Xie Qiaoyu still wasn’t satisfied, so he kicked a few more times. The ruffians didn’t dare to speak, enduring the pain, looking completely different from their previous arrogant selves. 

Wan Mingji thought it was someone else who had barged in. As he walked to the alley entrance, he heard his own name. He looked at the ruffians, and it turned out they were the ones he had previously used as an example to warn others. 

“Young Master Wan, we haven’t done anything yet. If we knew this young master was acquainted with you, we wouldn’t have dared to act recklessly. Please, be generous and let us go.” 

Xie Qiaoyu tidied his clothes and stood aside with composure. 

“You guys leave first,” Wan Mingji said. 

Xie Qiaoyu quickly nodded: “We’ll leave right away.” 

“You scared me to death, young master,” Yao He said, her heart still pounding, wishing she could faint. 

“I was scared too, my heart is racing,” Xie Qiaoyu stood at the alley entrance, unsure if his heart was racing because he met Wan Mingji or because he was scared. 

From the alley came the ruffians’ cries and muffled groans. Xie Qiaoyu’s heart trembled: “Yao He, do you think Wan Mingji will beat them to death?” 

“I don’t think so,” Yao He was even more scared than Xie Qiaoyu. 

After Wan Mingji came out of the alley and saw the two still there, he recognized Xie Qiaoyu’s voice and wasn’t curious about why they were here. He was about to speak. 

“Young Master Wan, could I trouble you for a cup of water?” 

The house was just to the side, and Wan Mingji nodded: “Sure, the small house is simple, only plain water.” 

He opened the door. The room was very plain, with only a main room and a small kitchen. Outside the courtyard was a small wooden table with two bamboo stools. Inside, it looked very desolate, but the courtyard was kept very clean. 

Xie Qiaoyu sat on the bamboo stool. He had never seen such a shabby place before and felt a bit constrained for a moment. 

There were no servants in the courtyard, and there was a small kitchen. Did Wan Mingji cook for himself? Gentlemen stay away from the kitchen, even in the countryside, it’s rare for men to cook for themselves. If there are sisters or brothers, or a mother at home, they generally don’t let men cook. 

Xie Qiaoyu felt uncomfortable. The robe he wore today was stained with mud from the ground, and the buckle at his waist was made of jade. His posture was very elegant, his appearance handsome, and his eyes seemed to hold honey, completely out of place with this shabby little courtyard, adding a touch of violation. 

As he looked up, Wan Mingji came out of the main room. He wore old clothes, looking like he was blended into the wind. Xie Qiaoyu was out of place with the small courtyard, but Wan Mingji was calm and at ease, as if he was born in the wind, naturally carrying a carefree air. His handsome appearance made people forget the mundane. 

Xie Qiaoyu was in a daze. 

His heart felt like a drop of hot oil had fallen into it. 

“This has been boiled, it’s very clean,” Wan Mingji poured two bowls and pushed them towards Xie Qiaoyu and Yao He. 

These were the coarsest porcelain bowls. Xie Qiaoyu never thought he’d drink water from such a thing. He lowered his head and obediently drank the water, his face turning red. He sipped from the bowl, finding the water here very sweet and a bit warm. 

After the two finished drinking, Wan Mingji finally spoke: “What are you doing here?” 

Finally, he asked. Xie Qiaoyu had already thought of an excuse: “There’s an old lady here who sells sour plum soup. I was craving it today but missed the time, so I chased after it and unexpectedly ran into some thugs.” 

“Then why did you call my name?” Wan Mingji looked at him. 

Xie Qiaoyu took off his hat as he entered the house and sighed: “I heard from my elder brother that Young Master Wan lives in Qingshui Alley, so I tried my luck calling out, and it seems heaven truly favored me.” 

Wan Mingji wasn’t foolish. He nodded on the surface, but his heart was full of confusion. 

“There are all sorts of people here, don’t wander around in the future,” Wan Mingji suddenly thought of how Xie Qiaoyu had the courage to kick the ruffians a few times. His mouth twitched. In his impression, Xie Qiaoyu should have been scared out of his wits, otherwise, he wouldn’t have screamed like that. But as soon as he saw Wan Mingji, he immediately turned the tables. 

“Thank you, Young Master Wan. I’ll formally visit to thank you another day,” Xie Qiaoyu was very cunning, immediately setting up another meeting. 

“No need, it’s very dangerous here,” Wan Mingji had a headache: “A verbal thank you is enough. I’ll see you out.” 

