Chapter 29: I Am Just That Kind Of Person

Earlier in the wilderness, they couldn’t see clearly, but now that the group of guards had brought Xiao Jin and the others inside and into the light, they could finally recognize a few faces.

The fire at the pig farm was still burning, but the flames had diminished significantly. The air was filled with the mixed smells of charred wood and roasted meat, a strange and unpleasant combination that made people uncomfortable.

The main hall was crowded. The outer circle was filled with the guards and servants of the pig farm, while an inner circle was formed by the Xiao family’s guards. At the center stood Xiao Jin, Ye Xun, and the others.

Even though the people at the pig farm had already decided that Xiao Jin was the one who started the fire, they didn’t dare take any action. Instead, they even let him sit on a solid wooden reclining chair, legs crossed, rocking back and forth with an air of utter nonchalance.

Ji Shuoting leaned lazily against the chair’s armrest, eyes lowered as he toyed with a jade bead in his hand. The slight curve of his lips made it hard to tell if he was actually smiling.

These two appeared like old hands at troublemaking—calm and unflustered even after causing such a huge disaster.

In contrast, Ye Xun’s face was pale, almost sickly, as he stood silently aside. Ye Qin seemed to sense her brother’s anxiety and didn’t dare to speak, only standing close to him, clinging to his arm.

Lu Shujin was still relatively composed. After all, the matter had already happened, and going to the yamen was now unavoidable. But Xiao Jin had promised she would be fine, and she hoped he would keep his word. Still, it was certain she would be scolded by Qiao Bailian. He had warned her several times before not to get too close to Xiao Jin, but in the end, she got dragged into trouble by him.

It would be impossible to say she wasn’t angry.

This Xiao Jin was truly too idle—getting into trouble himself would be one thing, but dragging her along was another. She had already struggled to escape her aunt’s house with great difficulty. If she were expelled from Haizhou Academy now, where would she go?

She had already copied more than half of the “Admonitions Against Lust” for Xiao Jin, and now had around 130 taels of silver and 920 copper coins, all earned from him. She had spent quite a bit buying things and replacing all her rough hemp clothes.

This amount of silver was more than enough to buy a shop and run a small business wherever she went. But as a woman running a business alone, she would undoubtedly face many difficulties. Not to mention she had no experience in business and didn’t know the ins and outs—if she were cheated out of all her silver, that would be a disaster.

So if she were expelled from Haizhou Academy, her situation would become extremely difficult. Standing in the crowd, she had already begun thinking of ways to word her plea to earn Qiao Bailian’s forgiveness, hoping to continue studying at the academy.

For a moment, everyone had their own thoughts, and the hall fell into a deep, tense silence. No one spoke until the wooden doors were suddenly pounded on.

“Open the door! The yamen is here to investigate!”

The matter of the fire at the Qi family’s pig farm was serious. Upon receiving the report, the yamen immediately dispatched a large group of officers to help extinguish the fire and capture the arsonists. The one leading them was someone Lu Shujin recognized—Master Fang.

Beside Fang Jin stood a burly, dark-skinned constable with thick eyebrows and a fierce expression. Standing at the entrance, his sharp, eagle-like eyes swept across the room as he asked in a cold voice, “Where is the main culprit behind the arson?”

No one dared to point at Xiao Jin, so they simply cleared a path, pushing aside the layers of people until Xiao Jin, leisurely lying on his reclining chair, was revealed in the constable’s line of sight.

Xiao Jin raised his eyelids to look at the constable. Even when meeting the man’s fierce gaze, he showed no sign of fear. He spoke calmly, “Constable He, you shouldn’t listen to just one side of the story. We were merely passing by the entrance when we were accused of arson. Isn’t that too unjust?”

He Zhan clearly knew Xiao Jin, his eyes narrowing as an intimidating aura emanated from him. His voice was sharp as a blade. “It’s you again, Xiao Jin. With everything you’ve done, any accusation against you wouldn’t be unjust! The Xiao family are generals, not bandits! How can you behave so recklessly, disgracing the Xiao family’s name?”

His voice was strong and forceful, each word like a heavy hammer. Even though Lu Shujin was not the one being reprimanded, she couldn’t help but feel her heart tremble.

Yet Xiao Jin remained completely unfazed. Still lazily rocking on his chair, he chuckled and said, “My father is a general. I am not. If Constable He is so concerned about the Xiao family’s honor, why not change your surname to Xiao and bring glory to the family yourself?”

He Zhan immediately became furious and was about to say something when Fang Jin stepped forward and held him back.

In front of the crowd, Fang Jin appeared impartial, not as familiar with Xiao Jin as he had been last time. His gaze swept across the room before he spoke to He Zhan. “Constable He, let’s escort them back to the yamen for questioning. The fire is still burning, and the losses are immeasurable. We must wait for the fire to be extinguished and the damage assessed before we can determine the charges.”

He Zhan was fuming, but after taking several deep breaths to calm himself, he finally raised his arm and commanded, “Take them all away!”

