Whoever can strike me hard will be rewarded handsomely.

Fang Yanqing, a native of Hezhou, was also on his way to the capital for the imperial examinations, which matched Jiang Jibai's identity as his second disciple.

I want to see what kind of person this Fang Yanqing is.

While Qin Ji was pondering the quality of Fang Yanqing, Fang Yanqing was also rapidly calculating.

They said they were leaving, but the boy opposite them remained seated on the stool, showing no intention of getting up.

Could it be that he reminded you and you're actually planning to pack it up and take it with you?

That shouldn't be the case.

The two men's behavior clearly indicated that they were not from ordinary families. Although they didn't act as if the food on the table was terribly unpalatable, they obviously looked down on it.

Does something taste better when someone else is fighting over it?

Alas, the richer you are, the stingier you become; the ancients were right.

Fang Yanqing's mind raced, but his expression remained sincere. "Waiter, bring two sheets of oil paper. Pack these two plates of osmanthus cake and melon seeds for the two gentlemen to take away."

Qin Ji's gaze lingered on Fang Yanqing's face for a few seconds. He didn't refute her, but instead smiled and said, "Brother Fang is truly kind-hearted."

Fang Yanqing wasn't embarrassed at all. "Of course. At home you rely on your parents, but when you're out in the world, you rely on your friends. Having more friends means having more options, right?"

Having more options means you can have a full stomach, right?

As Fang Yanqing accepted the pastries wrapped in oil paper from the waiter, he asked, "How should I address you two gentlemen?"

The packaging was very rough. When the osmanthus cake was poured onto the oil paper, the left hand would accidentally rub the oil paper against the cake while folding it, and the right hand would accidentally rub the oil paper against the cake again while folding it. Both thumbs were covered in cake crumbs.

If it were a young master from a wealthy family, he would probably have had his appetite completely emptied.

However, neither Gu Zhen nor Qin Ji intended to eat; they were just watching.

Seeing that Qin Ji was reluctant to get up and leave, Gu Zhenhe subtly sized up Fang Yanqing, then sat back down on the stool and said to Qin Ji, "Brother Jiang, you haven't rested enough, have you? It's not too late for us to sit for a while longer."

Fang Yanqing packed up the snacks and melon seeds and pushed them towards the two men, but his hand did not leave the oil paper package. "Gentlemen, your food has been packed."

Jiang San hadn't touched the food and tea at the stall from beginning to end, clearly more particular than Gu Zhenhe, so there was no way he would accept them. Gu Zhenhe simply took the initiative and said, "Brother Fang, if you don't mind, please accept these snacks and melon seeds. Mangshan is about ten miles from the capital, so you can have something to eat on the way."

Fang Yanqing's smile was so genuine it almost blinded the two people in front of her. "How could I possibly accept this? You haven't even started yet, it's so embarrassing."

While saying sorry, his hands were anything but shy, constantly busy, and the oil paper package was already being scooped up and brought to his face by both hands.

Gu Zhenhe had obviously never dealt with such people before, and his eyes widened in surprise. His face twitched slightly involuntarily. "They are all straightforward people who don't stand on ceremony. Brother Fang, there's no need to refuse."

He hadn't intended to refuse.

"You two are so generous and kind, I can only accept your hospitality." Fang Yanqing put away the oil paper package, stuffed it into the separate layer for food in his book box, and weighed it down to make sure it wouldn't fall out.

After putting down the food, he picked up the water cup in front of him and filled the water bag hanging at his waist. The cup was empty in a short while.

Fang Yanqing called to the waiter again, "Waiter, bring me some water."

The waiter flashed his standard business smile again. "Is this the water pouch? Let me fill it up for you, so you don't have to keep pouring it into your cup."

Fang Yanshu gave a thumbs up. "You're not a waiter, you're the stall owner, right?"

"The boss is generous."

"The boss has vision."

"May the boss's wealth increase significantly."

Fang Yanqing gave three affirmations.

"It's nothing, no problem at all."

The waiter, grinning, filled his water pouch and then poured another cup into his cup.

He turned around, a smile on his face, but inwardly he was rolling his eyes to the heavens.

Unexpectedly, the little incident that happened to them was also seen by the other guests at the next table.

He praised the boss in a few words, "The boss is a shrewd businessman and a kind person!"

"Please add another plate of braised beef."

"We'd like two more plates of peanuts."

"Give me a plate of hot osmanthus cake, to go."

The waiter's smile immediately became more genuine. "Alright, alright, one at a time, no rush."

Fang Yanqing rubbed his nose, took two gulps of water, and said to Qin Ji and Gu Zhenhe, "By the way, I haven't yet had the pleasure of asking for your names, gentlemen?"

Qin Ji uttered a few words, "Jiang San."

Gu Zhenhe glanced at Qin Ji beside him and, mimicking him, said, "Li Si."

These two men, Zhang San and Li Si, are clearly using aliases; they don't want to get to know him well.

Fang Yanqing didn't seem to care much. He cupped his hands in greeting to the two men, saying, "Brother Zhang, Brother Li."

Qin Ji lifted his eyelids slightly, "Jiang San, the Jiang in Jiangshui (river water)."

Gu Zhenhe added, whether intentionally or unintentionally, "It's right at the foot of Mang Mountain, Brother Fang, the Jiang in Jiang Jibai, the great scholar Jiang."

Qin Ji's eyelids twitched, and he glanced at Gu Zhenhe.

Fang Yanqing's eyelids twitched, and he touched the book box next to him, shaking off the pastry crumbs that were stuck to his sleeve.

"You said there's a poetry gathering at Mangshan today, who organized it?" Fang Yanqing asked.

Qin Ji also wanted to know the answer to this question.

Gu Zhenhe quietly pointed at Pei Lian, "I heard he's one of that kid's senior brothers."

His decision to abandon literature for business nearly drove his teacher to the brink of madness.

He was later expelled from the sect and no one knows where he went to make his fortune.

Organizing this poetry gathering is probably also a way to support my junior fellow apprentice and generate some buzz.

Fang Yanqing clicked his tongue in amazement. "That's incredibly generous! Did he cover all the drinks, food, and servants for the poetry gathering? Do we have to pay to attend?"

Qin Ji tapped the table with his finger.

"Do you think everyone is like you?" Pei Lian slammed his fist on the table, threw down the money, and left.

Gu Zhenhe replied to Fang Yanqing, "Judging from Pei Shentong's expression, he probably won't need it."

Fang Yanqing: "Brother Li, I happened to be passing through Mangshan when I came across this poetry gathering. It was a perfect opportunity, surely a sign from heaven."

Qin Ji continued tapping the table with his fingers.

"If you don't mind, shall I come with you?"

Qin Ji tapped the table repeatedly with his fingers.

He was thinking about something.

What kind of people does the drug addict recruit?

He took in all sorts of people, good and bad, as his cheap senior brothers.

Did you only wash your eyes clean when you picked him up after he had dog poop in them?

...

Second update delivered~

Goal achieved! Double update tomorrow~ So early today, any praise?