Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 70

Lu Tang had no idea that the two brothers were arguing. She had just gone downstairs to eat when Xue Tian arrived.

While munching on a fried dough stick and sipping soy milk, Lu Tang glanced at him but didn’t move.

However, Xu Shen and Guo Dawei exchanged a look, then continued their cricket match while keeping their ears open.

Xue Tian, dressed in the typical gray-blue robe of a scholar, stood awkwardly at the inn’s entrance. His pale face showed his discomfort. He peered into the lobby and finally smiled at the young waiter by the door. “Excuse me, could you call Liang Cheng for me?”

The waiter replied politely, “Of course, please wait a moment.”

After a short while, the waiter returned. “I’m sorry, Young Master Liang said he doesn’t want to see you.”

Xue Tian was taken aback by this response, his face turning even paler. He clenched his fists in frustration but remembered Gu Yunhe’s instructions and forced himself to endure the humiliation. “That can’t be right. Yesterday, Brother Liang Cheng said he would have a meal with me today.”

He deliberately changed his form of address, almost causing Guo Dawei and Xu Shen to choke.

If Zhou Shu were here, he would have thrown up on the spot.

Guo Dawei rolled his eyes and said, “He agreed yesterday and changed his mind today. What’s so strange about that?”

Xue Tian’s already pale face turned whiter. He looked at Guo Dawei and said, “Why would he change his mind? I’ll go ask him myself.”

Guo Dawei stood up from the table and blocked Xue Tian’s path. “Sorry, but Liang Cheng is my friend. If he doesn’t want to see you, I can’t let you go in and bother him.”

Xu Shen also stepped forward, standing behind Guo Dawei, looking just as hostile.

“That’s right. Besides, Brother Liang is busy right now. He’s asleep with Zhou Shu.”

Lu Tang almost spat out her soy milk.

Had she read too many romance novels in her previous life? Why did that statement feel so wrong?

She choked down the soy milk and saw Xue Tian looking equally shocked at Xu Shen. “Asleep?”

Lu Tang: Look at that. Scholars truly do grasp the key points immediately.

Xu Shen draped an arm over Guo Dawei’s shoulder, standing lazily as if he had no bones. “Yes, asleep. Didn’t Liang Cheng tell you? He and Zhou Shu, well, he calls Zhou Shu ‘Brother’ now.”

Lu Tang: Why didn’t I realize my friends were so cheeky before?

Guo Dawei’s shoulders shook with suppressed laughter. He coughed and said seriously, “So, you shouldn’t call Liang Cheng ‘Brother’ anymore. Zhou Shu wouldn’t be happy.”

Lu Tang: You guys really get it, huh?

Xue Tian left the inn looking like he had eaten something foul, his mind buzzing.

He wandered dazedly to the gate of Lu Yuchen’s house, finally snapping out of his stupor and letting out a heartfelt curse.

Gu Yunhe was sitting under the osmanthus tree in the courtyard, sipping tea. Seeing Xue Tian’s iron-blue face and disgusted expression, he frowned. “What’s wrong this early in the morning?”

Xue Tian didn’t mention Liang Cheng and Zhou Shu.

Although Liang Cheng had treated him poorly, he couldn’t betray his own conscience by airing Liang Cheng’s dirty laundry.

Forcing a smile, Xue Tian said, “It’s nothing. I tried my best, but the inn still won’t hire me.”

Fearing that Gu Yunhe might stop sponsoring his studies in the capital, Xue Tian nervously added, “If you have any other tasks for me, I will definitely…”

Gu Yunhe, looking benevolent, waved his hand. “I just wanted to test you and see your character. It costs a lot to support someone studying in the capital, and I can’t sponsor everyone.”

Hearing this, Xue Tian’s heart raced, and he stared at Gu Yunhe with wide eyes, afraid to miss a word.

“You can adapt, lower your pride, and let go of your so-called dignity. Very good. That’s how a true scholar should be, not stuck on some old-fashioned principles.”

Xue Tian felt his whole body tingle with excitement.

Did he pass the test?

“The day after tomorrow, pack up and prepare to leave. I will give you a letter of introduction, and you can head straight to Liyang Academy in the capital.”

Xue Tian felt like every pore of his body was screaming in joy.

He actually secured the sponsorship!

He no longer had to face his mother at home or live a hard life.

At that moment, overwhelmed with gratitude, Xue Tian almost revealed Liang Cheng’s secret to Gu Yunhe.

The few pieces of paper Liang Cheng had used to make boats for him were important accounting records. He had realized their significance as he grew older. Just showing them could bring down the Liang family.

But Xue Tian wasn’t that kind of person. He wanted to succeed on his own merits.

After a moment of hesitation, he decided not to say anything.

Gu Yunhe, helping Xue Tian up, smiled. “Coincidentally, a friend of mine and his son are staying at the inn and will also be heading to the capital. You can travel with them, and I’ll feel more at ease.”

Xue Tian, still riding the wave of excitement, nodded repeatedly.

Gu Yunhe patted his shoulder and handed him some silver. “Tomorrow noon, treat your former classmates to a meal. In the future, if you enter the officialdom, these people will be your colleagues.”

Xue Tian nodded again.

Gu Yunhe pondered for a moment and said, “Why don’t you have the banquet at the inn’s lobby? They cater to walk-in guests too. The food is good, and you can get to know my friend better. It’ll make the journey to the capital less awkward.”

At this point, Xue Tian would agree to anything Gu Yunhe suggested.