Friends 07

Lin Chengze continued to maneuver his way among several women, even going so far as to strike up a sworn brotherhood with General Zhenyuan, as if they had been lifelong friends. With this newfound connection, Xu Yan'er began speaking to him with noticeably more courtesy.

Lin Chengze was delighted. Just you wait, Zhiyi. I’ll rise to a higher position than you someday!

He had tried visiting Fang Zhiyi several times, but each time, Fang Zhiyi was never home, citing official duties as the reason. This left Lin Chengze deeply unsettled.

On this particular day, it was no different—he failed to catch Fang Zhiyi again. But since it was still early, he decided to pay a visit to another young lady instead. The moment he left, Fang Zhiyi emerged, summoning a servant to deliver a letter.

Before Lin Chengze could even settle in at his destination, a commotion erupted outside.

"A lecher has broken into the young lady’s chambers! Search everywhere!"

Just like in the original plot, Lin Chengze managed to escape, only to be cornered in an alley. But this time, there was no Fang Zhiyi to sacrifice himself and save him.

Lin Chengze was terrified, but he refused to back down. "I’m part of the Xu family! Think carefully before you act!"

"The Xu family? Since when does the Xu family harbor degenerates like you?" The head servant rolled up his sleeves. "Beat him senseless!"

Lin Chengze took a thorough thrashing, but luck was on his side—a patrol of city guards happened to pass by, scattering the servants in fear.

Limping back to the Xu residence, Xu Yan'er stared at his disheveled state in bewilderment.

"What in the world happened to you?"

Lin Chengze could only shake his head. He couldn’t bring himself to admit the truth—how could he say he’d been "discussing life’s philosophies" with a young lady in her private quarters?

Xu Yan'er felt both pity and suspicion.

A few days later, once he had somewhat recovered, Lin Chengze ventured out again and ran into the Luo family’s illegitimate daughter. Miss Luo’s face lit up the moment she saw him.

"Where have you been lately? You never come to see me anymore!" she pouted, her tone laced with playful arrogance.

Lin Chengze smiled. "I’ve been tied up with some matters."

Miss Luo glanced around before leaning in, her breath tickling his ear. "Tomorrow afternoon, I’m going for an outing in the countryside. You’re coming with me."

The warmth of her whisper sent a shiver down his spine, stirring something deeper within him.

"Alright."

That same day, Fang Zhiyi once again dispatched a letter.

The next afternoon, in the wooded outskirts of the city, Lin Chengze breathed in the fresh air as Miss Luo skipped ahead, hands clasped behind her back. Her maids stood at a distance, whispering among themselves.

"My father insists I marry that Young Master Hu. It’s infuriating!"

Lin Chengze knew exactly who she meant—a spoiled, good-for-nothing noble. "Have you tried reasoning with your father?"

Miss Luo shook her head. "He won’t listen."

"Sometimes, I think wealth isn’t all it’s cracked up to be," he sighed melodramatically. "It’s tragic when parents refuse to understand their children’s hearts."

Miss Luo gazed at him, admiration shining in her eyes.

"If I ever have children, I’ll respect their wishes," Lin Chengze declared. "Being with the one you love—that’s the true meaning of life."

Drawn to his words, Miss Luo stepped closer. Their eyes met, and before they knew it, they were locked in an embrace.

Just then, a shout pierced the air from deeper in the woods.

"Found him, young master! That scoundrel has his arms around Miss Luo!"

Lin Chengze stiffened. Turning, he saw a group of men wielding clubs charging toward them, led by a lavishly dressed nobleman.

"You dare lay hands on my betrothed? Beat him to death!"

As the servants closed in, Lin Chengze hesitated only for a moment. The memory of his recent beating was still fresh, and fear surged through him. Without a second thought, he shoved Miss Luo toward the approaching mob and bolted.

Miss Luo stood frozen in shock.

"Chengze… you…?"

Panicked and disoriented, Lin Chengze slipped and tumbled into a hidden pit, narrowly escaping the mob’s wrath.

Listening to their curses fade above him, he exhaled in relief.

"Damn you, heavens! Are you mocking me?!" he roared in frustration.

It was past midnight by the time Lin Chengze returned to the Xu residence, covered in dirt. Xu Yan'er stared at him, baffled.

Brimming with humiliation, Lin Chengze desperately sought solace. After a sleepless night, it struck him—only one woman truly understood him, the concubine of his sworn brother, General Zhenyuan.

Only she saw the world through his eyes.

Learning that General Zhenyuan was away, Lin Chengze slipped to the back gate of the general’s estate and knocked in a practiced rhythm.

The general’s concubine was gentle and empathetic.

As their breaths grew heavier, Lin Chengze felt the weight of his recent misfortunes finally lifting. They embraced without a care for the broad daylight.

But before their lips could meet again, the door swung open.

Lin Chengze sighed. Though fear gripped him, a part of him had expected this.

Standing in the doorway was his sworn brother, face dark with fury.

"Well, well," General Zhenyuan spat, eyes blazing. "I take you as my brother, and you dare seduce my concubine?"

That day, Lin Chengze endured another brutal beating. Still, General Zhenyuan showed a shred of mercy, banishing both him and the concubine from the estate.

Staring blankly at the weeping woman beside him, Lin Chengze had an epiphany—was she his destined love?

For a fleeting moment, he forgot everything else and clasped her hand tightly.

Their eyes met.

One path led to leaving the capital together, free and unbound. The other meant staying in the capital, clawing his way to power.

