Chapter 603 - 603: Utterly Embarrassed

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

Lin Jibing was taken aback by the question and stammered, “Uh…”

Chu Xuyuan, ignoring Lin Jixian, continued forward, found a secluded spot by a flower bed, and sat down. He took out a book from his clothes and began to read.

The book, a gift from Tang Jinghong, discussed Go theory and analyzed classic games. It was a way for Chu Xuyuan to study independently when he had free time.

Lin Jibing stood there awkwardly.

Lin Jixian came over. “Big brother, let’s go elsewhere.”

Lin Jibing snorted at Chu Xuyuan and left with Lin Jixian.

As they walked away, Lin Jixian glanced back at Chu Xuyuan, narrowing his eyes. After studying several game records last night, he was sure he would win against Chu Xuyuan today.

Chu Xuyao walked over and sat beside Chu Xuyuan. “Seventh Brother, your opponent doesn’t seem to be easy to deal with.”

Chu Xuyuan said casually, “1 don’t care. In any case, the three draws yesterday were already a win for me. Today’s win or loss isn’t important.”

“That’s true,” Chu Xuyao encouraged. “Seventh Brother, try to draw again today.”

Chu Xuyuan smiled. “1’11 try my best.”

A few students from Yunfei School also came over to encourage Chu Xuyuan.

They also expressed that they would watch later and cheer for him.

Chu Xuyuan, delighted, focused even more on his reading.

A short while later, in the competition area, Chu Xuyuan and Lin Jixian sat opposite each other again.

Lin Jixian looked at Chu Xuyuan coldly. “You won’t be so lucky today.”

Chu Xuyuan’s expression was relaxed. He patted his chest where he had placed the book. “1 don’t rely on luck for Go; I rely on skill. And remember, 1 have a ‘magic book’. You might not be able to beat me. Just wait and see.”

Lin Jixian, looking at Chu Xuyan’s chest with some wariness, said, “Magic books are fake. Don’t bluff.”

Chu Xuyuan calmly replied, “Whether it’s real or not, we’ll find out soon.” Tang Jinghong had said, the more anxious the opponent, the more likely they are to make mistakes. Lin Jixian’s emotional state already put him at a disadvantage.

Lin Jixian retorted, “I want to see if your so-called magic book can help you win this game!”

The more the other party lost control of his emotions, the more relaxed Chu Xuyuan became. He spread his hands. “1 shouldn’t disappoint you.”

“Hmph!”

The teacher’s voice announced, “The game begins!”

Chu Xuyuan confidently placed the first piece, and Lin Jixian followed suit, placing the second piece. A new round of intense competition commenced.

Meanwhile, at a nearby flower bed, the moment to reveal the second line of the couplet had arrived.

As Zhuang Yuyan appeared, many gathered around, and Chu Xuyao also ran over.

Yan Jingkui and his group soon joined the crowd at the center.

Both sides greeted each other.

Yan Jingkui held a rolled-up piece of paper in his hand with a smug expression. “Yesterday, 1 went back and thought about it all night. 1 also came up with a second line. Why don’t you take a look at the second line 1 wrote first?”

“Wait a moment!” A student from the Imperial College, Luo Jisheng, interjected, “Yesterday, Brother Zhuang said that if Brother Yan can match the second line today, it would be considered a draw, right?”

Zhuang Yuyan frowned slightly, “Yes, a scholar’s word is his bond.”

Luo Jisheng nodded, “Then let’s have Brother Yan show his couplet.”

Yan Jingkui unrolled the paper, flattened it, and displayed it. “Everyone, please take a look.”

The couplet read, upper line: “Gazing at the river from the river tower, watching the flow from atop the tower. The river and the tower, timeless through the ages.”

Lower line: “Reflecting the moon in the moon well, casting moon’s shadow in the well’s embrace. The moon in the well, the shadow eternal, lasting through millennia.”

Upon seeing the second line, the crowd first fell silent, then erupted into noise…

“Matching ‘gazing’ with ‘reflecting’, ‘river and tower’ with ‘moon and well’, the tones and rhythm are harmonious, the combination of movement and stillness, creating corresponding imagery in each line, excellent couplet!”

Yan Jingkui basked in the admiring glances, his expression smug as he raised an eyebrow at Zhuang Yuyan, a hint of provocation in his eyes.

The other students from the Imperial College looked at Zhuang Yuyan with a hint of disdain, believing it impossible for him to come up with a better couplet.

When Zhuang Yuyan saw Yan Jingkui’s confident gaze, he could not help but feel a little uneasy.

After helping the headmaster settle his matters, Zhuang Yuyan didn’t have much time left. He rushed to the Imperial College in a hurry and didn’t have time to read the second line written by Chu Qingzhi. Now that his opponent did it so exceptionally well, could the second line written by Chu Qingzhi surpass it?

Luo Jisheng deliberately spoke loudly, “Brother Zhuang, Brother Yan’s couplet has been revealed. When will you unveil yours?”

“Yeah, hurry up and show it to everyone.”

“We’ve been waiting since yesterday, Brother Zhuang. You won’t keep us in suspense, will you?”

Under the scrutiny of the crowd, Zhuang Yuyan nervously unrolled the paper and slowly unrolled it.

The paper was blank.

Zhuang Yuyan’s face changed color. What happened? Why would Chu Qingzhi give him a blank paper?

Impossible. Miss Chu isn’t that kind of person. It can’t be. It can’t be.

Chu Xuyao snatched the paper over and checked both sides anxiously. It was blank paper. It was indeed blank paper. Why would his Fifth Sister give him blank paper?

No, Fifth Sister wouldn’t do that. What happened? Why did it become a blank piece of paper?

He held the blank paper and dashed out of the crowd…

“Ha ha ha, he actually brought a blank paper for us to see. Zhuang Yuyan, can’t you even answer your own couplet?”

“Aren’t you supposed to be the best at couplets in Yunfei School? What’s going on now?”

“Weren’t you very arrogant yesterday? Now you can’t answer your own couplet?”

Under everyone’s ridicule, Zhuang Yuyan’s face turned red. He had never been so embarrassed before. He wished he could dig a hole and hide in it.

The other students from Yunfei School did not say a word. Their faces were ashen as they glared at the students from the Imperial College.

“Why are you staring at us?”

“Blaming others for your own incompetence.”

“Brother Yan is impressive. Let’s learn to be smarter and not brag. You never know when you might go too far.”

Amidst the laughter and ridicule, Zhuang Yuyan and the other students from Yunfei School left in humiliation.

The incident, deliberately spread by the students from the Imperial College, quickly became the talk of the entire Academy. Students from Yunfei School became the object of ridicule wherever they went.

In the Chu Residence.

Chu Xuyao rushed back home, “Fifth Sister, there’s been a huge problem.”

Chu Qingzhi, who was just about to leave the house, heard Chu Xuyao’s anxious voice and thought something life-threatening had happened, “What happened?”

Chu Xuyao, out of breath, said, “Fifth Sister, the paper you gave me turned into blank paper.”

“Blank paper?” Chu Qingzhi took the paper to examine it, her delicate brows furrowing slightly, “When did you notice it turned blank?”

“It was when Brother Zhuang was about to show the couplet to everyone.”

Wouldn’t that be embarrassing? “Xuyao, tell me everything that happened between you leaving the residence today and unfolding the white paper.”

Chu Xuyao recalled the events and recounted them in detail.

“Were you and Xuyuan knocked down on the road?”

“Yes, but the person was very polite, so we didn’t make much of it..”