Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 144

Xu Shen didn’t ask Lu Tang how she discovered Zhuang Yu, and Lu Tang didn’t mention it either.

Following the address they found on the map yesterday, they made their way to Zhuang Yu’s residence.

This house truly lived up to its reputation as part of a wealthy district in Jiangnan. The mansion was grand and impressive.

Judging by the length of the courtyard walls, Lu Tang estimated that the house had at least three sections with multiple entrances. In such a large house, who knew where Zhuang Yu might be? Would he even hear them knocking from the outside?

While thinking this, Lu Tang climbed the steps and knocked on the door.

To make sure her knock was loud enough, she put a lot of effort into it. However, as soon as her hand hit the door, it creaked open.

Lu Tang was thrown forward by the force of her knock and nearly fell inside. Fortunately, Xu Shen was quick enough to grab her, saving her from a nasty fall.

“Why is the door open?” Xu Shen steadied Lu Tang and stepped inside, looking around with curiosity. “Why isn’t there even a servant at the entrance?”

Lu Tang thought to herself that the old man lived alone, so why would there be any servants?

Not only were there no servants, but as they walked further in from the main gate, they didn’t encounter anyone. It wasn’t until they reached the courtyard near the main house that suddenly a huge figure jumped out from the side.

Dressed in an eagle costume and wearing a lion mask, the person struck a pose like an actor in a Peking Opera. “Halt! Who goes there?”

This sudden shout startled both Lu Tang and Xu Shen, making them jump.

“Do people who write novels always play like this? Is this how they find inspiration?” Lu Tang thought. After recovering from the shock, she quickly clasped her hands in greeting, “I am Lu Tang, here to see Elder Zhuang.”

Zhuang Yu was stunned. “How did you recognize me?”

Lu Tang thought: Of course, it’s your house!

“Elder Zhuang is so impressive and majestic, even with a mask, you exude a literary aura that commands admiration. My respect for you is endless, like the flowing river,” she said.

As Qin Mo and Song Qingzhan entered, they overheard Lu Tang’s praise.

Song Qingzhan turned to Qin Mo, “Young Master Lu? Why is he here? Didn’t he admire you as much as he admires Elder Zhuang? Are you two similar?”

Qin Mo thought about Zhuang Yu’s disastrous hairline and snapped, “Shut up!”

His eyes were fixed on Lu Tang.

They stood behind a rockery, able to see everything in front while remaining unseen.

Zhuang Yu rolled his eyes and pointed a spear at Lu Tang. “Shut up with your flattery! The one thing I despise most is hypocritical flatterers like you.”

As he spoke, he seemed ready to throw the spear at Lu Tang.

Lu Tang hurriedly said, “Elder Zhuang, please calm down. I truly came here to see you. I traveled all the way from Qingshui County just to find you.”

Hearing Lu Tang’s non-local accent, Zhuang Yu said coldly, “Why?”

“I heard that Elder Zhuang writes excellent novels, and I came to learn from you.”

Zhuang Yu was stunned.

A former Imperial Censor like him, being sought out for his novels?

Since he moved to Yuhang, countless people came to his door, hoping to gain connections for benefits in the capital. He either cursed or chased them all away.

This was the first time someone came for his novels.

“How did you know I write novels? I haven’t published a single one! Who told you? No one has seen my work!” Zhuang Yu exclaimed.

Lu Tang: “System!”

System: “Host, I really couldn’t detect it yesterday. I only knew he was good at writing, but not that he hadn’t published.”

“Then detect him now!” she demanded.

System: “I don’t have a detector! I can’t create one out of thin air.”

Lu Tang rolled her eyes and turned back to Zhuang Yu with a smile. “Elder Zhuang, you don’t know. I have a very talented friend who told me.”

Zhuang Yu glared at her. “Who?”

Without thinking, Lu Tang replied, “Elder Zhuang, you might not know him. His name is Qin Mo, a very high-ranking official in the capital. He can find out anything.”

Outside, Qin Mo was shocked.

Song Qingzhan laughed.

Xu Shen remained silent for a moment before adding, “Yes, it was Qin Mo who told us. He’s very capable, knowledgeable about everything.”

Lu Tang nodded. “He’s also good at fortune-telling and divination.”

Qin Mo was speechless.

Song Qingzhan was equally stunned.

Zhuang Yu was puzzled. “Qin Mo has such skills? I didn’t know that.”

Muttering to himself, Zhuang Yu looked at Lu Tang. “Even so, why should I give my novels to you?”

Lu Tang quickly replied, “Elder Zhuang, I run an inn in Yuhang. The inn wants to…”

Before she could finish, Zhuang Yu waved impatiently. “What does your inn have to do with me? I don’t stay in inns, nor am I interested in investing. Do we even know each other?”

Lu Tang thought: Is this an old man’s version of a midlife crisis?

“I want to buy your novels to perform short plays at my inn.”

Song Qingzhan was confused. “Short what?”

Qin Mo was puzzled. “What plays?”

Xu Shen was equally baffled. “Huh?”

Zhuang Yu was no less confused. “Short what?”

Lu Tang explained, “We want to adapt your novels into performances on stage.”

“Opera? Kunqu? Huangmei Opera?” Zhuang Yu asked.

Lu Tang shook her head. “Even better. Don’t you want your hard work to be seen by more people? In a more advanced form, widely known, passed down through generations, becoming a classic?”

Zhuang Yu waved dismissively. “No.”

Lu Tang was frustrated. Old people were hard to deal with.

“Elder Zhuang, I’ll pay a high price for your novels,” she said.

Zhuang Yu scoffed. “Do I look like I need money? Is your house bigger than mine?”

Lu Tang was speechless.

“I don’t care why you’re here. Leave now,” Zhuang Yu said, waving his spear to chase them away. “I don’t welcome just anyone here. You’ve polluted my air long enough. Get out!”

Young Master Lu might have been seeking help, but he wasn’t without a temper.

After speaking politely for so long only to be insulted, Lu Tang pointed at Zhuang Yu’s nose and shouted, “Polluted your air? You’re the one talking nonsense! If you don’t want to sell, fine! You’re not the only one who can write. I’m not desperate. We’re all scholars here. Who doesn’t have a temper? But your foul mouth is a disgrace to scholars!”

Lu Tang’s outburst shocked Qin Mo outside. He stepped forward immediately.