Chapter 134

The old scholar had no wife or children. He had spent his life chasing success in the imperial examinations, and he was bound to be lonely in the afterlife. Back then, Wen Xu had thought he would at least return to sweep his grave once a year. He had never imagined that... in the very first year after leaving, he would fail to go back.

"What's on your mind? You've looked miserable all day."

Wen Xu touched his face. "Is it that obvious?"

"Painfully obvious. Still upset? How about..." Bian Chunchou understood. Losing by half a sword had to feel like getting fifty-nine points on a test. He knew all too well how frustrating it was to be so close to passing and still fail.

Wen Xu tried to explain. "It's not because of that."

"I get it, I get it!"

"No! You don't!"

Bian Chunchou blinked. Even Wen Xu-Xu's emotions were showing today. Why was he still saying the opposite of what he felt?

"Then tell me. Once you do, I'll understand."

How was Wen Xu supposed to tell him? Was he meant to say outright that the Divine Dragon he admired had come up with a spectacularly rotten idea: for Wen Xu and his two friends to skirt the Punishment Hall's most dangerous rules? Wen Xu was a man of propriety. He could not bring himself to say it.

He opened his mouth, at a rare loss for words, and only managed to speak after a long pause. "New Year is coming. Do you have any plans?"

So he doesn't want to talk about it? Bian Chunchou considerately went along with the change of subject. "Of course. I'm making dumplings!"

...What is that supposed to mean now?!

"More specifically, I'm planning to add two new dishes to the