon her family.
Even if one day she playfully claimed she had taught the child nothing, only the elders would see it as her feigning humility to spare their feelings.
"Grandma, can we continue to the second scroll?"
"Hmm?" Liu Yumei came back to her senses, sighed, and nodded, "You may begin reading the second scroll tonight. I'm tired now. From now on, whenever you finish a scroll, come report back to me."
Li Zhuyuan initially wanted to show both the second scroll and the subsequent ones, but seeing Liu Yumei say this, he nodded along.
With his eyes wide open, he broke the illusion and returned to reality.
Liu Yumei's eyelids drooped a bit and remarked:
"It seems that the Yin Clan's yin walking method indeed has substance."
"Of course, it can't compare to our Liu Clan’s."
"Little brat, I love hearing that."
After a pause, Liu Yumei added,
"But every generation has its own heroes; figures like Yin Changsheng deserve respect. It's just that no one is perfect; he just suffered setbacks in family matters, causing the family to rise and fall because of him."
In truth, Li Zhuyuan could tell that Liu Yumei was also quite impressive in managing matters, as she had truly held up the shaky facade of the Qin-Liu Clan, but flattering her didn't seem suitable as it might touch on wounds.
Liu Yumei lowered her head, picked up a new cup to brew some tea, and asked:
"Do you still want tea?"
"No, I just had breakfast. Drinking too much tea is bad for the stomach."
"Then you should go find A Li and have some fun."
"Okay, Grandma."
Li Zhuyuan got up, put the "Liu Clan’s Qi Observation Technique" into his bag, and left the study.
"Eh, Xiaoyu, how did you come out so quickly?" Aunt Liu had just tidied up the kitchen and cleaned the dining room.
"I'm a little tired. Liu Grandma will continue teaching me tomorrow."
"Oh."
Aunt Liu wasn’t quite convinced but still gestured, "Come, try on your new clothes."
Li Zhuyuan was led by Aunt Liu to the guest room on the first floor to try on the new garments, which consisted of four sets—not overly traditional, yet not excessively flashy, looking very suited and elegant on him.
Additionally, each outfit corresponded with a pair of shoes, watches, bracelets, and other accessories.
"Aunt Liu…"
"I know, you can take the shoes and clothes with you; leave the rest here."
"Okay, Aunt Liu."
"How does it feel? Is everything fitting and comfortable?"
"It fits perfectly; Aunt Liu, your eyes are like measuring tape."
"Hehe, just wear this set; leave the clothes and shoes you wore here. I’ll wash them for you, and you can take them next time."
"Thank you, Aunt Liu."
"Come, sit down, let me cut your hair a bit; it's getting long."
Aunt Liu pressed the young man down on the bed, tied a white cloth around his neck, and pulled out scissors and a comb.
"Aunt Liu, how come you are good at everything?"
"Of course, the old lady's eating and living need all my care."
With a fluent and swift chop, Aunt Liu styled the youth's hair, turning his head and gesturing for him to look at the mirror.
"How is it?"
"Your skills are excellent."
"It's your foundation that is good. I’ve heard from Li Juxiang that when your dad was brought back to the village by your mom, using modern TV and newspaper jargon, he was just a pretty boy."
At present, "pretty boy" refers to a fair-skinned young man with a heroic look in the eyebrows.
"Mm."
Li Zhuyuan responded, having not seen his father for quite a while.
After the divorce with Li Lan, his father went off to join a geological survey team; now he must be… rough around the edges.
The divorce had a huge impact on him; his father was probably deliberately avoiding this family, plus Grandpa Bei's strict orders meant he hadn’t visited in recent years.
Li Zhuyuan didn’t blame him, rather he understood.
As the youngest son of Grandpa Bei and Grandma Bei, his father had led a relatively smooth life until meeting Li Lan.
Unlike him, who could playfully probe into each other's skins and match wits with Li Lan, his father had genuinely experienced the whole process of her illness worsening to total breakdown; the psychological trauma he endured was truly unimaginable.
"By the way, Aunt Liu, I want to ask you about a kind of opera costume and a kind of incense..."
The opera costume was confiscated by Tan Yunlong as evidence, so Li Zhuyuan could only describe it as best as he could.
"Sounds like ghost sandalwood, something like 'Guan Jiang Shou.'"
"Guan Jiang Shou? Why haven’t I heard of that?"
"How about the Eight Generals?"
"I know this one. It originated in Fuzhou; it consists of eight generals responsible for catching evil spirits and driving away demons serving the King of Five Blessings."
"Guan Jiang Shou originates from this, and varies across different regions as customs evolve."
"I see."