Lu Shujin felt terrified just looking at He Zhan. With his tall, imposing figure and fierce expression, she was sure that if things got physical, he wouldn’t hold back. There was a real chance he might end up fighting Xiao Jin right there.

Fortunately, that didn’t happen. The constables surrounded them and escorted them to the official carriage of the yamen, lining them up to board in an orderly fashion.

At least they didn’t have to ride horses again, which was probably the only good thing amidst this mess.

The yamen of Yuncheng was located in the eastern part of the city. The east side was known as the wealthiest and most prestigious area in Yuncheng, home to the residences of many high-ranking officials and nobles. The Xiao residence was also located here, so this area was also referred to as the “Xiao East District.”

The yamen was an imposing structure. A massive red drum stood at the front, flanked by two majestic stone statues—one standing and the other sitting. Behind them was a massive main gate, nearly twice the height of an average person. Two smaller side gates were on either side, with a blue and white plaque above them that read: “Yunfu Yamen”.

Lu Shujin looked up, feeling as though the plaque hung unimaginably high. Just the sight of it brought a sense of overwhelming pressure to her heart. And looking at the rows of stern-faced constables only made her even more uneasy.

When she was younger, at her aunt’s house, she was allowed to eat at the table with her cousins. But once, she accidentally bumped into her second cousin’s bowl, breaking it. A shard of the broken porcelain cut her cousin’s ankle, causing it to bleed. Her cousin cried loudly, and her aunt, distressed by the sight of her bleeding daughter, angrily accused Lu Shujin of doing it on purpose, of harming her cousin, and even threatened to send her to the yamen so the magistrate could punish such a malicious child.

It was just something said in anger to scare her, but young Lu Shujin believed it. For several days, she was plagued by nightmares, and after that, she never ate at the same table with her cousins again.

Although she later grew up and understood that the yamen was a place for punishing wrongdoers, the psychological shadow left from her childhood never faded. Just the sight of the yamen made her nervous.

But now wasn’t the time to be afraid. She took a deep breath to steady herself and looked forward—only to find herself meeting Xiao Jin’s gaze.

At some point, Xiao Jin, who was walking ahead, had stopped and turned to look at her. Even the constables escorting him didn’t dare to urge him forward.

Lu Shujin quickly stepped forward to catch up, and only then did Xiao Jin continue walking without asking why she had fallen behind.

According to the yamen’s rules, anyone brought in, guilty or not, would be temporarily detained in the prison before questioning.

Although He Zhan shouted about locking Xiao Jin in a cell, the constables knew better. They understood that it wouldn’t be long before someone would come to the yamen to release him. Locking him up would only mean offending him for no reason.

And this wasn’t even his first time here—the yamen officers were already familiar with him. So, instead of taking them to the cells, they were led to the guest rooms in the backyard.

The backyard was spacious, with several wooden racks placed in the middle, each covered with white cloth. At a glance, it was clear that these were corpses.

Fang Jin, leading the way, immediately frowned upon entering the courtyard and called over a constable. “Why aren’t these bodies placed in the mortuary? What are they doing here in the yamen?”

The constable, head lowered in fear, replied, “Sir Fang, the coroner Qin ordered them brought here. He said he needs to conduct autopsies overnight to determine the causes of death.”

Fang Jin thought for a moment before instructing, “Move the bodies to the corner and cover them with a screen.”

The constable quickly went to gather help, while Fang Jin continued leading the group further inside. As Lu Shujin passed by, she couldn’t help but glance over, only to see the wind lifting the white cloth covering one of the bodies.

A large part of the corpse was suddenly exposed, and Lu Shujin was so startled that her hair stood on end. The exposed skin was an unnatural, bright red color, like it had been boiled. Its neck was covered with dense, festering sores, oozing thick, yellowish pus mixed with blood that had already dried. The sight was both terrifying and disgusting. The constable quickly pulled the cloth back in place, and Lu Shujin hurriedly averted her gaze, resolving not to look around carelessly again.

Once they were inside the room, Fang Jin ordered a pot of hot tea to be brought and then led Ye Qin away.

After such an ordeal, none of them had the mood to sit down and enjoy tea. Nervous yet slightly excited, they gathered by the window, whispering among themselves. Ye Xun turned his back, standing before a painting, silently contemplating something ever since Xiao Jin raised his cup and pointed at the bonfire earlier.

Xiao Jin sat down, poured himself a cup of tea, and even yawned, his eyes misting slightly with a thin layer of moisture. He waved at Lu Shujin. “Come over and have some tea.”

When she had been frightened and panicked earlier, she hadn’t felt it, but now that they were in the room, she suddenly realized she was thirsty. Hearing Xiao Jin’s invitation, she walked over, accepted the cup he handed her, and felt the faint warmth of the cup seeping into her palm.

Ji Shuoting set his jade bead on the table, poured himself a cup as well, and sighed, “How long will this drag on? Are we even getting any sleep tonight?”