He hesitated. Then, he let go.

He still had Xu Yan'er. The Xu family’s resources were vast enough to propel him to greatness.

The concubine, ever understanding, gave him a bittersweet smile before turning away resolutely.

In his heart, Lin Chengze swore an oath—he would rise to the top, reclaiming all he had lost, including his beloved.

I swear it!

But as he turned, another group of unfamiliar servants blocked his path.

"You’re Lin Chengze, aren’t you?"

"Huh?"

"How dare you seduce our young mistress? Get him!" the steward barked.

Lin Chengze was already sprinting before the command finished. By now, fleeing was pure instinct—no matter who was after him, running was always the right choice.

Just as he neared the Xu estate, salvation within reach, a carriage suddenly cut him off, sending him sprawling. His pursuers closed in, clubs raised.

Lin Chengze curled into a ball, silent as the blows rained down.

"Who’s there?"

A languid voice drifted from the carriage.

Lin Chengze’s eyes widened in recognition. "Zhiyi! Zhiyi, is that you? It’s me, Chengze! Lin Chengze!"

Fang Zhiyi lifted the carriage curtain, eyeing the man being thrashed like a spinning top. "No, you can’t be Chengze. Chengze doesn’t roll on the ground."

Lin Chengze cried out, "It really is me!"

The attackers froze as they realized the carriage occupant was an official.

Fang Zhiyi studied him closely. "Ah, so it is."

"Zhiyi, help me! These men attacked me for no reason!"

The servants exchanged nervous glances. They were mere merchants’ lackeys—facing an official was beyond their courage.

Almost on cue, a troop of guards arrived, their leader’s face strikingly familiar.

After driving away his "sworn brother" and concubine, General Zhenyuan grew increasingly furious. He decided to leave home again, taking his patrol soldiers to scour the streets in search of troublemakers to vent his anger on.

Spotting Fang Zhiyi in the distance, he paused briefly before raising his hands in a distant salute.

Fang Zhiyi smiled and nodded. "Why are you beating him?"

The steward at the back of the crowd wanted to flee, but seeing the soldiers surrounding them, he had no choice but to explain truthfully. "My lord, this lecher seduced our young mistress! If not for someone reporting it to the young master, he would have remained in the dark."

Fang Zhiyi nodded. "Do you have proof?"

Lin Chengze brightened—yes, there was no evidence!

The steward clenched his teeth. The humiliation was already public, and the young mistress had been divorced anyway.

"The young mistress confessed it herself!"

Fang Zhiyi frowned, cupping a hand to his ear. "What did you say?"

The steward repeated himself, but Fang Zhiyi waved dismissively. "You're mumbling like a mosquito. I can't hear you. General, these men are committing violence in public. Shouldn’t they be arrested?"

General Zhenyuan nodded and was about to give the order when the steward panicked. Taking a deep breath, he shouted, "The young mistress already confessed! It was Lin Chengze, a servant of the Xu family, who seduced her! He even gave her a handkerchief with indecent poetry written on it!"

Silence fell over the crowd.

General Zhenyuan’s eyes widened. From his angle, he couldn’t see Lin Chengze, but as he urged his horse closer and caught sight of him, he nearly laughed in fury.

"You again... So you really are a lecher!"

"I—I didn’t! Zhiyi, help me!" Lin Chengze pleaded, looking desperately at Fang Zhiyi.

Fang Zhiyi was stunned. "Lin Chengze! Out of the hundreds who died in Xinghua Village, only you and I survived. Instead of living honorably, you chose to become a lecher? I... I..."

He seemed torn but finally sighed. "Since you’ve already beaten him, killing a man would be too far. Let’s call it even, shall we?"

The steward was more than willing and nodded repeatedly before fleeing with his men.

"But what about the crime of seducing a married woman?" Fang Zhiyi asked.

"Since he’s a friend of Lord Fang... let it go," General Zhenyuan said through gritted teeth, his anger still simmering.

Fang Zhiyi shook his head. "I can only save him once. Even the Son of Heaven is not above the law. Though my rank is humble, I still uphold justice."

General Zhenyuan felt a surge of respect for Fang Zhiyi. He had heard before that Lord Fang was impartial, judging only right and wrong without favoritism, and his reputation was sterling. Now, seeing it firsthand, he understood why.

"Fang Zhiyi! How could you? And you call yourself my brother!" Lin Chengze raged, never expecting Fang Zhiyi to turn on him.

But mentioning the word "brother" only made General Zhenyuan’s temple throb.

"Take him away!"

Fang Zhiyi closed his eyes in sorrow, only opening them again when the commotion had settled. As he prepared to return to his carriage, he noticed Xu Yan'er standing not far away, her face frozen in shock.

Lin Chengze was imprisoned for several days. General Zhenyuan personally took charge, gathering multiple accusations against him. Furious, he threw the testimonies in Lin Chengze’s face and berated him harshly.

Lin Chengze remained expressionless, his heart now filled with nothing but hatred for Fang Zhiyi.

After a month in confinement, Lin Chengze was gaunt and unrecognizable.

Out of deference to Fang Zhiyi, they had at least refrained from breaking his limbs.

When he was released, Lin Chengze knocked on the Xu family’s gate. Xu Yan'er welcomed him as warmly as ever, even more so than before.

This eased his mind. Even if he had lost everything else, with Xu Yan'er and the Xu family’s backing, he could rise again!

But after drinking the "warming soup" she served him, he lost consciousness.

When he awoke, he found himself in an unfamiliar place.