On this side, they reluctantly parted ways with each other; but on the other, when Hu Chuan and the other two classmates came down the ship from behind, they looked very ugly after they saw this scene.
Just a merchantâs son and a sick person, but they were so popular that it was a travesty!
Remembering that because of what Lin Shiheng said before, the Jurens on the ship all thought he was a man who didnât want to admit he had lost, Hu Chuanâs face became even more ugly.
Then looking back at the appearance of the scholars who were affectionately calling out âBrother Linâ and âBrother Zhaoâ, he couldnât hold this breath anymore and waited until some of them had left before stepping forward himself.
After a hypocritically greeting the other, he looked at Lin Shihengâs pale face, who didnât look well at all, âBrother Lin has only recently gotten better, yet now he has to take the exam soon. The weather in the capital is also so cold, if Brother Lin feels unwell, donât be reluctant. After all, there will be another chance after three years anyway.â
When he said this, Zhao Heâs face immediately sank.
Just now, some people had also warned Lin Shiheng that if he couldnât stand it anymore to not push it as his life was more important, but they had reminded Lin Shiheng in good faith. But for him to say it in such a roundabout way, wasnât he(HC) just trying to curse him(LS)?
Thinking about what Hu Chuan said again, this was simply cursing Lin Shiheng to fail in the exam!
He was about to open his mouth, but his arm was caught by his best friend.
Dressed in a white cloak, the young scholar stood against the backdrop of people stepping off the ship one after another with a warm smile and sincere eyes.
âWhat Brother Hu cared about was that if one couldnât stand it any longer to not to stubbornly persist⊠This is something that everyone knows. So, of course, I also understand this.â
âBrother Hu will be able to pass the exam with his knowledge⊠It was fate that you and I could meet on this ship, and if we could be located close to each other in the examination room, then that fate would be even deeper.â
Hu Chuan thought Lin Shiheng was out of his mind.
He insinuated that Lin Shiheng couldnât pass the exam, yet Lin Shiheng replied that he was looking forward to getting close to him.
Thinking about this past period and about what he had heard from those Jurens, how Lin Shiheng was a pure person, good and kind, Hu Chuan who did not believe it originally, now also felt that he had to believe it.
Of course, however, in his mind, being kind to others was akin to being mentally ill.
âIf that is so, then naturally, that would be good.â
Either way, the curse had already been said, so Hu Chuan just took his leave.
He didnât think that there was anything wrong with cursing someone. Lin Shihengâs poor health was a fact. He just said something that was very likely to happen, didnât he?
Having waited until after Hu Chuan had left, Zhao He looked at Hu Chuanâs back indignantly while he tried to endure it but couldnât resist any longer. So he asked his friend beside him, âBrother Lin, he was satirizing you. Couldnât you hear it?â
âIt was already difficult for us to come to the capital to take the exam together. Why make it so ugly? Brother Hu said it, yes⊠But I wonât lose a piece of meat because of it, so I donât have to dispute it with him.â
A Juren, who was passing by, happened to hear these words. Although he didnât manage to hear what Hu Chuan said before, he knew what these two people had argued on the deck that day, so he immediately slowed down and set up his ears to try to hear what had happened.
âEven so, it was too much of him to curse you to fail when itâs so important.â
Zhao He was simply so angry that he could not resist the urge to fume, âBrother Lin, you are too good-natured to actually talk about fate with him! Even if you two were destined, it was still an ill-destined fate!â
In the face of Zhao Heâs anger, Lin Shiheng only carelessly smiled with kindness and generosity written all over his face.
Under the sunlight, he looked even more magnanimous, âItâs fine, Brother Zhao. He only said that, but nonetheless to have the fate of meeting each other, furthermore, you and he are also classmates⊠If you guys pass the exam together, it would be better to help each other in the future.â
Zhao He was startled.
Brother Lin, after hearing such a curse, he could still bear it and didnât care, could it be because Hu Chuan was his classmate?
His heart was touched and felt a little helpless.
Although it was comforting to befriend such a good character like Brother Lin, if he was deliberately satirized by those who were scheming against him, it would make people angry for him!
He wanted to say that he hadnât been getting along very well with Hu Chuan and the others, but seeing all those people that were coming and going, he still didnât say anything in the end.
âBrother Lin, the exams will be held soon, and my family has a residence in the capital. So, why donât you come live with me and save yourself the daily effort of having to come over to study?â
Lin Shiheng waved his hand and looked embarrassed.
âHow could I do that? Iâll just find an inn to stay at. It wouldnât be right to disturb your residence.â
Seeing his refusal, Zhao He was even more moved.
