Bold Witch, Don’T Hurt My Husband

Chapter 5: Damn, I've been fooled.

"To buy osmanthus flowers and share wine, it's not the same as when we were young."

"Kid, what a great poem! But you're just a little child, how can you come up with such mature poetry?" the middle-aged teacher asked.

He didn't suspect that Xia Fan had copied the poem, after all, the Literary Aura couldn't be faked. But this made him even more puzzled. A three or four-year-old child could actually recite the line "it's not the same as when we were young," it was simply too out of place.

As they spoke, the middle-aged man stood up and walked to their table, staring straight at Xia Fan. The girl dressed as a boy followed behind.

Seeing this, the maid Cai Xia instinctively stood up, feeling a bit restrained. After all, in this society, scholars were highly respected. On the other hand, Xia Fan was already a little tipsy, although the alcohol content was not high, his body was just too small now.

"Big brother, who are you?" Xia Fan's gaze was a bit unfocused, his little face flushed as he asked.

The other person seemed to be just a middle-aged man in his forties. When he went out to work, he was called "Wang Ge" or "Li Ge," so naturally he didn't feel anything wrong with it.

"Big big brother?" the teacher was a bit at a loss. Usually, wherever he went, he was called "Human Venerable" or "Senior." Most scholars in the world had to address him as "Teacher."

But the title of "big brother" was something he never expected. With his age, he could be Xia Fan's grandfather. The girl beside him couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh. It was rare to see her father in such a defeated state.

"I am a teacher. I heard that there is a poetry gathering in Bright City, so I came here for a visit. I just happened to overhear the young friend's two exquisite lines of poetry, so I came forward to ask," the teacher explained.

"I see, you're here to compete for the title of the best poet, right?" Xia Fan suddenly realized.

"Cough cough. I'm already married, and my children are already this big. How can I still become a son-in-law?" The teacher quickly pointed to the "young man" beside him.

"Kid, we're just here to take a casual look. You also seem to be a scholar with those two lines of poetry. Do you want to sit together?" the girl quickly came to her father's rescue.

Upon hearing this, Xia Fan couldn't help but glance at the "young man." With just one look, he could tell that this was a girl dressed as a boy. Did they really think I've wasted all these years watching TV dramas for nothing?

"Sure, please have a seat!" Xia Fan invited. Seeing this, the two finally sat down. The middle-aged teacher wiped the nonexistent sweat off his forehead.

He was also a respected teacher at Cloud Sea Academy. He almost tarnished his reputation this time. If it had been heard by others, he would have been laughed at.

"I'll go and bring the food and wine!" Cai Xia immediately started to act as a maid.

While Cai Xia was away, Xia Fan looked at the father and daughter and couldn't help but ask, "How should I address you, big brother?"

"What big brother? My father's age is enough to be your grandfather. You, kid, are being unreasonable!" the "young man" scolded.

Xia Fan: ...

He almost forgot that he was still a child after drinking this wine. After all, they were father and daughter. When his big brother called him, he couldn't help but feel like he was taking advantage of the girl.

"I am called Meng Lang, and I am Xia Fan. May I ask how to address you, sir?" Xia Fan sat on the chair, his feet dangling, and asked with his chubby little hands folded.

If he hadn't come up from the chair, he would have had to stand up. But the other party didn't mind.

"I am called Qi Xiuwen, and this is my son!" Qi Xiuwen smiled and stroked his beard, feeling that his senior demeanor had returned. He couldn't help but ask, "Kid, your poetry is exquisite and eloquent. I assume you are also a scholar. Who was your teacher?"

In his opinion, to teach a child like this, the other party must be someone who had read a lot of poetry and books, a highly respected teacher. So he asked.

"Teacher?" Xia Fan was indeed in a dilemma. He had had many teachers from childhood to adulthood, at least twenty or thirty. Even his homeroom teachers numbered five or six. How could he answer this? "I just learned a little from the old teachers in the village, but I can't be considered a scholar. Mr. Qi, you're too kind!"

