Chapter 34: I Don’t Believe a Word You Say

“Hmph, you worthless brat, I doubt you’d dare lie to me!” Cheng Zhijie snorted coldly, still glancing at Cheng Chumo with suspicion.

Yet after a moment’s thought, he recalled that his rascal of a son had truly never lied to his face before, and so Cheng Zhijie set aside the ruler in his hand.

Seeing this, Cheng Chumo finally relaxed a little, letting out a long sigh of relief. He’d been terrified that Cheng Zhijie would start beating him at the slightest provocation.

Fortunately, at that very moment, an unexpected guest arrived at the Cheng residence.

It was none other than Luo Tong.

Luo Tong had just left home and was planning to look for Cheng Chumo, so they could enjoy some fun at Pingkang Ward together. Not expecting any trouble, he made his way straight to the main hall to find Cheng Chumo—only to sense an awkward tension in the room.

It seemed Cheng Chumo was in the midst of a “lesson” from Cheng Zhijie.

Without a word, Luo Tong immediately turned to slip away, wanting to avoid getting caught up in the trouble.

But he hadn’t gone unnoticed; Cheng Chumo caught sight of him out of the corner of his eye.

“Brother Luo, you’re just in time!” Cheng Chumo waved vigorously at him, shouting, “Come here quickly—be my witness!”

At that moment, Luo Tong felt like a lifeline had been thrown to him.

Luo Tong looked at Cheng Chumo, pity flickering in his eyes. He thought perhaps Cheng Chumo had made some mistake and was being punished for it.

Still, since he’d been seen, if he tried to leave now, it was likely he’d get dragged into a beating as well.

Resigned, Luo Tong walked forward dutifully, coughed awkwardly, and greeted Cheng Zhijie with a respectful bow, forcing a smile: “Greetings, Uncle Cheng.”

“No need for formalities, my good nephew,” Cheng Zhijie replied, his anger noticeably softened.

Without bothering with any formalities, Cheng Chumo immediately asked Luo Tong, “Brother Luo, please tell my father—did I, Cheng Chumo, beat up that useless Zhangsun Chong today or not?”

“Uh…” Luo Tong froze, glancing at Cheng Chumo, then at the ruler beside Cheng Zhijie, finally understanding why Cheng Chumo was in trouble.

So this was all because of that business—he’d been made the scapegoat for Li Yi…

Poor Chumo, punished entirely by circumstance…

“Um… Uncle Cheng,” Luo Tong said, his expression awkward and full of sympathy for Cheng Chumo, “It was Li Bo’an who sent his men to beat up Zhangsun Chong. Chumo had nothing to do with it!”

“What?!”

Both Cheng Chumo and Cheng Zhijie stared wide-eyed at Luo Tong in utter shock.

Luo Tong wasted no time and recounted everything he’d heard at the market.

When he’d finished, Cheng Chumo turned to Cheng Zhijie, looking for all the world like a wronged wife, and said, “Father, I told you I wasn’t lying! Brother Luo can confirm it wasn’t me—it was Li Bo’an who dealt with that useless Zhangsun Chong!”

At last, Cheng Chumo’s greatest worry was resolved, though he couldn’t help but realize how much trouble Li Bo’an had caused him.

“I’ve been at home all day, minding my own business—how did I provoke you?” he fumed to himself. He made up his mind: the next time he saw Li Bo’an, he’d be sure to get even.

Otherwise, today’s beating would have been for nothing.

Cheng Zhijie, seeing his own son looking so aggrieved, felt a little awkward himself. After all this, it turned out he’d punished the wrong person. Still, there was no way he could admit this was all a misunderstanding—where would he put the dignity he’d maintained for decades?

He coughed, took a sip of tea to hide his embarrassment, and then spoke with feigned seriousness, “Chumo, a true warrior must be able to endure hardship and build an iron body—only then can he stand undefeated on the battlefield!”

“Your Uncle Qin, my good nephew’s father, and I have all survived countless life-and-death trials to win our battles. Remember this, both of you.”

He looked at the two of them with solemn conviction.

Cheng Chumo and Luo Tong exchanged a helpless glance, both inwardly rolling their eyes: “Who would believe that?”

But as juniors, neither dared argue, so they simply nodded obediently: “Yes, Father. We remember.”

“Alright, Chumo, today’s training is over. I’m going to the Qin residence to see Uncle Bao. You two do as you please.” With that, Cheng Zhijie waved them off, picked up the ruler, and strode out.

Only Cheng Chumo and Luo Tong remained, standing in silence in the hall.

“Come on, let’s go,” Luo Tong said, his expression odd as he stifled a laugh. He looked at Cheng Chumo with sympathy and offered, “Today, let’s drink our fill at the Drunken Immortal Tavern—my treat!”

“Hmph, of course you’re treating!” Cheng Chumo shot him a glare, annoyed at Luo Tong’s obvious enjoyment of his misfortune.

…

…

In the kitchen of the Li residence.

Li Yi had no idea that Cheng Chumo had taken the blame for him and received a beating from Cheng Zhijie. Nor did he know Cheng Chumo had vowed to get even with him the next time they met.

At that moment, Li Yi was in the kitchen, savoring his freshly made fried chicken and chicken soup.

“Master, this fried chicken and soup are delicious!” Yue’er exclaimed after just one bite, full of praise for Li Yi’s skills. The chicken soup, newly seasoned by Li Yi, made her feel utterly inadequate by comparison.

She’d never imagined her young master could actually cook, let alone so well.

The food was at least a hundred times better than anything from the restaurants outside!

There was no denying it—Li Yi’s culinary prowess had once again changed Yue’er’s view of him.

“I think it’s delicious too!” Li Yi declared shamelessly, grinning at Yue’er and praising himself. “Your young master is a genius. Cooking is nothing—how could something so trivial ever trouble me?”

“Heh… heh heh…” Yue’er watched his proud display, unable to help herself from giving him a thumbs-up. “Master, you are truly amazing!”

“Of course! I’ve always thought so myself!” Li Yi beamed, clearly pleased with himself.

Yue’er was at a loss for words, simply gazing at him in exasperation.

“Don’t stop, keep going,” Li Yi prompted.

“…”

“Yue’er, go on—your young master loves hearing the truth!”

“…”

Yue’er thought to herself that Li Yi’s face was thicker than the city walls.

Seeing Yue’er fall silent, Li Yi quickly grew bored. Having eaten and drunk his fill, he belched contentedly, then pointed to the untouched half of the roast chicken and instructed, “Yue’er, take this half to Mother and let her taste it.”

“Yes, Master.” Yue’er smiled at last, picked up the fried chicken, and hurried off in search of Lady Hongfu.

Li Yi, meanwhile, stepped outside, gazed up at the blue sky, and found himself filled with boundless anticipation for his plans ahead…