TATSD Chapter 81

Daxi Town, Academy

“I didn’t know you had quite a bit of insight into the world’s affairs. I thought you only knew how to eat,” Zhao Mianguang said, spreading out a pile of papers in front of him. The pages were filled with dense black handwriting, fluid and vigorous yet irregular, with letters sprawled all over.

These were Lin Tai’s essays on the Four Nations.

“I plan to become an official in the future. How can I do that without understanding political theory? Mianguang, why do you underestimate me?” Lin Tai sat cross-legged on the bed, several sheets of paper by his knees—these were written by Ji Baoshan. He read them with great interest, occasionally pointing out flaws in Ji Baoshan’s reasoning, saying, “With the Western Kingdom beset by internal strife and external threats, how can it possibly concern itself with the world’s situation? Naturally, we should unite with our Da Qian to fend off the northern Manchu nation. If you only focus on its wealth and isolation, you might misjudge its national strength.”

Ji Baoshan nodded repeatedly, admiringly saying, “Though Chen Peizhi is favored by Mr. Huang, in my opinion, Lin Tai, you are no less than him!”

Lin Tai shot him a disdainful glance. “Who has the patience to argue with him? We’ll see the truth in the examination.”

A few days ago, Mr. Huang collected everyone’s essays on the Four Nations and distributed them back today with comments for the students to review and learn from. Those who got along well gathered to discuss, such as Zhao Mianguang, Lin Tai, and Ji Baoshan.

Liu Yimian often accompanied the three of them, and they helped him clarify his doubts.

Although he couldn’t write political essays, listening to them had been quite beneficial.

“Liu, do you understand the current world situation?” Lin Tai’s gaze sharpened as he looked at Liu Yimian.

Liu Yimian paused, slowly shaking his head, feeling a bit self-conscious and reluctant to look up.

“Don’t worry. I have a book on the geography of the Four Nations that I can lend you. Once you’ve read it, you’ll understand how the world works,” Lin Tai said, jumping off the bed and pulling a booklet from the cabinet, tossing it to Liu Yimian.

Liu Yimian stood up to catch it, cradling it in his arms and eagerly flipping through the pages. It contained several simple illustrations depicting customs and geography, paired with text that was quite vivid.

“Thank you, Lin Tai.”

“No need to thank me. Come, come, try this new red sugar date paste cake I brought from home!” Lin Tai cheerfully opened the bundle he had just brought, revealing an assortment of sweet pastries that filled the air with their enticing aroma. “This red sugar date paste cake sells well; my dad only let me bring five pieces.”

“Zhao Mianguang, why are you just sitting there? Hurry over!” Lin Tai urged, shoving pieces of cake into Ji Baoshan and Liu Yimian’s hands while glaring at Zhao Mianguang.

Zhao Mianguang thanked him, stood up from the stool, and reached out to grab the red sugar date paste cake from Lin Tai, not realizing his clothing had caught on the sharp edge of the table.

As he leaned forward, there was a ripping sound, and a large tear appeared, exposing the white lining beneath.

Zhao Mianguang’s expression changed. Forgetting about the cake, he awkwardly covered the tear with his hand, feeling both helpless and frustrated. “It’s my fault for being careless. My mother just made this outfit for me half a month ago. Now it’s got a huge hole in it; I don’t know how to explain this when I go back.”

“Oh, what’s there to worry about? Just say what needs to be said.”

“Just on the way back, I’m afraid I’ll attract some attention…” Scholars place great importance on their appearance, and the thought of being laughed at by his peers on the way back due to his carelessness filled Zhao Mianguang with regret.

While the four were together, Liu Yimian usually remained quiet and rarely spoke.

He shyly looked at Zhao Mianguang and softly said, “I’m only somewhat skilled with needlework, but if you don’t mind, I can help you mend it.”

It was difficult for Liu Yimian to address him as “Mianguang.”

But they had insisted he do so; otherwise, he wouldn’t be allowed to join them.

With no choice, Liu Yimian complied.

“Oh? You can sew?”

