Chapter 1141: Ancient Academy Records, Lots of Fun 28

The time until the competition is getting closer and closer.

Recently everyone could see that Jin Chen and Xie Yuancheng's relationship was getting better and better; during training, needless to say, private instruction in cultivation methods was practically the best way to warm up, and after training they also had to stick together.

However, the oddness between Xie Beiyao and Ling Xiuyu became increasingly obvious, as if they were upset with each other; they didn't even sit together when eating.

Wherever Xie Beiyao was, Ling Xiuyu would practice cultivation alone, finding an empty spot to train.

Anyone could tell something was wrong.

A few of the friends gathered together to gossip, and they had to figure out the cause, but they couldn't let it affect the later match.

One evening at dinner.

They deliberately gave the long table to the ordinary disciples, all sitting around the round table, and there happened to be exactly ten empty seats.

Lan Wuyang deliberately had Xie Beiyao and Ling Xiuyu go fetch something; by the time they returned, the round table had only two adjacent seats left.

Ling Xiuyu remained silent for a few moments; when he sat down his expression didn't change, he poured himself a cup of tea, appearing undisturbed.

Xie Beiyao, on the other hand, seemed a bit restrained; he sat down without a word, and the previously lively atmosphere quieted somewhat.

The friends stopped chattering and ate in silence.

Xie Yuancheng shoved all the dishes on the table that looked unappetizing into Jin Chen's bowl, and said, smiling, 'You need to eat more; teaching me cultivation is hard work, Master Jin.'

Jin Chen didn't refuse, eating his meal leisurely, and even poured him a cup of tea.

'Have some tea; you've worked hard too,' Jin Chen said with a smile.

Xie Yuancheng, unsuspecting, took a sip and the sourness made him lose control of his muscles, his delicate face scrunching up.

'Jin Chen!'

He glared, finally waiting for the sourness to fade, intending to scold him, but his mouth was stuffed with honey.

Jin Chen lazily pinched his cheek, smiling leisurely, 'Don't mess around, just eat nicely.'

Xie Yuancheng's temper that had not yet surfaced died down in a second.

He puffed his cheeks and gave a soft hum, poked at his food with his chopsticks, and muttered, 'What will you let me do once?'

Lan Wuyang and Tingyang, standing beside them, exchanged a glance, bewildered and staring.

What were they supposed to do today? They were almost made to forget by the candy.

Wanzhou stepped on Lan Wuyang's foot, slightly lifted his chin, and gestured for him to look elsewhere.

Oh right, right, we were supposed to observe those two.

Confused, Sining slowly frowned, 'What's wrong with these two's eyes?'

So she also turned her gaze in that direction.

Xie Beiyao suddenly felt an inexplicable pressure; looking up, he saw several doubtful and probing gazes, which after sweeping around landed on Jin Chen, as if seeking help.

Jin Chen told him to stay calm and follow the given method.

Xie Beiyao nodded and did as instructed.

'Xiuyu, eat this.'

He picked up a dish and placed it in Ling Xiuyu's bowl, his tone cautious and gentle, as if fearing rejection.

If one were to say that the Heir Apparent Xie usually was full of vigor, there had never been such a timid moment; the looks Jiang Yao and Lan Wuyang gave him were off.

Ling Xiuyu did not refuse; he simply lowered his eyes to look at the extra vegetables in his bowl, then softly said thank you.

There was no further text.

Xie Beiyao's expression froze slightly; the hand holding his chopsticks suddenly lost strength.

It wasn't like this before.

Where exactly did the problem lie… Could it be that his recent performance was too obvious, and Xiuyu didn't like it?

"Cough."

Jin Chen took a sip of tea and gave a light cough.

Xie Beiyao looked over again, his eyes almost red.

Xiuyu still ignores me!

Jin Chen glanced at him, slightly raised his chin, signaling to continue to the next step.

'What are you looking at?'

Xie Yuancheng leaned over, following Jin Chen's gaze, and saw only his cousin and the pillar behind his cousin.

'Thinking about how to help you digest after eating and drinking your fill later.'

Jin Chen extended his arm, resting it on the back of Xie Yuancheng's chair, his long fingertips playing with his hair.

'No, I still need to grow my body; I need a rest.'

Xie Yuancheng made a face at him, stretched out his hands, 'Dirty.'

'Got it.'

Jin Chen drew out his tone, responded, and took a handkerchief to wipe the hands of the pampered little Crown Prince.

'Burp.' Tingyang belched, then puzzledly rubbed his stomach.

How did we get full so quickly today?

We've only just eaten the third bowl of rice!

Ye Susu kicked over, 'You're eating, keep quiet.'

Tingyang widened his eyes.

Xie Beiyao set down his chopsticks, his tone full of wounded pity, 'Xiuyu, why have you been ignoring me lately?'

"Pfft—"

Lan Wuyang coughed violently, receiving disapproving looks from others, hastily covered his mouth and waved his hands, 'Sorry, sorry! Please continue!'

Xie Beiyao gave him a covert eye-roll, then continued to act pitiful.

Actually, I'm truly wronged.

"If you've been unhappy lately, you can tell me; ignoring me isn't a big deal...","I haven't."

Ling Xiuyu avoided his gaze, "Just that the match is coming up soon, I'm a bit nervous."

"You're lying to me; it definitely isn't because of this."

Xie Beiyang wouldn't believe that explanation; even if he were nervous, there's no reason to ignore him alone—at the very least, he should treat everyone equally.

"There's no other reason, you...... Beiyang!"

Ling Xiuyu remained evasive, but before he could finish speaking, Xie Beiyang, who had already guessed what he was going to say, got up from the table and disappeared at the doorway.

Ling Xiuyu instinctively shouted, but he couldn't call the person back.

Everyone was stunned; they never expected things to come to this.

Jin Chen set down his teacup and began to help out, after all, a few hundred taels of silver shouldn't be taken for nothing.

"By the way, Xie Beiyang has been acting strange lately—training like he's venting frustration, taking it out on himself."

"If this continues, it'll likely backfire and harm his internal energy."

Tingyang and his Jin brother were perfectly in sync; he immediately chimed in, "Exactly, exactly, exactly—this kid's also suffered quite a few injuries; I don't even know if he's applied medicine."

Tingyang successfully hit the keyword; the team's medic, Sining, who had recently become the group's healer, immediately pulled out a bottle of Golden Wound Medicine from his sleeve and set it on the table.

Ye Susu lightly poked with her finger, pushing the porcelain bottle forward—push, push, push—until it reached Ling Xiuyu's hand.

"How pitiful." Jiang Yao sighed softly.

Xie Yuancheng let out an "ah," watching his friends cooperate seamlessly, feeling as if he'd been kept in the dark.

How come nobody calls him to cause trouble these days! When did my cousin start arguing with Xiuyu!

Ling Xiuyu's heart was torn; in the end, worry won out, and he grabbed the Golden Wound Medicine and chased after him.

"Yo! Initial success!" Lan Wuxiang raised his fist, then rested his hand on his head, puzzled: "I've discussed it with Yaoyao, but we still don't know the cause; logically, there shouldn't be any turmoil in the court lately."

He drew his own jade flute, tapped it in his palm, and said, "Why don't I go play a tune for Xiuyu to cheer him up?"

Wanzhou: "Screw you; they finally have a chance to talk alone—don't go butting in."