TTTQF Chapter 63

Competing with Names

Life at the academy is as dull and monotonous as ever. During their free time, these scholars often discuss Pei Che, who is currently the center of attention. Everyone feels that Pei Che has changed since his return; though it's hard to pinpoint exactly how, there's a certain sharpness about him that wasn't there before.

Pei Che himself doesn't feel any different. He simply dislikes hearing people talk about Jiang Miao or their marriage in a mocking tone. Rather than just confronting these gossips face-to-face, Pei Che remembers each one of them and plans to retaliate against them openly during martial arts lessons.

After each lesson, the martial arts instructor always pairs them up for practice. Today, Pei Che targets someone. This person is surnamed Gao, named Gao Lide, and he is related to Gao Shichang. It's said that most of the rumors from the Imperial Academy originate from him.

“Brother Gao, please instruct me,” Pei Che says, walking up to him with a sword in hand, smiling and cupping his fist in greeting.

Gao Lide’s face turns pale instantly. Recently, many have fallen victim to Pei Che's harsh methods. Pei Che specifically targets others' weaknesses, leaving no visible marks. Even if he were reported to the instructor for intentional retaliation, the instructor would not believe it and would instead criticize them for being outmatched and trying to complain.

“I won’t fight you!” he shouts, his bravado cracking as he constantly glances at the instructor who is overseeing the students.

“Why not?” Pei Che asks with a puzzled expression, then suddenly seems to understand. “Could it be that Brother Gao thinks Pei Che is too unskilled to be your opponent? If that’s the case, then let Ah Xun be your opponent. How about that?”

Gao Lide turns his head stiffly and finds that he has unwittingly been surrounded by several people. The fierce Su Xun stands behind him, holding a sword and glaring at him menacingly.

He looks around and notices that his few close friends are standing not far off, watching in secret. The moment their eyes meet, they quickly turn away, pretending to practice their moves.

Only at this moment does Gao Lide truly understand what it means to be isolated and unsupported. He had stood by and watched from a distance when his friends were beaten a few days ago.

“Brother Gao, have you decided? Do you want me or Ah Xun to be your opponent?” Pei Che asks, his warm smile hiding the malice only Gao Lide can see.

As an adult, Gao Lide would naturally choose neither, but he must imagine many terrifying scenarios in such a short time. He closes his eyes and faints on the spot.

“Hey!” Han Qin calls out, giving Gao Lide a nudge with his foot. When he realizes Gao Lide is truly unconscious, he shouts to the other side, “Instructor Lin, come over here! Gao Lide has fainted! He was perfectly fine, and no one touched him, but suddenly he fainted. Sigh, I don’t know what he did at home yesterday when he took leave, but he ended up in such a weak state."

Laughter breaks out all around. Everyone is an adult, so they can naturally understand the implication in Han Qin's words. Instructor Lin pushes through the students watching the commotion, checks Gao Lide, and finding his pulse steady and breathing even, determines there is no serious issue. He pinches Gao Lide’s philtrum hard. Gao Lide cries out in pain, his eyes snapping open. He sees Pei Che looking down at him and, frightened, flails his arms wildly, accidentally hitting the crouched Instructor Lin.

Instructor Lin’s face darkens. He lifts Gao Lide by the collar and says, “As a scion of a prominent family, your health is so frail, it’s a disgrace to your ancestors. You’ll have an extra half-hour of training here. The rest of you may leave.”

The students leave the training ground in groups. Before Gao Lide can relax, Pei Che, who is about to leave, turns around and comes back. He asks Instructor Lin if he needs help with Gao Lide’s practice. Instructor Lin, having a mild attitude towards Pei Che’s enthusiasm, tells him to go back to his studies and not waste effort on this person.

Before leaving, Pei Che gives Gao Lide a meaningful glance and sighs lightly, almost imperceptibly. Gao Lide, having escaped one disaster, isn’t able to be happy for long before his mood sours again. He has escaped today, but what about in the future?

“Hahaha, Ah Che, you’re still the best. Those petty people have been too scared to gather and boast recently,” Han Qin says, remembering their expressions and laughing so hard his stomach hurts.

He Chen remarks, “Though this method vents your frustration, it should be done with restraint to avoid being labeled as overly temperamental.”

Pei Che smiles and says, “I know my limits. As long as they don’t act so arrogantly again, I won’t bother with them.”

Su Jin, sitting across from him with his sword, only cares about having a fight; everything else is secondary.

Bai Family Courtyard

After dinner, Jiang Miao takes Pei Mu with him and sits in the study with Xiao Shitou, waiting for him to complete the calligraphy homework assigned by the teacher today.

“Mu’er, shall we visit your brother tomorrow?” Jiang Miao suggests. He noticed that although Pei Mu is very obedient, he has recently been showing signs of unhappiness, with his eyes frequently drifting towards the door, as if waiting for someone. Jiang Miao guesses he misses Pei Che. It has been seven or eight days since Pei Che left, and he hasn’t come out during this time.

After hearing this, Pei Mu pauses while petting the kitten, frowns in thought for a moment, then nods.

“Good boy. Then let’s bring some food tomorrow. I’ve heard that the meals at the Imperial Academy aren’t very tasty,” Jiang Miao says. The academy keeps everything as simple as possible to ensure students focus on their studies and not indulge in luxuries.

At this moment, Xiao Shitou, who is writing at the table, can’t help but pout and huff.

"Xiao Shitou, what's wrong?" Jiang Miao feels strange, "Did you get scolded by the teacher in the private school today? Or did you have a conflict with your classmates?”

Xiao Shitou sullenly replies, “Neither.”

“Then what’s the matter?”

