TRWSB – Chapter 44 Zhuang Ling’s Suspicions

Qi Shaorong sat in the library, watching as Zhuang Hao and Zhuang Ling entered together.

“Zhuang Ling,” Qi Shaorong softly murmured.

Zhuang Ling looked at him, slightly surprised. “Fourth Young Master Qi, do you know me?”

Qi Shaorong shook his head. “Oh no, I’ve only heard about you from the Evil Doctor and happened to see your image once.” Internally, he tightened his grip. Careless mistake, he thought. The Evil Doctor and Zhuang Ling are acquaintances, but this is my first time meeting her.

Zhuang Ling’s gaze lingered on Qi Shaorong, a faint gleam flickering in her eyes.

“I see. I thought the Fourth Young Master Qi recognized me,” Zhuang Ling said with a smile.

“Miss Zhuang, what brings you to the academy?” Qi Shaorong asked.

“I’m serving as a history instructor this year. If you choose my course, we’ll have many opportunities to meet,” Zhuang Ling explained.

Qi Shaorong nodded. “I see. My respects, Instructor Zhuang Ling.”

“Fourth Young Master Qi, I have a question for you,” Zhuang Hao interjected, direct and to the point.

Qi Shaorong glanced at Zhuang Hao’s injured hand and remarked, “Young Master Zhuang, you’re hurt.”

Zhuang Hao withdrew his hand. “It’s nothing. I’m here to ask you about the Evil Doctor’s whereabouts.”

Qi Shaorong sighed. “The Evil Doctor is a free spirit, acting as he pleases. I have no idea where he’s gone.”

Zhuang Hao’s gaze sharpened. “Then how do you know he went to a brothel?”

“Wherever the Evil Doctor goes, he always visits a brothel. It’s just what men do, don’t you think, Young Master Zhuang?”

“I don’t think so.”

Qi Shaorong smirked. “That’s why Ah Xie says you’re still immature, Young Master Zhuang.”

“I’m leaving,” Zhuang Hao said angrily, standing up and storming off.

“Take care,” Qi Shaorong replied calmly.

Zhuang Ling sat across from Qi Shaorong, tilting her head as she studied him. “Zhuang Hao’s gone.”

“Let him go,” Zhuang Ling said with a smile. “Perhaps we can have a little chat.”

“Do you have something to teach me, Instructor Zhuang Ling?” Qi Shaorong asked, lowering his head slightly as he absentmindedly flipped through the pages of his book.

Zhuang Ling chuckled. “Fourth Young Master Qi, have you ever noticed how similar you and the Evil Doctor are?”

Qi Shaorong smiled. “Aside from our shared penchant for visiting brothels, I don’t see much similarity.”

Zhuang Ling shook her head. “That’s where you’re wrong. I’ve taken spiritual medicine since I was young and have become highly sensitive to its scent. Fourth Young Master Qi, did you know? You have a faint medicinal aroma, exactly like the Evil Doctor’s.”

Qi Shaorong laughed softly. “Miss Zhuang, you’re mistaken. That’s not a medicinal scent; it’s a fragrance. The Evil Doctor and I use the same perfume, so it’s no surprise we smell alike.”

Zhuang Ling smiled faintly. “It’s not strange, of course—just a coincidence. I heard that you and the Evil Doctor once shared a bed. I wonder, do you sleep together every night, wherever he goes?”

Lowering his head, Qi Shaorong chuckled lightly. “Instructor Zhuang Ling, you do have a sense of humor. The Evil Doctor has countless admirers. I don’t have the fortune to share his bed every night.”

“Don’t sell yourself short, Fourth Young Master. You’re quite charming yourself. What do you think of Zhuang Hao?” Zhuang Ling probed.

“He’s a fool. He actually came to his ex-fiancée to ask about another person’s whereabouts. How clueless can he be? Even if I don’t hold a grudge over the broken engagement, seeing him constantly hovering around me is irritating,” Qi Shaorong replied mockingly.

Zhuang Ling nodded. “Isn’t he just? That boy rushes into things without thinking, clumsy and careless. But honestly, he’s a good kid, isn’t he?”

“Of course. I grew up hearing stories of Zhuang Hao’s feats. His name is practically legendary. If he weren’t outstanding, my fifth sister and Miss Yi from the Yi family wouldn’t be chasing after him.”

Zhuang Ling chuckled. “Ah Hao has been cold and aloof since he was a child. Plenty of people in the capital pursued him, but he never cared for any of them. Finally, he took a liking to someone, only for that person to leave without a word.”

Qi Shaorong smiled. “Zhuang Hao is still young. He’ll calm down in a few days. Youthful folly—it’s inevitable.”

“Fourth Young Master Qi, you’re younger than Ah Hao, aren’t you? Yet you speak like the Evil Doctor, so mature and world-weary,” Zhuang Ling teased.

Qi Shaorong laughed lightly. “I misspoke.”

“You’re quite different from what people say, Fourth Young Master. Perhaps breaking off the engagement was the most foolish thing Ah Hao has ever done in his life,” Zhuang Ling mused.

Qi Shaorong smiled faintly. “You jest, Instructor. Zhuang Hao is so remarkable; naturally, someone even better awaits him.”

“Well, I have matters to attend to. If you see the Evil Doctor, please send him my regards,” Zhuang Ling said, standing up.

“Of course. Instructor Zhuang Ling, you won’t tell Zhuang Hao about our conversation, will you?” Qi Shaorong asked.

Zhuang Ling smiled. “Don’t worry. I won’t meddle in your young folks’ affairs.”

Qi Shaorong watched her leave, a faint smile lingering on his lips.