“Then how about I treat Young Master Wan to a meal another day?” Xie Qiaoyu took a step back, reciprocating the gesture. 

“Alright,” Wan Mingji agreed. He locked the door and followed the two out: “Did we know each other before?” 

Otherwise, it didn’t make sense. In Wan Mingji’s memory of the original owner, there was only Xie Qiaoyu’s name and face. The original owner planned to propose to the Xie family to take him as a concubine, a thought process Wan Mingji found hard to imagine. 

In the original owner’s eyes, Xie Qiaoyu was equivalent to being pretty. 

From the first glance, Wan Mingji thought Xie Qiaoyu was more attractive than a celebrity, and that was it. Xie Qiaoyu’s appearance was that of a man, and he had no intention of marrying him like the original owner did. 

“Our fathers were old friends, so I should call you Brother Mingji,” Xie Qiaoyu said gently. 

What? 

What Brother Mingji? 

Wan Mingji suddenly shivered, feeling a bit numb. 

No need to be so intimate. 

“Brother Mingji can also call me Qiaoyu,” Xie Qiaoyu’s eyes were sincere. 

Wan Mingji: “…” 

“Xie San…” Wan Mingji struggled to say. 

“Call me Qiaoyu, Brother Mingji, otherwise it sounds so distant. We could have grown up together,” in Ningjiang County, that is. 

How come he didn’t know they grew up together? 

“Brother Mingji, you’re amazing, I admire you so much,” Xie Qiaoyu said, “I was so scared just now. If it weren’t for you, I don’t know what would have happened. You’re like a hero. I call you Brother Mingji, you don’t mind, right? If you do, I can stop.” 

Xie Qiaoyu lowered his head in disappointment, his big eyes filled with sadness. He timidly looked up at Wan Mingji. 

Wan Mingji: “…” 

This is normal, right? If someone with great martial skills saved him, he would definitely want to become their disciple. This is also a suspension bridge effect. 

It’s just that being called Brother Mingji felt a bit strange to Wan Mingji. 

Maybe because before he transmigrated, he was an only child, so being called brother felt a bit awkward. But when Wan Xiuyue and Wan Xiubai called him big brother, he felt a sense of affection. However, when Xie Qiaoyu called him brother, Wan Mingji felt like running away with a train. 

Wan Mingji: “…I don’t mind.” 

“Brother Mingji, we’re here. Thank you for today. I heard from my elder brother that you study very hard. You will definitely succeed,” and then take me to live a good life. 

No, where did Xie Zhi hear such things? 

Wan Mingji could only nod: “Thank you.” 

Xie Qiaoyu walked gracefully, and after leaving Wan Mingji’s sight, the master and servant exchanged a glance and started running wildly. 

“This Qingshui Alley is really full of fierce people,” Xie Qiaoyu panted, finally stopping to catch his breath. 

“Young master, let’s hurry back,” Yao He suggested. 

The two sneaked back to Yiju Courtyard, Xie Qiaoyu feeling a rush of excitement, though still a bit scared of those ruffians. If he were a weak scholar, he would have been in trouble. Being fierce has its advantages. 

“Young master, we should avoid Qingshui Alley in the future,” Yao He felt like his heart was about to jump out. 

Xie Qiaoyu agreed deeply: “Yes, it’s too thrilling.” 

Yao He: “?” 

“Set the table, I want to eat braised lion’s head, mapo tofu, any three side dishes, and a bunch of grapes,” Xie Qiaoyu was hungry. 

On the other side, Wan Mingji served a plate of pickles, stir-fried some greens, and made a cold cucumber salad before starting his meal. Eating vegetarian dishes alone, he felt like he was about to ascend. 

He was really hungry and craved meat. 

After cleaning up the dishes, Wan Mingji left the city at night and went to the outskirts. There was a river there, and he speared a fish, roasted it, and sprinkled some of his own seasoning. The grilled fish was tender and golden, exuding a meaty aroma. 

He took a big bite, feeling very satisfied. 

At this hour, the city gates were closed, so Wan Mingji casually found a big tree, planning to spend the night there, relying on his youth and strength. Using the sky as a blanket and the tree as a bed. 

He looked at the stars in the sky and thought about home. Li Yun was almost recovered and kept mentioning that he hadn’t found a wife for him yet. If he had a wife, there would be in-laws to help. 

Now, he couldn’t rely on the Wan family’s status and had to rely on himself to forge a path. 

“A wise man doesn’t fall in love, the lonely king is all about academics,” Wan Mingji said, “E-sports, no emotions.” 

