Chapter 41: The Xu Family in Qingshui Town

Chapter 41: The Xu Family in Qingshui Town

Just as Liu Huaizhi was about to strike the fourth time, Xu Zeping immediately rushed forward. He turned his back to Liu Huaizhi and tightly held Xu Zeli's hand in his own, his voice trembling with emotion: "Sir, sir, my elder brother is taking the county examination in April! His hands cannot be injured!"

Liu Huaizhi's ruler hung in mid-air, and he snorted lightly: "Remembering the county examination now? Why didn't you remember it when you were late? If everyone acted like you two, ignoring rules, what would happen?"

"You are absolutely right, Zeping, move aside." Xu Zeli patted Xu Zeping's back with his right hand, his voice stern: "If the sir makes an exception for me today, how will he face other students in the future?"

Hearing this familiar nickname, Xu Zeping was momentarily stunned. This was the first time Xu Zeli had called him by his nickname; before, he always called him Zeping or youngest.

Taking advantage of Xu Zeping's momentary distraction, Xu Zeli pulled his left hand away.

— Slap!

Liu Huaizhi struck down without mercy.

Xu Zeping reacted instantly. As Liu Huaizhi prepared to strike the fifth time, he pushed Xu Zeli's left hand away and extended his own left hand.

— Slap!

The sharp pain instantly reached Xu Zeping's brain, and he couldn't help but tear up. His tender, pale hand quickly turned red and swollen.

It hurt so much.

Xu Zeli sighed, pulling the stubborn child close and gently wiping away the tears from Xu Zeping's eyes with his right hand: "I'm here, don't be strong. Be good."

Meeting those identical phoenix eyes, Xu Zeping felt a surge of emotions, experiencing for the first time the feeling of having someone stand up for him. Was this what it felt like to have an older brother protect you?

— Slap, slap, slap!

Liu Huaizhi paid no heed to their brotherly affection and finished the remaining strikes.

The thin silhouette of the young man imprinted itself deeply in Xu Zeping's mind, and the sweat rolling down his jawline etched itself into his heart.

At that moment, all the barriers between them seemed to dissolve...

Xu Zeli endured nineteen strikes, his palm bloody and raw, crimson blood dripping from his fingertips, yet he still managed a smile and said to Xu Zeping: "Don't worry, I'm not in pain."

With beads of sweat on his forehead, how could he not be in pain?

Tears welled up in Xu Zeping's eyes. He knew crying was embarrassing, but he couldn't control the sting... the only thing he could do was stop the tears from falling.

Liu Huaizhi's heart wasn't made of stone. How could he not feel for his disciple? After the punishment, he said: "Xu Zeping, go back to your seat and review today's lesson. As for you, Xu Zeli, come with me."

News of Xu Zeli passing the county examination had already spread throughout Qingshui Town, and the students in Class B naturally knew about it. Seeing even the top student receive punishment for breaking rules, they all diligently copied their assignments, fearing they might also receive the ruler...

After all, they had seen both Xu Zeli's and Lin Wenhao's palms. The force used was far greater than for ordinary mistakes. If the sir punished them with such force... the students of Class B shuddered collectively. Oh God, please take pity.

After school, Xu Zeping didn't bother to gather his scattered books and rushed out, ignoring Liu Huaizhi who hadn't left yet. He was the first to dash out of Class B.

Liu Huaizhi watched the lightning-fast little one and shook his head. These brothers truly cared for each other.

Thinking of this, he suddenly remembered the little boy who used to follow him... it had been a long time since he returned home.

Thinking of the county examination, Liu Huaizhi decided on the time to return to his hometown.

Class A and Class B were only a few meters apart, and Xu Zeping ran quickly, reaching the door of Class A in just a few steps.

Although it was past dismissal time, no students in Class A had left; they were all engrossed in writing essays.

Hearing the sound of writing, Xu Zeping hesitated. He tiptoed to the door, peeking inside at Xu Zeli, who was seated in the center of Class A. He wanted to enter but feared disturbing them.

At that moment, a student sitting in the front row looked up and met Xu Zeping's clear phoenix eyes. He blurted out: "Xu Zeli, your younger brother is here."

Liu Wenran was known for his loud voice in Class A. With his shout, over ten pairs of eyes lifted and looked towards the door of Class A.

The Xu brothers looked alike, but while Xu Zeli was reserved and determined, Xu Zeping appeared more innocent, with a pale, round face that made people want to pinch it.

There was no helping it. Who could resist Xu Zeli's superior essays and his smooth, charming personality, which made everyone love and hate him, yet unable to do anything about it!

Now there was a vulnerable little guy to pinch. How could they resist?

Xu Zeping's hair stood on end, sensing their malicious intent. He shrank back, "Elder brother."

A glance from Xu Zeli silenced everyone.

Then, Xu Zeli waved him over: "Come here."

"Why did you come? Is there something you didn't understand?" Xu Zeli put down his brush as the youngest bounced over.

Xu Zeping shook his head and looked up: "Elder brother, I wanted to see your left hand."

The soft, innocent youngest made Xu Zeli's heart soften. He extended his bandaged left hand: "The sir has applied medicine; it's fine now."

"Really?"

"Of course."

Hearing Xu Zeli's sincere voice, Xu Zeping relaxed: "Then I'll go back now?"

Xu Zeli glanced at the hourglass on the lectern and stood up: "Jixiang should be bringing lunch. Let's eat together."

"Okay."

The students of Class A watched the obedient little bun following Xu Zeli, feeling extremely itchy.

As Xu Zeping approached Liu Wenran, a pair of strong hands suddenly grabbed his back. An excited voice boomed into Xu Zeping's ears: "Little guy, what's your name?"

Xu Zeping turned around to see a tall, burly scholar leering at him, causing him to stumble in fright.

The other students in Class A, seeing that Ding Yiqiang had already made his move, rushed forward all at once, extending their claws toward Xu Zeping...

In his helplessness, those claw-like hands pinched Zeping's little face.

—Hey, it's pretty soft!

—Yeah, yeah! I wonder if Zeli's face feels the same.

.....

For a moment, many lecherous laughs reached Xu Zeping's ears, making him want to cry for help!!

Someone, these scholars are all perverts!!