Xiao Shitou remains silent for a while, then suddenly speaks up, “Brother, when will Brother Pei Che come to pick up Mu’er and take him back to his own home?”

“Didn’t I tell you before? Pei Che is also going to school now. He didn’t want Mu’er to stay home alone, so he brought him here to keep us company. Didn’t you agree with that? I’ve seen that you and Mu’er have been getting along well these days. Did Mu’er make you unhappy?” Jiang Miao senses something is off; the child’s emotions seem abnormal, so he gently and patiently inquires.

“No… I feel like, ever since Mu’er came, you seem to only like Mu’er,” Xiao Shitou says, lowering his head, his eyes reddening.

Jiang Miao sits beside him and pats his head. “How could that be? Is there something I did wrong that makes you feel like I only like Mu’er?” he wonders if he has inadvertently ignored Xiao Shitou.

Xiao Shitou’s voice wavers as he says, “You always call him Mu’er, but you call me Xiao Shitou. It’s almost the same as calling me Little White Spot (Xiao Baidian)!” These days, he has been paying extra attention to how the elders around him address the children and notices that only his name is similar to that of a kitten.

Uh… Jiang Miao finds himself in an awkward situation. Is this really what’s bothering him? Comparing names, it does seem like Mu’er sounds better.

"Lei'er?" Jiang Miao corrects himself, trying out the name tentatively, and both he and Xiao Shitou shiver.

Xiao Shitou wipes his tears and looks up. “Brother, I’m sorry. Just call me Xiao Shitou.”

Jiang Miao nods and says earnestly, “Xiao Shitou, a name is just a label. No matter what I call you, my affection for you remains the same. I wouldn’t stop liking you just because there’s another Mu’er. You will always be my dear younger brother.” He understands that the issue isn’t just the name but Xiao Shitou’s sense of insecurity caused by Pei Mu’s arrival.

Xiao Shitou did think so. He goes to school early and comes back late every day, while Pei Mu stays with his brother all day. Plus, Pei Mu is good-looking, and Xiao Shitou fears that his brother might not like him anymore in the future.

“Mm!” Xiao Shitou nods vigorously. With Jiang Miao's reassurance, he feels much more at ease. Brother has never lied to him, so he surely wouldn’t only like Mu’er and not him!

Watching the two brothers talking, Pei Mu’s eyes show a hint of confusion. He glances at the kitten on the floor, then at Xiao Shitou, and his expression grows more serious.

After comforting Xiao Shitou, Jiang Miao turns to Pei Mu. Seeing him staring blankly, Jiang Miao explains, “Mu’er, Xiao Shitou doesn’t dislike you. He’s just scared, so don’t take it to heart.”

Pei Mu doesn’t nod. Jiang Miao calls his name again but gets no response. He thinks the child might be overly sensitive and continues to explain for a while. Xiao Shitou also stands up to apologize to Pei Mu, saying he likes him, even though Pei Mu is quiet, he listens well.

Pei Mu listens quietly to their conversation, then points at the kitten, then at Xiao Shitou, and finally at himself. Jiang Miao is puzzled and doesn’t quite understand. Pei Mu gestures again, this time focusing on the kitten and Xiao Shitou.

What’s the connection between the kitten and Xiao Shitou? Jiang Miao racks his brain but can’t figure out what Pei Mu is concerned about. Finally, Xiao Shitou guessed, “Does Mu’er think that my name and Little White’s are the same, but his is different?”

“Mu’er, is that it?” Jiang Miao asks. As soon as he finishes speaking, Pei Mu nods slightly.

Really! Today, it’s all about names! One dislikes having a name similar to the kitten, while the other is troubled by having a name different from the kitten.

“Then, how about we call you Xiao Mu from now on, okay? I'm Xiao Shitou, you're Xiao Mu, and the kitten is Xiao Baidian. That way, we’ll all be the same!” Xiao Shitou’s eyes light up, and he thinks it’s a great idea. This way, when they go out, others will know they are family.

Pei Mu nods and turns his gaze back to the kitten, almost imperceptibly curling his lips.

After helping the two children wash and brush their teeth, Jiang Miao asks them to go to bed. He notices that they immediately assume their usual positions and even leave a space in the middle for him to lie down. Pei Che has given them a very large bed. Even with three people, or even four, they wouldn’t feel cramped.

Pei Mu has never slept with anyone before, and for the first two days, he finds it uncomfortable, always squeezing to the edge of the bed. But he soon gets used to it and starts moving towards the middle, just like Xiao Shitou. Although it is spring, the nights are still chilly. Jiang Miao is warm, and both children like to snuggle against him for warmth.

This is a real hardship for Jiang Miao, who every night is wrapped around by two little octopuses, getting so hot he almost starts to sweat.

The next day, Jiang Miao gets up before dawn. He tucks the blankets around the two children and goes to the kitchen.

He washes the pot, boils water, and cooks rice porridge. While the porridge is cooking, Jiang Miao keeps busy by quickly preparing two side dishes and taking out some of the pickled radish he has prepared to eat with the porridge later.

The two little ones get up at this time. Xiao Shitou can dress himself, while Pei Mu, who couldn’t do it before, has learned from Xiao Shitou and is now able to dress himself as well.

After breakfast, Jiang Miao and Pei Mu accompany Xiao Shitou to school. When they return, Jiang Miao carries a jar of pickled radish and a jar of meat sauce and takes Pei Mu out the door.

The carriage is waiting on the street outside the side gate. While taking Xiao Shitou to school, Jiang Miao has already informed the driver that they will be visiting Pei Che.

"Young Master, Master Jiang, sit tight!" The driver calls out, flicking the reins, and the horses start trotting off.

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