These days, if a celebrities doesn’t have a few quirks to speak of, they might feel embarrassed to call themselves a celebrities.

Although Chen Huanzhi wasn’t exactly a famous person, he was at least a young nobleman admired by countless women in Beijing. What he just mentioned about purifying himself with incense and such couldn’t even be considered a quirk, to be honest.

If you were to look outside the gambling houses, you’d find all sorts of superstitions among the gamblers. Li Wuwei had seen so many quirks that he couldn’t even remember them all.

“Feel free,” Li Wuwei smiled faintly. “Will an hour suffice?”

“That’s enough, thank you, Uncle Shi,” Chen Huanzhi responded graciously as he stood up. “Please excuse me then.”

“Go ahead.”

After Chen Huanzhi left, Mei Lan and Zhu Ju immediately approached, one massaging his shoulders and the other rubbing his legs.

“You’ve worked hard, sir.”

“Weren’t you holding back from winning earlier, sir?”

Li Wuwei playfully pinched Mei Lan’s cheek. “He’s still a junior after all. If I were to completely defeat him, wouldn’t his parents come after me?”

“But sir, you agreed to go to Jinjiang Pavilion just now…”

“Can he really beat me?” Li Wuwei countered, looking at Zhu Ju. “Zhu Ju, you’ve been with me for so long, but your judgment hasn’t improved at all.”

“Sir, I can’t let that slide,” Meilan teased as she applied a bit more pressure while massaging Li Wuwei’s shoulders, her smile now tinged with playful reproach. “Little sister here is naturally innocent. How can she compare to your deep schemes?”

“Ouch, ouch, ouch! My bad, please be gentler. I’m getting old, I can’t handle your strong grip,” Li Wuwei pretended to plead for mercy, then turned to explain to the puzzled Zhu Ju, “This Chen Huanzhi isn’t an ordinary person.”

“That’s right,” Zhu Ju nodded, “You can tell he’s not ordinary just by looking at how he dresses. I’ve been with Grandpa for a long time and seen many young noblemen, but someone like Master Chen, it’s only the second time.”

“Oh?”

“The first time, of course, was when Grandpa was young.”

“Haha, your tongue is still as sweet,” Li Wuwei laughed heartily, “This kid isn’t just anyone. His Jinjiang Pavilion looks like an ordinary teahouse on the surface, but it’s probably serving the current Crown Prince. He’s the Crown Prince’s companion reader, and everyone knows that. When he became the companion reader, the Crown Prince was almost an adult, and his predecessor had a close relationship with His Highness. In such circumstances, for a kid to step by step into the court, it’s not just about effort anymore.”

Li Wuwei, being from a prestigious family himself, naturally understood the importance of “talent.”

In politics, it’s not just about having good knowledge.

Moreover, with the current situation unclear, even living in the outskirts, he knew that the Emperor’s heart was softening, and his sons were growing up one by one. It was indeed a time of transition between the old and the new.

The Crown Prince’s maternal relatives have been nearly wiped out, leaving him with little support except for the Chen family. However, the Chens are not among the top powers in the capital, making it difficult for any household to withstand the court’s political struggles.

The Crown Prince’s position is unstable, and chaos has already begun.

As a member of the Chen family and the Crown Prince’s companion since birth, Chen Huanzhi has had no choice in his path. Yet the younger generation of the Chen family lacks exceptional talent, with Chen Huanzhi himself just coming of age and needing further refinement. This worsens the situation.

From this perspective, Chen Huanzhi’s earning of the Crown Prince’s trust at such a young age must indicate extraordinary qualities.

Most crucially, he understands the power of “women.”

People nowadays often underestimate women, thinking they can be confined to the inner chambers without consequence. Yet even within those confines, women can wield significant control, often without the men around them realizing they are being manipulated.

What surprises Li Wuwei is that someone who understands women so well should typically be someone who enjoys their company, deeply understands their psychology. But Chen Huanzhi shows no interest in the sisters Mei Lan and Zhu Ju, and reportedly avoids all romantic entanglements. How can he so skillfully seize opportunities related to women?

Could it be possible that there truly are people born with such knowledge in this world?

If so, this young man may be even more formidable than Li Wuwei imagines, with limitless prospects ahead.

Li Wuwei was always proud of his talents when he was young, unwilling to flatter or entertain fools, and he let his temperament guide his actions. Truth be told, while he had many friends, there were very few opponents who could truly pique his interest.

Between people, there’s always an irresistible urge to compare and compete.