Xiao Jin said, “You don’t have morning classes. Just sleep in and go to the academy when the sun is high.”

“I may not have morning classes, but I always arrive in the classroom before the bell rings,” Ji Shuoting shook his head, putting on an exaggeratedly serious expression. “That’s the rule. Not following the rules means punishment.”

Lu Shujin couldn’t help but feel that his words carried some hidden meaning. She glanced at Ji Shuoting, and from the corner of her eye, she noticed Ye Xun, who had been silently standing facing the wall, also turning his head to look.

Xiao Jin laughed, “Exactly. The yamen has rules too. As long as we stick to our story—that we were just passing by—they can’t pin the arson charge on us.”

“Even if they do, you, Xiao Jin, will be the one taking the blame,” Ji Shuoting said with a gloating smile.

The two continued their casual banter, even going so far as to guess how many pigs had died in the fire, how severe the losses were for the Qi family, and whether Qi Ming would dare to cause trouble for Xiao Jin again. As Lu Shujin quietly sipped her tea and listened, she soon realized they were just spouting nonsense—claiming many pigs died, the losses were severe, and that Qi Ming wouldn’t dare to show up again. Nothing of substance.

After a while, Xiao Jin suddenly leaned over, glanced at the teacup in Lu Shujin’s hand, and asked, “Are you afraid of the yamen?”

Caught off guard by the sudden question, Lu Shujin felt a bit confused. Then she recalled how Xiao Jin had paused and looked back at her in front of the yamen. He must have noticed her fear at that moment.

If nothing else, Xiao Jin was extremely observant—or rather, sensitive. She had noticed this about him the first day the academy opened.

“I’m just an ordinary commoner, honest and upright. This is my first time in such a solemn and dignified government office. It’s natural to feel a bit uneasy,” she replied.

“What’s there to be afraid of? The yamen is a place of justice, where the guilty are punished. You’re not a criminal, so why be scared? Besides, we’re here with the governor’s son. Isn’t this basically like being at home?” Xiao Jin called out loudly, “Isn’t that right, Ye Xun?”

Ye Xun turned around, giving Xiao Jin a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

Just then, the door swung open. Everyone looked over to see a middle-aged man in plain clothes standing at the doorway. He was neatly dressed, upright in posture—not particularly tall, but his imposing presence was undeniable. His expression was stern, with the aura of someone long accustomed to authority.

Next to him stood Qiao Bailian, followed by Fang Jin and He Zhan. Ye Qin stood on the other side.

Before Lu Shujin could react, Xiao Jin and Ji Shuoting immediately stood up, bowing respectfully. “Dean Qiao, Lord Ye.”

Realizing the man’s identity, Lu Shujin quickly followed suit, making her greetings a bit late. The others in the room also hurriedly paid their respects. Ye Xun stepped forward and bowed his head. “Father.”

“Hmm.” Ye Ding responded with a nod, his stern expression easing into a warm smile as he looked at Xiao Jin. “Xiao Si, causing trouble again? Before leaving for the capital, your father specifically asked me to keep an eye on you. I didn’t expect you to behave for just a few days before stirring up trouble again.”

Though his words seemed reproachful, his tone was affectionate, like a doting elder. His indulgence was clear in every word.

It was as if Xiao Jin had merely burned down a random tree on the roadside rather than an entire Qi family pig farm.

Xiao Jin grinned and pleaded, “Please, Lord Ye, don’t tell my father. Otherwise, I’ll never have a moment of peace.”

Qiao Bailian, standing nearby, blew at his beard and glared. “You’re still afraid? After causing such a ridiculous mess, who do you think will cover for you? Hurry up and get out!”

Xiao Jin had no choice but to bow to Ye Ding before stepping out. Qiao Bailian pointed at Ji Shuoting. “The rest of you, come with me back to the academy. We’ll settle accounts one by one.”

Among the group, only Lu Shujin and Ji Shuoting were students of Haizhou Academy. The others were beyond Qiao Bailian’s jurisdiction. But his reputation in Yuncheng was formidable—he was once an official of the second rank, a figure even Ye Ding respected. None of the young men dared to defy him, and they obediently lined up and left, leaving only Ye Xun in the room.

Once Qiao Bailian and the others exited through the backyard, Ye Ding’s warm smile instantly vanished, replaced by a frosty expression. His lips tightened, his face turning grim. He left Ye Qin outside the room and stepped in, shutting the door behind him.

Ye Qin, her wide eyes filled with panic, tried to lean against the window to eavesdrop, but all she could hear were faint murmurs—nothing clear enough to understand what her father and brother were discussing.

Suddenly, a loud slap echoed from inside, making Ye Qin jump in shock.

A moment later, the door swung open, and Ye Xun stepped out with a bright red handprint on his cheek, his expression surprisingly calm.

Ye Qin immediately ran over, her gaze fixed on the slightly swollen side of Ye Xun’s face. Rising on her tiptoes, she carefully touched it with her fingertips, her lips trembling slightly as she called out, “Second Brother…”

Ye Xun held her hand, gently saying, “I’m fine. Why are your hands so cold? Come home with me, or you’ll catch a chill.”

