“Coo, coo.” A crisp and loud cooing sound rang out abruptly, instantly attracting the attention of everyone present. Following the sound, they saw a fat bird, as plump and round as a ball of snow, staggering unsteadily as it stood on the windowsill.
“Where did this fat bird come from?” Jiang Siwang muttered as he stretched out his right hand, preparing to shove the bird from parts unknown out of the way.
Just then, Jihe hurried forward to stop him. “Hey! Don’t touch it. If you push this bird around, be careful of inviting big trouble! You should know this is not an ordinary bird, but the beloved pet of our esteemed father-in-law, Little Tangyuan! If you accidentally hurt it…”
Stopping there on purpose, he left the rest unsaid, his lips curling upward into a meaningful smile while his narrow eyes stared with intense interest at the slender, willow-like waist of Shen Yanchu not far away.
As if understanding what Jiang Siwang had just said, the plump Little Tangyuan suddenly opened its sharp beak and viciously pecked at the hand Jiang Siwang had extended.
As the proud young master of the Demon Realm, Jiang Siwang had always been pampered and catered to. When had he ever suffered such treatment? Even if the offender was merely a tiny bird, it was unacceptable!
Yet at that moment, Jiang Siwang knew very well that if he angered his father-in-law on a momentary impulse, the consequences would be unimaginable!
Thus, he forcefully suppressed the raging anger in his heart, slowly withdrew his right hand, and carefully placed both palms gently on Little Tangyuan, his movements exceptionally soft for fear of startling the little fellow.
Then, lowering his voice, he asked gently, “Little Tangyuan, did you come here because you have something important to tell us?”
Facing such friendly actions and inquiries from Jiang Siwang, Little Tangyuan showed not an ounce of appreciation, not even bothering to give him another look. Instead, it proudly turned its head away, casting its gaze straight toward Shen Yanchu standing on the other side.
Immediately following that, it lifted one of its chubby little legs. Looking closely, the crowd discovered a tiny, exquisite piece of paper tied securely around that leg.
Shen Yanchu instantly grasped the underlying meaning. With quick and gentle movements, he removed the small note from the fluffy leg of the cute Little Tangyuan. Unfolding the paper slowly, he saw neatly brushed handwriting that read:
Yanchu, next month is the annual grand examination! Starting today, you must hurry and make your way to Mingli Studio to study and prepare.
You know that our Elder Huiming is notoriously strict. If you fail this exam this time, do not even think about asking your father for help, because I am afraid of him too.
Remember to work hard!
With love, your old man
A final line of small handwritten notes added below stated: Respectfully presented by the talented, virtuous, and dashing First Sect Master of Taiyi.
After reading the contents of the note, Shen Yanchu felt as though he had been struck by lightning, instantly freezing in place like a wooden chicken.
He cursed inwardly in despair: “Good grief! Ever since finishing the college entrance exams, aside from cramming before university finals, where on earth have I touched a book? I simply dare not easily try this kind of painful torment!”
Thinking of the heavy academics and strict evaluations awaiting him, Shen Yanchu saw only darkness ahead, his future seemingly filled with endless hardships and obstacles.
Right at that moment, Jiang Siwang, noticing that Little Tangyuan still remained unimpressed with him, rolled his eyes and hatched a plan. Like a magician, he stealthily retrieved a crystal-clear, glowing night-pearl from his robes and smiled as he presented it right before Little Tangyuan.
Sure enough, that dazzling night-pearl immediately captured Little Tangyuan’s complete attention. It blinked its round eyes excitedly, staring fixedly at the night-pearl without blinking, before opening its beak without hesitation and taking the pearl right into its mouth.
Yet something unexpected happened. In the very next second, as if presenting a rare treasure, Little Tangyuan fluttered its wings joyfully, clamped the night-pearl in its beak, and flew straight into the hands of Xie Huaizhou.
Then, it affectionately rubbed its head against Xie Huaizhou’s palm, seemingly expressing its fondness. Seeing this, Jiang Siwang looked rather dumbfounded, a look of awkward resignation appearing on his face.
Once everyone focused on the note and read it clearly, Su Rongyu could no longer suppress his urge to gloat. The corners of his lips lifted upward, mischief flashing in his eyes as he teased Shen Yanchu beside him, “Senior Brother Shen, it looks like you will really need to put in some effort from here on out!”
Hearing this, Shen Yanchu froze for a second before firing back with annoyance, “Hmph, easy for you to say, as if you do not need to take this exam. You should know that none of our Taiyi Sect disciples can escape this test!” He shook his head helplessly as he spoke.
Right then, Jihe, who had been standing quietly to the side, spoke up suddenly, “However, Senior Brother Shen, do not forget that besides this exam, you still have a full one thousand sections of sect rules to copy out!”
Like a thunderbolt striking straight down on Shen Yanchu, those words made him feel as though the sky above his head had instantly turned pitch black and dim, on the verge of collapsing at any second.
“My life is too bitter, I dare not taste it!” Shen Yanchu muttered inwardly in despair, silently directing a deeply tragic drama for himself in his heart.
“Shen Yanchu, hurry up and pack your things for Mingli Studio. If you go late, Elder Huiming will punish you again.” These were the first words Xie Huaizhou spoke to Shen Yanchu today. After finishing them, a blush bloomed across Xie Huaizhou’s face, and his gaze dared not meet Shen Yanchu’s. Now, whenever Xie Huaizhou looked at Shen Yanchu, he would recall how Shen Yanchu looked in his dream last night.
Even though the other’s tone sounded clearly filled with blame and urging, for some reason, Shen Yanchu could still read a distinct warmth and worry within it.
Perhaps he was worried he would face punishment for being late, or even drag Su Rongyu down into trouble with him.
Thinking of this, Shen Yanchu felt a warmth wash over his heart, prompting a quiet sigh of admiration: “As expected of the legendary wife-protecting maniac! When I read the book back then, I deeply appreciated this Xie Huaizhou. Now it seems my judgment was spot on!”
The champion of righteousness and sword dao supreme master, yet willing to sink for love, lowering his head in surrender, who wouldn’t like him?