Once Ji Linxi’s health improved after being rescued, he knelt before Master Huai Xiuyong—his history tutor—and Madame Qi, bowing his head to express his deepest gratitude for saving his life. Though he was a hypocritical, depraved, and licentious person, he was still human; the grace shown to him by the Master and his wife was something he truly kept in his heart.

“Student will surely strive to repay Teacher and Madame Qi’s kindness in the future!”

Madame Qi bent down, saying, “Oh, my, this is only what we should have done. Why are you putting on such a formal display?”

Just as she reached out to help Ji Linxi up, Huai Xiuyong cleared his throat and coughed. “What is this ‘Madame Qi’? Is ‘Madame Qi’ something you should be calling her?”

“Call her Shiniang (Teacher’s wife).”

Ji Linxi looked up, stunned.

Huai Xiuyong stroked his beard and huffed coldly. “You call me Teacher, don’t you? Since I am your teacher, naturally, my wife is your Shiniang.”

He had been observing Ji Linxi for some time. After what happened last night, he realized that the student’s diligent efforts were no act. What teacher doesn’t love a hardworking and gifted student? Ji Linxi truly had a talent for learning. While he may have been ignorant of many things at the start and occasionally made a fool of himself, after this period of rigorous study, he had changed significantly. Whatever book he read, he could speak on it with substance, and even his speech had become much more refined.

He had actually considered taking Ji Linxi as his final protégé several days ago. He had intended to test him a bit longer, but it seemed unnecessary now. It was better to just take him in.

Seeing that Ji Linxi seemed frozen, he glared. “What? Are you unwilling? Do you think I’m not worthy of being your teacher? My household may be poor, but—”

Before he could finish, Ji Linxi kowtowed three times. “Student Ji Linxi greets Teacher.”

Then, he turned and kowtowed three times to Madame Qi. “Student greets Shiniang.”

Seeing him bow, Huai Xiuyong’s expression softened considerably. He couldn’t help but smile, though he tried his best to remain composed and dignified. “Since you have accepted me as your master, I will teach you with all my heart. Wait here for a moment; I am going to the room to get you a gift.”

A year ago, he had gritted his teeth and bought a high-quality inkstone. Because he cherished it so much, he hadn’t had the heart to use it and had kept it tucked away. It was perfect as a gift for his student.

He returned to his room, took out the carefully wrapped inkstone, and walked back out. He bent down to press it into Ji Linxi’s hands and helped him up. “I will be even stricter with you from now on. You must endure it; only then can you reach a higher level.”

Ji Linxi wore a mask of complete devotion. “Student will listen to everything Teacher says. Teacher does this for my own good.”

Once he took Ji Linxi as his student, Huai Xiuyong truly dedicated himself to the role. Previously, Ji Linxi read on his own while the master went about his business, but now, Huai Xiuyong tutored him personally from morning until night. After teaching, he would quiz him on the day’s lessons, and the next day, he would quiz him on the previous day’s material. Knowing Ji Linxi’s handwriting was poor, he created a specialized practice plan for him, and even recalled questions from past county examinations to compile mock papers. For the sake of this student, the corners of the master’s mouth had broken out in painful blisters.

At night, Madame Qi watched him peering at the blisters in a bronze mirror. “You are worrying far too much.”

“How can I not worry? He only entered the academy at the end of this year; he is already far behind everyone else.”

“Open your mouth.”

Huai Xiuyong obeyed.

Madame Qi took a silver needle that had been sterilized with alcohol and fire and pierced the blister, stirring it inside. Huai Xiuyong grimaced in pain, and after washing it with clean water, Madame Qi pressed a medicinal herb onto it. “There.”

Huai Xiuyong reached up to touch it and began to giggle.

Madame Qi smacked him. “Have you lost your mind? How can you still laugh?”

Huai Xiuyong shot a glance at his wife. “Hmph, you don’t know—I really chose the right student this time.”

“Yes, yes, you chose right.” Madame Qi couldn’t be bothered with him and got up to mend clothes.

Huai Xiuyong followed her. “You don’t understand, Ji Linxi is truly a genius.”

“Genius, genius…”

“Are you listening to me? I’m telling you, even if he doesn’t have a photographic memory, his ability to comprehend is incredible. You explain it to him once, and—poof! He gets it! He just gets it!”

“I think his only problem is his poor background. If he had been born into a decent family and started reading early, he wouldn’t just pass the county exam; he could even pass the metropolitan exam.”

“Mm-hmm, mm-hmm…”

“Qi Xiangyun! Can you please take me seriously!”

Madame Qi stopped her needlework, glanced at him, and sneered, “Since you, Master Huai, have already said that a woman like me doesn’t know anything, how can a woman who knows nothing listen carefully to a great scholar like you?”

Huai Xiuyong choked, his voice suddenly becoming extremely weak. “That’s not what I meant.”

He began to knead his wife’s shoulders in a fawning manner. “It’s my mouth that’s useless; I said the wrong thing. Let me apologize, alright? My lady, of course, knows everything…”

In the next room, the air was bitter cold, but two people shared warmth.

Poor Ji Linxi, however, was still all alone.

In the deep, silent night, only the howling wind could be heard outside. After a busy day of study, Ji Linxi—who should have been fast asleep—found himself unable to close his eyes.

He tossed and turned under the quilt, his Adam’s apple bobbing. His mind couldn’t help but wander to various scenes. He was a low-class, shameless lecher. Before meeting the Beautiful Young Master, he often dreamed of being intimate with a beauty whose face he couldn’t see. After meeting the Beautiful Young Master, the beauty in his dreams finally had a face, making his dreams even more blissful. But now, it had been a long time since he had done anything for himself.

He was eighteen years old. At this age, a man who harbored such carnal desires would usually be restless in bed, yet he had restrained himself for a long time.

