Chapter 105

“Heh heh heh…”

Liu Yumei chuckled as she ate candied fruit.

After exchanging warm and friendly greetings at the hospital, Tan Wenbin even treated those two to grilled fish at Old Sichuan Restaurant.

The conversation at the table was dense, but it all followed the same routine.

For example, he would first ask about the traditional culture behind the Officers of the Command Banner and show tremendous curiosity about their line of work. Then, without warning, he would shift the subject and ask how many temples there usually were in one area, and whether the incense offerings would be spread too thin if there were too many temples packed together.

Or he would start by praising Lin Shuyou’s upright and incorruptible character, saying there had actually been a student in the dorm building who dared to keep a ghost as a guard dog, and that Lin Shuyou had been so furious he invited White Crane Child to possess him and nearly beat that student to death.

Tan Wenbin said, “If you ask me, people who keep ghosts for fun are absolutely heinous!”

Lin Fuan and Chen Shoumen immediately chimed in with agreement.

Tan Wenbin added, “That’s why our Dragon King knew how to correct his mistake. He had the ghost he was using as a watchdog properly laid to rest.”

The moment they heard that, Lin Fuan and Chen Shoumen’s faces changed on the spot.

In short, it was that same routine over and over again, repeated until the meal was finally over. By the time the two of them left the restaurant and walked outside, their legs were trembling and their faces were white as paper.

Tan Wenbin even hailed them a taxi himself. They were leaving for Fujian that very night and did not even go say goodbye to Lin Shuyou before they left.

Taking a sip of rice wine, Liu Yumei said, “You really do know how to torment people.”

“That’s only because you taught me so well, ma’am.”

“I never taught you that.”

“Didn’t you teach me this afternoon that the one thing people do all their lives is keep picking things up and putting them down again? So I tried a little emotional whiplash on them first.”

“Cheeky brat.”

“Then should I slap my own mouth?”

“That’s enough. I’m pleased now, so I’ll let this matter drop. You handled it well. Your grandma here is very satisfied.”

“I wouldn’t dare claim the credit. They were terrified their temple would be torn down. They weren’t afraid of me. They were afraid of you, Grandma, standing behind me.”

“Not bad.”

“Besides, no matter how good a routine is, if you use too much of it all at once, people go numb. In the first half, they were genuinely scared. By the end, they’d probably started to catch on. If we were really planning to demolish their temple, would I still be sitting there rambling on and on?

“In the end, I was talking, and they were just playing along with the act, reacting in exaggerated shock at the right moments.

“When they walked out of the restaurant, that dramatic way they were moving was way too overdone. It looked fake. Ah You’s grandfather was even secretly pinching his own thigh hard, trying to force his eyes red.”

“Good.”

“They were putting on that act for me, hoping I’d pass it on to you, make you laugh, and help calm your anger.”

“Very good.”

“Heh heh.”

Liu Yumei handed Tan Wenbin her wine cup. “This is your reward.”

The cup had once been part of a pair, but that afternoon the old lady had crushed one of them with her own hand.

Tan Wenbin took it, poured half a cup of rice wine into it, and drained it in one go. Then he set the cup back on the tea table.

“Thank you, Grandma. This rice wine is pretty sweet.”

Liu Yumei leaned back slightly in her chair and said flatly, “Looks like your standards have gotten high. You don’t think much of the little scraps your grandma has to offer anymore. Go on, tell me. What do you want?”

“Just listening to your guidance and mooching a few meals at your house already means I’ve taken a huge advantage. I can’t ask for anything else. After all, I’m following Brother Yuan. How could I take... take things from an outsider?”

“So your grandma is an outsider?”

“Well, that depends on whose side you’re talking from.”

“I’m tired. I’m going to rest.”

“Then I’ll be off. I’ll come again tomorrow to hear your teachings.”

Tan Wenbin stood up. Before leaving, he dumped all the remaining candied fruit and preserved snacks from the tea table into his own pocket.

As he reached the door, he heard the old lady say behind him, “Good. You know where the line is.”

Tan Wenbin paused for a moment, smiled, then stepped out and went downstairs.

Once he reached the courtyard, he first went and knocked on Runsheng’s coffin, asking if it was stuffy inside.

Then he went over to Yin Meng and asked whether it had soaked in enough flavor yet.

After making the rounds and greeting them both, Li Zhuiyuan came out of Ah Li’s room with a hiking pack on his back and Lin Shuyou’s schoolbag in his hand.

Tan Wenbin reached out and took it. This time, Li Zhuiyuan did not refuse.

The two of them walked side by side toward the dormitory.

