My family has been wielding knives for generations, but now it's my turn to wield a pen!

"Heh, not leaving anonymity?"

Upon hearing Jiang Xiaobai's words, Lin Fengshuo glanced at him before slowly saying, "Such a fine article, once released, will be enough to earn you lasting fame!"

"That will be enough to completely wash away your notorious reputation as a spoiled brat!"

"Such temptation..."

At this point, Lin Fengshuo's gaze fell on Jiang Xiaobai, and his voice paused slightly: "Are you really capable of resisting?"

"Teacher, what do you think...?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai merely smiled slightly: "If I leave my name out now, do you think people will believe it?"

A simple sentence was uttered.

Lin Fengshuo was stunned for a moment.

Yes.

He was only thinking about how amazing this essay, "On Teachers," would be, and how it would shake the literary world and even wash away Jiang Xiaobai's stain overnight once it was published.

However, one point was overlooked.

Jiang Xiaobai's reputation is really bad now.

If the name were actually posted now, people's first reaction might not be amazement at the article, but rather doubt that it was really written by Jiang Xiaobai.

However, once such doubts arise, things may not necessarily go in the best direction.

Thinking of this, Lin Fengshuo's brows furrowed slightly.

At that moment, Jiang Xiaobai's voice rang out again.

Sometimes, the writing itself speaks for itself.

Jiang Xiaobai remained calm, a faint smile playing on his lips: "So there's no rush!"

Indeed, when he publishes the article in his own name, people will naturally suspect him of the involvement of those who wrote "On Teachers".

It's just suspicion!

At that time, there was no need for explanation; everyone was able to accept it on their own!

"Heh, you little rascal, you're hard to fathom. Fine... I'll listen to you then!"

After shaking his head, Lin Fengshuo carefully rolled up the second half of "On Teachers" again, his movements much more cautious than before.

Then, Lin Fengshuo raised his head and looked at Jiang Jingcheng, saying, "Lord Jiang, then this old man will take his leave now."

Yes.

His primary purpose in coming to the Marquis's residence today was to discuss the second half of this article.

Now that I have the article, the worry in my heart can finally be put to rest.

There's no need to stay any longer.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Jingcheng immediately nodded and said, "Alright, I'll see Elder Lin off."

After they finished speaking, the group walked out of the mansion together.

……

Arriving outside the Marquis's residence.

Lin Fengshuo boarded the carriage with the help of his page.

As the carriage slowly drove away, the previously harmonious atmosphere subtly changed.

Li Bingzhang stood there, glanced at Jiang Jingcheng, and let out a soft snort.

That meant... he clearly didn't like the Marquis of Zhenbei.

However, since everything that needed to be discussed had already been discussed and everything that needed to be settled had already been settled, he was too lazy to argue with Jiang Jingcheng at the door any further.

He immediately turned his gaze to Shen Yun and said in a fairly polite tone, "Madam Jiang, then we will take our leave as well."

"No problem."

Shen Yun smiled, her expression quite gentle: "Take care, in-laws!"

A simple "Take care, in-laws" subtly brought the two families closer together.

Li Bingzhang nodded slightly and said no more. Then he took Li Zhiwei and got into the carriage together.

Just before getting into the car, Li Zhiwei couldn't help but glance at Jiang Xiaobai with her clear eyes.

Jiang Xiaobai smiled at Li Zhi as well.

Li Zhiwei's cheeks, hidden beneath her veil, suddenly felt slightly flushed again. She quickly averted her gaze, lowered her head, and boarded the carriage.

As the carriage gradually drove away.

Jiang Xiaobai slowly turned his gaze away.

However, at that moment, Jiang Jingcheng's gaze swept over him: "You brat, come with me!"

After saying that, Jiang Jingcheng didn't wait for Jiang Xiaobai's response and turned around to walk into the Marquis's residence.

Seeing this, Jiang Xiaobai couldn't help but touch his nose helplessly.

Yes.

He knew that this hurdle was bound to come sooner or later.

