Chapter 86: To Be Human
“Argh!”
Hong Wuze roared, pounding his fists on the ground with a thud.
This sudden outburst naturally startled many passersby, who cautiously stepped aside, not wanting to get involved with this strange man.
But he was heartbroken and didn’t care what others thought. Only when his fists were numb with pain did he hang his head in despair, clutching his clothes in agony.
Hong Wuze felt his heart breaking, his breath caught in his chest.
It wasn’t a physical ailment, but what he had experienced today had completely shattered his last hope.
“Brother, if you’re drunk, you should go home early. Wandering around alone outside, be careful not to fall into the river… And if you’re trying to scam someone, your acting needs some work.”
“…”
Hong Wuze didn’t answer.
Or rather, he didn’t bother to respond to anyone.
He was drowning in despair and pain, feeling that all his efforts had been in vain, and even his life had lost its luster.
If he really fell into the water, he might as well just die.
“Brother, kneeling in the middle of the street like this, you’re disturbing the peace.”
“…”
Disturbing the peace?
Hong Wuze scoffed inwardly.
He wasn’t even afraid of death, what did he care about disturbing the peace?
—Hmm?
But Hong Wuze’s expression froze. He suddenly felt a strong hand pressing down on his shoulder, and his body involuntarily lifted off the ground.
“Argh?!”
With a startled cry, he was thrown aside and landed heavily on the corner of the street, his backside almost splitting in pain. He couldn’t help but groan.
Only then did he look up at the handsome man walking towards him, gritting his teeth. “You, you bastard—”
“Brother, you don’t seem to understand human language, so I had to use a little physical language.”
Lin Tianlu flexed his hands and smiled. “Do you understand the consequences of blocking the middle of a busy street? If you were accidentally run over by a carriage, you might break a few more bones.”
“What does my life or death have to do with you!” Hong Wuze roared, struggling to sit up from the ground.
But after a moment of silence, he seemed to calm down and sighed. “Sorry… I’m heartbroken right now and can’t put on a happy face. Please forgive me, brother.”
“I recognize you.” Lin Tianlu suddenly said. “You’re the scholar who proposed to the magistrate’s daughter.”
He had caught a glimpse of this scholar at the magistrate’s residence. Although his hair was disheveled now, like a beggar, his face hadn’t changed.
“Many people recognize me.”
Hong Wuze slowly moved his body until he was leaning against the wall behind him.
Lin Tianlu chuckled softly. “Young Master Hong, do you know that a man’s knees are worth gold? This kneeling of yours, I’m afraid you’ve lost a lot of gold and silver.”
“Even if I had millions of gold, what good would it do?”
Hong Wuze laughed bitterly. “Tomorrow morning, I’ll become the laughingstock of the entire town, ridiculed by everyone. What dignity would I have left?”
“Oh?”
Lin Tianlu pondered for a moment and then said, “So, Young Master Hong is heartbroken?”
“You’re right.”
Hong Wuze sighed, hanging his head. “My months of persistent pursuit have turned out to be a dream, just an empty joy. My fate with her is over.”
He seemed to have reached the point of heartbreak, his hands trembling as he clenched his bloodstained fists. “I’m just a useless good-for-nothing.”
“Magistrate Liu was kind enough to allow me to pursue his daughter. But he required me to win first place in tonight’s academy gathering and obtain the Nanfeng Book Token to prove that I truly have the talent to be worthy of Liu Mengjiao.”
“And the result?”
“I was utterly defeated.”
Hong Wuze’s breathing was heavy, and he clutched his hair tightly, his hands clenched so hard that his veins bulged.
“I thought I had some talent, but I didn’t expect the scholars from Nanfeng County and even those from other villages and counties to be so outstanding, each one full of knowledge and learning. I was no match for them at all. After just a few rounds, I was completely crushed…
Heh, no wonder Magistrate Liu never agreed to the marriage. He was truly wise and knew that my talent was mediocre. I’m simply not worthy of being his son-in-law.”
Lin Tianlu was speechless.
Heartbreak… and a standard case of a man marrying into a wealthy family.
But he didn’t expect this aspiring son-in-law to be so easily defeated, crushed in the very first step and driven to such a state of despair.
The saying “love fuels strength” seemed a bit unrealistic.
“Brother, you should look ahead.”
Lin Tianlu patted his shoulder. “Go home and have a good sleep. You can forget about these worries and start anew tomorrow morning. This self-harm will only hurt your parents in the end.”
“Parents… will they still acknowledge me as their son tomorrow? Once the news spreads, the Hong family will become the laughingstock of everyone.”
Hong Wuze murmured dejectedly. “It’s better to just end it all now and save them from further shame and trouble. There’s still another son in the family who can take care of them in their old age.”
Hua Shuya, who had been silent, frowned slightly.
His words were truly harsh.
Lin Tianlu suddenly said, “Truly pathetic.”
“You—” Hong Wuze gritted his teeth.
“Causing chaos in the streets over a love affair, even forgetting your parents’ kindness in raising you. Magistrate Liu’s repeated rejections were probably the right decision. What father-in-law would entrust his daughter to someone so emotional and prone to suicidal thoughts?”