Under the bright moonlight, the bustling yamen finally returned to its usual tranquility. No matter how big a case was, it would only continue tomorrow. After leading Xiao Jin and the others out of the yamen, Qiao Bailian unexpectedly did not scold Xiao Jin. Instead, he told him to take Lu Shujin back to the academy first and to visit Qiao’s residence tomorrow.

By now, Xiao Jin was already exhausted, yawning non-stop. He nodded and borrowed the Ji family’s carriage to take Lu Shujin back to the academy. Ji Shuoting went his separate way, and the chaotic night seemed to settle down.

Lu Shujin had many questions in her mind, but unlike Wu Chengyun, who was cluelessly persistent with his questioning, she noticed Xiao Jin looked drowsy, his eyelids drooping as if he could fall asleep at any moment. So, she kept all her questions to herself and didn’t disturb him.

When they returned to the dormitory, Xiao Jin quickly washed up and went straight to bed, falling asleep almost immediately. Lu Shujin, on the other hand, lay in bed, unable to sleep. Every time she closed her eyes, the raging inferno from earlier that night replayed in her mind.

The Qi family practically monopolized the pork trade in Yuncheng. With this fire consuming countless pigs, pork prices would inevitably skyrocket across the city, likely leading to a supply shortage. Ordinary citizens might not even get to eat pork for some time.

She thought of Ji Shuoting’s uncharacteristic silence that night, of the sudden change in Ye Xun’s expression upon seeing the fire, and of her long-standing curiosity—why was Ye Qin, a young woman, mingling with these men so late at night? Questions swirled in her mind, one after another, until she eventually drifted off to sleep.

Lu Shujin had a strange dream.

She dreamed she was kneeling before Xiao Jin, who looked down at her from above. His eyes were filled with icy contempt. Behind him stood many familiar faces—Ji Shuoting, Jiang Su, Fang Yi, and others.

“Anyone who goes against Brother Xiao ends up badly. And you, a penniless scholar with no family background, think you can challenge him?” Someone shouted at her with a sharp, mocking voice.

But Lu Shujin didn’t seem afraid. She looked up quietly at Xiao Jin. “I thought we were friends.”

“Friends?” Xiao Jin spoke at last, his lips curling into a cold smile. “Are you even worthy?”

The scene shifted, and Lu Shujin found herself as a bystander, watching Xiao Jin beating someone. He was brutal—grabbing the person by the neck and repeatedly punching them in the head, showing no mercy, no matter how the victim screamed in agony. Xiao Jin’s eyes were bloodshot, like a crazed beast consumed by violence.

Lu Shujin woke with a start, her eyes snapping open.

As her consciousness returned, her heart raced wildly. The emotions that were vague in the dream suddenly became clear—fear wrapped around her heart like a vine.

It was only then that she realized—she had just had a nightmare.

Sitting in bed for a moment, Lu Shujin finally got up, put on her outer robe, tied her hair, washed up, and opened the window. Sunlight streamed in, casting a warm glow over the books on her desk. Birds chirped briefly, and though the nightmare was over, her lingering unease remained. She sat by the window, staring at a tree in the distance that was nearly bare of leaves.

After who knew how long, Lu Shujin rubbed her face, opened the door, and called for the servant to bring in breakfast.

At first, she had been uncomfortable with this arrangement. But Xiao Jin was adamant—he didn’t care about anything else, but he was strict about meals. He forbade her from dining at any food stalls, threatening that if she didn’t eat properly, the lavish meals prepared would simply be thrown away. Unwilling to waste good food, Lu Shujin eventually got used to it. Every morning, after washing up, she would open the door and inform the servants she was awake, and within half an hour, breakfast would be delivered.

Xiao Jin was no longer in the dormitory, most likely having gone to Qiao Bailian’s residence. After eating breakfast alone in her room, Lu Shujin decided to head out of Haizhou Academy.

The weather was turning colder, and with the mosquitoes gone, her trick of secretly letting mosquitoes in to bite Xiao Jin no longer worked. Xiao Jin was particular about his living conditions, and under his influence, their dormitory had been gradually improved to be nearly perfect—except for its small size. Driving him out had become an impossible task, so Lu Shujin could only look for a place to stay outside.

Fortunately, there were rental options near Haizhou Academy. Many out-of-town students studied here, and some people had built houses around the academy specifically for rent, though the prices were relatively high.

Although she now had over a hundred taels of silver, she didn’t want to waste money. She visited three landlords, asked about prices, and inspected the locations before making comparisons. Today’s appointment was with the third landlord.

When she arrived at the meeting point, she saw a woman already waiting there. The woman had a simple, honest appearance, short and chubby.

The woman’s surname was Qian, and her husband was a live-in son-in-law. She managed all the family’s businesses alone, though they were just small enterprises. She was warm and friendly, and when she saw Lu Shujin, she beamed and walked over to greet her. “Young sir, I’ve been waiting for you for quite a while.”