Zhao Mianguang slapped his forehead in realization, excitedly saying, “How could I forget? You’re a gentleman, so of course, you know how to sew. It doesn’t have to be perfect; just patch it up so it doesn’t show. That would be quite embarrassing.”

“I’ve never even touched a needle in my life!” Lin Tai shook his head vigorously.

“I’ll go get it. Wait a moment, Mianguang.” Liu Yimian stuffed the last piece of date paste cake into his mouth, then went to get his sewing kit, standing before Zhao Mianguang.

“Should I stand?” Zhao Mianguang asked as he rose.

He was half a head taller than Liu Yimian, casting a shadow over him.

Liu Yimian held his breath, feeling a bit nervous.

He rarely got close to unfamiliar men; when he was still in the Liu family, he rarely went beyond the market for groceries. At the Ji family, he only interacted with Ji Wei, the only man there. Being this close to others and sewing for them was something he had never experienced before.

After taking twice as long as usual, he finally threaded the needle. With slightly trembling hands, he began to sew up the palm-sized tear in Zhao Mianguang’s side.

It was a simple task, but with his anxious mind, it took considerable effort. Several times, the needle slipped out of place.

Liu Yimian took a deep breath, and a familiar figure slowly surfaced in his mind.

The familiar sounds of laughter occupied his thoughts, bringing him back to calmness.

If it were Ji Ge, he surely wouldn’t be bothered by something so trivial.

It’s just sewing a piece of clothing; it’s nothing serious!

Liu Yimian silently repeated this in his heart, and his movements became quicker. Before long, he had mended the tear. Aside from the initial awkwardness that led to a slightly crooked stitch, the subsequent stitches were tight and neat. Unless one looked closely, no one would notice the large hole that had been there before.

“All done,” Liu Yimian said, biting off the cotton thread and turning to Zhao Mianguang.

So absorbed was he in his work that he didn’t realize Zhao Mianguang had been watching him for quite a while.

From Zhao Mianguang’s perspective, he could see Liu Yimian’s soft, black hair, his delicate ears, and long eyelashes that resembled butterfly wings, fluttering gently with every movement as if they might take flight.

After watching for so long, Zhao Mianguang almost forgot to breathe. When Liu Yimian called his name, he suddenly snapped back to reality, stepping back a bit awkwardly and feeling a sense of unintentional guilt as he said, “If Liu Yimian’s needlework is merely average, then not many can claim to be skilled at it.”

“You flatter me,” Liu Yimian replied, putting the sewing kit back into the bag and quickly returning to his place by the bed.

Zhao Mianguang quickly glanced at Liu Yimian, who was three steps away from him. Before Liu noticed, he swiftly turned his face away and focused on the stack of papers on the table, his thoughts gradually drifting elsewhere.

Even though Liu Yimian had gone to the county school, the Zhang family’s pastries still had to be delivered.

Just then, Ji Wei was heading home and decided to take a box of donuts and croissants to West Second Lane.

“It’s me, Ji Wei! Open the door!” As soon as he announced his name, hurried footsteps could be heard from behind the door. The main entrance creaked open, revealing the familiar face of a servant.

Gone was the impatience and annoyance that had previously marked the servant’s expression, replaced now with flattery.

“Master Ji, you’ve finally arrived! Manager Zhang instructed me the day before yesterday that if you came, I was to welcome you in and not let you leave.” The servant bowed, wearing a pleasing smile, and gestured for Ji Wei to enter.

“What does Manager Zhang want with me?” Ji Wei had only intended to drop off the goodies and leave, but hearing that Zhang Quan was looking for him, he decided to follow the servant inside.

If it weren’t for someone’s instruction, how could Zhang Quan, who had always found him displeasing, be seeking him out?

Sure enough, the moment Ji Wei saw Zhang Quan, he was led to Zhang Mingyuan’s courtyard.

Zhang Mingyuan greeted Ji Wei happily upon seeing him. “It’s been a while! Young Master Ji, you’ve gotten darker and thinner—your business must be flourishing!”

