Zhao Ziheng shuffled dejectedly to the side of the registration desk, looking every bit like a lost and beaten dog. He even cast a timid glance at Zhao Wujiu, his eyes conveying the message: Cousin, I've embarrassed you!
It wasn't until the next round, when Jin Zhi, a personal guard by Zhao Wujiu's side, scaled the mast with astonishing speed and won, that Zhao Ziheng's expression brightened slightly. He sidled closer and said ingratiatingly, "Cousin, you really have hidden talents around you!"
Zhao Wujiu's expression remained aloof. Having witnessed the brutal realities of war for years—rivers of blood, mountains of bones—this contest, while somewhat amusing, felt like child's play to him. Victory or defeat couldn't even make him furrow a brow. However, he had no intention of indulging his playboy cousin. "That's because you're too foolish," he stated.
Zhao Ziheng's heart, once burning with admiration for his cousin, instantly shattered into pieces. He almost wanted to hide in a corner and have a good cry.
Probably every boy dreams of becoming a legendary hero when he grows up. And Prince of Zhou was a legend among the imperial clan members. Even a wastrel like Zhao Ziheng, whose head was usually filled with romantic notions, couldn't help but feel his blood boil with fervent, almost reverential awe when faced with the Prince who had achieved such monumental military feats.
It's just that this particular deity... had a rather sharp tongue. It was really hard to take.
As a good brother, Bai Shiqi was more than willing to speak up for Zhao Ziheng at a critical moment. "Cousin, why be so harsh on your own brother? Every man has his strengths and weaknesses. Today's events are all things Ziheng isn't good at. Why force him?" He even patted Zhao Ziheng's shoulder in comfort, completely forgetting that he had laughed louder than anyone else earlier.
Zhao Wujiu shot him a glance, his mind filled with the memory of Bai Shiqi's uproarious laughter during Zhao Ziheng's mast-climbing attempt. Yet now, his tone was indistinguishable from those doting elders in the family who spoiled the younger cousin. Zhao Wujiu's brows immediately knitted together, and he mentally stamped two labels on Bai Shiqi's forehead with a 'thump thump': Inconsistent words and deeds, and honeyed words but a dagger in the heart.
—Wasn't this just setting him up for a fall?
Zhao Wujiu tapped his long fingers on the armrest of his wheelchair and asked coolly, "I've been away for years. I'm curious, in which field has Ziheng made any achievements during this time?"
Zhao Ziheng stood there, mouth agape. He couldn't very well say: Your younger brother has made achievements in the realm of women, could he?
Bai Shiqi had originally stepped in to help Zhao Ziheng out of a tight spot, never expecting Zhao Wujiu to be so meticulous.
Shouldn't the normal reaction from most people upon hearing such polite platitudes be to simply let the matter drop?
But Zhao Wujiu insisted on getting to the bottom of it.
Zhao Ziheng cast a pleading look at Bai Shiqi, begging with his eyes: Good brother, throw me a lifeline!
Meeting his gaze, Bai Shiqi's mind raced, and he began spouting nonsense without hesitation: "Cousin, you might not know this, but actually... actually Ziheng has been studying a particular field of learning all these years. It's called psychology."
Zhao Wujiu's skeptical eyes met Bai Shiqi's. "Perhaps I am ill-informed? I've never heard of it."
Zhao Ziheng's heart sank in despair: Help! What the hell is psychology? I haven't heard of it either!
Bai Shiqi slapped a hand over Zhao Ziheng's face, covering his stunned and clueless expression, and then pushed his head down, making him look shy and bashful. He then spoke with great assurance: "Psychology is the study of the human mind. Cousin, don't you deal with heinous criminals all the time? But were these criminals born with evil in their hearts? As the sage said, man is born good. Have you studied how some of these hardened criminals gradually slide into the abyss of depravity?"
Zhao Wujiu: "..."
"You haven't studied it, right?" Bai Shiqi clapped his hands and laughed heartily, inwardly thrilled: Damn, I'm gonna pull this off!
"Take another example. After the battle at Liusha Valley this year, the Great Xia forces fled in defeat. I heard the frontier wars have settled, and many soldiers are retiring and returning to their farms. But have you ever considered, cousin, that after these soldiers return to normal life, many survivors might carry psychological wounds? They could develop various psychological issues. It's not something that can be solved just by handing out some silver..." Noting Zhao Wujiu's increasingly serious expression, Bai Shiqi decided it was time to wrap this up. "So you see, psychology is a rather niche field. Some people's illnesses are physical, but others' injuries are here." He pointed to his own head. "Or here." He touched his heart and shook his head with a sigh. "Ah, it's too complex to explain fully right now. All these years Ziheng has spent studying psychology... it's turned a fresh, youthful lad like him almost bald! His looks have suffered terribly, a far cry from what they used to be!"
Zhao Ziheng felt like he was floating on clouds, only clearly catching the last eight words: "His looks have suffered terribly, a far cry from what they used to be?"
Bai Shiqi sighed with genuine regret. "Isn't it just?"