The colder the air outside, the more feverish his body became. He exhaled, feeling as if his breath were as hot as fire.

He thought of the Beautiful Young Master’s eyes. They were such beautiful eyes. Long, with inner corners like the tip of a peach blossom, and the outer corners tilted slightly upward. When those long, thin eyelashes drooped, they felt like a tiny brush sweeping across his heart, leaving behind an itch he couldn’t soothe.

His amber irises reflected light so easily, especially when the sunlight hit them—they looked just like melting spring water.

And his lips. The Beautiful Young Master’s lips were also beautiful, round and lush in just the right way—not too thick, not too thin. The upper lip had an indistinct cupid’s bow. They looked very kissable and smelled wonderful.

His neck was slender. When he took off his cloak and scarf, one could follow the line of his Adam’s apple down to see a sliver of snow-white skin. Though it was only a small patch, it made one’s gaze linger, unable to look away.

Ji Linxi’s breathing grew heavy; he couldn’t help but close his eyes.

The Beautiful Young Master’s waist was also very thin. He had peeked at it in the room at Risheng Academy; if he reached out, he could surely wrap his arms around most of it. And his legs—he had once shamelessly hugged them through his clothes. They were long, firm, and smelled divine.

Ji Linxi’s breathing became more rapid, and sweat broke out on his forehead.

In just a moment, he had fantasized about the Beautiful Young Master from his hair down to his toes.

He was parched with desire.

Ji Linxi opened his eyes, gasping for air, and in an instant, he managed to convince himself.

After suppressing myself for so long, what would one time matter? Can’t I just consider it a reward for my diligence?

Doing it once in a while won’t make me fall into depravity or make me abandon my studies.

Once every three days? No, that’s too soon.

Once every seven days… every ten days… every fifteen days. Yes, every fifteen days. As long as I study diligently for fifteen days, I’ll reward myself once. Surely the Beautiful Young Master would understand.

If I wait any longer, it’s just too difficult for me.

If I’m stifled to the point of breaking, who will give the Beautiful Young Master his ‘happiness’ later? That stands to reason, doesn’t it?

I’m doing this for the Beautiful Young Master’s sake in the long run.

Having convinced himself, Ji Linxi felt absolutely no guilt.

What could be wrong with this? Why do people work hard if not for the desires in their hearts? Some study to become honest officials, harboring grand ambitions to establish a heart for Heaven and Earth, to secure the lives of the people, to carry on the lost teachings of the sages, and to open the way for eternal peace. He, however, had no such saintly ideals. As a child, he stole chickens and dogs to survive; as a man, he conned and cheated to live. No one taught him or enlightened him, so everything about him was raw and primal. Near vermilion, one becomes red; near ink, one becomes black. Having been a homeless orphan, all he ever touched was ‘ink,’ so he himself had become no different from a lump of ink.

In the long, deep night, Ji Linxi took a chess piece from his chest and held it between his lips. He flipped up the quilt, covering his head and revealing his feet.

Because he was eating well and his appetite had grown, in just one month, his frame had broadened and lengthened.

Burning, scorching heat; stifled, gasping breaths.

Half an hour later, Ji Linxi threw off the quilt and spat out the chess piece. His whole body radiated the relaxed feeling of release. With all his defenses stripped away, he looked nothing like a scholar at this moment. His eyebrows were sharp, his features aggressive—he looked every bit the local hooligan and bandit chief.

What a joyous feeling.

He carelessly threw on his clothes, got out of bed, washed the chess piece clean, and tucked it back into his robes. He wiped himself down with a cloth, washed his hands, shook off the water, and dried them before taking out paper and brush to continue writing his private journal.

【Yongming 17th Year, Spring, 1st Month, 4th Day. Broke discipline for one day. No harm done. Will study diligently in the future. Good. I miss you, My Dear. Please do not forget me.】

After finishing and cleaning up, he lay down in bed feeling satisfied and slept soundly without dreams.

The next day, Master Huai Xiuyong looked at him, his brow furrowed.

“Teacher?” Ji Linxi looked up innocently.

Huai Xiuyong scrutinized his complexion. “Where did you go last night?”

Ji Linxi replied respectfully, “Student didn’t go anywhere. I finished my reading, practiced my calligraphy, did some exercise in my room, and went to sleep.”

Huai Xiuyong frowned tightly, but finally relaxed, nodding in appreciation. “Your state today is exceptionally good, and you have more drive than usual. Not bad, just keep up this state.”

Before, he had been diligent, but he seemed to lack joy. Now, he was clearly enjoying the process, with pleasure visible in his eyes and brows.

He had feared Ji Linxi was secretly seeking out other tutors behind his back, but upon reflection, that seemed impossible.

Ji Linxi naturally couldn’t say that he had spent last night fantasizing about the Beautiful Young Master until he was satisfied. He lowered his head and replied even more respectfully, “After thinking it over last night, I felt that learning shouldn’t just rely on hard work alone. One must love to learn and enjoy the happiness that comes from academic achievement. Only by loving what you learn will you have the drive. Otherwise, it is just a waste of one’s own energy, and it is difficult to make proud progress.”

Listening to these words, the corners of Huai Xiuyong’s mouth almost reached the sky.

“Not bad, not bad at all. That is exactly the truth.”

“I never expected that at such a young age, you would understand this principle. Teacher is very comforted, Ji Linxi.”

__

【Author’s Note】

Censorship. Nothing below the neck, no explicit descriptions, please spare me.

Ji Linxi’s Moments post today:

【Attached: Photo of Chu Yu】 I achieved a score of 0.00000000000000000001 seconds in my wife’s “No Heartbeat Challenge.” You guys should try it too! 【Try it with other people, don’t try it with mine】