YBTGX 04

Chapter 04

Visitors from the Liu Family

One hundred strands of Caiqi (Talent).

A literary rank at the lowest level.

This was the foundation of his standing in this world. Lu Lin could clearly feel those hundred strands of Caiqi flowing like a gentle stream through his limbs and bones, nourishing this slightly thin, childish body. His brain, which had felt somewhat sluggish before, was now exceptionally clear. His entire body felt filled with an inexhaustible supply of energy; it felt as if he could jump half a head higher than usual with just a light leap.

And this was merely the minor change brought about by one hundred strands of Caiqi. What would happen if there were a thousand? Ten thousand?

Lu Lin’s heart thumped wildly. He clenched his little fists, savoring the new power. At the same time, he couldn’t help but wonder if he could support the creation of a new “classic” with one hundred strands of Caiqi. Even if it wasn’t a supreme treasure like the Tao Te Ching or a magnificent masterpiece like the Ode to the Red Cliff, a simple Tang quatrain should be possible, right?

Just as he was screening suitable poems in his mind, a somewhat boisterous child’s voice came from not far away.

“Cousin Lin!” “What are you doing running out here? Grandpa and Grandma have been looking for you all morning!”

Lu Lin looked toward the voice and saw a boy wearing a ragged grey jacket running toward him, gasping for air. It was his cousin from the first branch, Lu Guan.

Lu Guan was the only son of the eldest uncle; he was eight years old this year and had already been studying at the village’s private school for a year.

“The Liu family is here!”

Lu Guan, his face covered in snot bubbles, ran up to him, one hand on his knee, gasping for breath. “They said they want to see you.”

They’re here? Already?

The decision had only been made yesterday, and the Liu family was already here for an inspection. Lu Lin was slightly surprised, but his expression remained calm, retaining the innocent, ignorant look expected of a six-year-old child. However, his adult mind made him subconsciously want to gather more effective information, so he asked casually:

“How many people came from the Liu family? Who are they?”

Lu Guan wiped the transparent “long bug” (snot) sliding toward his mouth with his hand and snorted, drawing it back into his dark nostril—a sight that made Lu Lin’s skin crawl.

“Several came. They are dressed so impressively; their clothes are slick and shiny—even better than what the village chief wears during the New Year.”

“What did they say they were here for?” Lu Lin pressed further.

“I don’t know.” Lu Guan shook his head as if it were obvious, then urged him impatiently. “How would I know that? I just heard Grandpa say they are from the Liu family and came to pick you up. Hurry back with me; if we’re late, Grandpa might beat you.”

Looking at Lu Guan’s expression—the look of a simple messenger who knew nothing—Lu Lin sighed inwardly. True, what useful information could I possibly get from an eight-year-old?

He stopped asking, turned around silently, and rubbed his soles back and forth over the muddy ground where he had just written. The damp earth quickly turned into a blurry mess, completely erasing the traces of his Poem for Prodigies. Only after finishing this did he look up and nod at Lu Guan.

“Let’s go.”

On the way back, the two walked one after the other. As they walked, Lu Guan suddenly stopped, turned around, and began sizing Lu Lin up with a look of astonishment.

“Huh?” “Cousin Lin, has Grandma been secretly feeding you something good lately?”

Lu Lin’s heart skipped a beat, but he just shook his head blankly.

“That’s not right.” Lu Guan moved closer, stretched out his hand to measure their heights, and his shock deepened. “How have you grown taller? You’re almost as tall as me.”

It was more than “almost.” Standing side-by-side, Lu Lin was actually slightly taller. Has the nourishment of the Caiqi manifested this quickly? Lu Lin understood the reason, but he replied in an incredibly earnest, childish tone, speaking total nonsense:

“Because I drank three bowls of porridge this morning.” “Mom said that children grow taller when they eat more. One bowl makes you grow a little, so three bowls makes you grow a lot.”

…

The two continued toward home. The moment he stepped into the dilapidated courtyard, Lu Lin’s footsteps faltered.

There were several unfamiliar figures in the yard. They were sturdy men wearing uniform green short-jackets with wide cloth belts around their waists, standing as straight as boards. Their clothes, though simple in style, were made of thick fabric and didn’t have a single patch. These must be the servants from the Liu family.

Lu Lin assessed the situation: If they are this well-fed even for servants, the Liu family must indeed be quite wealthy.

Voices drifted from the main room. Lu Lin slowed his pace and listened. A voice he knew all too well reached his ears—it was his eldest uncle.

“It’s quite a coincidence. When I was in the county town studying with some classmates, I happened to hear that the Liu family was looking for a pageboy for their young master.” “At that time, I immediately thought of my nephew from the second branch. He’s the right age and is a decent boy from our local village.” “Sending him to a prestigious, scholarly household like the Liu estate is a wonderful opportunity; he can start his education and learn the proper etiquette. It’s a great stroke of luck.”

There was silence inside; no one replied. Then, the eldest uncle, Lu An, let out a long, regretful sigh.

“It’s a real pity, though.” “My own son would have been the most suitable—he has a good appearance and is very sharp. It’s just a shame that he’s a bit over the age limit and is already studying in the village school. Otherwise, such a golden opportunity would never have fallen to anyone else.”

Outside, after hearing this, Lu Lin’s mind was clear. So, the Liu family came so quickly because this uncle of mine gave them a push.

Why is he in such a hurry? A strange thought flashed through Lu Lin’s mind. Before he could think it over, the impatient Lu Guan nudged him and dashed into the main hall. Lu Lin steadied himself and followed him in.

Inside the hall, almost all members of the Lu family were seated around the table. Such matters were a big deal in any era. Old Man Lu sat in the seat of honor on the right, holding his pipe steadily with a furrowed brow; Grandma Lu sat beside him. His mother, Li Shi, stood by Lu Hou’s side, her eyes red and swollen, her lips pressed tightly together, her hands wringing. His father, Lu Hou, sat on a stool with his broken leg propped up, his face pale, head lowered, silent.

Eldest Uncle Lu An sat closest to the steward, wearing a polite, practiced smile. His wife sat beside him, echoing his smiles. The third uncle and third aunt were also present. When they saw Lu Lin and Lu Guan enter, their eyes lingered on Lu Lin for a long time, looking quite surprised.

The steward heard the commotion and looked up. His gaze landed on Lu Lin immediately. Although the boy was wearing old, patched clothes, they were spotlessly clean. He stood as straight as a board, and his ink-black eyes revealed an indescribable spiritual intelligence. He had red lips and white teeth—a handsome child indeed.

A hint of approval flashed in the steward’s eyes. Based on Lu An’s words from moments ago, he subconsciously assumed this was the son who was already studying. He couldn’t help but inwardly click his tongue at the “pity” of it.

Then, his gaze drifted past Lu Lin and landed on Lu Guan.

With just one look, the steward’s brows, which had just smoothed out, knitted together imperceptibly. Lu Guan was filthy, with dried mud streaks on his face, and snot bubbles were constantly popping out of his dark nostrils.

Is this the pageboy to be inspected?

The appreciation in the steward’s eyes vanished without a trace, and he shook his head inwardly. To be cousins only two years apart, the difference between them was simply too great.