Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 103

As Xie Chengnian spoke about the past, Lu Tang felt like a heavy weight was pressing on her chest, making it hard to breathe.

 

 

 

But she still felt something was off.

 

 

 

“You finished the design for Huang Bangyuan. After that, did Huang Bangyuan ever ask you to do anything else for him?”

 

 

 

Xie Chengnian clenched his fist and slammed it on the table. “Do anything else? I couldn’t save Yu’er from the poison. How could I trust him again?”

 

 

 

That meant Huang Bangyuan never sought Xie Chengnian’s help again after that incident.

 

 

 

That was strange.

 

 

 

If Xie Chengnian was so skilled, why wouldn’t Huang Bangyuan continue to use him?

 

If he didn’t plan to use him anymore, was it because the antidote was never meant to completely cure the poison, or was there another problem?

 

 

 

A thought flashed through Lu Tang’s mind. She asked, “Do you know what kind of poison Xie Yu was given?”

 

 

 

Xie Chengnian took a deep breath and exhaled shakily. His eyes, bloodshot from excitement, turned to Lu Tang, showing his helplessness.

 

 

 

“Since Yu’er was poisoned, I’ve sought every doctor I could find—imperial physicians, barefoot doctors… They all said the same thing. If the poison isn’t cured within three months, it can’t be cured at all.”

 

 

 

Lu Tang’s fingers curled. Was that why Xie Chengnian, a former high-ranking official, was now so poor?

 

 

 

Had all his money gone into seeking treatment?

 

“What kind of poison was it?”

 

 

 

“Seven-month herb.”

 

 

 

Lu Tang hadn’t heard of this poison. To her, it seemed like in modern terms, Xie Yu might have been given large amounts of steroids.

 

 

 

“Did you ever ask Huang Bangyuan for the antidote again?”

 

 

 

Xie Chengnian’s lips trembled slightly as he leaned back in his chair, closing his eyes, refusing to speak further.

 

 

 

It seemed he wouldn’t say more.

 

 

 

Lu Tang suddenly understood.

 

 

 

Of course, he had asked. How could he not? But it was no use.

 

 

 

This was the state of Xie Chengnian now…

 

Throughout their conversation, Xie Chengnian only talked about Xie Yu’s poisoning. He hardly mentioned his own troubles.

 

 

 

Despite her curiosity about Xie Chengnian and Huang Bangyuan’s dealings, Lu Tang wasn’t determined to uncover the truth.

 

 

 

She was here to complete her task and to help Xie Yu as much as she could.

 

 

 

As for seeking justice or exposing wrongdoing… she might be too lazy and indifferent for that.

 

 

 

She just wanted to take care of her own issues and didn’t want to meddle in others’ affairs.

 

 

 

Especially when those affairs involved the imperial court.

 

 

 

It was like she was a small shop owner in Nankai District. Should she worry about the struggles between high officials and the head of the education bureau?

 

 

 

Lu Tang stood up, wanting to pat Xie Chengnian’s shoulder, but it didn’t seem appropriate. “I genuinely consider Xie Yu a friend. I’ll do my best to find a way to help with his poisoning.”

 

 

 

Without asking more, Lu Tang walked out.

 

 

 

Xie Chengnian was stunned.

 

 

 

That’s it?

 

 

 

He had prepared to negotiate, to offer any cooperation if Lu Tang asked about Huang Bangyuan and the past in exchange for an antidote for Xie Yu.

 

 

 

But she didn’t ask?

 

 

 

Xie Chengnian was taken aback. He turned to look at Lu Tang, who was already at the door, opening it.

 

 

 

Xie Yu sat on the doorstep, looking up at Lu Tang with red eyes. “Brother Tang.”

 

 

 

His voice was hoarse.

 

 

 

Lu Tang ruffled his hair. “We won’t bother you today. Come to the inn to find us in a few days.”

 

 

 

Xie Yu knew Lu Tang was giving him time to sort out his emotions. He nodded, “Tomorrow I’ll take you to Lingyin Temple.”

 

 

 

“No rush.”

 

 

 

Zhou Shu and the others saw Lu Tang coming out and immediately stood up.

 

 

 

Lu Tang waved at them. “I just remembered I have something to do. Let’s go.”

 

 

 

As they left the Xie family’s house, before Zhou Shu and the others could ask, Lu Tang said, “Xie Yu was poisoned with seven-month herb. See if you can find a way to cure it.”

 

 

 

They were momentarily stunned.

 

 

 

“Poisoned?”

 

 

 

“Damn!”

 

 

 

“I knew it was poisoning!”

 

 

 

Lu Tang smiled wryly. “It’s probably difficult. His grandpa has been searching for a cure for years without success.”

 

 

 

The four of them felt heavy-hearted until they reached the bustling streets, where the lively atmosphere gradually lifted their spirits.

 

 

 

They wandered around, bought various trinkets, and then headed to the best restaurant in Yuhang for a feast.

 

 

 

By the time they returned to the inn, it was dusk.

 

 

 

Liang Cheng sat on the bed, cursing, “Is this what you call brotherhood? Is this what childhood friends do? I waited all day without anyone to talk to, and you guys went out to have fun?”

 

 

 

Xu Shen rolled his eyes, lifting his pants to apply ointment to his injured knee. “Who’s to blame? Who overdosed last night? If you hadn’t messed up, you wouldn’t be lying here with a bum leg today.”

 

 

 

“Damn! It hurts so much now, though I didn’t feel it at the time!”

 

 

 

Zhou Shu dragged a small table to the bed and placed a bowl of fish porridge in front of Liang Cheng, “If I weren’t your childhood friend, would I have waited in line for an hour to get you porridge? Eat it up!”

 

 

 

Guo Dawei slapped a spoon in front of Liang Cheng, “Eat up, cripple!”

 

 

 

Liang Cheng angrily grabbed the spoon and took a big bite. “It’s just fish porridge. I had it for breakfast and lunch. I’m almost… Wow! This is really good!”

 

 

 

Lu Tang watched Liang Cheng, feeling something was off about him today.

 

 

 

He used to be silly, but today he seemed excessively silly… Did he hit his head when he fell yesterday?

 

Liang Cheng babbled on, glancing at Lu Tang from the corner of his eye.

 

 

 

Seeing her watching him, he squirmed uncomfortably, trying to act natural. “Where are Young Master Qin and the others?”

 

 

 

Xu Shen, still blowing on his knee, said, “They have their own matters. They can’t always be with us. Come on, let’s go.”

 

 

 

With that, everyone in the room stood up.

 

 

 

Liang Cheng hurriedly asked, “Where are you going?”

 

 

 

Zhou Shu tilted Liang Cheng’s chin up. “We’re going to West Lake to listen to the singers! Cripple, enjoy the consequences of your actions.”

 

 

 

“You guys are too much.” Liang Cheng howled.

 

 

 

Lu Tang found his howl particularly dry, “Are you alright?”

 

 

 

She suddenly moved closer, and Liang Cheng stiffened, avoiding her gaze, “Of course, I’m alright. I’m lonely, cold, and my leg hurts.”

 

 

 

His leg wasn’t broken, but it was badly bruised and needed a few days to heal.

 

 

 

Zhou Shu pulled Lu Tang away, “Let’s go, Brother Tang. Ignore him. He’s just acting to get our sympathy.”

 

 

 

“Sorry, but we’re not in the sympathy business.”

 

 

 

They laughed as they left Liang Cheng’s room.

 

 

 

Once they were gone, the noisy room fell silent. Liang Cheng’s eyes reddened, and he lay stiffly on the bed.