Chapter 47: Concern

Chapter 47: Concern

Master Zhang was holding forth at the podium while Zhang Chenggong was spit-flying down below.

Simple reason: his good buddy Chen Shuoan had just asked a question.

Chen Shuoan's gaze was vacant, his soul seemingly flown to St. Petersburg, his face looking all haggard.

"Did any of you guys have *those* kinds of issues when you were fifteen?"

Zheng Yuanzhi kept scribbling away, head buried in his books, the picture of a model student, and said offhandedly, "What kind of issues? Just say it."

Chen Shuoan went quiet for a sec, his lips moving like he wanted to say something, then he gave up: "Forget it."

Zheng Yuanzhi tried to hold it in, then realized he couldn't.

He whipped around and slammed his palm on Chen Shuoan's desk, growling: "If you can't fix the problem, then fix whatever's causing it. Shuo'an, just say it. I'll help you."

Chen Shuoan silently marveled at how ahead of the curve his buddy's mindset was, and whispered, "Do you ever have... you know, dirty dreams at night?"

Qin Zhonglian: "..."

Li Wei: "..."

Zhang Chenggong's eyes bugged out as he looked over, his face saying everything without words: "Shuo'an's been getting a little too bold lately."

Chen Shuoan: "...It wasn't me. It was a friend of mine."

Last night he'd been off the charts wild!

Zheng Yuanzhi nodded half-heartedly: "Yeah, yeah, sure. A 'friend.' Shuo'an, you gotta be more honest with yourself."

Chen Shuoan: "..."

If I told the truth, would you even believe me?

He was left speechless by his pack of dogs, but luckily Zhang Chenggong stepped up like a loyal bro.

He hunched down and crept over to Chen Shuoan, sneaking a glance up to track Master Zhang's moves. Seeing no sign of him coming down, he leaned in and whispered, all smug: "Hey Shuo'an, if something's bugging you, spill it quick so we can all have a laugh."

Chen Shuoan ignored his shit-eating grin and leaned in for a serious consult: "It's like... would you help your little bro take a bath?"

Zhang Chenggong burst out laughing, like this wasn't even a real question: "That's hilarious. Why wouldn't I? I even flicked his little bird once."

Chen Shuoan gave a faint smile, feeling like nobody got his pain, and huffed, "Scram."

Li Wei, listening nearby, suddenly remembered and laughed so hard he was pounding the table: "Now that you mention it, I used to shower with Zhang Chenggong back in the day... hahaha..."

Qin Zhonglian caught that detail and leaned in, all interested: "Oh? So Zhang Chenggong flicked yours too?"

Li Wei: "..."

Qin Zhonglian, you lost your damn mind?

"Hahahahaha," Zhang Chenggong howled with laughter, squatting by Chen Shuoan's leg like a loud-ass duck, "You know what, you're right—I really did flick his when we were little..."

Do all you people here get this wild?

Chen Shuoan smiled knowingly, his inner aircraft carrier crashing down, and he felt all lazy and sleepy.

After hearing Zhang Chenggong, everything clicked.

He stopped messing around with these clowns, and when he caught Master Zhang's eye, he quickly pretended to be paying attention, staring straight ahead while kicking Zhang Chenggong hard under the desk.

But Master Zhang's eyes were freakishly sharp. Before Zhang·Life Coach·Chenggong could react, he called him out by name: "Zhang Chenggong, what are you squatting down there for? Picking mushrooms?"

He looked super concerned, with a face full of disappointment: "You guys are seriously the worst class I've ever taught!"

Zhang Chenggong knew trouble was brewing, then suddenly had a brainwave—even a computer algorithm couldn't have processed faster than him.

He shot up, his head smacking the desk corner with a dull thud, and he keeled over backward like someone pulled his plug.

Chen Shuoan raised an eyebrow, silently singing "I'm doing my best to play my part in your act."

He rushed over to catch him, yelling frantically at Master Zhang: "Master, he seems unwell!"

