After My System Went Bankrupt, I Found My Happy Ending with the General - Chapter 45

After striving for a month at the painting academy, Luo Chuchen found it somewhat difficult to adjust to suddenly becoming idle, feeling so bored that he was practically bubbling with restlessness.

Fortunately, Liang Jue and Ji Yuanzhou were there for him.

Liang Jue visited him every day, bringing along delicious snacks and amusing trinkets.

Ji Yuanzhou, on the other hand, brought him daily notes and assignments on the classics. He was deeply concerned about Luo Chuchen’s injury and even took the initiative to tutor him in the evenings, teaching him the lessons he had missed during the day.

Luo Chuchen: “Thank you.”

At least it wasn’t too boring.

Chu Yuanzhu had also heard about Luo Chuchen’s sprained ankle and sent a letter with a detached tone, teasing him for managing to sprain his ankle even while descending a hill. He also mentioned that he was rushing back to the capital at full speed and would arrive in a few days.

A few days later, Chu Yuanzhu returned to the capital even earlier than he had stated in the letter.

Without even taking the time to change his clothes, he hurried to the Marquis’s residence, bringing a physician with him to thoroughly examine Luo Chuchen’s ankle.

Naturally, he couldn’t resist mocking Luo Chuchen a bit.

But Luo Chuchen knew that Chu Yuanzhu had rushed back, covered in dust, out of concern for his injury. He let all the seemingly sarcastic remarks go in one ear and out the other.

He even offered an especially well-behaved smile, playing up to Chu Yuanzhu: “I know you’re worried about me, Uncle.”

Chu Yuanzhu: “Tch.”

Chu Yuanzhu rolled his eyes quite inelegantly at the empty space beside him and said, “Where’s Liang Jue? I heard he was the one who brought you back to the residence.”

Luo Chuchen replied, “He’s probably still busy with military affairs. He usually doesn’t come to the Marquis’s residence to see me until the afternoon.”

Chu Yuanzhu snorted again, exuding an air of sarcasm.

Then, as if struck by a thought, he suddenly broke into a grin.

?

Seeing his uncle’s smile, Luo Chuchen felt a chill run down his spine.

Chu Yuanzhu said with a cheerful smile, “When Liang Jue arrives later, keep him here for a while. Your uncle would like to invite him to share a meal, right here at the Marquis’s residence.”

Though it wasn’t polite to think this way about his uncle, Luo Chuchen couldn’t shake the feeling that this invitation had the same ill intentions as a weasel paying New Year’s greetings to a chicken.

But Chu Yuanzhu didn’t elaborate further, seemingly having his own plans in mind. He leisurely returned to the Chu residence to bathe and change, and after taking a short nap, he went to the palace to meet with the Emperor.

In the afternoon, after finishing his official duties, Liang Jue returned to the Marquis’s residence as usual.

Nowadays, when Liang Jue visited the Marquis’s residence, it was nothing like the old days when Luo Chuchen still lived at the Chu residence, where he had to scale walls and dodge guards.

He entered openly through the main gate. As he stepped inside, a thought crossed his mind it felt like returning to his own home, He shook his head helplessly.

Even the guards at the entrance of the Marquis’s residence were soldiers Liang Jue had personally assigned from his own troops to protect Luo Chuchen.

When they saw Liang Jue, they saluted him with the military salute reserved for close subordinates.

They also informed him that Chu Yuanzhu had already returned to the capital and had visited earlier.

Liang Jue said it was no problem.

He had long known that Chu Yuanzhu held a grudge against him, and it had been that way since they were young.

Because Chu Yuanzhu was well aware of Liang Jue’s feelings for Luo Chuchen.

Chu Yuanzhu was an exceptionally intelligent person. Though he appeared casual and teasing in front of Luo Chuchen, in the eyes of others, he was a rare prodigy in the capital.

If Liang Jue was the Emperor’s left arm, then Chu Yuanzhu was undoubtedly his right.

But their private discord had started long ago.