“It’s my fault for being late. Please, take me to see the house,” Lu Shujin replied.

Madam Qian led Lu Shujin to the rental property. It wasn’t far from the academy, located near the west wall, in a bustling area. It was a small standalone courtyard with a single house. Though the house wasn’t large, it had a bathroom, a toilet, and a kitchen—quiet yet not isolated. It perfectly suited Lu Shujin’s preferences.

She asked about the price—twenty-five taels for six months, with a five-tael deposit required.

Comparing this with the previous two rentals she’d checked, twenty-five taels was a bit steep. But after walking around the courtyard house several times and finding no faults, Lu Shujin tried to haggle with Madam Qian for a while. In the end, the price didn’t drop a single coin, and she reluctantly handed over the five-tael deposit.

Madam Qian was overjoyed at closing this deal and became even more enthusiastic. As she walked Lu Shujin out, she chatted away, “My husband and I live not far from here, so we’re practically neighbors. As they say, a close neighbor is better than a distant relative. If you ever need help, just call on us. You can move in whenever you want. Once you settle the rent, I’ll give you the keys…”

With one thing settled, Lu Shujin felt relieved and happy. She exchanged a few more words with Madam Qian and arranged to pay the full rent in five days before leaving.

Madam Qian cheerfully saw her off, watching until her figure disappeared. Only then did she clutch the five taels of silver in her hand and turn to leave. But after just a few steps, two tall men suddenly blocked her path.

Madam Qian, who had never encountered men blocking her way in this area, was startled. Instinctively clutching the silver she had just received, she asked nervously, “Gentlemen, what do you want?”

The two men blocking her said nothing, but a young man in a crimson robe stepped out from around the corner. His snow-white jade crown was adorned with two long tassels of interwoven red and gold, which were partially hidden by his long, flowing hair. He had an exceptionally handsome face, his eyes a shade other than pure black, and he was tall. He walked step by step toward Madam Qian.

At first glance, Madam Qian’s heart skipped a beat. What a handsome young man!

But as he got closer, her expression suddenly changed. She recalled that some time ago, when she passed by the main gate of Haizhou Academy, she had witnessed a fight. Curious, she had watched the commotion and remembered the scene vividly. Now, looking at the young man before her, she immediately recognized him. Wasn’t he the same young master who pinned a fat man to the ground and beat him up?

She recalled the onlookers saying that this was the legitimate son of the Xiao family. Having dealt in business for a long time, she was skilled at reading people’s expressions. A polite smile instantly appeared on her face. “Young Master Xiao, are you looking to rent a house?”

“Rent a house?” Xiao Jin’s gaze flicked in the direction where Lu Shujin had left. “Was that person here to rent a house from you?”

“Indeed! That young man just reserved a courtyard house. He even paid the deposit.” Madam Qian felt that this young master must have stopped her to inquire about this matter, so she quickly explained the situation.

As expected, Xiao Jin’s eyes darkened. Without another word, he turned and left.

Unaware that her plan to rent a house had been exposed, Lu Shujin was still thinking about how to bring up the topic with Xiao Jin. She needed a reasonable excuse.

Since it was a rest day and she had no other errands after finishing her business, she returned to the dormitory to continue copying “Admonition Against Lust.”

She didn’t see Xiao Jin the entire day. After hours of copying, she moved a chair outside and sat under the eaves. Occasionally, she would glance at the sunset in the west or lower her head to read. It wasn’t until after dinner that Xiao Jin returned.

Xiao Jin entered the room, slipped off his shoes, his footsteps silent as they touched the floor. He walked around the screen and immediately saw Lu Shujin, leaning on one hand, dozing off like a pecking chick. Occasionally, her head would slip from her hand, but she would groggily place it back without opening her eyes.

Lu Shujin had always been rigid and respectful toward books, almost reverent. She never doodled on them or drooled on them while reading. So seeing her holding a book in one hand while nodding off was an oddly amusing sight for Xiao Jin.

He stood quietly by the screen, watching for a moment. Then he cleared his throat, startling the dozing Lu Shujin.

She opened her sleepy eyes, staring blankly at Xiao Jin for a moment before her mind cleared. “Young Master Xiao, you’re back?”

Leaning against the screen, Xiao Jin asked, “Have you eaten dinner?”

Lu Shujin nodded, “I have.”

“Did you finish it all?” he asked again.

“I did.”

“Is there anything about this dormitory that makes you uncomfortable?” Xiao Jin’s tone was casual, as if making idle conversation.

Lu Shujin shook her head firmly. “Of course not.”

Not only was she not uncomfortable, but this dormitory was the best place she had ever lived in her entire life. If it weren’t for the fact that she absolutely couldn’t continue living under the same roof as Xiao Jin for too long, she wouldn’t even consider leaving.

Xiao Jin stared at her face, trying to catch even the slightest hint of a lie. But after scrutinizing her expression several times, he found nothing false—her words were genuine.

