After My System Went Bankrupt, I Found My Happy Ending with the General - Chapter 2

Luo Chuchen’s maternal grandfather, surnamed Chu, had served as chancellor for two dynasties. After retiring from his official post, he returned to his hometown in Yunzhou and founded the Shifang Academy. The academy was highly renowned throughout Yunzhou and several neighboring prefectures, attracting countless scholars seeking education.

Old Master Chu now resided in a modest three-courtyard house in the small town at the foot of Qingyun Mountain. The academy students lived separately in dedicated dormitories.

As the next day was the ten-day break, Luo Chuchen returned to the Chu residence. When he arrived at the gate, he saw several servants politely explaining to visiting students that the master was not receiving guests that day.

Luo Chuchen casually summoned one of the servants and instructed him to find the dormitory supervisor of the academy, giving specific directions before entering the courtyard.

The residence wasn’t large. Just after passing through the flower-filled courtyard, Luo Chuchen was met by the elderly steward who had been waiting for him and was promptly led to the study.

In the study, the white bearded Old Master Chu sat behind his red pearwood desk and beckoned for Luo Chuchen to approach.

Luo Chuchen leaned in close. “Grandfather, what a coincidence! I was just looking for you too.”

The old master wasn’t fooled by this. “Why are you back so late today?”

Luo Chuchen played innocent. “Isn’t it about the same time as usual during the holiday?””

Old Master Chu bluntly exposed him. “Usually you go find Changlin, but Changlin came looking for you earlier. You weren’t with him.”

Luo Chuchen inwardly clicked his tongue, surprised that Xu Changlin had actually come to the Chu residence. Fortunately, the old master didn’t pay much attention to the comings and goings of young people. He asked, “Have you prepared everything for your return to the capital?”

Luo Chuchen nodded. Old Master Chu continued, “Matters in the capital have been settled. The new emperor is the former crown prince. Your father helped him with many things during his lifetime, so you needn’t worry too much. Your uncle currently serves as Minister of Revenue in the court. I’ve already written him a letter he’ll come to meet you when you arrive in the capital.”

“As for your studies.” The old master retrieved several letters from under the paperweight. “I consulted your tutor. He said you’ve been reluctant to study these past few months, always thinking about going out and doing your assignments perfunctorily. I have many former students teaching at the Imperial College, so I’ve written some recommendation letters for you. If you wish to continue on the imperial examination path, it’s still possible. If not, you can live comfortably on the wealth your father left behind.”

Luo Chuchen looked somewhat embarrassed. “Grandfather, you know I’m not cut out for studying.”

“You’re so clever in everything else, yet you won’t apply yourself to your studies.” Old Master Chu shook his head in disappointment.

“I won’t say more about other matters. There’s a passenger ship heading to the capital tomorrow morning you can depart then.”

“Tomorrow morning?” Luo Chuchen hadn’t expected the arrangements to be so swift.

Old Master Chu glanced at him. “What? Can’t bear to leave me, or is it someone else?”

“Of course it’s you I can’t bear to leave!” Luo Chuchen moved closer with an aggrieved expression. “Will you eat properly without me here?”

“Shoo, shoo,” the old master chuckled, reaching out to tap Luo Chuchen’s forehead. “I think you could bear to leave anyone except my cook!”

Luo Chuchen let out an exaggerated cry and covered his forehead, squatting on the ground. When no one paid him attention after a while, he looked up to find Old Master Chu simply smiling. “Still pretending?”

Luo Chuchen replied obediently, “No more pretending.”

Old Master Chu gently rubbed the spot on Luo Chuchen’s forehead. “If there’s anyone at the academy you’d like to bid farewell to, you should go do that now.”

Old Master Chu had always believed his grandson was close friends with the academy’s star pupil. Luo Chuchen saw no need to explain and simply said, “I won’t be going. If fate allows, we’ll meet again someday.”

“True enough,” the old master nodded. “The spring imperial exams in February are approaching. He’ll soon be heading to the capital as well.”