Brother Lin endured that Hu Chuanâs nasty temper for him and was so considerate as to not cause him trouble, so he naturally wanted to return the favor.
With this thought in mind, Zhao He grabbed Lin Shihengâs arm and gave the book boy a wink, âThat residence hasnât been occupied for a long time, and itâs still lonely for me to live alone, so I would rather trouble you to accompany me, Brother Lin.â
âWhereâs the sense in that⊠Eh, Brother Zhao, Brother Zhao?!â
The several book boys hurriedly followed, crowding behind Lin Shiheng as they pushed him forward while they persuaded him to reconsider.
âMaster Lin, you should go with him. We donât want to leave Master Lin behind.â
âYeah, itâs only lively when there are more people.â
A few Jurens who watched Lin Shiheng being âforciblyâ taken to stay at his friendâs house sighed with envy.
âThat was what âbest friendâ truly means.â
***
Compared with living in an inn with a lot of people, it was naturally more comfortable to live in a friendâs house, allowing you to study and wait for the exam.
Lin Shiheng lived in Zhao Heâs home while he waited for the examination.
The two of them read together every day with a book in their hands, but because of âhealth reasonsâ, he could only get up at breakfast time every day and rest after sunset.
Zhao He, who struggled to get up and study before dawn every day, not only didnât feel that anything was wrong but also sympathized with his friend, who âhadâ to lose so much study time.
The day before the exam, the book boy who would cook excitedly brought them a box of things packed into small squares.
âMaster Lin, I have already made everything you told me to.â
Zhao He looked at them curiously and saw that there were red and oily little lumps inside. He was a little puzzled.
âWhat is this?â
âReplying to Young Master, it was requested by Master Lin. To put some kitchen spices together with lard then let them dry; when they are put into the pot again, they will boil. Even people who arenât good at cooking can then cook very well.â
He added, âWasnât the Young Master always worried that he wonât know how to make his own meals during the exam? You would only need to add a piece of this!â
Zhao He was thoughtful, then his eyes gradually lit up, âIndeed, itâs a good idea. I was starving during the last exam, but I couldnât manage cooking myself. I thought I would eat cold and hard food with water for a few days. I didnât expect such good things. I donât know how Brother Lin came up with them.â
Lin Shiheng smiled with some embarrassment, âItâs not that good of an idea⊠Brother Zhao boasting like this is making it difficult for me.â
âBy the way, are the copper beads ready?â
âItâs ready, and itâs still being burned.â
Speaking of the copper beads, Zhao He looked even more excited than before.
He didnât know what Brother Linâs thought process was like, but he was able to come up with the idea of throwing copper beads into a charcoal fire to roast, then taking them along to the exam. In this way, the copper beads could keep the temperature for a long time after being burned. Although they would still cool down after some time, couldnât it still keep them warm for a while?
âI really didnât expect the capital to be so cold. Although the elders in my family have been to the capital, they were all wearing heavy and warm winter coats while sitting in palanquins. If I hadnât listened to Brother Miao and the others about the environment of the exam a few days ago, I would have gone in without any preparation and might even catch a cold!â
Lin Shiheng smiled, âBrother Miao has Juren elders in his home, so he would naturally know these affairs. After Brother Zhao is married and with children, you can also tell him these things.â
Zhao He waved his hand, âDonât joke around anymore. Let us just get through this ourselves first.â
âBrother Zhao should bring some more of this with him. If the copper beads are no longer hot, you can also heat them in water and drink them, there are rhizoma gastrodiae and some other spices inside that can make you warm. At any rate, it will help with the cold at least a little.â
âBy the way, if Brother Zhao runs into Brother Hu and the others, you should also ask if they would like some.â
The corner of Zhao Heâs eye twitched, âBrother Lin, my relationship with Hu Chuan is really bad⊠If I asked them, they definitely wouldnât want it.â
Lin Shiheng smiled gently, âYou are his old classmate, and you have something new⊠So it is only natural that you should ask. Brother Zhao, just listen to me.â
Zhao He didnât want to hear it.
There were times when he really felt that Brother Lin was good everywhere, but this temper was just too nice.
People were bullying him, but he was still thinking of asking them if they wanted new gadgets.
Perhaps even a saint couldnât do that!
Eh, thatâs rightâŠ
Such a pure and gullible person like Brother Lin, what kind of wife would he marry in the future?
Zhao He thought about it, then suddenly remembered that it was popular to capture a son-in-law from the ranks, and a young scholar like Lin Shiheng was most at risk! With a face like his(ZH), after he became a Juren, he too was almost captured! Wasnât Brother Lin in even more of a danger?
It would be better for them to sit at the inn when they announced the rankings. Let the book boys go and come back to inform them.