“Is there something you want to say to me?” Xiao Jin asked.

Lu Shujin nodded.

Xiao Jin’s eyes flickered slightly. “What is it? Speak.”

“Did Old Master Qiao… make things difficult for you today?” Lu Shujin cautiously chose her words. In truth, she wanted to ask if Old Master Qiao scolded him again.

Xiao Jin shook his head slightly. “No.”

“Will they pursue you for setting fire to the Qi family’s pig farm?”

A mocking smile appeared on Xiao Jin’s face, his eyes revealing a trace of contempt. “Would they dare?”

Lu Shujin silently agreed. With Xiao Jin’s background, what could the Qi family use to hold him accountable? Even with Xiao Yunye currently away from Yuncheng, few would dare to touch his precious legitimate son.

Seeing her fall silent again, Xiao Jin waited for a while before losing his patience. “Anything else?”

Lu Shujin handed over two pages of copied text she had just completed. “These are the pages I copied today.”

Xiao Jin took the pages, his eyes skimming over them. But instead of focusing on the handwriting, he recalled the scene from earlier: Lu Shujin walking with that woman, smiling, and handing over five taels of silver. His fingers brushed against the paper as he pulled out ten taels of silver and handed them to Lu Shujin—just as they had previously agreed: five taels of silver for each page.

Every time Lu Shujin received silver, her eyes would subtly curve with joy, revealing her inner excitement.

She took the silver and turned to leave. After taking just two steps, Xiao Jin called out, “Lu Shujin.”

Lu Shujin turned back, puzzled, only to see him raise an eyebrow slightly. “Is that all?”

What else could there be now that she had the silver? Without thinking, she shook her head. “That’s all. Please rest early, Young Master Xiao.”

Xiao Jin stared at her for a moment, then gave a low hum and turned to the other side of the screen.

The night passed without further incident.

Lu Shujin woke up naturally the next morning. After informing the attendant at the door, she lit a lamp and sat down to read. As the sky gradually brightened, breakfast was quietly brought in, and Xiao Jin also woke up at this time.

Lu Shujin opened the window, ate her meal, and continued reading, while Xiao Jin dressed, washed, and tied his hair.

When daylight fully broke and it was time for the morning class, they both stepped out together. Xiao Jin, with his long legs and fast pace, walked ahead. Whenever the distance grew too far, he would stop and wait for Lu Shujin to catch up. This way, they entered Dingzi Hall one after the other.

Dingzi Hall was bustling and noisy, with everyone gossiping about the Qi family’s pig farm fire.

However, it seemed the news had been deliberately controlled—no one knew it was Xiao Jin who started the fire, nor were they aware that Xiao Jin, Lu Shujin, and the others had been at the yamen two nights ago.

According to rumors, the fire wasn’t fully extinguished until the next day. Six thousand adult pigs and four thousand piglets, a total of ten thousand, were all lost. Some were burned to death, turning into fragrant roast pork, while others escaped after the pigpens were destroyed by fire. In the end, the Qi family managed to recover fewer than ten pigs.

The Qi family had suffered a massive loss. Their once-thriving business was ruined overnight, instantly becoming the hottest topic for the entire city.

Just as Lu Shujin had predicted, pork prices began to skyrocket. In just two days, the price tripled, making pork a scarce commodity.

The following days remained calm, as if the great fire from that night had been easily swept under the rug. The troubles Lu Shujin had feared did not materialize. Qiao Bailian never mentioned the incident at all. When they occasionally met at the academy, he greeted her with the same cheerful demeanor as always.

Xiao Jin’s arson incident ended without any further consequences—completely silent, as if it never happened.

A few days later, it was once again a day off. Lu Shujin had arranged with Madam Wang to settle the rent payment today. As soon as class ended, she packed her books and hurried out, only to be stopped by Xiao Jin.

“What’s the rush? Where are you going?” Xiao Jin grabbed her bookcase from behind, forcing her to stop.

“Does Young Master Xiao need something?” Lu Shujin glanced around and saw Ji Shuoting, Jiang Su, and a few others with him. She immediately knew he was planning another outing.

Sure enough, Xiao Jin pulled her bookcase off her back and tossed it to a servant, then casually draped an arm over her shoulder. “Come, let me treat you to a good meal.”

Lu Shujin felt a bit helpless but figured that since she would be moving out soon, having one last meal with Xiao Jin wouldn’t hurt. Besides, it would be a good chance to tell him about her plans.

They boarded a carriage and left the academy, heading for one of the most renowned restaurants in Yuncheng. Being a frequent patron, Xiao Jin was immediately recognized by the shopkeeper, who greeted him with a wide smile. “Oh, Young Master Xiao! It’s been a while! Shall I prepare a full table of our finest dishes for you?”

Xiao Jin nodded and strode upstairs like he was at home, leading them straight to a private room on the fourth floor.