Such customs typically appear at local temple fairs, painting facial masks, wearing costumes, wielding mystical tools, and leading a parade for exorcism and blessing rituals.
But this is just the external manifestation.
For example, his great-grandfather as a corpse collector would sit by the dining table for funerals when not engaged in carrying corpses.
Li Zhuyuan could not help but reminisce about the astonished look on his opponent's face when he forced them back using his seismic technique last night.
Now recollecting it seemed that their surprise was not from being unfamiliar with such abilities, but rather from not expecting him to be capable of it.
"Alright, go find A Li to take a look."
"I’m heading up, Aunt Liu."
"Go ahead. I've packed the other three sets and put them in your bag."
Li Zhuyuan went upstairs.
Just yesterday Liu Yumei said she custom-made clothes for him, and today he was already wearing them, indicating they had been prepared long before.
This indirectly showed that the old lady had, in fact, been under pressure recently.
Aunt Liu walked to the front of the study, pushed the door open, and was surprised to see Liu Yumei deep in thought, staring at a droplet of water on the tea table.
"Oh, what’s the matter? Is a child like Xiaoyu so hard to teach that you’re worrying this much?"
"Ah Ting, bring me some paper and a pen."
"Tsk tsk tsk, it’s different now. When you taught me and A Li, you would scold and hit us, saying you’ve never seen kids more foolish than us. Now you have to prepare lessons for the kids?"
"Hehe, am I teaching him?" Liu Yumei chuckled bitterly twice, "It's this brat teaching me."
"Don't scare me."
"Why would I scare you? Bring me the paper and pen; I need to review the first scroll."
Aunt Liu immediately brought the paper and pen, carefully grinding the ink while asking, "Didn’t the child just read it for a night? Has he really reached that level?"
"The boy originally wanted to show me the second scroll as well, but I jokingly said I was tired and asked him to report back in a day or two. The truth is, I was afraid I wouldn’t have time to sort it out if I took in too much at once."
"Looks like the contrast with A Li and me is really glaring, but shouldn’t you be happy? I know your temperament well enough; you wouldn't be sad just because the younger generation is too outstanding."
"I'm worried; if this child hadn’t been so extraordinary, I might’ve entertained some selfish thoughts to welcome him into the Liu Clan. With his current disposition, I would feel embarrassed to do so."
"So you’re planning to bring in a member for the Qin family?"
Liu Yumei raised her eyes, looking somewhat pitiful at Aunt Liu:
"I... really can’t bear to."
"Oh dear, don't be reluctant."
Aunt Liu reached out to embrace the old lady, "You’re not afraid of losing your authority in front of the younger generation."
"Now that I hold the title of wife of the Qin family, I still have to consider the old Qin family's affairs. I feel constrained. If I had known earlier, before the old man crossed the river, I should've divorced him."
"What nonsense are you talking?"
Liu Yumei took a deep breath, her excess emotions subdued, becoming dignified and graceful once more.
Aunt Liu likewise pulled back her hand and resumed grinding the ink.
"Ah Ting…"
"What is it?"
"Since the boy learns quickly, why not let him choose two subjects instead?"
Upon hearing this, Aunt Liu’s throat went dry, not daring to comment.
"Speak up."
"Such matters are not for me to interfere."
"You’re usually the one who talks the most, don’t you dare go mute now?"
"You decide."
"That's alright, going forward, they won't pick on me either, and I’ll keep my stuff intact. Well, they would have lost their luck anyway, they won’t see us when we go back down."
"This is serious; isn't the initiation ceremony in two days? Think it over."
"Mm, I will."
Liu Yumei picked up the brush, "Bring me more paper; the manifestations this boy understood are quite difficult to describe, they are too implicit."
"Just write it down; I’ll go cut some for you."
Aunt Liu went to the basement to cut paper.
When she entered the room again, she saw Liu Yumei had already filled up ten sheets, the last one reaching its end.
"Is this still the first scroll?"
Liu Yumei snapped, "This is just the beginning of the first scroll."
"In that case, the one I read before must have been a fake 'Liu Clan’s Qi Observation Technique'; you must let me see it once you organize it."
"I’ll let you see it, just exchange the paper."
"Coming."
As she paused, Liu Yumei lightly swirled the brush in her hand.
"The paper has been replaced."
"Hiss..."
"Did you lose your train of thought?"
"Not exactly, just suddenly thought of a new idea."
Liu Yumei wrote a line on the new paper, the handwriting crooked and unrecognizable.
Aunt Liu looked at it from various angles and finally shook her head, "What is this? I can’t read it at all."
"It seems like the essence can be integrated with the script, there's an uncanny fit."