After Liang Jue emerged from the blood-soaked battlefield and caught the emperor’s eye, the first person he encountered upon being brought back was Chu Yuanzhu, whose face was stern.

At that time, Chu Yuanzhu was already the top strategist in the crown prince’s inner circle. His wariness toward Liang Jue nearly influenced the crown prince as well.

Yet Chu Yuanzhu merely asked, “Are you still in contact with Xiao Chen?”

Liang Jue made an effort to appear composed and replied, “No.”

Chu Yuanzhu said, “Good.”

He then entered the tent with the crown prince, while Liang Jue remained outside, faintly hearing the crown prince ask who Xiao Chen was.

Chu Yuanzhu was not one to let personal grievances interfere with official matters. Even though he clearly disliked Liang Jue, he never denied Liang Jue’s capabilities and even spoke highly of him to secure military merits.

However, he never formed any personal relationship with Liang Jue and never revealed even a hint of information about Luo Chuchen to him.

Liang Jue was not worried. After becoming a general and gaining power, he quickly learned that Luo Chuchen was studying at the Ten Directions Academy in Yunzhou.

He knew that, from beginning to end, he had never dared to hope for anything beyond friendship. At times, he even worried whether Luo Chuchen would still recognize him if they met again, or if he would still acknowledge their childhood bond.

Thus, Liang Jue had imagined countless times how he might reunite with Luo Chuchen.

Unexpectedly, Luo Chuchen came to the capital himself and, by sheer coincidence, was rescued by Liang Jue. It was just as well.

Liang Jue sometimes reflected that every step he had taken to reach this point was a gift from fate.

So, when facing Chu Yuanzhu, he had a clear conscience.

He had never sought more, never gave Luo Chuchen any hints, never exerted any influence he only wished to remain by his side as a friend.

Because he knew, and understood that Chu Yuanzhu knew as well, that Luo Chuchen had not yet reached the stage of awakening.

Therefore, he would not speak of it, and Chu Yuanzhu could not be the first to broach the subject in front of Luo Chuchen. This was one of the few points of tacit understanding between them.

After chatting with Luo Chuchen in the study for a while and even being forced to help him write an essay on classical texts, Chu Yuanzhu finally returned from the palace.

The kitchen had been informed earlier that they would be dining together that evening. Shortly after the three of them sat down, dishes were served one after another.

In Chu Yuanzhu’s presence, Liang Jue restrained his attentiveness toward Luo Chuchen and focused on eating.

As the meal neared its end, he suddenly heard Chu Yuanzhu’s voice, tinged with amusement.

“By the way, Xiao Chen, do you know where I passed through on my way back to the capital this time?”

Luo Chuchen looked puzzled and asked, “Where did you go?”

Chu Yuanzhu deliberately drew out the suspense before finally saying, “Yunzhou.”

Luo Chuchen said, “Did you visit Grandfather? How is his health? In his last letter, he told me to study the classics diligently and said he would test me when I return next time.”

“He’s as robust as ever, no need to worry. But besides him, guess who else I saw?” Chu Yuanzhu chuckled meaningfully, pressing further with clear intent.

Luo Chuchen: “…”

A faint sense of foreboding suddenly rose in his heart.

Surely not? Uncle merely passed through Yunzhou he couldn’t have investigated all the rumors about me at the Ten Directions Academy, could he?

Luo Chuchen instinctively stole a glance at Liang Jue across the table, who was still eating earnestly.

Luo Chuchen played dumb, saying, “There probably isn’t anyone else. I don’t really know many people at the academy.”

Chu Yuanzhu said meaningfully, “Oh, but there is someone, isn’t there.”

Luo Chuchen: “…”

He finally understood why Chu Yuanzhu had given him that unsettling, mischievous smile before entering the palace.

How could Chu Yuanzhu be waiting for him here like this!

If he remembered correctly, sworn brotherhood wasn’t an uncommon practice in this world. If Chu Yuanzhu was merely curious about his sexual orientation, there was no need to ask such a question in such a roundabout way, right?

Was Chu Yuanzhu homophobic?

He didn’t seem like it more like he was up to something.