Zhang Chenggong weakly raised a hand, playing the tough guy: "Master, I think I'm gonna puke..."

Master Zhang went quiet for a moment, then waved his sleeve helplessly: "Shuo'an, quickly help him up and take him to see the imperial physician."

At that, Qin, Zheng, and Li all stood up at once, looking all concerned and thoughtful, like they were super worried about their bro.

Qin Zhonglian struck first: "Shuo'an caught a chill yesterday too, so he's probably not feeling great and doesn't have much strength."

Zheng Yuanzhi immediately backed him up: "Master, the four of us can take Zhang Chenggong to the infirmary together—we'll watch each other's backs."

Li Wei had nothing to add, just wearing a "through thick and thin" face, nodding hard with a look so determined he seemed ready to join the party right then: "Yeah!"

Chen Shuoan: "..."

Since when did I catch a chill? Why didn't anybody tell me?

What does General MacArthur have to say about that?

Master Zhang's head was pounding, knowing that if their hearts weren't in it, keeping them there was pointless, so he jutted his chin and said sullenly, "All of you, go."

The four of them perked up, shoving and jostling like they were headed to Zhang Chenggong's wedding banquet.

They grabbed Zhang Chenggong by his arms and legs and hauled him out of the study like a pig being slaughtered for New Year.

Poor Zhang Chenggong, his handsome head drooping limply from the position, veins bulging at his temples, the world spinning before his eyes.

He groaned in agony: "I swear I'm really gonna puke..."

It was truly a light boat crashing into a massive iceberg.

Once they were out of the courtyard, Zhang Chenggong was finally set down.

He was dizzy and lightheaded, feeling today's skipped class wasn't worth it.

Li Wei patted his shoulder and praised him heartily: "Way to go, old Zhang! Usually you don't seem too bright, but you pulled off a brilliant trick at the critical moment!"

Zhang Chenggong: "..."

Should I be thanking you?

Chen Shuoan, worried about Yuan Rang, cupped his fists and bid farewell to the four: "His Highness the Sixth Prince is bedridden with illness, and I can't rest easy—I need to head back. See you tomorrow, brothers."

Qin Zhonglian stopped him, raising an eyebrow: "I was also thinking of visiting His Highness. Shuo'an, please lead the way."

The result was that the five of them stood before the palace, and the servants welcomed them into Guangyang Palace.

They had come here many times because of Chen Gangpao, so they knew the way by heart.

Zheng Yuanzhi looked at the snow-white plaster wall that still showed faint teeth marks and asked, "Was this wall repainted?"

Chun Cui lowered her head and replied respectfully, "Yes."

Qin Zhonglian tsk-tsked in amazement after hearing this and elbowed Chen Shuoan. "It's been over two months since Chen Gangpao was sent to the Chen residence, yet it seems Guangyang Palace still can't shake his legend."

Chen Shuoan looked embarrassed and couldn't argue with that.

Zheng Yuanzhi laughed heartily and said reassuringly, "Gangpao's got a good set of teeth."

And it wasn't just his teeth—his claws were sharp too.

At least this wall got cleaned up, but the hole in Cui Xuan Garden still hasn't been filled even now.

If the weather turned colder and snow piled up in the hole, it'd make a great vegetable patch—one radish per hole.

Chen Shuoan's anger flared at the thought of his rebellious daughter.

"Young Master Chen, please wait."

Chun Cui stood at the door, looking up with her pretty eyes full of apology. "His Highness said you shouldn't go in, for fear you'd catch a fever and start coughing."

Chen Shuoan looked at the tightly shut door before him, a blush spreading across his handsome face for no reason as he stammered, "Alright... I understand."

Chun Cui bowed to him and smiled gratefully. "The other four young masters, please follow me."

Qin Zhonglian: "..."

Zheng Yuanzhi: "..."

Zhang Chenggong: "..."

Li Wei: "..."

What?

So I can be made to catch a fever and start coughing?

Am I just part of you two lovebirds' little game too?