At night, Falling Star Lake had shed the heat of the day. Cool breezes swept across it, refreshing the mind and heart. The lakeside streetlights stretched into the distance, their glow reflected in the water. Up close, they looked like stars that had fallen into the lake.
Zhu Yan strode ahead with his head held high, his footsteps like the ringing of a bronze bell at dawn, shaking the earth and striking the ears. Following behind him, Le Yu felt like a student who had done something wrong and was waiting for the homeroom teacher's judgment.
The two oldest people in the Imperial Academy were probably Zhu Yan and Cha Huan, but Instructor Zhu Yan and Principal Cha Huan displayed entirely different forms of aging. Though both were meticulous and extremely concerned with their appearance, Cha Huan's style was flamboyant and bold, while Zhu Yan's was restrained and solemn.
The same was true of their ways of conducting themselves. Cha Huan had none of the restrictions expected of an old man. He acted recklessly and arrogantly as he pleased, and no one could control him;
Zhu Yan, on the other hand, perfectly embodied the virtues and self-discipline expected of an old man. He was like a measuring rod, inspiring awe and making people want to emulate him. No one dared to be rude to him.
One was old in a brazen manner, while the other was old with elegance.
"Have you gotten used to living at the academy?" Zhu Yan asked as he walked. "For a young master from Dongyang like you, is the academy's living environment too crude?"
"It's all right. I can handle hardship, so I won't complain." Le Yu answered honestly.
Zhu Yan raised an eyebrow slightly. "If all merchants were as honest as you, perhaps merchants