Grandfather and grandson conversed at length in the study before sharing supper. The next day, Luo Chuchen boarded a passenger ship back to the capital, rocking gently along the canal toward the city.

The distance between Yunzhou and the capital wasn’t great. A direct canal had been constructed during the previous dynasty, and during high water season, the journey took merely two weeks.

Luo Chuchen’s last voyage on this passenger ship had been four years prior, when he possessed only twenty-something life points. His body had been so frail then that not only did he suffer from seasickness, but he nearly fell gravely ill, requiring medicinal soups for a full six months afterward.

The memory of that discomfort still haunted him. He remained secluded in his cabin for several days until boredom finally drove him to venture out onto the deck.

The afternoon sun shone brilliantly, its reflection dancing across the water’s surface in dizzying sparkles. Luo Chuchen walked slowly for a while before unconsciously tightening his grip on his servant’s sleeve.

Steady now, steady.

You’re someone with eighty-two life points now.

With this thought, Luo Chuchen regained some confidence. He gradually made his way to the railing to gaze at the canal banks, slowly growing accustomed to the ship’s rocking motion.

The servant smiled. “Young master’s health has improved greatly after these years of recuperation in Yunzhou.”

The servant, named Shechuan, had been with Luo Chuchen since he was five or six. The Marquis household had specifically selected someone robust and articulate, giving him this name in hopes he could accompany Luo Chuchen through all of life’s journeys.

Luo Chuchen, however, couldn’t quite share the smile. Thinking of his life points filled him with profound melancholy. He cast a sorrowful glance at Shechuan.

Silly child, if your young master fails to find the Child of Destiny upon returning to the capital, he won’t live through this month.

Shechuan started at the look. “Young master, wh-what’s wrong?”

Luo Chuchen shook his head. “You wouldn’t understand.”

He continued gazing mournfully at the mountains flanking the canal.

Shechuan had always found his young master’s thoughts inscrutable and knew better than to press. After accompanying him to enjoy the scenery awhile, he helped the young gentleman back to his cabin.

Ten-plus days slipped by before the passenger ship finally docked at the capital’s outskirts.

When Luo Chuchen set foot on land again, he swayed unsteadily, his legs nearly buckling beneath him. The solid wooden planks seemed to lack substance beneath his feet.

Shechuan hurried to support him. “Easy now, young master. Everyone feels this way right after disembarking. Just walk slowly for a few steps and it’ll pass.”

Only the steward had been sent to fetch them an old retainer from the Marquis household. At the sight of Luo Chuchen, the man nearly teared up before mastering his emotions to explain, “Lord Chu was detained by His Majesty after morning court for discussions and couldn’t come immediately. Please forgive the delay, young master.”

Luo Chuchen waved off the apology and allowed Shechuan to help him into the carriage. No sooner had he sat down than he closed his eyes, his face pale as he tried to compose himself.

The steward settled opposite after storing the luggage. Noting Luo Chuchen’s condition, he worriedly whispered to Shechuan, “Why does the young master still seem so unwell? Wasn’t he nearly fully recovered after recuperating in Yunzhou?”

Shechuan’s heart ached in response. “The voyage was quite exhausting. He was fine at first, but then he started coughing again a few days ago… I fear the young master is ill-fated with water. The journey to Yunzhou by ship nearly cost him his life too.”

The steward sighed, “In the future, it would be better to travel by land. This time, we had no choice since the higher-ups were pressing us urgently.”

Luo Chuchen:

He glanced at his life gauge, which had dropped to 46%, and resolved to keep his mouth shut.

The journey from the dock to the capital took about half an hour by carriage. As the carriage rocked gently, Luo Chuchen closed his eyes to rest for a while. Suddenly, he felt the carriage come to a stop. Blinking groggily, he asked, “Have we arrived?”