Lin Tianlu’s eyes calmed, his voice no longer gentle. “If you truly want to pursue a woman and promise her a lifetime of happiness, first fix your own attitude and learn how to be a responsible man.”
These resounding words struck Hong Wuze’s heart like thunder. He looked up in astonishment, but Lin Tianlu had already turned and walked away, leaving him with a sense of loss. He hurriedly reached out and shouted, “W-wait! Sir… please teach me—”
“…”
But the broad back didn’t stop for a moment, disappearing into the distance with the fairy by his side.
Hong Wuze stood there stunned, slowly clenching his fists, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
“Am I really…”
Putting aside his unrequited love, he looked back and asked himself, what had he done these past few months?
—Nothing.
It seemed that he had already forgotten his parents.
This heartbreak, was it truly so devastating, or was it just him clinging to it, caring only about how others perceived him? Now that he had lost face, he was threatening to die to prove his ridiculous “unwavering love,” indulging in self-pity and throwing a tantrum.
He was truly… an arrogant and selfish person.
After a long silence, the ignored scholar laughed at himself, supporting himself against the wall as he stood up unsteadily. He walked step by step in the direction of home, against the flow of the bustling crowd on the brightly lit lantern street.
…
The lantern street was still lively and brightly lit.
After walking for a while, Hua Shuya gathered her hair and said softly, “Senior, do you feel sorry for that Hong Wuze?”
“I don’t feel sorry for him at all.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled. “He had no intention of committing suicide, he was just throwing a tantrum after a breakup.”
His pitiful act was just short of crying dramatically and saying, “I’m sorry for being born.”
Was this the attitude of people who claimed to be depressed over a little emotional setback?
Of course, as an unrelated outsider, he had no right to judge. A few words of reprimand were enough.
“But the social status gap between that couple is quite big. Even if he can overcome this hurdle, there might be countless other tests waiting for him in the future.
Perhaps Magistrate Liu doesn’t want to marry his daughter off at all, and he doesn’t want to take in a son-in-law. Even if they do get together, this forced relationship might be bitter.”
“Social status…”
Hua Shuya’s thoughts drifted slightly.
“It seems that Miss Hua is more curious about this matter?”
“N-no!”
Hua Shuya snapped back to reality and shook her head repeatedly.
But under Lin Tianlu’s knowing gaze, a blush crept up her fair neck, and her eyes blinked rapidly. She mumbled, “I was just thinking, if a couple truly loves each other and trusts each other, then so-called social status and family background differences aren’t that scary.”
Lin Tianlu just chuckled softly and didn’t say anything more.
“Senior, do you think… that’s not good?”
Hua Shuya looked up at him with a hint of hope in her eyes.
“It’s not about right or wrong. Matters of the heart are different for everyone. Miss Hua’s thoughts are naturally good, but if you want both parties to be happy for a lifetime, you’ll need to put in double the effort.”
“Senior’s words make sense.”
Hua Shuya nodded thoughtfully, her eyes sparkling with a strange light. She clenched her fists seriously. “I’ll keep that in mind and work harder in the future!”
Lin Tianlu smiled and patted her shoulder. “Miss Hua will definitely succeed.”
Hua Shuya’s face flushed red, and she quickly averted her gaze.
“…”
Lin Tianlu felt the atmosphere becoming a bit awkward, so he quickly coughed and changed the subject. “Let’s go to Yan Hong Fang first and find a good private room to sit in. If we go too late, I’m afraid there won’t be any good seats left.”
“Okay!”
…
Not long after, the two of them entered Yan Hong Fang.
Stepping into the riverside pavilion, Hua Shuya felt a sense of novelty. After all, there were no such special buildings in her hometown. As she looked around, she was filled with excitement.
A hostess walked towards them with a smile. When she saw the girl turning around, she was stunned by her beauty.
But she quickly regained her composure and said softly, “What kind of room are you two looking for?”
“We want the quietest one.” Hua Shuya took out some silver from her purse.
“This—”
The hostess seemed surprised by her generosity and quickly bowed. “Please follow me, esteemed guests. I will take you to the Emerald Red private room.”
…
They walked through layers of corridors, seeing red silk hanging everywhere, fluttering in the wind, as if they were stepping into a dreamlike place. Finally, they arrived at a spacious and quiet private room, decorated with painted screens and red silk.
“This is quite an elegant place.”
“Esteemed guests, this is the Emerald Red private room. Only you two will be seated here, and no other guests will disturb you.” The hostess bowed slightly and said softly. “We will bring you dinner, fruits, and snacks shortly. If you have any requests, you can also ask for musicians to play music. Of course… the most convenient thing about this place is the river view and the music and dance performance in front.”
Behind the red silk, several graceful figures stepped onto the stage and began to dance to a soft melody.
Faint cheers and applause could be heard from other private rooms, but they were muffled by the river breeze.
Hua Shuya only glanced at it and didn’t pay much attention. She clearly wasn’t interested in these dances.
She was more curious about the food that was being served.
Because it was truly exquisite.
Each dish and pastry had been meticulously crafted, almost like works of art. Although she had tasted all kinds of delicacies before, there were so many different kinds of food in the world, and naturally, she saw many pastries and dishes that she had never seen or heard of before.
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