Having shared a desk with Lu Shujin for half a month, Jiang Su had grown quite close to her. When they sat down, he deliberately left the seat to Xiao Jin’s right for Lu Shujin and sat next to her himself.

While Xiao Jin and Ji Shuoting chatted and laughed, Jiang Su pulled Lu Shujin into conversation, mainly asking about the incident with the pig farm fire—was it really Xiao Jin who started it?

Of course, Lu Shujin couldn’t directly answer that. Instead, she vividly described the scene when the fire broke out, which had Jiang Su slapping his thigh in excitement, repeatedly praising Xiao Jin’s boldness and lamenting why he hadn’t been taken along for the fun.

Only when the dishes were served did Jiang Su finally settle down. The table was filled with a variety of exquisite dishes—fried, stir-fried, boiled, and cold dishes—all of them the restaurant’s specialties, with excellent presentation.

Lu Shujin ate slowly but carefully, savoring each bite. As she ate, she quietly rehearsed in her mind how she would explain her decision to move out of the dormitory.

But halfway through the meal, the private room’s door suddenly burst open with a loud bang, as though someone had forced their way in despite the servants’ attempts to stop them. The loud crash of the door hitting the wall immediately silenced the room.

Startled by the sudden noise, Lu Shujin’s chopsticks slipped, and the meatball she was holding fell back into her bowl, splashing hot broth onto her fingers. She quickly wiped the spill with a handkerchief and looked up, only to see a young man in his early twenties standing at the door, dressed in white, panting heavily and staring straight at Xiao Jin.

Everyone at the table immediately stood up, their gazes hostile toward the intruder.

Xiao Jin calmly set down his chopsticks, tilting his head slightly. “Well, if it isn’t Young Master Qi. Here for a meal too?”

The intruder was none other than Qi Ming. He had once clashed with Xiao Jin over a private room at the Chunfeng Pavilion. But ever since Xiao Jin set fire to the Qi family’s pig farm a few days ago, their rivalry had become a life-and-death matter. His sudden appearance had Jiang Su and the others on high alert. Just moments ago, these boys were laughing and chatting, but now they looked like they were ready to fight at any moment.

Unexpectedly, after staring at Xiao Jin for a few moments, Qi Ming suddenly dropped to his knees. Gone was the arrogant young master who had once fought Xiao Jin for a private room. His back bent low, and his forehead pressed heavily against the ground as he loudly pleaded, “Young Master Xiao, please spare our lives!”

The room door was quickly closed again, and the tense atmosphere instantly relaxed. The boys burst into mocking laughter.

Xiao Jin stood up, folded his arms, and walked around the table to stand in front of the kneeling Qi Ming. Smiling, he said, “How could I have such influence, enough to threaten the life of the great Young Master Qi?”

“Young Master Xiao, it was my ignorance and arrogance before, daring to oppose you. I truly know my mistake now. Please be magnanimous and spare our Qi family!” Qi Ming’s tone was desperate. Who knew how much courage he had to muster before coming here? At this moment, all his dignity and pride were gone. Still kneeling, he shuffled forward, trying to grab Xiao Jin’s legs.

But Xiao Jin showed no mercy. He lifted his leg and kicked Qi Ming square in the chest. The force of the kick was unrestrained, sending Qi Ming sprawling backward. His forehead struck the edge of the table with a loud “thud,” making the entire table of dishes tremble violently.

The broth in Lu Shujin’s bowl splashed again. Alarmed, she quickly stood up and took two steps back, setting down her chopsticks.

Qi Ming scrambled back to his knees with astonishing speed, clasping his hands together in a pitiful gesture. “Hit me all you want! Just please… please spare—”

Before he could finish, Xiao Jin grabbed him by the collar and delivered a punch to his face. The ferocity that had been momentarily hidden in Xiao Jin’s eyes flared back to life. His sudden movement sent the table flying, dishes crashing to the ground and shattering loudly.

Lu Shujin’s heart skipped a beat. She took another step back, her fingers instinctively curling into the fabric of her sleeve as she watched the chaotic scene unfold.

Lu Shujin was suddenly struck by a sense of deja vu, as though she had been plunged back into that nightmare from a few days ago—Xiao Jin, consumed by violence and cruelty, mercilessly kicking Qi Ming, leaving clear footprints on his once-pristine white robe. Blood stained Qi Ming’s forehead, smearing across his face, and the swelling bruises on his cheeks and eye sockets darkened rapidly. In just a few moments, his face was unrecognizable.

Fear surged within her, and she instinctively stepped back.

Xiao Jin didn’t hit Qi Ming for long. He stopped, breathing heavily as though venting his rage. His hand was smeared with blood, but he wasn’t done yet. He waved at Jiang Su and the others. “Beat him.”

Jiang Su, Fang Yi, and the other boys rushed forward, encircling Qi Ming. In an instant, fists and kicks rained down on him. At first, Qi Ming gritted his teeth and endured in silence, but soon he could no longer bear it, screaming for mercy and sobbing, “Stop, please stop! I beg you, stop!”