"If you write like this, don’t expect future generations to understand it. They wouldn’t even know what characters you wrote, so how will they comprehend the essence?"
Liu Yumei took the paper, crumpled it up, and tossed it aside.
"That’s wrong."
"What’s the issue?"
"To use this method, I need to intertwine the complete essence of all twenty-four scrolls, making them echo each other in order to create a complete cosmos. I can’t just casually describe the first or second scroll like this..."
"Are you saying?"
"This boy, in just one night, read through the entire book!"
"Snap!"
The brush in Liu Yumei's hand suddenly shattered into pieces, falling on her fingertips.
In her mind, she recalled sitting on the terrace at Li Sanjiang's home, enjoying tea, occasionally looking up to see the boy on the second-floor patio effortlessly flipping through pages faster than one would through a comic.
"If he really read my Liu family's most treasured skill so quickly, then this past year, how many books has that boy read at Li Sanjiang's house?"
Aunt Liu initially didn’t understand, but then her expression grew solemn; the number of books mattered less than the key point—the youth likely read many that were on par with "Liu Clan’s Qi Observation Technique."
Liu Yumei gradually spoke: "From frugality to extravagance is easy, but from extravagance to frugality is hard. Reading is like eating; once you are used to fine food, how can you go back to the coarse without a lack of appetite?"
In the study, a brief silence fell.
Yesterday, they had jokingly speculated that there might truly be secret manuals in Li Sanjiang's basement, but now, as reality presented itself, their hearts remained incredibly shocked.
"Heh…" Liu Yumei chuckled softly, touching her forehead, "It seems we stayed at Li Sanjiang's house to share a bit of fortune."
Aunt Liu silently listened as Liu Yumei continued speaking.
"But it seems that Li Sanjiang's fortune was prepared just for this boy!"
...
"Um, A Li, this many wooden flower rolls should be enough for now; there's no need to carve more."
A Li held the carving knife, first glancing at Li Zhuyuan, then looking down at the ground scattered with flower rolls, feeling a bit downcast.
In this world, even Liu Yumei couldn’t quite grasp A Li’s profound emotions, but Li Zhuyuan could.
"A Li, do you think Liu Grandma's initiation gift isn’t presentable?"
The girl nodded.
Her grandma joyfully gifted someone a book she had read, an original edition, and the least she could do was carve more ancestral tablets as compensation.
Li Zhuyuan reached out, gently smoothing the girl's brow, hoping to ease her tension.
"It doesn't matter what Liu Grandma gifts me for the initiation. It's all about feelings. Besides, A Li, I still owe the Liu family a lot of treatment fees."
Having been treated like a patient for so long, it was the first time someone placed her in the role of "doctor."
The girl's eyes instantly lit up.
And the room, once darkened by the curtains, seemed brighter than the sunlight outside.
Seeing the girl cheered up, Li Zhuyuan withdrew his hand, rubbed his brow, and felt the remnants of his skin.
The girl then reached out, pinched the youth's cheek, and then pinched her own.
Each pinch made Li Zhuyuan feel as if he was being caught by a stapler.
He was even tempted to seek out Run Sheng again for a bit of interaction, like a mischievous student wanting to boast about the progress he had worked hard to achieve.
A Li put away the knife.
Li Zhuyuan picked up the box and started packing the wooden flower rolls, finally taking a deep breath,
Ah…
So tiring to finish packing for himself.
After that, the two leaned back against the bed, sitting on the carpet while Li Zhuyuan engaged in a game of blind chess while narrating what had occurred last night in the teaching building.
Just after talking, it was almost noon, and Li Zhuyuan had to head back to school.
"A Li, once you and Liu Grandma move into the school, I’ll come find you every morning, just like you did for me before."
As Li Zhuyuan went downstairs, he noticed the door to the study was tightly shut, with no sight of Aunt Liu.
"Aunt Liu, I'm off."
The door to the study opened a crack: "Xiaoyu, what do you want to eat for breakfast tomorrow?"
"Anything's fine."
"Alright."
Aunt Liu closed the study door.
In that brief moment, Li Zhuyuan caught a whiff of the fragrance of the ink wafting out.
Very good, it seemed the "book thief’s" insights could truly help Liu Grandma enhance and improve her family’s teachings.
He just did not know who that person was; even if they weren’t recorded in history, they should be someone similar to Wei Zhengdao.
Stepping out, he arrived in the courtyard and turned back to see the girl standing on the balcony, watching him leave.
Li Zhuyuan waved at her, and the girl also raised her hand in response, albeit with a somewhat awkward and unnatural gesture.
But whatever the case, she had transformed from the girl who could only sit by the door in the past.
