Openly Repairing the Plank Road

"Greetings, Brother Zhou!" Zhang Chen clasped his fists in salute to Zhou Zhen.

"Greetings, Brother Zhang." Zhou Zhen returned the salute, then said with mild reproach, "You were living perfectly well in the mountains. Why did you come down without even informing me?"

Hearing Zhou Zhen's words, Zhang Chen smiled. "My stepmother, younger brother, and Little Sister were taken away by distant relatives, who have their own arrangements for the future. As for me... the mountains may be pleasant, but they lack the warmth of people. I was never quite used to living there, and it was inconvenient for friends and relatives to visit. Now that I've settled at the foot of Jinling City, things are much more convenient."

Zhou Zhen smiled at that. "I see. Then I won't force the matter..."

As the two spoke, Jiang Nan, delicate and frail with a sickly beauty, approached from the side with lotus-like steps. "Senior Brother Zhou!"

Jiang Nan called softly and curtsied to Zhou Zhen.

"You are?" Zhou Zhen looked at Jiang Nan in surprise.

"My name is Jiang Nan. I am a disciple of the academy," Jiang Nan introduced herself.

Zhang Chen's expression immediately darkened at the words, but he remained silent and turned away.

Zhou Zhen suddenly realized. "I remember you now. You were the young lady standing together with Shen Ling and Zhang Gaoqiu before."

Jiang Nan nodded happily. "That was indeed this humble girl."

Zhou Zhen turned to Zhang Chen. "Then you and Brother Zhang are relatives after all."

Before Jiang Nan could seize the chance to claim kinship, Zhang Chen hurriedly cut her off. "I wouldn't dare claim ties with Miss Jiang. I come from lowly stock. How could I possibly be qualified to have any connection with Miss Jiang?"

Zhou Zhen looked thoughtfully between Zhang