But that Che Jiaming did not appear.

Lu Changxuan waited for half a day without seeing anyone, and on a whim, he casually grabbed a waiter and asked a few questions.

The waiter clapped his hands and said: “Sir, you’re looking for Scholar Che? His home is in the alley behind here. Just go there and ask for Scholar Che’s house – everyone knows it.”

Lu Changxuan asked: “Why is that?”

The waiter said: “Scholar Che was once a famous child prodigy in our area. Everyone said he would make a great splash in the metropolitan examinations, but he ended up being implicated in a cheating scandal. Scholar Che became melancholy and depressed, so he took to drinking, getting dead drunk every day, and his wife even ran off with another man. That’s not all – originally the Che family had substantial means and could afford his drinking expenses. But who would have known that seven years ago, the Che household was burned clean by a great fire. Old Master Che kicked his legs and died, leaving behind Old Madam Che, Scholar Che, Second Master Che, and Miss Che. This Old Master Che was a scholar with a good family foundation. His sons and daughters were originally raised as young masters and young ladies. Second Master Che was also good at studying, and Miss Che was well-educated and reasonable.”

Lu Changxuan thought to himself that this family was truly coincidental – exactly the same as his own family.

“After the family fortune was burned up, Scholar Che didn’t handle practical affairs. After a year or two, the Che family couldn’t even lift the pot lid. Second Master Che had no choice but to put down his studies and became an apprentice to someone else just to get by. Miss Che also had to do some sewing, mending, and washing work for others. Old Madam Che’s eyes had long been cried blind, yet she still had to help with cooking and washing. Speaking of it, this Second Master Che is pitiful enough. Originally his studies were also extremely good, and he had already passed the scholar examination. If Scholar Che would strive harder and not spend all day lingering in wine houses, finding proper work, he could at least help his younger brother test for the scholar degree and get some official position – wouldn’t the family gradually improve?”

Lu Changxuan pondered that this waiter’s words were not wrong. He himself had done exactly this to gradually improve the Lu residence.

“But this Scholar Che has drunk so much wine over these years that his brain is muddled all day long. This guest, you were probably grabbed by him and called Brother Zhou, right? Scholar Che apparently once had a Brother Zhou with whom he had an extremely good relationship. Nobody knows where that Brother Zhou went later, but every time he comes, as long as he sees guests like you who seem to be scholars, he’ll grab them and call them Brother Zhou. With tears and snot, talking about scholarly matters. Scholars are kind-hearted – seeing him pitiful, they mostly won’t drive him away and often let him freeload food and drink.”

So that was it.

Having heard the waiter’s words, Lu Changxuan didn’t know why, but he walked toward that back alley.

Perhaps Scholar Che’s experiences were so similar to his own that it sparked a bit of curiosity and… a feeling of mutual sympathy for fellow sufferers.

Scholar Che’s home was indeed very easy to find. He only made a slight inquiry and found it.

The Che family lived in a small courtyard with only four rooms, very simple, but the courtyard was kept very clean. Under the covered corridor, a blind old woman was washing clothes.

Lu Changxuan knocked on the door and explained his purpose. The old woman seemed already familiar with strangers visiting, and her hoarse voice called out: “Ju’er, a distinguished guest has come!”

“Yes, Mother, coming!”

As she spoke, a girl wearing clothes washed to whiteness came out from the low house. She was about fourteen or fifteen years old, looking extremely pure and refined, very clean and neat, still holding a fire poker in her hand.

But somehow, even though this place was so shabby, even though that fire poker was so ugly, because of this girl’s presence, the entire place seemed tidy and comfortable.

Seeing Lu Changxuan, this girl called Ju’er curtsied and said with a polite smile: “Is the distinguished guest here to see Big Brother? Please sit and have tea, I’ll go call Big Brother.”

When Lu Changxuan saw this girl’s bright eyes, white teeth, and dimpled smile, he was actually somewhat dazed. In such a dilapidated place, there was actually such an otherworldly girl.

Ju’er led Lu Changxuan to sit in the main room, poured him a cup of tea, then went to call Scholar Che herself.

Lu Changxuan surveyed the room. Though it was very simple, it was kept spotlessly clean. The tea was also the most inferior tea leaves, but the teacup and teapot were washed clean, and the table was wiped bright.

Clearly, the female head of this household was very diligent. The old woman’s eyes were blind, so it could only be that Ju’er who did this.

Lu Changxuan’s heart stirred.

Soon, Scholar Che came drowsily, and seeing Lu Changxuan, he was stunned and asked: “This brother, who are you?”

Lu Changxuan said: “My surname is Zhou.”

Scholar Che said confusedly: “Brother Zhou?”

Lu Changxuan nodded.

At this time, it happened to be near mealtime. Ju’er went in and out serving them tea and prepared a table of refreshingly flavored dishes to entertain him.

Scholar Che seemed somewhat confused. Every time he faced Lu Changxuan, he always carried scrutinizing and puzzled looks in his eyes. He seemed to think Lu Changxuan was that Brother Zhou, yet seemed to think he wasn’t.

Lu Changxuan didn’t say much and ate without declining.

At the dinner table, there were only Scholar Che and him. Ju’er and the old woman ate in the kitchen.

Scholar Che was obviously still in confusion, and this meal was eaten very strangely.

After eating, he quietly left a piece of broken silver on the table, then left.

He thought he wouldn’t go to the Che family again.

When he returned home, he learned about the Eastern Hidden Temple incident.

Qin Shuying was actually so cunning – it wouldn’t be easy for him to take revenge. His heart became increasingly vexed. This vexation made him so stifled, and it carried an unclear, indescribable hatred.

The next day, as if possessed by a ghost, he actually went directly to the Che family.

Scholar Che’s mind was still not very clear today, still scrutinizing Lu Changxuan, but he didn’t question Lu Changxuan’s identity either.

Lu Changxuan needed to find a topic, so he brought up literature. Scholar Che suddenly became highly spirited, talking eloquently with saliva flying, and his insights were actually no worse than those of scholars who had entered officialdom.

Lu Changxuan conversed with him, and unknowingly it was lunchtime again. Just as he was about to take his leave, Ju’er came with a beaming smile to invite him to sit at the table.

Ju’er placed the broken silver he had left yesterday in front of Lu Changxuan’s table and said: “Brother Zhou, I saw the silver you left yesterday. Brother Zhou, you are Big Brother’s good friend – why be so polite? Though our family is poor, we cannot accept people’s kindness like this. Brother Zhou, please take the silver back. If you insist on this, please don’t come anymore in the future.”

Lu Changxuan thought for a moment and took it back, deciding that next time he came, he would cut some meat and bring a package of pastries.

Ju’er then showed a happy smile, pure and refreshing, making Lu Changxuan stare in a daze.

When Ju’er wasn’t nearby, Scholar Che suddenly asked Lu Changxuan mysteriously: “Brother Zhou, have you used the Dark Incense I gave you?”

Lu Changxuan hadn’t expected him to still remember this matter. At the same time, he was very curious – although the price of this Dark Incense wasn’t particularly expensive, one piece still cost one or two hundred wen. How did Scholar Che obtain it?

“…Used it, extremely good. Brother Che, where did you get this good thing?”