Tan Wenbin did not tell Li Zhuiyuan the details about the Officers of the Command Banner, because he knew Brother Yuan was not interested in that sort of thing. He only mentioned briefly that the two men had already gone back.

“Brother Yuan, what’s the name of the cup Grandma uses for drinking?”

“A Chenghua doucai chicken cup.”

“Grandma crushed one of them today.”

“The one that’s left is worth even more now.”

“Mmm... how much is it worth?”

“Don’t be in a hurry to sell it before you’re starving. Once you do sell it, several generations of your family still won’t go hungry.”

“That’s really worth a fortune.”

“Your heart ache a little?”

Li Zhuiyuan had already guessed what happened. Granny Liu had a habit: whenever she was in a particularly good mood, she liked to give away whatever object happened to be near her.

“Not really. I just wanted to know, so when I’m old and drinking with people at a roadside stall someday, I’ll have something to brag about.”

“Mm.”

“Brother Yuan, if Runsheng and Yin Meng keep training like this, will there really be no problem?”

“There will be problems.”

“What kind of side effect?”

“It shortens your lifespan.”

Any training method that rushed for quick results came with the side effect of burning through life itself.

Uncle Qin and Aunt Liu had to let them experience each of their signature skills in a short period of time so that later on they would have a direction to explore and improve by themselves. It was a life-draining way of passing on teachings.

“Then later…”

“They can make up for it by accumulating virtue to restore their lifespan.”

Tan Wenbin licked his lips and grinned. “Then I really hit the jackpot. I haven’t lost any lifespan, so instead of needing to make it up, mine will only keep increasing. Hahaha.”

The late-night wind blew past the two of them, and then several more days passed with it.

On a bright sunny day at the school athletic field, Li Zhuiyuan sat on the steps in a corner with a book in his hands.

The freshmen undergoing military training were lined up below by class, waiting for the final inspection.

When the school leaders began speaking, Li Zhuiyuan opened the first page.

By the time he finished one book, the vice principals had not even finished their turns.

Fortunately, Li Zhuiyuan had prepared in advance. He had brought two books.

But the facts proved he had underestimated the leaders’ overwhelming urge to express themselves.

By the time he finished the second book, the last vice principal had only just finished speaking. There were still lower-ranking leaders, department heads, and an outstanding teacher representative left to talk.

Just the opening line alone, “In this season of crisp golden breezes and fragrant autumn osmanthus, we gather together here…”

Every single leader found a different set of words to praise autumn all over again.

At long last, the inspection began. Each class marched past the reviewing stand in formation to display the results of military training and the spirit of the class.

The reason Li Zhuiyuan had come was because Tan Wenbin was also in one of the formations.

Tan Wenbin had only done military training at the beginning. After that, he had been taking leave the whole time. After all, Lin Shuyou kept getting injured, which gave him a steady supply of doctor’s notes.

Every time the drill instructor checked at the infirmary and confirmed it was true, he could only sigh that the poor kid had terrible luck, falling from the dormitory building twice right after school started.

Tan Wenbin had originally thought he would not need to participate. Since he had not trained and coordinated with the group, sticking him back into the formation would easily throw off the rhythm and affect the class’s score.

But the new counselor was a man with ideas. He strongly insisted that Tan Wenbin take part in the final inspection.

And after discussing it with the instructor, the new counselor placed Tan Wenbin and Lin Shuyou right at the very front of the line. Even the student carrying the class flag had to stand behind the two of them.

Tan Wenbin was ordered to hold up the commendation certificate issued by the police department.

Lin Shuyou’s body was actually mostly fine by then, but the new counselor ordered him to wrap himself in bandages again and even handed him a crutch, telling him to walk with it.

Originally, the counselor planned to give him two crutches, but Lin Shuyou moved too fast with both and looked far too lively, so one was taken away. That way he looked more like someone physically impaired yet full of determination.

The class slogan was pretty interesting too. It was not like the other classes shouting catchy lines.

Instead, theirs was: “Protect your classmates, care for one another; act bravely for justice, shoulder your social duty.”

It did not rhyme.

But when there was a real story behind it, whether it rhymed was secondary.

This was basically cheating.

And with no suspense at all, their class took first place in the military training inspection.

The students and counselors from the other classes were naturally jealous enough to grit their teeth, but there was nothing they could do. And because the story involved a child trafficking case, moral pressure kept them in check to the point that they could not even show their resentment openly.

The drill instructors, on the other hand, accepted it more easily. They understood better than most that sometimes, no matter how well you trained, the walking “merit” would simply fall into one person’s lap. That was fate. Sometimes you really could not envy it into being.

After the inspection ended, each class returned to its earlier position in formation.

