Chu Ming put on an overwhelmed expression. "Master Shen, um, I can go with you."
"Fine. Let's go." Shen Yu was overjoyed. He grabbed Chu Ming by the wrist and dragged him out of the dining hall.
The students, including Ning Hao, Liang Yuan, and Xu He, exchanged bewildered looks, staring blankly as the old man and the young man walked out through the dining hall doors and disappeared from sight.
They just left like that?
Ning Hao and Liang Yuan were still trying to make sense of it.
Outside, on the road.
Shen Yu tugged Chu Ming along for a few steps, but Chu Ming suddenly stopped.
"Changed your mind?" Shen Yu tightened his grip.
"Ma... Master Shen... no. We left in such a hurry that I forgot to put down my chopsticks."
Chu Ming raised his right hand. Sure enough, he was holding a pair of chopsticks.
"Just toss them," Shen Yu said dismissively.
But Chu Ming wore a solemn expression. "Master Shen, I chose the Book of Rites. The chopsticks belong to the dining hall. If I simply toss them aside, I'd be going against what the Book of Rites teaches..."
Shen Yu looked at Chu Ming doubtfully but didn't let go.
"Master Shen just promised not to interfere with my studies..." Chu Ming added.
"Hurry back and come straight out. I'll wait here." Shen Yu released Chu Ming's hand.
There was only one entrance to the dining hall, so he wasn't worried Chu Ming would run off.
"Thank you, Master Shen."
Clutching the chopsticks, Chu Ming walked steadily back into the dining hall.
"Eh, why is Chu Ming back?" one sharp-eyed student said.
Ning Hao and Liang Yuan also spotted Chu Ming returning. They were about to go over when they saw him place something on