Hearing this, Qi Xiuwen didn't quite believe it. From his perspective, the other party couldn't have just learned a little.

"Since that's the case, would you like to join my school and study under me?"

"In Jiang Country, I have several students holding high positions in the court. With your talent, it won't be difficult for you to achieve fame and success in the imperial examinations given some time!" Qi Xiuwen added, fearing that he might not be convinced.

Students from Cloud Sea Academy are highly sought after in all countries, and scholars naturally have to experience the court. This stage helps them establish their goals and beliefs, which is a crucial step in their cultivation, similar to the Red Dust Heart Refinement of the Dao Sect. It is all about cultivating the mind.

"Sir!" Upon hearing this, Cai Xia couldn't help but feel excited.

In a society where everything is low-grade except for studying, such opportunities are indeed rare. Moreover, these two individuals in front of her are obviously well-known scholars.

However, Xia Fan lightly smiled and shook his head. Study? Impossible. He had already had enough of those days of memorizing classical Chinese.

"Thank you for your kind offer, but my aspirations lie elsewhere. Studying is tedious, the officialdom is treacherous. It's better to have a drink, wield a sword, and roam the rivers and lakes. When there is injustice, draw the sword and strike. Isn't that more enjoyable?"

"You..."

Upon hearing this, Qi Xiuwen couldn't help but feel frustrated. Instead of becoming a proper scholar, he insisted on becoming a crude sword cultivator. Although the paths of cultivation ultimately lead to the same goal, in his opinion, whether it's the Dao, Buddhism, or the sword cultivators of Ten Thousand Sword Mountain, scholars are the ones who truly understand the world.

"Studying may be tedious, and cultivation may be tedious as well. The officialdom is indeed treacherous, but it can also temper one's character. Besides, I have students in the court. What are you afraid of?"

"The officialdom may temper one's character, but it is also filled with corruption and bureaucracy, which is inevitable. With my temperament, I am not suitable for surviving in the officialdom!"

"Are you aspiring to cultivate?"

"Naturally!"

"But the path to immortality is hard to find. It's not easy to walk this path!" Qi Xiuwen advised.

That may be true, but it couldn't change his mind. "Every mountain and river has its own dragon. Riding the wind and crossing the moon, searching for the traces of immortals. Sir, I am still young and will have opportunities!"

Seeing this, Qi Xiuwen could only sigh. For the first time, he felt so frustrated. He had to ask someone to persuade this young man to study. But considering that he was still a child, his temperament might change in a couple of years. He could only plan slowly.

"Young man, extend your hand!"

Xia Fan instinctively opened his palm, and in the next second, a black chess piece appeared in his hand.

"When did you change your mind and decide to study? But let me tell you, I can cultivate while studying too. I can overturn rivers and seas, far surpassing those sword cultivators you mentioned!" Qi Xiuwen stroked his beard.

Upon hearing this, Xia Fan couldn't help but be stunned. What is this? Studying can also be a form of cultivation? Is this a joke?

"Sir, are you also a cultivator?"

Seeing Xia Fan's surprised expression, Qi Xiuwen finally regained his confidence as a senior: "Naturally!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the surroundings changed in Xia Fan's eyes. The restaurant disappeared and turned into nothingness. In the next second, Qi Xiuwen appeared sitting not far in front of him, and a series of flowing lights formed a chessboard between them.

"Scholars cultivate noble character, practice the six arts of a gentleman, and use music, chess, calligraphy, and painting as a way to achieve accomplishments. I am skilled in the art of chess."

In the next second, Xia Fan found himself back in the restaurant, with Qi Xiuwen sitting across from him, smiling.

If you had such an amazing skill, why didn't you mention it earlier? I'm not that stubborn: "Mr. Qi..."

"No need to say more. Give me your answer after the poetry gathering!"

Xia Fan: ...

Oh no, I've been tricked by this old man.

There's no way around it. Who asked me to be so stubborn just now? Fortunately, there is still a chance to remedy the situation.

"Then I'll toast you, sir!"

"But..."

(End of this chapter)