The school leaders began speaking once again, and above the field there echoed once more:

“In this season of crisp golden breezes and fragrant autumn osmanthus…”

The instructors took advantage of the moment to line up the students in the rear, jog away, and make their silent farewell.

Li Zhuiyuan also picked up the book from the ground. Instead of returning to the dorm, he went to the classroom.

There was going to be the official class meeting later.

He entered the classroom first and sat in the last row by the window in the corner.

The other students came in still wearing their military training uniforms and took their seats. Li Zhuiyuan did not know them, and they did not know Li Zhuiyuan. Quite a few were surprised to see a little kid sitting there.

Tan Wenbin and Lin Shuyou came in one after the other. Tan Wenbin walked straight over and sat beside Li Zhuiyuan. Lin Shuyou wanted to squeeze in too, but Tan Wenbin pointed toward the front. Left with no choice, Lin Shuyou sat in the row ahead.

“Brother Binbin, can’t I throw away this crutch yet?”

“Use it for a couple more days. If you ditch it now, people will talk.”

“Oh, all right.”

“Besides, why throw it away? It cost money, didn’t it? Sell it. You can stand at the school shop entrance and shout, ‘Crutch for sale! Crutch for sale!’”

“But what if nobody has an injured leg?”

“A crutch doesn’t have to be sold to someone with an injured leg. You can also sell it to someone with a bad brain.”

The new counselor walked in. His surname was Wu, his name was Wu Hong. He was very young, not tall, and quite fat, with a round face and small eyes. He did not look greasy, but there was a shrewdness about him.

The students in the class all affectionately called him “Fatty Wu.” He was the one who had asked them to.

As soon as he came in, the classroom filled with cries of “Fatty Wu” from every direction. Smiling, he waved and let his gaze sweep over everyone’s faces.

Li Zhuiyuan could tell what he was doing. He was taking mental notes.

The students who shouted “Fatty Wu” were, in all likelihood, out of the running for scholarships and class committee positions.

Meanwhile, the minority who insisted on calling him “Counselor” or “Teacher Wu” immediately stood out.

Tan Wenbin did not call out at all. Instead, he borrowed a book from Li Zhuiyuan and lowered his head to read it carefully.

When the class meeting began, Wu Hong did not use the popular method of holding a vote for class president. He appointed one directly.

“From now on, Tan Wenbin will serve as the class president of our class. Everyone, let’s welcome him with applause!”

The whole class burst into applause. Lin Shuyou clapped the hardest and the loudest.

There was really no need for a vote. Even if Tan Wenbin had barely participated in military training, what class would not pick the guy who, right at the start of the semester, had already joined in cracking down on a child trafficking ring and earned a commendation for it?

Tan Wenbin lifted his head from the world of dead sinkers with a bewildered look on his face. What? I’m the class president now?

When the class meeting ended, and before the students had left, the new class president Tan Wenbin called out:

“Turn in all your military training uniforms later at the bargain shop counter for recycling. Mention my name and you’ll get a free cup of orange drink!”

A cheer immediately rose from the class.

Canned drinks cost too much, while the orange drink was simply made from orange powder. There was a glass vat by the shop entrance, and once the machine was switched on, the yellow liquid rolled around inside and looked very tempting, though in truth it cost next to nothing.

Even so, daring to treat the whole class to drinks at a time like this was still a pretty generous move.

Lin Shuyou said excitedly, “Brother, congratulations!”

Tan Wenbin rolled his eyes at him, but very soon, he himself smiled too.

He had never really been interested in being class president. He thought it would distract him. But he could not deny that the feeling of becoming class president was actually pretty good.

And lately, some of his ideas had gradually begun to change.

Just as Granny Liu had said, Brother Yuan might not necessarily like another Little Yuan.

Li Zhuiyuan said, “Congratulations, Brother Binbin.”

Tan Wenbin froze for a moment. He suddenly realized that on that night, when facing that child named Liangliang, Brother Yuan had called him Brother Binbin instead of Brother Zhuangzhuang. That had not been a slip. It had been deliberate.

Brother Yuan wanted to see him earn honors, wanted to see him win awards, and also wanted to sit here and watch him become class president.

Just then, Fatty Wu beckoned toward them. “Class president, come to my office for a moment.”

“All right!” Tan Wenbin raised a hand to show he understood.

“All of you come,” Fatty Wu added.

He was obviously referring in particular to Li Zhuiyuan.

“All right!” Lin the Tagalong answered enthusiastically.

Fatty Wu’s office was shared. There were four desks inside, but when they entered, the other desks were empty.

Earlier, in the classroom, Fatty Wu had not singled Li Zhuiyuan out, but now in the office he focused the conversation on Li Zhuiyuan. He started by asking about daily life as a lead-in, then very quickly steered the topic to Luo Gong.

