Xu Wei slowly turned sideways, his lips curling into a faint, almost eerie smile as he regarded Lu Yuanzhao. His jade-like complexion carried an unsettling chill.
"What a fortunate encounter today. Fellow student Lu, won’t you honor me with a meal?"
"Thank you for your kindness, Fellow Student Xu, but I must decline!"
Xu Wei’s expression remained unbothered as he instructed the attendant behind him.
"Huang Li, have the shopkeeper deliver two roast ducks to Young Master Lu immediately—put it on my account."
The servant at Xu Wei’s back responded promptly. Lu Yuanzhao glanced up and recognized the ever-present pageboy, whose pallid face made his lips appear unnaturally red. His downcast eyes revealed only long lashes, like a dying butterfly, lifeless and still.
"That won’t be necessary. I promised my younger brothers I’d treat them today, and I won’t break my word in front of them. I hope Fellow Student Xu understands."
Lu Yuanzhao’s impeccable manners kept his expression neutral, though inwardly, he seethed. The way that trash looked at Lu Chao made his stomach churn—how he wished he could gouge out those filthy eyes!
The fact that even their usually gentle elder brother reacted so coldly told Lu Chao that this Xu Wei was no good.
Seeing Lu Yuanzhao’s clear aversion, Xu Wei’s gaze darkened. Hmph. Let’s see if he’s still this stubborn next time.
After bypassing Xu Wei, the waiter led them to a private room on the second floor.
That lingering gaze followed Lu Chao until he disappeared down the hallway.
The unpleasant encounter instantly soured Lu Yuanzhao’s appetite.
"Chao, if you ever see that man outside, stay far away from him."
Lu Yuanyi blinked in confusion.
"Elder Brother, is he the kind who hits children? That awful?"
Lu Yuanzhao hesitated, unsure how to explain to his younger brothers, and simply nodded vaguely.
It wasn’t until he entered the county academy that he’d learned of such depravity—it had sickened him so much he couldn’t eat for days.
Lu Chao, however, quickly pieced it together. Fury surged through him. Damn pervert! Look at me one more time, and I’ll end you!
Then, glancing at his strikingly handsome elder brother, a horrifying thought struck him. Wait—has he harassed Elder Brother?! No wonder he lost so much weight after just half a month at the academy!
Anxious, Lu Chao pressed, "Elder Brother, has he bullied you at the academy?"
Seeing the concern in his brothers’ eyes, Lu Yuanzhao felt a warmth in his chest.
"No, he wouldn’t dare."
"Then… has he bullied others?"
"Yes. So if you ever see him, don’t engage. Just avoid him."
Memories flashed through Lu Yuanzhao’s mind.
When he first enrolled, he’d hoped to study alongside peers. He’d heard of Xu Wei, the second-ranked scholar from the Xu family, known for his poetic talent. With a noble background—his aunt was an imperial concubine—Xu Wei was generous, praised by instructors, and surrounded by sycophants. He’d even founded a poetry club, quickly becoming the academy’s most prominent figure.
When Xu Wei invited him to join the club to discuss poetry, Lu Yuanzhao had eagerly accepted—only to witness something utterly grotesque. The pure-hearted Lu Yuanzhao was left traumatized and immediately distanced himself.
Of course, his refusal to play along meant the other students avoided him too, fearing Xu Wei’s displeasure. So Lu Yuanzhao kept to himself.
"If he’s so terrible, why don’t the academy’s instructors discipline him?" Lu Yuanyi asked, puzzled. At their family’s school, even minor misbehavior earned a smack on the palm.
"His family holds too much influence. The instructors don’t dare cross him."
Hearing this, Lu Chao silently memorized the name, planning to ask Zhou Youcheng about it in his next letter. Might as well make use of a handy tool.
The thought of letters made Lu Chao sigh.
Zhou Youcheng and Yingge were absurdly chatty. Despite the slow communication of this era, Lu Chao received a letter from them every month.
Zhou Youcheng complained that his father had beaten him because his elder brother tattled, claiming Zhou Youcheng had hit him—and his father believed it. What should I do? he’d written. Lu Chao’s response: Since you’ve already been punished, make it count. Hit him in front of your father, then tell him to warn you next time he plans to snitch—so you can hit him properly. Lu Chao didn’t get it. Why did his brother keep picking fights with family? Wouldn’t it be better to direct that energy outward? And Lord Zhou didn’t seem like an unreasonable parent—why was he so quick to resort to beatings?
Yingge, meanwhile, bragged that he could now hold a horse stance for the time it took an incense stick to burn and ate two massive bowls of rice per meal. Have I grown taller? he’d asked, sending a bundle of beef jerky along. That night, Lu Chao gritted his teeth and did ten sit-ups—only to wake up the next day sore and barely able to move.
The couriers at the postal station had grown accustomed to Lu Chao receiving large parcels. They’d tease, Is this from your little sweetheart?
Lu Chao would laugh. Guess that means I’ve got two sweethearts, then.
