Chapter 151
That night, when Li Yisheng came home, the rims of his eyes were slightly swollen as if he had been crying, yet his entire face glowed with happiness.
Second Aunt Li had forbidden Li Yixing from chasing after Xie Xiaoyu. After managing to coax her back to her room, Li Yixing had intended to do some reading, but found himself unable to focus on the book in his hands. Eventually, he went out into the courtyard to wait.
Li Yisheng returned very late. Li Yixing wanted to ask him if Xie Xiaoyu had found him after going out to look, what they had talked about, and why he was back so late.
But before a single word could leave his lips, Li Yisheng's eyes were already upon him. Li Yixing was at a loss to describe that look—it was sharp, filled with disgust, and seething with resentment. In that moment, it sent a chill down his spine.
Even now, it was no exception.
He turned his head away, wanting to avoid that cold stare, but then heard Li Yisheng's mocking voice.
Li Yisheng said: "That brother of mine isn't good for much, but he's still at least a bit better than my cousin. At least he had the strength to walk out of the examination hall on his own two feet, unlike my cousin..." Seeing the veins bulging on Li Yixing's forehead and his face flushing red, he slapped his own mouth and said: "Ah, my mistake! Why bring up such a thing first thing in the morning? We're all from the Li family, saying this shames me too. Really, I must still be muddled from a night's sleep. Please, Second Second Aunt and Cousin, don't take it to heart."
Second Aunt Li: "..."
Second Aunt Li nearly twisted the handkerchief in her hands to shreds.
Just then, the carriage arrived. Li Yisheng boarded first without waiting for Second Aunt Li. Once the curtain dropped, he said: "Let's go, quickly. Otherwise, it'll be too crowded later to get through."
The carriage driver looked toward Second Aunt Li, hesitating slightly.
Li Yisheng frowned: "Still not leaving? Do you not want this job anymore?"
The driver was from the main branch of the Li family. Li Yisheng was his proper master. He didn't dare delay further. With a crack of the whip, the carriage wheels began to move.
Second Aunt Li spat towards the departing carriage: "Son, look at your cousin! He looks down on us!"
Li Yixing's face turned deathly pale.
He knew his eldest cousin and his mother didn't get along, but in the past, his cousin had always treated him well. It was only after his engagement to Xie Xiaoyu that Li Yisheng became somewhat colder towards him. Although not as warm as before, he still maintained surface courtesy. He had never been like this before.
He... he must know. He must.
Second Aunt Li: "Son, what's wrong?"
Li Yixing's palms were sweaty: "Mother, I... I'm fine."
Second Aunt Li, stifling her anger, said: "My son, you must strive for success! The only reason your cousin dares to treat us with such contempt is because he looks down on our family. You must study diligently. Pass the Xiucai examination and bring honor to your mother. Do you understand?"
The carriage disappeared around the end of the street. Li Yixing withdrew his gaze, fists clenched tightly: "Your son understands."
Li Yisheng arrived early, but the results hadn't been posted yet. A large crowd had already gathered outside.
He leaped from the carriage and, ducking his head, plunged into the crowd like a lit firecracker.
"Hey, hey, hey! What are you doing? Those coming later, line up at the back!"
"You there, charging in with your eyes closed! You bumped into my backside!"
"Stop pushing! Don't push anymore! You're going to squeeze someone to death!"
Li Yisheng was pushed back out.
He wasn't as tall as Fang Zichen. He tried jumping a few times but still couldn't see inside.
"Brother Sheng..." A surprised cry came from behind.
It was Xie Xiaoyu.
"What are you doing here?" Li Yisheng's brows furrowed as soon as he saw him.
Xie Xiaoyu ran over to him excitedly: "I came to see the results!"
Li Yisheng's expression immediately darkened. "Did you come to check the results for Li Yixing?"
The words were full of jealousy. Xie Xiaoyu laughed, linking his arm through Li Yisheng's: "Why would I check for him?"
"Then you..."
"I thought you would be here."
"So you wanted to see me! Couldn't you have just come to the medical hall to see me? So early in the morning, aren't you tired?" Li Yisheng disentangled his arm: "There are many people. Be careful."
Xie Xiaoyu pursed his lips.
After waiting a while, a gong sounded. Guards cleared the way, and an official from the Ministry of Rites, holding the red results list in both hands, passed through the crowd.
"The results are about to be posted," Xie Xiaoyu said.
"Mm!" Xie Xiaoyu looked worried: "But we can't squeeze in. What if we can't see?"
Waiting for the people in front to disperse would take at least two shichens (4 hours).
Li Yisheng jumped a few more times but still only saw a mass of dark heads.
He sighed, glanced at Xie Xiaoyu, and an idea occurred to him: "How about you lift me up?"
Xie Xiaoyu's mouth fell open: "Huh?"
"Just like when we were kids and wanted to climb over a wall, and I'd boost you up!" Li Yisheng said.
Xie Xiaoyu: "..."
Xie Xiaoyu was simply incredulous: "I'm a ger. Shouldn't you be lifting me?"
"I'd like to," Li Yisheng looked at him: "But look at me, all skin and bones. Could I lift you?"
"You think I'm fat?" Xie Xiaoyu's eyes reddened: "But that night you said you liked me just the way I am. You said I was cute, all soft and round. And now... now you're disgusted by me?"
Li Yisheng hurriedly soothed him: "Aiyo, I was just joking! How could you take it seriously?"
By the time Li Yixing and Second Aunt Li arrived, the area outside the examination hall was already packed.
Amid the noisy chatter, Li Yixing seemed not to hear anything. He stood there dumbfounded, as if he had seen something.
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