Li Zhuyuan knew that both he and her conditions were inching towards a better direction.
He could tell fortunes, yet he did not believe in fate, but sometimes, the arrangements of destiny were even more wonderful.
He was a monster wrapped in human skin, while coincidentally, the girl was one who was used to seeing monsters sitting inside.
Returning to school, as he passed by the playground, the morning military training was still ongoing.
Li Zhuyuan was exempted from military training, a special welfare that was written in the prior benefits—he wasn’t sure which school official added this for him.
In fact, given his age, he was not suitable for this type of rigorous military training, though his physique was better than the college students on the field.
Walking along the railing of the playground, he tried to find Tan Wenbin but regrettably didn’t know which class he was in.
Oh yeah…
Li Zhuyuan recalled that he and Tan Wenbin should be in the same class, so which class was he exactly?
Before school started, the counselor had died.
Leading to his class having fewer collective meetings compared to the others.
Even though they later assigned a new counselor, they only managed to distribute some work.
As for classmates and socializing, Tan Wenbin, based on his high school habits, blocked those interactions for him.
It would be best to wait until evening when Binbin returned to the dormitory and then ask him about the class number.
"Brother, could you do me a favor?"
A girl in a white dress jogged over.
Li Zhuyuan looked at her.
The girl pointed to another girl in a blue dress sitting on a distant grass slope:
"Our seniors are painting outdoors, could you please model for us?"
As she spoke, she reached a hand out, wanting to touch the youth’s face.
Li Zhuyuan retreated, dodging her hand and shook his head: "I can't."
After speaking, he walked away.
Xu Bailu returned, somewhat helplessly, saying to Wu Xue, who sat on the slope with a drawing board: "That handsome brother is shy; he doesn’t want to be our model."
Wu Xue laughed, "I feel like that brother just looks down on us. Hehe."
Right now, the school had only admitted new students, and with military training still ongoing, the stores were relatively quiet.
Seizing the opportunity, Run Sheng and Yin Meng were preparing to eat.
Otherwise, once military training finished, a wave of students would surge in, and there would be no time to eat or drink.
Run Sheng's cooking was quite down-to-earth.
After all, one could not expect someone who had to make do with roasted sweet potatoes throughout their childhood to have superb culinary skills; as for Yin Meng’s cooking, that was more fit for the underworld.
So they simply went to the cafeteria to get meals, and Li Zhuyuan would come to eat معهم every noon.
Yin Meng: "Hey, Run Sheng, this morning Binbin said we could dodge bullets."
"Dodge what?" Run Sheng puzzled, "Dodge bullets?"
"Yes, Binbin said it was something Xiaoyu taught."
"What I said was not to dodge bullets, but that we could climb the outer walls."
Li Zhuyuan entered the dining hall, saying.
Yin Meng: "Xiaoyu is here; let’s start eating."
Li Zhuyuan sat down to eat, and briefly recounted what he had experienced last night, mainly exaggerating some details by Binbin.
"Xiaoyu, so after closing the store tonight, I and Run Sheng can go around the school and see if we can catch that murderer."
"No need."
Li Zhuyuan sipped some soup, "Even if he really is the murderer, he wouldn’t be returning there anytime soon."
Run Sheng asked: "Between me and him, who would be stronger?"
"In close combat, how many can hold a candle to you?"
Run Sheng laughed, slurping in flavor.
"But the tactics he may employ could be varied."
Li Zhuyuan paused, "But there’s no need to be anxious. In a few days, you'll all have teachers to instruct you."
Once military training was over, hungry wolves would rush into the cafeteria, so he brought Binbin some food in advance.
Before long, Tan Wenbin returned, "Whew, so hot."
"Tired?"
"Not tired; this is just the start, a warm-up."
Tan Wenbin sat down and started eating.
"By the way, Xiaoyu, there are some interesting classmates in my class. Do you want to get to know them?"
"We're in what class?"
"Class one."
"Oh, is there anyone who listens well?"
"There is—a guy brought me water today, and was really respectful, calling me ‘brother’. He's quite refined and suitable for when we need errands done later."
"Can you introduce him?"
Lu Yi got busy after school started, making it inconvenient for him.
After eating, Binbin washed his face and sat at his desk to study professional books.
Even though he had already been permitted to join Luo Gong's project team, even if it was merely carrying equipment, he had to possess basic professional skills; he couldn't arrive and be unable to even read a blueprint.
Li Zhuyuan was reading the "Ksitigarbha Sutra."
Though the outside was a bit noisy, the dorm was very quiet, filled with a strong atmosphere of learning.
But at that moment, a near dorm door burst open with a loud "bang."