“Since the master doesn’t want to lose, why did he agree to Young Master Chen’s request?” Zhu Ju still couldn’t quite understand.

“Young people are always full of themselves,” Li Wuwei said, propping his chin with one hand, his face showing a hint of malice that contrasted sharply with his earlier demeanor. “His father sent him here not just for me to teach him the ways of the world but also to give him a reality check. Chen Huanzhi is obviously a rare talent. I have no children or disciples, and I can’t find anyone to match me in the game of wits anymore. Now, my only pleasure lies in bullying these young juniors, which is perhaps the only joy left for this old man who’s neither new nor old.”

Once he himself was someone else’s whetstone, now he’s in a position to polish others, a sense of achievement that’s hard to put into words.

Moreover, with someone as exceptional as Chen Huanzhi?

It’s time for the young ones to learn that the world doesn’t always bend to their will.

And if they end up crying from being bullied, who knows if their parents will come knocking?

But, it’s rather amusing, isn’t it?

“You’re joking, Master.”

“If I’m old, then there’d be no young people left in this world.”

“Haha, I’m not ready to grow old just yet.”

Chen Huanzhi entered the room, dismissed all the servants, and then slowly lit some incense.

As soon as the incense was lit, he saw Dong Changyang’s furious face.

“Ahhh, Chen Huanzhi, you finally contacted me! Damn it, I’ve been calling you for ages!” Dong Changyang’s face was red with anger. “Those three bastards clearly teamed up to bully you, you fool! Ahhhh, the more I think about it, the angrier I get!”

“…Changyang, please, watch your language,” Chen Huanzhi interrupted after a moment of silence, unable to hold back his reminder.

How should I put it?

The image of the gentle, cute, and hardworking girl he first met seemed like a distant memory now.

When did things start to change?

It was probably since he noticed Changyang playing mahjong with others.

As the saying goes, “a woman’s heart is as deep as the ocean,” truly a profound truth.

“I couldn’t hold back for a moment, sorry,” Dong Changyang hurriedly covered his mouth, then realizing it probably didn’t help, he shrugged. “Sorry, Chen Huanzhi, this is just how I am. Can’t pretend forever. Hope you can bear with me.”

Dong Changyang’s words made Chen Huanzhi feel he was in the wrong.

“It’s nothing, really,” Chen Huanzhi wouldn’t let the girl apologize first. “It actually makes things more lively. I’m glad you can be real with me.”

“Hehe, it’s because when we first met, Chen Huanzhi, you looked so serious. I thought you were some kind of fairy or something. You’re always so formal, like how I subconsciously face the head of the teaching department. But now I know, Chen Huanzhi, you’re a really good person, handsome and with good character.

—Why mention being handsome before character?

A gentleman wins people over with virtue.

Usually when Chen Huanzhi goes out, people praise his talents and character more than his appearance. It’s rare to receive such direct compliments about his looks. Generally, such compliments would praise character first and then appearance.

Maybe it’s because of different customs.

“Oh right, Changyang, were you watching me play mahjong earlier?” Chen Huanzhi realized, feeling a hint of embarrassment.

He had actually timed his request to purify himself with incense around the time he expected Changyang to return. He didn’t expect Changyang to have been watching him play mahjong this whole time?

How the tables have turned.

But the turn seems too quick.

It’s only been a month!

“Yeah, I’ve been watching for quite a while.” Bringing this up, Dong Changyang’s expression fell. “Chen ge, you really don’t know how to play cards.”

“I’m still new to it, so…”

“They were new to it too,” Dong Changyang bluntly exposed.

Either you can or you can’t.

It’s purely a matter of talent.

“Well… a gentleman knows his limits…” Chen Huanzhi’s voice trailed off, his right sleeve now covering half his face, leaving only his eyes displaying a sense of disappointment. “Forget it, I’m not skilled at this, I’ve made myself a laughingstock.”

Even when half concealed, this beauty still exuded a unique charm.

Like holding a lute half-hidden in the sleeve.

When Dong Changyang first read this poem, his nascent aesthetic sense couldn’t quite imagine such a bashful and enticing scene. But now, seeing Chen Huanzhi’s embarrassed look, all he could think of was this line.Ahhh.

Dong Changyang pinched herself lightly, not wanting to lose control.

Earlier, she had advised her lovesick classmate to focus on studying instead of obsessing over the campus heartthrob, yet she herself was now completely unable to avoid such thoughts.

Chen Huanzhi should probably stick to his previous serious demeanor.

