Chapter 141 Day 5 of Transmigrating into an Imperial Examination Novel

Chapter 141: The Fifth Day of Entering the Imperial Examination Story

An Yi’s gaze calmly swept over his hand, not lingering on the hare, as if he hadn’t seen it at all, before returning to Qin Cang’s face, which was full of awkward tension. His tone was flat: “What’s up?”

His reaction clearly caught Qin Cang off guard.

The young man froze, like he didn’t expect An Yi to be so nonchalant.

None of the questions, polite refusals, or rejections he expected came.

This calmness only made him more at a loss.

He pursed his lips, as if he was stubbornly insisting on something, and thrust the hare directly toward An Yi.

“...For you.” Qin Cang’s voice was very low, almost swallowed in his throat. His eyes refused to meet An Yi’s, stubbornly fixed on some spot on the ground.

An Yi lowered his gaze, looked at the still-warm hare, then raised his eyes to the tense young man before him.

“For me?” he asked, his voice betraying no emotion.

Qin Cang frowned. After a long moment, he forced out a few stiff words: “...Thanks.”

“It was nothing,” An Yi said with a faint smile. “No need.”

“...I have to.” Qin Cang retorted, his tone resolute.

An Yi looked at him, at this stubborn posture. If he didn’t take it, the kid probably wouldn’t leave.

Even if he chased him away, he might come back with another form of thanks.

He really hated owing people.

Finally, An Yi gave an almost imperceptible nod.

“Okay.” He just said that one word.

An Yi bent down, reached out, and picked up the hare. It was heavy in his hand, quite plump, proof the hunter was skilled.

Holding the hare, his gaze swept over Qin Cang’s bruised lip and pale face.

“Come in.” He turned, carrying the hare into the house, his tone natural, leaving his slim figure to the kid frozen at the door.

Qin Cang was completely rooted at the threshold, watching An Yi’s unguarded back disappear into the shadows inside the house. For the first time, his face showed a look close to bewilderment.

Come in?

He stood outside the door, he struggled inside again. He should go back; they were square now. Why was he still lingering here?

But Scholar An had told him to come in...

He eventually stepped into An Yi’s house.

This was his first time entering Scholar An’s home.

It was about what he had imagined—even more shabby and empty. The only strange thing was how clean it was, and the faint, fresh, nice smell lingering in the air, different from the herbal and musty smells.

He couldn’t identify the smell, which seemed to come from the strangely textured clothes on An Yi that he had never seen before.

An Yi, still holding the warm hare, turned and walked into the dim room. Without looking back, but like he had eyes in the back of his head, he tossed a question at the young man still frozen on the doorstep. His voice blended into the lazy afternoon air: “Can you cook?”

The abrupt question caught Qin Cang off guard again, almost making him think he’d misheard.

He subconsciously nodded, the movement stiff, then realized An Yi had his back to him and couldn’t see. He forced out a dry “...Yeah.”

“Mm.” An Yi responded, casually handing the heavy hare behind him, his movement natural. “Then deal with it and cook it. You can keep the fur to tan.”

An Yi pointed to the next room: “Kitchen’s there.”

Qin Cang had never expected things to take this turn.

He looked at the hare offered to him, then up at An Yi’s lean, straight figure, as if untouched by dust. His eyes were full of confusion and barely hidden surprise.

An Yi waited a couple of seconds, heard no movement, and tilted his head slightly, casting a calm glance at him: “Can’t cook?”

Qin Cang pursed his lips tightly, snatched the hare—its fur cool and body still not stiff—and without further hesitation, stepped over the threshold and walked into the kitchen.

He skillfully started a fire, boiled water, and began dressing the hare.

An Yi didn’t disturb him in the kitchen. He just sat on the only somewhat steady chair, paused, then started rocking back and forth.

Kinda like sitting in a rocking chair.

But not as fun.

The faint sounds from the kitchen—the crackling of firewood, the rush of water, the contact of knife and cutting board—these sounds full of life strangely dispelled the long-standing silence and decay of the house.

Before long, a rich meaty aroma began to spread through the cramped space, dispelling the lingering bitterness of medicine.

Qin Cang came out carrying a large bowl of well-braised hare meat and set it on the wobbling wooden table.

The rabbit meat had been simply cut up, soaking in the broth, the smell strong.

He stood there silently, his hands wiping awkwardly on his old rough shirt. His gaze was downcast, not looking at An Yi, nor at the bowl of meat.

Suddenly, he said: “I’m heading back.”

He turned to leave, but then stopped, like he was waiting to see if An Yi would say something else.

An Yi’s glance swept over the steaming bowl of meat and then landed on Qin Cang’s still-tense face.

“Let’s eat together.”

Qin Cang stared at him, then said: “No... thanks. I’m heading out.”

He turned again to leave, but found he couldn’t move at all, just kept walking in place.

His eyes wide, he turned back to see An Yi holding his collar, smiling. “Eat with me.”

Scholar An was crazy strong!

He could probably make good money hauling sacks.

But looking at those smiling eyes... never mind.

He was more suited to carrying heavy loads after all.

An Yi, ignoring whatever he was thinking, walked to the table, picked up the clean bowls and chopsticks left behind by the previous occupant, and handed one set to Qin Cang.

He then ladled half a bowl of soup, picked up two pieces of meat, sat back down, and began to eat leisurely.

He ate very little, with elegant movements, completely out of place in this environment.

He was indeed not hungry; eating a little was more out of respect for the young man's hard work.

Seeing An Yi start eating, Qin Cang gripped the bowl and chopsticks, stood frozen in place, and after a long pause, he finally picked up one piece of meat and didn't take any more.

An Yi paid him no attention, ate a few bites, and then put down his chopsticks.

He pushed the remaining rabbit meat in front of Qin Cang.

Qin Cang paused in his movements, looked up, and pursed his lips, shiny with grease.

An Yi smiled gently at him. "Eat."

Seeing that he didn't move, An Yi took his bowl and silently filled it to the brim.

Qin Cang stared at the smile on An Yi's face. At first he was still a little hesitant, eating in small bites, but the aroma of the food and the hunger in his stomach quickly overcame that unease, and he began to wolf it down.

He devoured everything, finishing the remaining rabbit meat and soup.

After eating, he carefully took the bowls and chopsticks to the kitchen, washed them carefully, and returned them to their spot.

Then he stood at the kitchen door, a little hesitant.

"I'm leaving," he said, his gaze quickly sweeping over An Yi before fixing on the ground.

An Yi looked at him, but unlike last time, he didn't try to stop him, only nodding almost imperceptibly.

Having received permission, Qin Cang seemed both relieved and somewhat disappointed. He no longer lingered, turned, and quickly walked out of the house, his steps a little lighter than when he had come.

Just as he was about to step out the door, Qin Cang suddenly halted.

He turned his head, his gaze was almost tangible, piercing through the gradually dimming light, looking at An Yi, who was standing in the doorway, with deep complexity.

Just one glance.

Then he quickly turned his head forward again, and his figure disappeared beyond the wicker fence, the sound of his footsteps quickly fading.