Egret Academy (Thanks to Lord Yan Hui for the Silver League)

Since everything had been arranged in advance, Uncle Wang stayed only one day before settling all the necessary matters. He sent Little Bug into Egret Academy, rented a courtyard outside the academy for Sixth Son and Crescent Moon, and only then returned to report to Little Bug's mother.

Little Bug had never left home alone before. Upon entering the academy, he could not help feeling anxious. He had always been slow and reserved; now, gripped by nervousness, he did not even know what to do with his hands and feet.

Egret Academy had accepted many students Little Bug's age, and an old man was specially assigned to look after them. The old man led him about, first helping him collect the various books and miscellaneous supplies issued by the academy. After explaining some of the academy rules, he brought Little Bug to his lodging and left with a smile.

Little Bug had not enrolled at the proper time and had arrived rather late, so he was not assigned a proper dormitory. His quarters were an attic above the academy storehouse.

The attic was filled with damaged books the academy had sorted out. Only two beds had been set up in one corner. The other belonged, it was said, to a student named Zhu Ying, who was currently attending class and had not yet returned to rest.

According to the old man who had led him there, Zhu Ying was about the same age as Little Bug. He too had passed the county examination in his early teens and was studying diligently to earn the provincial degree.

Little Bug set down his luggage beside his bed, let out a long breath, and steadied himself. He organized the books issued by the academy. Some of the volumes he had already read, while others he had never seen before. He wanted to review them first, lest he fall too far behind in his studies and become the laughingstock of his classmates.

He had an exceptional memory. By the daylight outside, he finished flipping through an entire book in less than half an hour. Closing it, he concentrated and reflected. The words he had just read flowed through his mind like running water, without catching anywhere.

Though Little Bug could remember anything at a glance, in the past, if he wanted to recite an essay smoothly, he still had to review it several times before he could avoid stumbling. This had never happened before, and he could not help secretly rejoicing. Perhaps I'm getting older—and a little smarter too.

Just as Little Bug was pondering this, footsteps thudded on the stairs. A youth came up, books tucked beneath his arm.

The youth's skin was like congealed cream, his long brows slanting up toward his temples. Spirit and brilliance overflowed from his features. He was the sort of beautiful young man who would draw every eye in a crowd of thousands. Tall and slightly slimmer than most, he carried himself with a graceful, handsome air that made people naturally inclined to like him.

Though Little Bug was young, he could not help praising him inwardly. What a beautiful young man!

When the youth saw Wang Chong, he was slightly startled. A moment later, his cheeks flushed faintly, and he unexpectedly seemed a little shy. "Why have you come to my quarters?"

Little Bug hurriedly rose and bowed. "Greetings, Senior Brother. This younger brother is Wang Chong. The academy arranged for me to stay here. If I have disturbed you in any way, I deeply apologize." He had come to Egret Academy to study and dearly wished to make a few good friends, so his tone was particularly gentle.

Zhu Ying studied him for a while before regaining his calm composure. With a soft laugh, he said, "I had forgotten. Someone did mention that Brother Wang Chong would be coming to share my quarters. This younger brother is Zhu Ying, from Chuansha. I heard that Brother Wang Chong is exceptionally gifted, with a memory that never forgets what it sees. I hope you will look after me in the future."

For some reason, Little Bug felt a faint sense of inferiority before Zhu Ying. "This is my first time leaving home, and there are many things I do not understand. I also hope Brother Zhu will guide me often."

The two half-grown boys exchanged a few words and both felt that the other was unusually mature for his age.

Zhu Ying was two years older than Wang Chong, already fourteen, and carried himself like a little adult. Wang Chong spoke with childish innocence, but every movement and gesture revealed poise and the strict upbringing of a good family.

Zhu Ying had initially carried himself with an air that kept others at arm's length, but seeing Wang Chong's gentle nature, he gradually felt closer to him and truly taught him many things.

Little Bug had never had much chance to play with children his own age back home. Even when he occasionally did play with them, they could never find much to talk about.

The children in his hometown disliked studying. They were unruly, knew nothing of antiquity or the present, and understood little of the world. They talked only of household trifles and mischief, which did not suit Little Bug's temperament at all. Instead, he had earned a reputation among the village children for being quiet and inarticulate.

Zhu Ying was unlike any child he had met before. He was versed in both ancient and modern matters and possessed broad knowledge. Much of what he said left Little Bug feeling as though clouds had parted and his eyes had been opened wide.

Zhu Ying, too, quietly marveled. Wang Chong spoke innocently and knew little of worldly ways, but whenever their conversation turned to writing, he only needed the barest clue to infer ten things from one and draw inferences from one instance to another. He knew books and historical allusions so thoroughly that they flowed from him without thought, and his literary mind was swift as well. His learning surpassed even that of many older classmates.

Some people knew one another until their hair turned white and still were not close, while others met by the roadside and, before their carriage canopies had even touched, felt like old friends. The two of them had something of the feeling that they had met too late.

After Zhu Ying told Wang Chong some stories of the academy's past, he felt slightly weary. A touch of embarrassment rose in him as he said, "Little Brother Wang Chong, I have a peculiar habit. I greatly prefer quiet, and at night I cannot bear anyone coming near me. When you sleep, could you make less noise?"

Little Bug smiled. "I sleep very quietly. Brother Zhu need not worry."

He had traveled all day and had only just settled in. Their conversation had excited him earlier, but now drowsiness came over him without his noticing.

The two wished each other a good night. Zhu Ying lay down without removing his clothes, while Wang Chong took off his outer robe and slept wearing only his inner garments.

Though he was sleepy, this was his first time traveling so far from home. After lying there for a while, he found that he could not fall asleep. He silently visualized the inscription on the stele. Gradually, his spirit settled and the weariness faded away. Yet before long, he fell into a deep sleep.

The next day, Little Bug woke early without anyone calling him. Looking out the window, he saw that the sky was still dim and dawn had not fully broken. He wanted to sleep a little longer, but he felt completely refreshed, so he simply took out a volume and read by the light outside. Without realizing it, he had memorized more than half of it.

Zhu Ying rose somewhat later. He prided himself on being diligent, and when he saw that Wang Chong had risen even earlier and was already reviewing his lessons, he felt a little ashamed. I heard this fellow is quick-witted, but I never expected him to study so hard as well. I don't want to lose to him. I should get up and read some poetry too.

After getting up, Zhu Ying first washed and groomed himself. Once he had cleaned his hands, he opened the lessons he had studied the day before.

By chance, his attention wandered, and he saw Wang Chong suddenly close his book and sit with his eyes shut in thought. After a moment, Wang Chong began reciting in a voice as tiny as a mosquito's buzz. Zhu Ying was startled. He hurriedly searched through the book chest, found the volume Wang Chong was reciting, and compared it word by word. To his horror, not a single word was wrong.

Little Bug recited it three times before opening his eyes. Seeing Zhu Ying staring at him with shock written all over his face, he gave an honest smile. "Brother Zhu is up too?"

Zhu Ying sighed three times before asking, "How many of the lesson volumes issued by the academy have you already memorized?"

Little Bug said somewhat ashamedly, "I only arrived yesterday. Of the newly issued books, there were seventeen volumes I had never read before. Last night, I only had time to memorize one volume, and I memorized another just now. There are still fifteen volumes I have not memorized."

Zhu Ying glanced at Wang Chong and suddenly found this honest-looking youth rather hateful.

The academy had issued thirty-six volumes in all, yet on the first day of school, he was saying that only fifteen remained for him to memorize.

Were those even human words?