“Ha! Scholar Zhang, you’ve guessed wrong. I’ve just been troubled by trivial matters and running around, which is why I look this way.”

“What could trouble Young Master Ji?” Since being impressed by Ji Wei’s desserts, Zhang Mingyuan had placed Ji Wei among the three people he most admired, so he didn’t believe Ji Wei’s words and thought he was just joking.

“Let’s not talk about that. What did you want with me, Scholar Zhang?” Ji Wei had no intention of explaining the situation to this scholar, so he changed the topic.

“I almost forgot; I wanted you to bring something.” Zhang Mingyuan pulled out a stack of books from beneath a cabinet and placed them on the table, raising a cloud of dust.

“What’s this?” Ji Wei asked, confused.

“This is, of course, not for you; it’s for Yimian.” Zhang Mingyuan picked one up and flipped through a few pages.

The book was somewhat old, the pages yellowed, and many black annotations written in fine brushstrokes in the blank spaces, clearly from an old text.

“Though Yimian is diligent and intelligent, he is still lacking a solid foundation compared to students who have studied hard since childhood. Now that he’s in the county school and attending classes with others, he should catch up properly,” Zhang Mingyuan said, putting the book back, then patting it with force, sending up more dust that made him cough incessantly. “My thoughts are written in there; he can study them by himself.”

Ji Wei poured a cup of water and handed it to Zhang Mingyuan. Once he had calmed down, Ji Wei clasped his fists in thanks. “Putting everything else aside, you truly care for him. I thank you on Yimian’s behalf, Scholar Zhang.”

“No need for thanks; they’re just useless books. If they can benefit others, that’s a good outcome. If I keep them, they’ll just gather dust.”

“What did you bring today?” Zhang Mingyuan rubbed his hands together, looking eager.

“Just some donuts and croissants.”

“Though that’s good, I can’t shake the feeling that you’re hiding something else.”

“Rest assured, Scholar. In the future, if I have any new products, I’ll be sure to send a sample to your home first for you to taste.”

Zhang Mingyuan’s eyes lit up, and he reached out to high-five Ji Wei. “A gentleman’s word is his bond—”

Ji Wei echoed him, “Even four horses can’t catch up!”

Zhang Mingyuan had to return to his studies, so Ji Wei decided not to linger any longer. After thanking him once more, he left the courtyard with the stack of books.

As he passed the small garden, he saw a familiar figure in the distance, leaning on a cane and strolling by the low flower bushes.

Ji Wei called out to greet Elder Zhang, who beckoned him over.

“Where are you in such a hurry to go?” Elder Zhang asked slowly, squinting at the stack of books Ji Wei was holding. “Those are old books from Mingyuan, right? You’re giving them to that young lad?”

Ji Wei nodded.

“He seems to care quite a bit about this young man.”

“What do you mean by that?” Ji Wei frowned, looking at Elder Zhang.

“Nothing much, just that it’s rare to see him so concerned about something,” Elder Zhang chuckled twice, clearly unwilling to elaborate. Ji Wei decided not to press further.

“Walk with me for a bit.”

Elder Zhang waved his hand, signaling Zhang Quan to leave, and sighed, “You’ve achieved so much at such a young age; I, an old man, am nowhere near your level.”

“You flatter me, Elder.”

“How could I?” Elder Zhang laughed. “You’re quite clever. Among the younger generation, there are hardly a few who are as composed and capable as you.”

“The future world will belong to your generation…”

“Why are you so sentimental today, Elder?” Ji Wei found it strange, thinking that someone like Elder Zhang shouldn’t show such emotions.

“I’m just feeling sentimental; I’m getting old, and I’ve lost the initial drive I had. To elevate the Zhang family further seems nearly impossible.” Elder Zhang paused, looking at Ji Wei with a smile while stroking his chin. “But now there’s an opportunity before me; I wonder if you’d be willing to give me that chance?”

“What do you mean, Elder?”

“Let’s join forces and overcome difficulties together. What do you say, Young Master Ji?”

Without needing much explanation, Ji Wei could already ascertain that Elder Zhang was well aware of his situation, hence his approach.