The next day, after sobering up, the two uncles from the Xiao Family came to the Lu Family with Yingge to bid farewell.
"Remember to write to me, Lu Chao!" Yingge waved his left hand smugly.
To think he was being threatened by a little brat.
"Sure! I’ll write to you every day—I’ll even tell you how many times I poop!"
Yingge was so annoyed he couldn’t help rolling his eyes. That wasn’t what he meant at all!
"Hurry up already. You’ve already taken the deck of cards, yet you’re still making demands." Lu Yuanyi watched as Yingge scurried around Lu Chao’s room like a little hamster, over and over, and couldn’t help but grumble.
"Pfft, none of your business. It’s not like you drew them."
Lu Yuanyi gritted his teeth at the sight of Yingge’s smug face. It was originally agreed that the second deck of cards would be his, but because Yingge was leaving, he got it instead. Hmph!
Time passed quickly, and soon a maid came to hurry them along.
"Let’s go, we’ll see you off."
Though they were always bickering when together, now that it was time to part, Lu Chao couldn’t help feeling a little melancholy. There were no phones here, and he didn’t know if they’d ever meet again.
Yingge, too, was uncharacteristically quiet.
The three of them walked silently all the way to the main courtyard.
Father Lu, Lu's mother, and the two Xiao uncles had been waiting for some time.
"Uncle Lu, Aunt Lu, thank you for your kindness during my stay. Yingge will never forget it. I bid you farewell now!" Yingge knelt and kowtowed several times with loud thuds.
"Get up quickly, child. There’s no need for such formality." Lu's mother quickly had a servant help Yingge up.
"If there’s ever anything the Xiao Family can do for you, don’t hesitate to ask!" The two Xiao uncles also bowed deeply.
No matter how far you escort someone, parting is inevitable.
Lu Chao opened his left hand and gently hugged Yingge.
Though he had never asked what had happened in Yingge’s family, he could guess there were unspeakable troubles from the way Yingge had fled and written to his uncles, who lived far away, to come fetch him. Yingge never mentioned his parents either—always smiling on the surface, yet at night, he was too afraid to sleep alone and would hide on Lu Chao’s bed, silently crying.
Huh, now that he thought about it…
Yingge was like the male lead in those time-travel novels—beautiful, strong, and tragic. The only thing missing was a white moonlight savior who disappeared after rescuing him. Instead, he’d met Lu Chao. Imagining the cliché drama scene years later—where the cold-hearted male lead would ask his subordinates, "Still no news of that woman?"—Lu Chao nearly burst out laughing.
Second Xiao turned his head and saw the two hugging, his eyes widening like copper bells.
"Yingge! Let’s go!" You’re a girl—can’t you be a little more reserved?!
The solemn mood of farewell was shattered as Yingge was tossed onto the horse’s back. The sleek riding outfit made his little face look even more dashing.
Watching their gallant figures ride away, Lu Chao and Lu Yuanyi were practically drooling with envy.
"Stop staring. I’ll buy you two ponies later."
"We want big horses," Lu Yuanyi muttered, pouting at Father Lu.
"If you can rank first in the Virtue Class, I’ll buy them for you."
The moment their scoundrel of a father said this, Lu Chao wiped away his drool.
Better focus on making a fortune instead.
The Clear Heart Courtyard had only been quiet for two days when Lu Chao received an exquisitely crafted invitation from Su Yunzheng—though the handwriting inside was still childish.
He’d almost forgotten about his little classmate.
"Grandmother, can I bring some of these for Lu Chao?" Su Yunzheng pointed at the delicate lily pastries on the table.
"Go ahead, take them." Su Old Madam shook her head helplessly at the basket of snacks Su Yunzheng had prepared.
"Song Gu, fetch a Tonghua inkstick from the storeroom." It was normal for children to exchange treats on their first visit, but since Lu Chao had done Su Yunzheng a kindness, just sending pastries seemed a bit too light a gift.
Lu Chao had no idea Su Yunzheng had prepared a surprise for him. His throat had mostly healed by now, though he still wasn’t used to the gap in his teeth and kept unconsciously licking it.
Grandpa Hu had come to check on him twice, shaking his head and sighing each time. The bitter, foul-tasting medicine made Lu Chao miserable, so Lu Yuanyi used his own allowance to buy a bag of pyramid-shaped candies to coax him into drinking it.
That day, just as Lu Yuanyi picked up the medicine bowl, a maid came to announce that Young Master Su had arrived.
Lu Chao’s eyes lit up, and he rushed to the gate to greet Su Yunzheng.
"Second Brother, the medicine’s too hot—let it cool first. I’ll go welcome my classmate and drink it when I get back!"
Lu Yuanyi could only stomp in frustration as Lu Chao vanished in a flash.
"Nanny Yang, take this candy. Make sure Chao drinks his medicine!"
With that, he left reluctantly, glancing back every few steps.
Father was really too much, always nagging about his studies! The thought of going to school alone tomorrow made even the hair on his head droop.
Human joys and sorrows are never truly shared.
Lu Chao, having escaped the ordeal of drinking medicine, was in high spirits.
"Chao! I came to see you! Are you okay?!" Su Yunzheng, spotting Lu Chao after so long, excitedly dashed toward him.
"I’m fine! Thanks for coming all this way to visit me!" Lu Chao spun playfully in a circle to show he was alive and kicking. Since it wasn’t the weekend, Su Yunzheng must have skipped class to come—what a great desk mate!
"That’s a relief! I’m so glad!" Su Yunzheng patted his chest. Hearing about Lu Chao’s injury had made him cry.
"I should go pay my respects to Madam Lu first. I brought lots of things for you today."
Lu Chao waved it off. "No need, Mother’s out at a banquet today. Before leaving, she prepared plenty of snacks and fruits for us and told me to treat you well."
Su Yunzheng chattered nonstop the whole way. Though the rumors outside sounded plausible, nothing beat hearing it straight from the source!
Lu Chao talked until his mouth was dry, downing several cups of tea. Su Yunzheng gazed at him in admiration before blurting out:
"Big Bro! From now on, you’re my big bro! And I’ll be your little bro!"
Lu Chao nearly spat out his tea.
"Let’s not go down the gangster route, alright? We’re supposed to be refined scholars—gentle and graceful as jade."
Su Yunzheng suddenly remembered something and hurriedly gestured for his servant to hand it over.
"You’ll love this!"
Lu Chao was puzzled until Su Yunzheng placed a thick stack of papers in front of him.
"What’s this?"
Su Yunzheng puffed out his short neck proudly.
"These are all the lessons the teacher covered while you were away. I even took notes for you!"
His expression clearly said, "Praise me now!"
Lu Chao’s smile stiffened.
"Haha, thanks, Brother Su. You’re too kind."
"Ah, don’t call me ‘Brother Su’—you should be the older one! My grandmother says whoever’s more capable gets to be the elder brother." Su Yunzheng refused to accept it.
"Then let’s skip the titles altogether and just use names, okay?" Lu Chao wasn’t used to the formalities anyway.
"Alright then. My family calls me A-Zheng."
"Then just call me Lu Chao."
Holding the notes, Lu Chao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