“Not yet, we’re at the city gate,” Shechuan replied, holding the carriage curtain aside. The steward was outside, showing a token to the guards. After a moment, he bent down and climbed back into the carriage, explaining, “The capital is currently enforcing strict controls on entry and exit. Everyone must be registered.”

Luo Chuchen nodded. The steward smiled reassuringly and said, “Young master, you can rest a little longer. We’ll be home soon.”

Having spent most of his days on the passenger ship sleeping and having just dozed off again, Luo Chuchen was no longer sleepy. Instead, he felt a surge of curiosity and asked the steward, “Uncle Jiang, is Li’s Pastry Shop by the city gate still open?”

“It’s still open, but business has been booming lately. I’m not sure if they still have chestnut pastries in stock,” the steward replied. “Would you like to buy some pastries to bring home?”

Luo Chuchen said yes, so the steward instructed the coachman to stop near the pastry shop and prepared to get out to make the purchase.

Luo Chuchen stopped him, saying, “I’ll go down and take a look myself. I could use some fresh air.”

The steward wanted to dissuade him but ultimately didn’t stop him. Instead, he and Shechuan followed closely behind Luo Chuchen as they walked toward the pastry shop.

As expected, even though it was past lunchtime, the pastry shop was still crowded with people. Aware of his current physical condition, Luo Chuchen didn’t dare to push his way through the crowd. Instead, he stood at the edge and slowly moved inward with the flow of people.

As he inched forward, Luo Chuchen suddenly felt someone brush a hand against his waist.

???

He whipped his head around, but the hand had already retracted quickly. Scanning his surroundings, he noticed nothing unusual. Shechuan was two or three people away and, noticing Luo Chuchen’s reaction, asked in confusion, “Young master?”

Frowning, Luo Chuchen said, “It’s nothing.”

He turned back and continued waiting in line. A moment later, the same hand returned to his waist, even slipping past his belt with a tendency to move further downward.

Pretending to endure it, Luo Chuchen waited a few seconds before suddenly turning around and grabbing the person’s wrist, lifting it high.

Following the arm, he saw a slick, foppish young nobleman. Even when caught, the young man showed no fear and grinned at him, saying, “What’s the matter, young sir? In broad daylight, why are you grabbing my hand?”

He was betting that Luo Chuchen wouldn’t dare to make a scene.

Shechuan, sensing something amiss, squeezed through the crowd and hurriedly asked, “Young master, what’s going on?”

Luo Chuchen gritted his teeth and declared loudly, “This man tried to steal my money pouch.”

The bystanders waiting to buy pastries all turned to look. Shechuan was taken aback for a moment but immediately grabbed the young nobleman by the collar, scowling fiercely. “So you’re a thief!”

The young nobleman remained unruffled, still grinning. “Young sir, if you’re going to frame someone, you need evidence. Why would I steal your money pouch for no reason?”

Luo Chuchen retorted, “Since when does a thief need a reason to steal?”

The young nobleman’s smile didn’t falter. Calmly, he took out a token from his robe and showed it to the surrounding onlookers, declaring confidently, “I am the son of the Vice Minister of Rites. Why would I need to steal when I have all the money I could want?”

The butler squeezed through the crowd and, after glancing at the token in the young master’s hand, gave Luo Chuchen a confirming nod.

The token was genuine.

Luo Chuchen’s face flushed with anger.

He had known this man wouldn’t act so brazenly without some sort of backing, but he never expected him to be so shameless.

If his health points hadn’t dropped below 60%, he wouldn’t have wasted so many words on this man. He would’ve thrown a punch without a second thought, consequences be damned.

He closed his eyes briefly, gritting his teeth as he prepared to order Shechuan to beat the young master up. But just then, a sudden gust of wind brushed past his ear, followed by the sharp sound of a forceful blow landing on flesh. The young master cried out in pain.

Confused, Luo Chuchen opened his eyes and saw the previously smug young master now lying two meters away, clutching his stomach and writhing in pain, unable to get up. Someone had kicked him hard.