USWHC -Chapter 424 Rushing to the Capital for the Exam (Part 4)

“What’s wrong with Sir? Ever since he returned from the county office, he’s been locked up in his room… hasn’t he lost his mind or something?” Manager Liao craned his neck through the door crack, peeking inside. He saw Ji Yi just sitting dazedly on the bed.

“Sir hasn’t eaten for two days! Ah, this will ruin his health!” Doctor Sun said with worry.

“Why don’t you go in and bring him something else?” Uncle Ge suggested softly.

“Bring what?” Confucius (Kong Lao) was still fuming. “All he ever thinks about are childish matters of the heart! How is he ever going to become a man of stature like this? Hmph! All my years of effort, wasted! If this continues, I’ll go straight back and report to the master!”

“Sigh~ all you ever do is tattle. What else are you good for?” Uncle Ge grumbled first.

Seeing Confucius’s face turn green with anger, Doctor Sun quickly nudged Uncle Ge and tried to smooth things over: “It’s not that serious! Kong Lao is just venting, right?”

“I just hate seeing talent wasted!” Confucius sighed. “All these years, if I didn’t care for him, would I have followed him to this little mountain village to live in seclusion?”

“Exactly! Kong Lao is a direct descendant of the Sage, and it’s a blessing that he even looks favorably on Sir!” Doctor Sun hurriedly flattered.

Uncle Ge, however, was still indignant. “The Sage? What about that? None of us come from humble families. We all came willingly to follow Sir. If that’s the case, why waste time spouting sarcastic remarks? Better to figure out how to actually help him!”

“You fool! How do you intend to help him? Haven’t you already caused trouble? From the very start, that woman—yet you egged Sir on, step by step, to get to this point!” Confucius spat angrily.

“I didn’t!” Manager Liao hurriedly defended himself.

But Uncle Ge’s eyes went wide. He glared at Liao, furious: “Right, you didn’t! If you hadn’t interfered, he’d still be fine now!”

“I was trying to help Sir!” Manager Liao shouted, flustered.

“Um… can I come in?” At that moment, a small, timid voice spoke up.

Everyone turned and saw it was young Huaihua! She was holding a steaming bowl of meat porridge. Honestly, she really cared about Ji Yi.

Manager Liao’s eyes immediately twitched with scheming. He whispered: “Why don’t we distract him a little?”

“What do you mean?” Doctor Sun asked, surprised.

Liao grabbed Sun by the collar, looking dangerous. “Tell me! Do you have anything good for Sir to try?”

“What?” Doctor Sun frowned. “What’s this about now?”

Liao grinned mischievously: “Stuff that boosts kidneys and strengthens yang!”

You mean… aphrodisiacs! Doctor Sun immediately sneered: “No!”

“Yes, yes, there is!” Liao rummaged around Doctor Sun and finally pulled out a small paper packet. He chuckled: “I knew you’d like this!”

Doctor Sun blushed immediately and muttered quietly: “I’m just helping… this is all the fun left in this poor mountain village!”

Liao then poured the entire packet of powder into Huaihua’s bowl and laughed: “Don’t worry, you’ll get to watch soon enough!” He pushed Huaihua into the room.

“Wh-what is this?” Huaihua asked nervously.

“Something good!” Liao said with a mischievous smile. “Huaihua, I know… you’ve always liked Ji Yi, right? Now’s the time to show warmth and care! Take this step, and we guarantee a bright future for you!”

Huaihua froze, her face flushing. Did she know what was in the bowl… or not? Did she really like Ji Yi?

“Don’t be silly, you’re bad enough as it is!” Uncle Ge immediately protested, glaring at Liao.

But Liao pushed Huaihua further, fussing over her: “Don’t listen to him. Your sister isn’t coming back, and Ji Yi’s really pitiful right now. Go in and comfort him!”