“Does it hurt now?” Xiao Jin watched coldly, a wicked smile on his face. “At the very least, you’re going to lose two ribs.”

Lu Shujin’s fingers trembled uncontrollably as she watched the brutal scene before her. Her ears rang with Qi Ming’s cries and the boys’ mocking insults—a cacophony that was unbearable.

“Stop…” She whispered, barely loud enough for anyone to hear.

But no one did. The violence continued.

“Stop!” Lu Shujin finally couldn’t take it anymore and shouted, “Stop it! He’s going to die!”

The room fell silent at once, the boys ceasing their blows, leaving only Qi Ming curled up on the floor, clutching his head and sobbing.

Lu Shujin clenched her fists, struggling to suppress the terror in her heart. She looked up at Xiao Jin.

Sure enough, he was looking at her too. But this time, his eyes were not smiling, nor were they warm. Instead, they were frosty and piercingly cold.

“If you keep beating him, he will die,” Lu Shujin’s voice trembled as she spoke.

“So what?” Xiao Jin retorted icily.

“Does human life mean nothing to you?” The words slipped out without a second thought.

Xiao Jin continued to stare at her, and the others looked her way as well. Ji Shuoting murmured, “Let’s just leave it.”

“Lu Shujin.” Xiao Jin called her name. “You’ve been in Yuncheng for almost two months. You must have heard rumors about me. Tell me what you’ve heard.”

Lu Shujin bit her lip, staying silent.

“Speak,” Xiao Jin pressed, his voice exerting pressure on her.

“An uneducated troublemaker, a tyrant.”

“And?”

“A bully who abuses his power and disregards human life,” her voice dropped to a whisper.

“Exactly. Keep that in mind.” Xiao Jin let out a light, humorless chuckle, though his eyes were devoid of any warmth. “That’s exactly who I am.”

He leaned forward slightly. “And that’s what you think of me, isn’t it?”

Lu Shujin instinctively denied, “No…”

“If that wasn’t the case, you wouldn’t be so eager to move out of the dormitory, desperate to get away from me.” His expression was filled with mockery. “Even if I had the Xiao family’s chefs prepare you fresh meals every day, even if I replaced everything in your room with the finest pens, ink, paper, and inkstones, even if I took you with me wherever I went—you would still keep your distance from me.”

Her face turned pale, her heart filled with panic. She looked at Xiao Jin’s cold, stern face, momentarily speechless.

“You were right. Human life is worthless to someone like me.” Xiao Jin ground his heel into Qi Ming’s arm, pressing down hard. Qi Ming screamed in agony.

Finally, Xiao Jin turned away from Qi Ming and looked at Lu Shujin. “There’s no need for you to move out. I won’t be staying in that shabby dormitory at Haizhou Academy anymore.”

With that, he flung the door open and strode away.

“Xiao-ge!” Jiang Su looked anxious, glanced at Lu Shujin, and quickly explained, “Don’t mind Xiao-ge. He’s just angry right now. He’ll be fine once he calms down. But you really shouldn’t have stopped us just now…”

After saying that, Jiang Su hurriedly ran out to chase after Xiao Jin.

In an instant, the room emptied. Ji Shuoting was the last to leave, and as he passed by Lu Shujin, he paused for a moment. “You’ll have to go back on your own. Be careful on the way, while it’s still light out.”

Silence engulfed the private room. Lu Shujin stood frozen, her face pale.

She didn’t hear the words Jiang Su and Ji Shuoting said afterward. Her mind was filled with Xiao Jin’s final glance at her and his last sentence.

Xiao Jin was moving out of the academy, which meant she no longer needed to find an outside place to rent. It also meant Xiao Jin and his circle of noble friends would be far away from her.

Perhaps this was for the best. After all, Xiao Jin and she were never the same kind of people. He was born into privilege, constantly surrounded by admirers, never short of friends or companions, never lacking any form of affection or favoritism. But she wasn’t like that.

Lu Shujin was an orphan, living under the roof of a cold, harsh aunt, growing up lonely. Her only friend was the little maid who stayed by her side. She had never known any warmth except for her grandmother’s love, and even that had faded before she turned four. Over time, the memories of that love had become so blurred that they seemed almost imaginary.

Facing endless indifference and criticism, she had long since stopped expecting anything from others. She had learned to protect herself this way.

As long as she kept her distance, Xiao Jin’s approach was nothing more than a fleeting amusement, and his departure wouldn’t affect her.

After all, she had always been alone.

With this thought, the intense emotions within her began to settle, and her trembling hands gradually steadied. But as the tension eased, her legs suddenly felt weak, and she reached for a nearby chair, intending to sit down and rest.

Unexpectedly, as she lowered her gaze, a single tear slipped from the corner of her eye—too fast for her to stop.

She hurriedly wiped it away with the back of her hand, as if trying to deny its existence by sheer speed.

But more tears followed, ones she could no longer hold back. And so, she gave up wiping them away, murmuring to herself, “I didn’t think of him that way…”

Previous

Next