Good Friends

Proofreader/Editor: Nene Yashiro

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Before long, Tang Er Shu’s whole family arrived, and Er Bai brought some freshly fried fish from home, golden and crispy, which Tang De didn’t manage to sneak a bite of.

“Jiwei, I’m not good with words, and I can’t explain things well, but since our Tang family has produced such a talented scholar like you, you must bring honor to your father!” Tang Er Shu said earnestly, patting Tang Jiwei on the shoulder.

This dark-skinned man usually didn’t say much, but he became a bit emotional when talking about his elder brother. It must be that when Tang Laopai was alive, he was a jovial and kind-hearted person.

“Don’t worry, Er Shu, I will continue to work hard and definitely bring glory to the Tang family,” Tang Jiwei said with a smile and a nod.

Tang Er Shu gave his shoulder a hearty pat and said, “Good boy! You’re doing much better than Tang De!”

On the side, Tang De, who was drooling over the fried fish, craned his neck and pouted at the sky. He didn’t have the same patience as his brother and couldn’t sit still on the bench for even a moment, let alone hold onto a book he didn’t want to read!

Er Bai brought out the fried fish and handed it to Tang Jiwei, her face wrinkling in a smile as she patted Jiwei’s hand and said, “Jiwei, when the carp leaps over the dragon gate, Er Bai thinks you have what it takes to become a high official!”

In some respects, Tang Er Bai was quite a visionary woman.

Tang Jiwei smiled as he accepted the fried fish, and the delicious aroma wafted over, making Tang De practically cling to his brother’s waist.

Tang Mi obediently went into the kitchen to help her aunt peel garlic, noticing that her aunt’s smile today was more abundant than in all the previous days combined.

Tang Mi laughed like a silly girl and said, “Aunt, what kind of official is a scholar? Is it bigger than a county magistrate?”

Madam Xiao smiled and explained, “This scholar is not an official; it’s a title. You can aspire to become a top scholar. Some scholars who don’t want to take the exam can be appointed by the court to fill vacancies in local positions, and they can also become officials.”

Tang Mi nodded, somewhat understanding, with a face that bore a seven-tenths resemblance to Tang Jiwei, already possessing a charm that could captivate many. Yet, the little girl remained blissfully innocent.

“Aunt, I’m sure my brother can become a top scholar. He’s so handsome! When he rides a tall horse in a procession, we’ll shine with pride! Those past top scholars weren’t as good-looking as my brother; I don’t know why Xiao Hong and the others want to marry them so badly!”

Madam Xiao chuckled at the girl’s many thoughts, but upon hearing that her son might one day become a top scholar riding in a parade, even if it was just a hypothetical scenario, she felt delighted. Cooking became more flavorful, though she got a bit too excited and let the fire burn too hot, resulting in some slight charring.

Tang Jiwei tasted the meal his mother had prepared and saw the joy written all over her face. Whatever was burnt was still within tolerable limits, after all, she had tossed a few extra logs into the fire out of excitement. However, as he chewed on the sweet and sour spare ribs, he couldn’t shake the sensation of acidity in his teeth.

He might as well enjoy the golden, tasty fried fish instead!

Tang De was struggling to swallow as his aunt’s cooking was too overwhelming. The plate of adorable, fragrant fried fish was under his brother’s control, and looking at the lavish spread of food, he thought his aunt’s culinary skills were downright ruthless!

Just as they had eaten half, there was a knock at the door. Tang De rushed to open it, hoping it was a neighbor bringing food to celebrate his brother’s success.

“Who are you looking for?” Tang De saw a slender man with a scholarly aura and a smile on his face.

“I’m a friend of Jiwei, here to congratulate him,” Zhang Ling said, carrying a bundle and smiling, his shallow dimples making him likable.

Being a man, Tang De didn’t leap forward but happily invited him in, shouting for his brother.

Tang Jiwei put down his chopsticks, took a breath, and immediately left the main room.

“Zhang Ling! Long time no see!” Tang Jiwei felt a genuine joy upon seeing Zhang Ling’s smiling face in the courtyard.

“Jiwei, congratulations on your top score! I’m going to make you treat me to a meal!” Zhang Ling said, stepping forward with a smile.

Tang Jiwei asked, “What about you? I didn’t go to check the results, so I don’t know how you did!”

Zhang Ling’s dimples reappeared as he smiled and said, “I came in second place, the unlucky guy overshadowed by you!”

Tang Jiwei didn’t sense any misfortune from him; instead, Zhang Ling seemed to radiate happiness, which showed he hadn’t taken it to heart. Tang Jiwei liked people like that—light-hearted and optimistic, knowing when to step back and when to push forward without hesitation.

“Unlucky? It’s just that I had better luck. Have you eaten yet? I’ll treat you to a meal at Zui Xian Lou,” Tang Jiwei said, feeling a bit shy about inviting him to eat the food prepared by Madam  Xiao today and instead led him out.

Tang De helped Zhang Ling take off his bundle and placed it in his brother’s compartment. Then he casually put his arm around Zhang Ling’s shoulder and followed him to get a free meal.

Zui Xian Lou was a rather upscale restaurant with great food and a nice view. The Weihe River stretched out before them, with boats of all sizes weaving through it, creating a leisurely atmosphere that felt like one could sit back and fish. Tang Jiwei quite liked the environment there; it was neither obsequious nor mercantile. All guests were treated equally, and even if one sat there sipping tea for the whole afternoon, the waitstaff wouldn’t rush them.

“It looks like you’re going all out this time, Jiwei. Surely, you didn’t invite me to such an expensive place just because I said so,” Zhang Ling said, smiling but feeling a bit embarrassed. He noticed that Tang Jiwei’s family wasn’t wealthy, so he felt guilty for making them spend so much on a meal.

Tang De, the second-rate brother, couldn’t wait for his brother to splurge, so he immediately spilled the beans about how his brother made money through writing and painting, urging Zhang Ling to eat more, while he himself didn’t lag behind.

“Jiwei, you are definitely not an ordinary person!” Zhang Ling said with a serious expression. “The officialdom is dark; it’s best to look out for yourself.”

Tang Jiwei appreciated his advice and poured him tea, saying, “Zhang Ling, I won’t hide it from you. My goal in studying is to become a high official. If it weren’t for wanting to stand in the political arena one day, I wouldn’t bother researching the Eight-Legged Essay ^[1]Eight-legged essay- A Traditional Chinese essay format. After all, it’s a form of suppression for a scholar.”

Zhang Ling knew that Tang Jiwei was a man with opinions, and his insights into the world were no weaker than his own, even though he was nearly eight years older. Being able to count such a friend among his closest companions was a fulfillment in life!

“I raise this cup to you. With a good friend and mentor like you, my wandering life has no regrets!”

Tang Jiwei laughed at him and said, “You’re so young, and you dare to say you’ve had a wandering life? You’ve got a long life ahead of you! I consider you a confidant. If you have any difficulties in the future, just say the word; I won’t dodge it.”

After saying that, he added, almost self-mockingly, “But I don’t like meddling in other people’s business. You’re an exception!”

Zhang Ling laughed and drank up, his dimples deepening, making his already attractive face even more charming and carefree.

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Author’s Note: Writing ten thousand words a day, I finally did it, but I’m exhausted~