So Jiang Xiaobai sighed softly and could only follow.

……

Inside the study.

As soon as the door closed, Jiang Jingcheng turned around abruptly, staring directly at Jiang Xiaobai who had just walked in.

"You brat, how many things are you hiding from me? Tell me right now!"

As soon as that sound fell, the air in the study seemed to tighten a little.

There was no way around it; the events of the entire day had had a tremendous impact on Jiang Jingcheng.

From Li Bingzhang's personal visit to Lin Fengshuo's request for the essay, to the engagement, business discussions, receiving "On Teachers," and recommending the essay...

Almost all of these events were under Jiang Xiaobai's control.

Even he, the father, was led by the nose by this brat!

This made Jiang Jingcheng feel both happy and somewhat heavy-hearted.

What made him happy was that his son was no longer the good-for-nothing playboy that others described.

Even more outstanding than he had imagined!

But the worrying part is also here.

Because Jiang Xiaobai acted far too calmly.

He was so calm, unlike a teenager.

Whether it's scheming, calculation, or the methods used to deal with situations, they all exude an indescribable sophistication.

This made Jiang Jingcheng happy, but it also gave rise to a somewhat inexplicable worry.

Jiang Xiaobai stood there, looking at Jiang Jingcheng's expression, and immediately understood a few things.

Yes.

The father asked this question not entirely out of doubt.

More than anything, I'm afraid and worried.

I'm worried that he might be hiding something.

I'm also worried that he might be being pushed too hard by all this commotion.

Thinking of this, Jiang Xiaobai couldn't help but sigh softly.

Then, Jiang Xiaobai's expression softened slightly, and he looked at Jiang Jingcheng with unusual seriousness.

"Father, are you afraid that I'll overthink things, take too many risks, and end up ruining myself?"

As soon as those words were spoken, Jiang Jingcheng's previously wide-eyed gaze faltered slightly.

Finally, Jiang Jingcheng snorted coldly: "You still know?"

"I've fought on countless battlefields over the years; I've seen more blood than you've eaten salt!"

Even so, watching you walk forward step by step today, I feel uneasy!

At this point, Jiang Jingcheng's brows furrowed even more deeply: "That old bastard Li Bingzhang is one thing, but you even dared to include someone like Lin Fengshuo in your calculations!"

"Are you really not afraid that one wrong step will lead to total defeat?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai smiled and said, "I'm scared, of course I'm scared. Even if it's scary, I still have to leave."

"Father, if I don't leave, how long can you protect me? As long as you are here today, as long as Mother is here, the Marquis's mansion will still exist!"

"But if that storm really comes one day, how many times can you shield me from it?"

As Jiang Xiaobai finished speaking, Jiang Jingcheng's expression gradually darkened.

Yes.

These words are harsh, but they are the truth.

"So, I'm not trying to hide anything from you."

Jiang Xiaobai continued, "But there are some things that, before they've been accomplished, saying them out loud would only cause you worry, and wouldn't do any other good."

At this point, Jiang Xiaobai raised his head, looked at Jiang Jingcheng, and his tone gradually became more serious.

"But Father, I can assure you one thing: every step I take today is for the sake of living."

"It's not just for my own survival, but also so that the Jiang family... can continue to live."

After these words were spoken, the study fell silent once more.

Jiang Jingcheng stood there, silent for a long time.

Those once sharp eyes were now fixed intently on Jiang Xiaobai.

After a long while, Jiang Jingcheng slowly exhaled, his voice lowering slightly: "You brat... you're starting to act like a man now."

"Is Father praising me?"

Upon hearing this, Jiang Xiaobai couldn't help but laugh.

"What a load of rubbish!"

Jiang Jingcheng glared at him, then snorted coldly.

But after he finished humming, he didn't continue cursing as he usually did.

Instead, he turned around, his back to Jiang Xiaobai, and walked to the bookshelf, as if he was suppressing some emotion.

After a moment, Jiang Jingcheng spoke again: "Since you've already come this far!"

"Well, there are some things I should tell you..."