"Room check!"
"Open your eyes and see clearly; this is our student council’s Money Minister. Show some respect, all of you, and fix your attitude!"
"Quick, shout for the Money Minister; haven’t you all eaten? Raise your voices!"
Li Zhuyuan continued reading as usual.
Tan Wenbin, however, wasn’t capable of ignoring the outside distractions and angrily cursed, "What nonsense!"
Many student council members had also returned early, nominally to serve the new students, when in reality, it was because they wouldn’t let go of the most enjoyable time of wielding power.
After all, by junior year, students wouldn’t pay them much mind, and by senior year, the seasoned folks hardly deign to look their way.
They kicked open doors one by one and hollered, probably soon to reach their room.
Tan Wenbin was extremely irritated by the noise, and simply stood up, moving to a wooden stool to turn the brass mirror toward the dorm door.
Generally, they would only open this door check at night when sleeping.
"Bang!"
"Open the door, we are checking the dorm!"
Tan Wenbin directly cursed, "Are you a dog? Just bang like a dog!"
"Who yelled in there!"
"Creak!"
The doorknob twisted, and two individuals entered—a thin one with a sharp face in front and a plump one with a round face behind.
They heard Tan Wenbin's earlier curses preparing to reprimand him.
However, upon stepping in, they began to spin on the spot.
Spinning round and round like two tops—one fat and the other thin.
Tan Wenbin intentionally didn’t stop them but let them continue.
As for Li Zhuyuan, he continued reading.
Tan Wenbin didn’t dare to call Li Zhuyuan to join in the mockery.
After all, he knew very well what would happen if anyone made Ziyuan take notice—there would surely be a disastrous outcome.
These two were quite annoying, but Binbin didn't think they deserved a severe punishment.
After growing tired of the sight, Tan Wenbin turned the mirror again and reached out, pushing both of them outside the dorm.
They stumbled away like they were drunk and then flopped onto the ground with a "thud," starting to throw up unceasingly, their awareness drifting into oblivion.
Most importantly, they had no memory at all of what happened after they pushed the door.
"Heh."
Tan Wenbin clapped his hands, thoroughly satisfied as he returned to the dorm to continue reading.
As the lunchtime break approached its end, Tan Wenbin donned his hat and went to participate in the afternoon military training.
In the afternoon, Li Zhuyuan made time to prepare for the class he would be sharing with Liu Yumei, and after finishing that book, he also prepared for "Qin Clan's Dragon Observation Technique" as well, as it would likely come in handy later.
Teaching someone to learn was undoubtedly more time-consuming and energy-draining than learning for oneself.
By the time Li Zhuyuan finished preparing two classes, outside it was already nearing dusk.
Taking advantage of the other students not yet returning from military training, he grabbed a basin and went to the washstand to take a bath.
Otherwise, it would be "well-populated" in the evening, and everyone would have to queue just to use the fountain.
Before long, today’s military training was over, and the students returned.
Tan Wenbin’s voice could be heard from outside: "A You, hurry up and grab a spot; I’ll get the basin!"
"Okay!"
With Tan Wenbin’s character, making friends in class was entirely normal.
As Binbin opened the door to come in for something, he said: "Hey, the shampoo doesn’t seem to be enough for two people."
"The new one is in the luggage bag; you go first, and I’ll bring it to you."
"How could I bother Xiaoyu for that?" Tan Wenbin pretended to be shy, grabbing the basin and towel before hurrying out.
Li Zhuyuan walked to the luggage bag, pulled out the shampoo, and stepped out of the dorm towards the washstand.
The washstand was crowded with people.
Some would grab food after military training, but most still wanted to wash off their sweat, else they wouldn’t have any appetite.
More importantly, they spent the entire day in training, so evening was their entertainment time, needing to be clean and fresh.
Li Zhuyuan found Tan Wenbin and patted him on the back.
Tan Wenbin turned around and accepted the shampoo, then pulled in a slim, tall boy beside him, asking him to turn around:
"Xiaoyu, let me introduce you; this is Lin Shuyou, assigned to Lu Yi's dorm."
"Here, A You, this is my Xiaoyu brother; hurry, don’t joke around; call him big brother."
Lin Shuyou was a tall, thin boy who looked quite shy.
At that moment he was lathering himself in soap, but upon hearing Tan Wenbin’s prompt, he obediently lowered his hands, calling out to Li Zhuyuan:
"Hello, big brother."
"Take your time washing; I’m going back."
Li Zhuyuan returned to the dorm, flipped the mirror, and lifted the shoe box, pulling out a pair of women's high heels inside.
It was him!
(End of the chapter)