After feasting heartily at Spring Delight Pavilion, Ji Huai and his two companions finally left, patting their full bellies with complete satisfaction.

Lin Heyu indeed knew the town well, effortlessly leading Ji Huai and A Hua to find a broker. With Ji Huai’s silver tongue and Lin Heyu’s intimidating presence, the three quickly rented a reasonably priced small courtyard.

Ji Huai was extremely satisfied. Though small, the courtyard was more than adequate for them to live comfortably until his examination ended.

Once settled, Ji Huai plunged headfirst into the vast sea of books, beginning his examination journey in this unfamiliar world.

Lin Heyu and A Hua proved exceptionally considerate. Neither causing disturbances nor making noise, they each fulfilled their roles wholeheartedly while accompanying Ji Huai through his exam preparations.

A Hua took charge of preparing delicious meals, while Lin Heyu handled preparing examination supplies and investigating examination rules, determined to ensure Ji Huai would be perfectly cared for when entering the examination hall.

Ji Huai lived up to their expectations. Although the imperial examination system differed greatly from modern testing methods, fortunately Ji Huai was intelligent and had deep interest in ancient history. He even occasionally substituted for history teachers during free time, and teaching literature during busy periods was commonplace for him.

Thus, Ji Huai felt fully confident about this imperial examination.

Soon enough, examination day arrived.

Lin Heyu and A Hua saw Ji Huai off to the examination venue carrying numerous packages, watching as he confidently passed through multiple inspection checkpoints and entered the Inner Dormitory.

For the first time, Lin Heyu experienced the lingering attachment of a reluctant farewell.

However, this sentiment instantly evaporated when he saw Wang Qingkun swaggering into the examination hall.

How could this guy also come to take the exam?

Perhaps due to Lin Heyu’s overly intense gaze, Wang Qingkun seemed to sense it and looked toward him. That glance gave Lin Heyu an indescribable feeling – sinister and chilling, gleaming with peculiar light. Even the curve of his raised lips carried a sinister coldness.

Lin Heyu frowned, feeling inexplicably uneasy, though he didn’t attribute it to Wang Qingkun, assuming he was just worried about Ji Huai’s examination.

His anxiety over Ji Huai’s exam even made him consider praying to gods and Buddhas.

“A Hua, you go back first. The exam lasts three days. I’m going to Lingye Temple.”

Restless with half nervousness and half anticipation, Lin Heyu’s unsettled thoughts reminded him how his mother would always seek protective charms whenever his father traveled far. Though never believing in such things, Lin Heyu now wanted to get one for Ji Huai too.

After sending A Hua back, he alone ascended Spirit Karma Mountain.

But soon, he noticed something wrong.

Someone was following him.

His sharp perception allowed Lin Heyu to remain composed until reaching a secluded area, where he finally assumed a stern expression and shouted, “Show yourself!”

As tension reached its peak, withered trees on both sides of the path rustled, and a figure jumped down.

“Qing Shu?”

The person before him wore inconspicuous short attire with ordinary, unremarkable features, yet stood with solid footing and bulging muscles.

“Young master.” Qing Shu’s voice was hoarse as he bowed respectfully to Lin Heyu.

Lin Heyu frowned for a long moment before crossing his arms and sneering, “So father sent you to monitor me.”

Qing Shu kept his head lowered, replying leisurely, “Not just me.”

“…” Lin Heyu choked, quickly scanning their surroundings.

“They’re all hidden.” Qing Shu’s tone remained flat, carrying the unique calmness of an assassin.
Lin Heyu shot him a glare and continued asking, “Are you following me because you’re afraid I’ll run away?”

Qing Shu paused, carefully choosing his words: “Young master, this area is sparsely populated, it’s…”

“A good escape route?” Lin Heyu scoffed and waved his hand, strolling forward leisurely: “You’re overthinking it. I have important matters to attend to, I definitely won’t run away for now.”

After speaking, Lin Heyu continued climbing Spirit Karma Mountain. Since Qing Shu had been exposed, he now openly followed Lin Heyu, both for the young master’s convenience and to monitor him.

Lin Heyu could clearly see through Qing Shu’s intentions, but his current priority was obtaining the Good Luck Charm for Ji Huai, leaving no time to deal with the loyal guard his father had trained since childhood.

Lin Heyu walked quickly and soon reached Lingye Temple. According to Qing Shu, they had been staying at the temple during this period.

Lin Heyu no longer resisted their surveillance so much. With his entire being focused on Ji Huai, how could he pay attention to anything else, let alone think about escaping back to Prosperous Capital?

He knelt devoutly before the Buddha statue, respectfully closing his eyes to make a wish. Though he never believed in such things, Lin Heyu now hoped more than anyone that all the deities would bless Ji Huai to pass the imperial examination with high honors.

As long as Ji Huai passed and became a Recommended Man, he would obediently return home and have his father accept Ji Huai as a student.

Without ceremony, he took silver from Qing Shu’s pocket and donated it to the temple, receiving from a young novice a small cloth pouch intertwined with red threads.

“Benefactor, this Good Luck Charm will help you achieve your wishes and obtain what you desire.”