Zhao Ziheng was horrified. "I... have my looks suffered?" He was immediately heartbroken. "Shiqi, will Jiang Xiaoxian dislike me now?" He was a severe aesthetician, who loved associating with beauties... his friendship with Bai Shiqi was proof enough of that.
Bai Shiqi gritted his teeth. "Shut up!" Can't you grasp the important point, brother?!
Zhao Wujiu seemed lost in thought and, surprisingly, didn't press further about Zhao Ziheng's study of psychology. Bai Shiqi cheered inwardly: We made it!
The subsequent mast-climbing competition proceeded smoothly. Today was just the preliminary round to eliminate the worst performers; the second round of selection would take place tomorrow.
Qiu Yunping, wielding his bald pen, recorded the competition situation while sneaking a moment to corner Bai Shiqi and ask quietly, "Young Gang Leader, that thing you mentioned, psychology... is it really that amazing?"
Bai Shiqi instantly passed the buck. "I've only heard a little about it. The one who's been studying it is Ziheng. You should ask him."
Qiu Yunping's eyes conveyed utter disdain: Young Gang Leader, you're out here deceiving people again!
As if I'd believe you!
He had been fooled by Bai Shiqi more than once. Besides, Zhao Ziheng seemed all style and no substance, the very picture of an embroidered pillow. How could he possibly look like a scholar?
However, Qiu Yunping's glare held no deterrent power for Bai Shiqi, who felt no pressure at all. With a beaming smile, he announced, "Since the first round of the mast-climbing preliminaries is over, why don't we all take a break? The second event will be held this afternoon?"
Zhao Ziheng, his nerves still frayed from barely managing to fool Zhao Wujiu with Bai Shiqi's help, nearly feigned a stomach ache upon hearing about an afternoon competition. But having signed up in front of everyone, and having been taunted by Bai Shiqi during the mast climb about whether he was even a man, he mustered his courage and asked, "This afternoon... what are we competing in this afternoon?"
Qiu Yunping, who loved money as much as life itself—as long as he could collect the entry fees, he didn't care about anyone's actual skills—said, "This afternoon's event is fishing in the river."
Zhao Ziheng's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. "F-f-fishing in the river?"
Seeing his somewhat off-kilter expression, Qiu Yunping offered kindly reassurance. "It's the canal. To prevent accidents, everyone will have a rope tied around their waist. Even if you can't swim and get lowered in, it's fine. At worst, you'll swallow a few mouthfuls of river water and not catch any fish, that's all."
Zhao Ziheng: "..."
Mother! I want to go home!
He was now looking at Bai Shiqi with different eyes. Before boarding the ship, they were still close, loving brothers. But now... it felt more like facing a rival who constantly set traps in the shadows. He was starting to suspect these competition events were specifically designed by Bai Shiqi to mess with him.
"Shiqi?"
Bai Shiqi immediately deciphered his unspoken implication and cried out "Unjust!": "This really isn't my fault! You were the one dead set on participating. I've been escorting grain shipments for years, and being terribly bored on the boat, I just found something to make everyone play with me. Ziheng, don't you get the wrong idea!"
Zhao Ziheng said with a woeful face: "Of all the things you could play, why did it have to be these? Couldn't you have brought a few lovely ladies on board to play music and sing to pass the time?"
Bai Shiqi: "You think I didn't want to? I originally intended to bring a few lovely ladies on board, but my father came at me with a club, threatening to break my legs! What could I do? And what's there to do with a bunch of rough boatmen? It's not like I could have them put on makeup and play music for me, could I? They don't know how either!"
Zhao Ziheng imagined a group of sun-darkened canal workers all dolled up, striking poses coquettishly in front of Bai Shiqi, and shuddered violently: Too painful for the eyes!
"You might as well have dressed up and performed yourself. At least your erhu playing isn't bad."
Bai Shiqi was overcome with sorrow: "That year, I had just taken four concubines, each one a stunning beauty, skilled in music and song, with superb figures. My father absolutely refused to let me bring them on the boat. When I returned from escorting the tribute grain north... the beauties were gone! Who knows where my father sent them off to! My darlings..." Not being able to be a woman was bad enough, but even being a man wasn't going very satisfactorily. Wanting to look at and touch what he couldn't have was also restricted. He really wondered what joy was left in life.
The veins on Zhao Wujiu's forehead throbbed several times. He very much wanted to toss this pair of scoundrel friends out and give them a military caning. "Now... I finally understand why you two get along so well." Saying they were kindred spirits would be false. This was more like birds of a feather flocking together, wasn't it?
Bai Shiqi was still deeply lost in reminiscence, unable to extricate himself: "In this world, youth fades easily. Beauties are like flowers. It's too rare to encounter men like Ziheng and me who truly know how to appreciate beauty. Most are just vulgar lechers!" He waved his hand, deciding to save his breath. "Ah, forget it. Cousin, you wouldn't understand these things anyway. If you did, you'd have been married long ago!"
"Yes, yes," Zhao Ziheng agreed listlessly. "Shiqi, you truly are my soulmate. Shall we brothers go have a drink?" The two of them left with their arms around each other's shoulders.
If not for his paralyzed legs, Zhao Wujiu would have sprung from his wheelchair to properly teach these two little brats a lesson!
The sheer audacity!