Luo Chuchen felt his hair stand on end. Gripping his chopsticks tightly, his mind raced.

He forced himself to stay calm and said, “It’s perfectly normal to have one or two close classmates, right? Haha, haha.”

At the same time, he frantically recalled the tasks the system had assigned him before.

Although he had been eager to earn life points back then, Luo Chuchen still had his principles. He never did anything that crossed the boundaries of ordinary affection.

Most of the tasks he chose were things someone who wanted to befriend Xu Changlin would do.

Other students who weren’t as familiar with him only thought he and Xu Changlin had a good relationship.

Only a few of Xu Changlin’s roommates often joked about him and Xu Changlin.

But they probably held back from spreading rumors too widely, out of respect for his status as a young marquis.

So it should be fine right?

Seeing that Luo Chuchen wasn’t taking the bait, Chu Yuanzhu assumed he was just shy and said, “Alright, I won’t tease you anymore. Here’s a letter for you.”

He pulled a letter from his sleeve.

Luo Chuchen took it and flipped it over. When he saw the signature, he nearly threw the letter straight toward Liang Jue’s seat.

Stamped clearly on it was Xu Changlin’s personal seal.

Chu Yuanzhu said with a grin, “On my way back to Yunzhou this time, I happened to meet this student named Xu Changlin. I heard he’s your intimately close friend at Shifang Academy? There’s some good news would you like to hear it?”

Luo Chuchen held the letter, his face stiff.

“No.”

Chu Yuanzhu: “Xu Changlin is taking part in this year’s imperial examinations and has already set off for the capital. But his journey is slow, so it’ll probably take him about half a month to get here.”

Luo Chuchen: “Haha, that’s great.”

Chu Yuanzhu: “Your uncle is an open-minded person. When he arrives, I’ll invite Xu Changlin to stay at my residence. If you’d like, you can come by anytime to catch up with him. Tsk tsk, look at you your face is all red.”

As he spoke, he glanced meaningfully at Liang Jue and shook his head.

Luo Chuchen: “Th-that won’t be necessary.”

This is out of embarrassment!!

To be honest, Luo Chuchen was so embarrassed he felt like fainting. He didn’t dare look up to see Liang Jue’s reaction and could only pray inwardly that Liang Jue hadn’t understood any of it.

After dinner, surprisingly, Chu Yuanzhu didn’t linger. He stood up first and said, “It’s getting late. I should head back to my residence. General Liang, care to join me for a stroll to aid digestion?”

Luo Chuchen: ?

Uncle is inviting Liang Jue for a walk? Has the sun risen in the middle of the night?

Liang Jue remained noncommittal.

Chu Yuanzhu chuckled, clearly pleased, and once again hinted meaningfully, “Xiao Chen has received a letter from an important friend. He probably wants to go back early and read it alone. It’s best if we don’t disturb him.”

“Chu! Yuan! Zhu!”

Luo Chuchen had reached his limit.

He quickly stepped forward, pulling Chu Yuanzhu aside without caring whether such behavior was respectful toward an elder. Gripping Chu Yuanzhu’s sleeve with a troubled expression, he said, “Don’t, don’t talk nonsense like that. I’m not close with Xu Changlin at all!”

Chu Yuanzhu let out an “oh” and chuckled merrily, “You little rascal, you’ve always been one to say one thing and mean another since you were young.”

Luo Chuchen: “I’m going to get angry!”

Chu Yuanzhu raised an eyebrow, though it was unclear whether he believed it or not, and spread his hands. “Alright, alright, your uncle won’t say any more. The letter has been delivered, the message has been passed, so I’ll take my leave now.”

“…”

Luo Chuchen watched Chu Yuanzhu’s retreating figure and finally let out a sigh of relief.

Turning around, he saw Liang Jue standing not far away.

Liang Jue wore a slightly puzzled expression, his brow faintly furrowed.

The two locked eyes for a moment.

Liang Jue slowly asked, “That person Minister Chu mentioned Xu Changlin, is he also a friend of yours?”