In the end, he shifted the conversation to his own love life, trying to soften the utilitarian feel of that middle section.

Fatty Wu opened a drawer, took out a framed photo, and showed them a picture of himself with his girlfriend.

Tan Wenbin leaned in, took a look, and teased, “Brother Wu, you should take your wife-to-be to the hospital and get her eyes checked.”

Fatty Wu’s girlfriend was tall and sweet-faced. By current standards, she was the pure campus beauty type.

When a man hears someone say that his girlfriend is a flower stuck in cow dung, he generally does not get angry. On the contrary, he feels proud.

Fatty Wu not only accepted Tan Wenbin calling him brother, he even lifted his barely visible neck proudly.

“Your sister-in-law has excellent taste. Let me tell you, back when we were students, she was the one who chased me first.”

“Brother Wu, be honest. Do you actually come from some powerful family background and just keep it hidden?”

“If I really had hidden depths, I wouldn’t be sitting here trying to curry favor with Luo Gong through your connections.”

Tan Wenbin slapped his thigh. “This is bad. Looks like taking her to an eye doctor won’t do. She needs a brain doctor instead.”

“Get lost. This is true love. In a while I’ll take you all out for late-night snacks and bring her along so you can meet her.”

“Why does it have to be in a while? Still stingy, huh?”

“She’s busy lately, taking care of her parents in the hospital. I’m heading there later myself to keep them company. We’re not married yet, so I need to make a good impression in front of the future in-laws.”

“Both parents got sick together?”

“Yeah. A while ago, after they went back to their hometown to visit graves, they started feeling unwell when they came back. Then they were hospitalized. Up to now, they still haven’t found the exact problem. The doctors suspect food poisoning.”

Li Zhuiyuan lifted his eyes.

Tan Wenbin was also startled, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, suddenly jolting upright.

Visit graves. Got sick. The keywords were all there, were they not?

Only Lin Shuyou was still enthusiastically explaining some home remedy from his hometown for treating food poisoning.

Fatty Wu took out a sheet of paper and, while listening, seriously began taking notes.

“Brother Wu, get me a sheet of paper too.”

“Here.”

“Brother Wu, got another pen?”

“Here.”

Tan Wenbin asked, “Brother Wu, where is your girlfriend’s hometown?”

“Near Huangshan.”

“When exactly did her parents go back to visit graves?”

“A little while ago.”

“The exact date.”

“On the first of this month. I went with her to the train station to see them off.”

“Your girlfriend didn’t go, right?”

“Right, she didn’t.”

“Which hospital are the two elders in now?”

“The Third Hospital. It’s not far from our school, across from the flower-and-bird market.”

“What room number?”

“Why are you asking so specifically?”

“I know an old Chinese doctor. His medical skills are top-notch, specializes in difficult and complicated illnesses. I’ll help you invite him over for a look. You couldn’t hire him with money. It takes connections.”

“How could I trouble you like that... when would he be able to go?”

“In a few days. I’ll need to get in touch first. Just give me the room number. Once I’ve arranged it, I’ll take him there myself. Don’t worry, I’ll say you were the one who invited him.”

“All right, I’ll write it down for you.”

“Other than the two elders falling sick, has anything else unusual happened at home?”

“I haven’t heard her mention anything.”

“Where exactly is her hometown?”

“Min’an Town. I’ve never been there, since our relationship hasn’t progressed to that stage yet.”

“Got it. Brother Wu, don’t worry. I’ll keep following up on this.”

Fatty Wu smiled. “Your dad wouldn’t happen to be a cop, would he?”

“Mm, he is.”

The moment Fatty Wu heard that, he perked up again, clearly wanting to dig further into that topic.

Tan Wenbin folded up the note at once and immediately cut him off. “Brother Wu, don’t worry. If you ever get caught while out hiring prostitutes, remember to call me.”

“You little brat.” Fatty Wu understood the meaning. “All right, we’ve talked about everything. From now on, I’ll pass class matters on to you, and you can coordinate with the class committee and handle them. Meeting adjourned.”

The three of them left the office and headed back toward the dormitory.

Tan Wenbin asked, “Brother Yuan, could it be that a new thread has appeared?”

Li Zhuiyuan said, “Not necessarily. There’s no way to be sure. And it’s also a bit too early. Besides, it’s rather far from us.”

One wave had only just settled. Although some days had passed, it should not have come this quickly. After all, he had resolved the first wave ahead of schedule, so in theory the interval between them should have been longer.

Tan Wenbin said, “That’s true. It is pretty far from our school.”

“Brother Binbin, I’m not talking about distance. I mean the relationship.”

“Relationship?”

Next Chapter >