They say Wei Jie was stared to death.

Hopefully, Chen Huanzhi won’t follow in his footsteps!

“Changyang,” Chen Huanzhi gently called out.

“Ah, not knowing how to play cards is actually a good thing.” Dong Changyang regained his composure and quickly added, “Really, Brother Chen, here, a man who doesn’t play cards like you is considered a good man, you know?”

“Huh?” It’s strange where Changyang is. Can playing cards or not playing cards become a criterion for judging a man’s character?

But with that said, Chen Huanzhi quickly adjusted his mindset.

Changyang’s earlier phrase “can’t pretend forever” seemed to have had an effect on him as well.

“Well, don’t worry, Brother Chen,” Dong Changyang said, though he wasn’t sure what Chen Huanzhi was really thinking, his expression indicated it wasn’t something good. “Next, I’ll help you play cards. Just follow my lead, and when the time comes, bring this incense burner over directly. Just listen to me. I’ve been in the mahjong scene for so many years, I’ve seen all kinds of people. No matter how good they are, they can’t beat my counting skills!”

In card games, someone skilled in mathematics is always in demand.

Unfortunately, Dong Changyang excels in mathematics among all subjects, especially mental arithmetic.

With good memory, the ability to read people’s expressions, and card counting skills, Dong Changyang is formidable in mahjong. Even if he wants to lose, it’s difficult.

In fact, when he was very young, Dong Changyang considered specializing as a mahjong player. Later, he found that he preferred drawing. The noise of playing mahjong was a bit too much, so it could only be occasional fun.

“It’s a good idea, although it may seem deceitful, but with the three of them together in front, asking you for help in the back isn’t going against the saint’s teachings.” Chen Huanzhi was clear about this, “Later, I’ll need your help.”

“Don’t worry.” Dong Changyang was about to pat his chest but stopped halfway.

Lately, his chest has been aching a bit, probably growing pains from biology class. It’s best not to pat it.

The girls in the class have developed, and though Dong Changyang doesn’t say it aloud, in his heart, he admires them. Fortunately, he is finally starting the female feature growth period, and the front chest is also beginning to look a bit rounder.

Though only a little bit.

But, she is still young, she will be long!

Boys probably prefer girls with a slightly larger chest, right? No, Chen Huanzhi shouldn’t be that shallow…

Dong Changyang sneakily glanced at Chen Huanzhi, feeling a bit embarrassed, his ears turning slightly red. He unconsciously straightened his back, torn between wanting Chen Huanzhi to notice and not wanting him to notice, feeling extremely conflicted.

“Changyang, are you feeling unwell in your stomach?” Chen Huanzhi was about to carry the incense burner out when he suddenly noticed Dong Changyang’s back wasn’t as straight. “If you’re not feeling well, you should see a doctor first. We can…”

“I’m fine,” Dong Changyang immediately straightened his back. “Let’s go.”

“Wait, Changyang, don’t ignore symptoms,” Chen Huanzhi, seeing Dong Changyang respond so quickly, became even more concerned. “I once had a cousin who…”

“I’m really fine.”

“But earlier you seemed a bit absent-minded…”

No, that’s because I accidentally caught you off guard.

Ah, I’ll go to the electronics store later and browse through, look at those handsome male celebrities on TV.

Seeing more will prevent this kind of situation from happening again.

I’m just not exposed enough!

Dong Changyang thought to himself.

Although he thought so, Chen Huanzhi doesn’t seem to be aware at all.

Has no one told him how popular he is?

Of course, Chen Huanzhi knew this.

Just that before, Dong Changyang was acting all fine. Besides, Chen Huanzhi has never shown his emotions so clearly in front of others.

“Chen Huanzhi, you just don’t understand the hearts of young girls at all!” Dong Changyang was quite frustrated. “Let’s hurry up and play mahjong. I’ll wipe them out completely to vent my frustrations!”

Chen Huanzhi was completely puzzled.

This is the second time Changyang has mentioned “the hearts of young girls.”

But what exactly is this “heart of young girls”?

Author’s note: Dong Changyang’s “heart of young girls” has finally grown up with his body.

Chen Huanzhi misunderstood a bit. Dong Changyang’s lack of response to him wasn’t because he’s unattractive or lacks charm—it’s because he’s just a kid and doesn’t appreciate it!

It’s like how as a child, I couldn’t understand the appeal of Takeshi Kaneshiro. Now looking back, I realize how blind I was back then, sob sob sob!