Wispy incense smoke drifted from the censer, the solemn and majestic Buddha statue gazed down with compassionate eyes, the sandalwood fragrance was perfectly refreshing, and the sparse worshippers outside the main hall were all devout.

Lin Heyu tightly clutched the Good Luck Charm, watching the lush green pines outside the hall as the sun gradually set. Just as he was sighing about beautiful scenes being fleeting, he looked up and was struck speechless by the sight before him.

The distant layered mountains framed the setting sun, and slowly, sunset clouds spread across the entire sky. The magnificent and splendid evening glow enveloped the mountain ranges, dyeing every ancient green pine in the colors of the sunset.

Lin Heyu held his breath, silently watching this scene, suddenly feeling a strong desire to share it with Ji Huai.

It was too beautiful.

Ji Huai should be here beside him to witness this together.

After a moment of melancholy, Lin Heyu regained his spirits and watched the sunset gradually disappear before reluctantly preparing to descend the mountain.

Qing Shu still wanted to accompany Lin Heyu, but was firmly rejected. Left with no choice, he could only continue hiding his tracks, both protecting and monitoring Lin Heyu.

After three consecutive days of examinations, Ji Huai went from handling them with ease initially to complaining bitterly by the end, finally enduring until the conclusion.

When he emerged from the cramped examination cell and saw the first ray of sunlight, Ji Huai felt like a prisoner who had completed their sentence.

With disheveled hair and wrinkled clothes, Ji Huai had never appeared so disheveled and exhausted before.

“Teacher, teacher ”

A Hua, sharp-eyed, was the first to spot the disheveled Ji Huai and quickly waved to signal him over.

Emerging from the examination venue to see his two young companions, Ji Huai’s mood lifted immediately as he quickly walked toward them.

“A Hua, little bird, did you miss me?” Ji Huai laughed heartily, spreading his arms and embracing both the bouncing A Hua and the smiling, cross-armed Lin Heyu in a full hug.

“Teacher, teacher, you’ll definitely do well. Look at how everyone else is hanging their heads in despair, but you’re standing tall and confident.” A Hua hadn’t neglected her studies these past days. While Ji Huai was secluded preparing for exams, Lin Heyu had taken on the role of a little teacher, stumbling through teaching A Hua some basic knowledge. Now she could even use idioms properly.

“Don’t worry, your teacher is very confident.” Ji Huai’s voice was hoarse from exhaustion, but his spirit was exhilarated and full of confidence.

Lin Heyu was flustered by the sudden embrace, the red Good Luck Charm in his palm nearly damp with sweat pressing uncomfortably against his skin, burning like fire.

“Ji Huai.” Lin Heyu cleared his throat and extended his hand toward Ji Huai. The teenage boy was so nervous that his fingers clenched tightly, turning pale at the tips, forming a solid fist that hovered before Ji Huai.

Ji Huai looked over in confusion, staring at the fist presented before him, naturally assuming Lin Heyu meant to punch him.

That was indeed a fist as big as a sandbag.

One punch could knock down two of him.

“?” Ji Huai cautiously retreated, his beautiful fox-like eyes filled with confusion and wariness.

What’s this? After not seeing each other for a few days, has this troublesome kid ‘returned to his original simplicity’ and started acting rebellious again?

The nervous shyness between Lin Heyu’s brows was driven away by Ji Huai’s wary retreat, immediately replaced by wide-eyed anger. He forcibly shoved the Good Luck Charm he’d been clutching all along – now slightly damp and faded – into Ji Huai’s hand.

Through gritted teeth, he said, “This Good Luck Charm is for you! What are you dodging for!”

Ji Huai dumbly accepted the small red package from Lin Heyu’s palm, momentarily speechless. He opened his mouth but still couldn’t utter a word.

Lin Heyu was the first to show dissatisfaction. His palms still had a thin layer of sweat, and upon closer look, those wide-round eyes held a trace of grievance.

“I worked hard to get this from Lingye Temple,” Lin Heyu muttered, pretending not to care about Ji Huai’s reaction while secretly feeling sour inside.

“Ah.” Ji Huai slowly closed his palm, holding the charm in his hand and pressing it close to his heart. A sincere smile lifted the corners of his mouth as he unexpectedly opened his arms and pulled the sulking Lin Heyu into an embrace. He sighed softly by Lin Heyu’s ear, “Thank you, Heyu.”

The gentle breeze carried Ji Huai’s unique scent of pine and books, warm and lingering around Lin Heyu’s earlobe, like the pervasive warmth of incense in Lingye Temple’s main hall.

They were too close. Lin Heyu’s heart raced uncontrollably, his breathing becoming rapid and unsteady. He didn’t know where to put his hands, and when he lowered his eyes, all he could see was the pale, tender nape of Ji Huai’s neck and those red lips that kept moving, constantly radiating temptation.

The white was dazzling, the red was soul-capturing – Lin Heyu’s heart grew even more disordered.

“Thank you.” Ji Huai remained completely unaware of anything amiss, continuing on his own, “This is the first time someone has given me something so meaningful. With this, I’ll definitely have good luck and succeed in passing the exams.”

Ji Huai carefully put away the Good Luck Charm and gave Lin Heyu a genuinely happy smile.

“I’ll keep it with me always, hoping it will bring us good fortune.”