He was a promising computer science student, top of his class, a competitive king, and an entrepreneurial maniac. He had no love life. 

And no wife. 

So, asking a science student to take the imperial examination was really cruel, inhumane. 

But Wan Mingji was naturally carefree. He pulled a big leaf over himself and planned to sleep. Soon, his breathing was steady, and he fell asleep instantly. 

Xie Qiaoyu was also in a dream. He stretched out his hand, made a fist, and punched, not knowing what dream he was having. 

“Beat you to death! You dog!” 

“Hahaha.” 

Yao He was keeping watch outside. He opened the door a crack and saw Xie Qiaoyu curled up in the blanket, his face rosy in his sleep, the fine hairs visible in the moonlight. 

The young master’s laughter was too sinister. 

The next morning, Xie Weixia and Xie Qian finally came out of the ancestral hall, full of resentment because they had been punished longer for arguing inside. A whole night had passed. 

Xie Qiaoyu, feeling refreshed, went to find Xie Zhi. 

“Elder brother, you’re going to the academy. Do me a favor,” Xie Qiaoyu said. 

Xie Zhi dismissed the servant beside him and cleared his throat: “First, tell me if it’s something against my principles. I won’t do it.” 

“Mingji Gege helped me yesterday. Could you take the peach blossom cake I made to him and tell him I’m very grateful?” 

Xie Zhi was shocked. 

“Do you fancy him?” It wasn’t surprising for Xie Zhi to think this way. After the incident with Xie Weixia and Wei Bowen, he was more cautious about such matters. 

“I’m just grateful to him,” Xie Qiaoyu wouldn’t gamble with his reputation. He kept his affair with Wei Bowen tightly under wraps, except for Xie Weixia, who knew but had no evidence. 

“Alright, I’ll privately tell Brother Wan.” 

Hearing Xie Zhi say privately, Xie Qiaoyu knew his elder brother was a cautious person. 

“To think, Brother Mingji was once a young master of the Wan family, and now he’s fallen on hard times. If he doesn’t succeed in the imperial examination, he might never recover,” Xie Qiaoyu sighed. 

“You’re right, Brother Wan should work hard,” Xie Zhi felt that as Wan Mingji’s friend, he should supervise him well. Now, after hearing Xie Qiaoyu’s words, he realized this and felt ashamed. 

Xie Qiaoyu smiled brightly, his eyes shining: “Thank you, elder brother.” 

Xie Zhi nodded firmly. 

Outside, the servant urged him, and Xie Zhi took the peach blossom cake and got on the carriage to Dongtian Academy. 

Dongtian Academy was still in morning reading. Xie Zhi had already passed the scholar exam and wasn’t studying with Wan Mingji. He stood outside the window and called someone to bring Wan Mingji out. 

“Wan Mingji, someone is looking for you.” 

Wan Mingji came out, puzzled. 

What was Xie Zhi looking for him for? 

“This is peach blossom cake made by Qiaoyu himself, to thank you for helping him yesterday.” 

Xie Zhi knew Xie Qiaoyu had gone to Qingshui Alley to find him yesterday. Wan Mingji saw only warmth on Xie Zhi’s face and said, “It was nothing.” 

He carried the peach blossom cake back into the study, placing the food box beside the table. His deskmate, Xue Zian, glanced at it and whispered, “Why did Xie Zhi bring you peach blossom cake?” 

Xue Zian was initially worried this deskmate would affect his studies, but it turned out the deskmate was quite nice, different from the rumors, and they gradually became friends. 

“Their family cook is excellent. He let me try some.” 

“That’s odd. He never let me try,” Xue Zian, who also knew Xie Zhi, said sourly. 

After class, the master began lecturing. Wan Mingji was very serious about taking notes. Xue Zian glanced over and felt dizzy. 

He was copying down every word the master said. 

“Aren’t you tired?” Xue Zian nudged Wan Mingji’s elbow. 

Wan Mingji said earnestly, “Studying is never easy.” 

Xue Zian: “…” 

He was still at a high school level in liberal arts, so he could only use rote memorization, copying everything down and memorizing it several times. 

After class, Wan Mingji was eager to ask the master questions. Master Tan, seeing it was this “ten thousand whys” again, felt dizzy too. 

“Master Tan, why use ‘green’ here, and not…?” 

“Master Tan, why…?” 

“Master Tan, why…?” 

“Why…?” 

The ten thousand whys persisted in asking.