Chapter 16: Provocation

Lin Dong frowned and turned to look. In the tea pavilion, two of the six tables were already occupied. Lin Shuang, along with a few girls staying behind, was busy selling snacks and fruits on one side.
In front of Zhou Zhengye, a young man in a green satin robe was tapping the table with his folding fan.
“Dou Changkun?” Zhou Zhengye’s expression changed, but he continued playing the zither.
Sitting across from Zhou Zhengye, the young man took out a copper coin and tossed it at the zither.
“Here, as a reward for you!”
A buzzing noise drew the attention of Lin Shuang and the other two tables of guests. Dou Changkun seemed to enjoy being the center of attention. With a slight pinch of his index and thumb, he flipped open his fan, revealing a landscape painting on it.
“Dou Changkun, if you have nothing else to do, please leave. I still need to play the zither,” Zhou Zhengye said, stopping his playing with anger in his eyes.
Dou Changkun waved his fan and tapped the table a few times with his left hand. “Hey, why isn’t the tea served yet?”
Lin Shuang nodded, and a girl brought over a teapot. She picked up a teacup from another table and was about to pour tea when Dou Changkun kicked the table leg. “Over here!”
The girl replied unhappily, “That’s the table where Zhou Zhengye is playing the zither.”
“What? Does this crappy tea pavilion have rules too?” Dou Changkun glared.
Seeing Yun Lan stand up beside him, Lin Dong spoke up, “It’s normal to encounter difficulties in business.”
Yun Lan nodded and sat down quietly.
Having grown up in an inn, Lin Shuang had seen many such scenes. At her signal, the girl reluctantly placed a teacup in front of Dou Changkun and filled it.
Dou Changkun picked up the cup and poured the tea into his mouth. The next moment—sploosh!—all the tea sprayed onto Zhou Zhengye’s face.
“Hey, why are you like this?” The girl looked at Zhou Zhengye worriedly, quickly handed him a handkerchief, and then glared at Dou Changkun angrily.
“What? Is the tea so bitter that I’m not allowed to spit it out?” Dou Changkun retorted.
The girl was about to argue when Zhou Zhengye pulled her back. “Xiao Juan, it’s okay. I’m fine!”
“The number one talent in Xilan City truly is exceptional—his ability to endure humiliation is truly remarkable. Too bad…” Dou Changkun sneered, “His calligraphy hasn’t improved at all; it’s even worse than last year.”
“Nonsense!” the girl couldn’t help but say. “The dean praised Zhou Zhengye’s calligraphy for becoming more steady and impressive recently. Even he admitted he couldn’t match it.”
“That just shows your dean is old and has poor judgment,” Dou Changkun snorted.

“Dou Changkun!” Zhou Zhengye’s forehead veins bulged slightly: “If you dare speak disrespectfully again, don’t blame me for not being gentle with you.”
“Disagree?” Dou Changkun stood up and sneered, “Prove it by winning first place!”
“I won first place in all six events!” Zhou Zhengye said coldly.
“Look, everyone, look! He claims to have won first place in all six calligraphy competitions?”
Dou Changkun laughed loudly and called out to the guests in the teahouse. When he got no response, he spat angrily.
“Pah! If you can win first place in just one event, I’ll crawl under every table like a dog today.”
“That’s what you said!” the girl named Xiao Juan was overjoyed.
“That’s what I said!” Dou Changkun looked down at Zhou Zhengye proudly, “If you can’t win first place in even one of the six events, do you dare call Fu Chunjian an old fool?”
“If I don’t win first place in one of the six events, I’ll crawl under every table in this teahouse!” Zhou Zhengye retorted angrily.
“Fine!” Dou Changkun waved his hand generously and placed a five-tael silver ingot on the table, saying calmly, “The results should be out by now. Let someone go check—it’ll be his.”
Five taels of silver could buy five thousand bowls of tea in this small teahouse. Most of the guests immediately stood up.
“Sister Lin Shuang, it’s out! The results are here.”
In the distance, the chubby boy waved his arms and rushed through the crowd.
Zhou Zhengye’s face lit up, while Dou Changkun’s lips curled slightly.
“Sister Lin Shuang…”
A boy around fourteen or fifteen calling a girl around the same age “sister” sounded strange to others, but the chubby boy said it effortlessly. After taking a few deep breaths to show the effort of his sprint, he finally spoke, “Zhou Zhengye only came in second place.”
Bang!
Zhou Zhengye staggered, knocking over the bench behind him. His slightly dark hands trembled.
Including Lin Shuang, the girls stared in disbelief at the news.
“Chubby, are your eyes okay?” Lin Shuang doubted, “Zhou Zhengye won first place in all six calligraphy events for two consecutive years.”
“I’m sure, I found it strange too, so I checked several times!” The chubby boy assured them, patting his chest.
Zhou Zhengye took a deep breath to calm himself down and asked firmly, “Who’s first?”
“Dou Changkun from Tianbao Academy—the one who came in second in four out of the six events last year.”
Everyone’s gaze turned to Dou Changkun, who was fanning himself leisurely, looking pleased with himself.

Glancing at Zhou Zhengye, whose face had turned pale, Dou Changkun tapped the table and said, “Who said that if one of the six events isn’t won first, one has to crawl under all the tables in the teahouse?” With his fists clenched, Zhou Zhengye’s eyes burned with anger as he met Dou Changkun’s scornful gaze. “What? Can’t bear to lose and want to fight?” Dou Changkun sat down leisurely, tapping his head with his fan and provokingly said, “Think carefully—hitting an opponent with a similar ranking during the match will result in disqualification and loss of competition points. If you really have the guts, hit me on the head with just one punch. I’ll not only withdraw the bet but also crawl around the table instead.” Zhou Zhengye’s gaze froze, and his fists slowly unclenched. Though filled with rage, he didn’t dare act—losing his competition status and points would deal a huge blow to the academy. The atmosphere grew increasingly tense when Lin Shuang suddenly spoke up, “Fat guy, get the guys to clear the tables. We’re not doing business today.” “Not doing business? Sister Lin Shuang, didn’t you wait for this day for a long time?” The chubby guy was still confused and exclaimed in surprise. “If I say clear them, then clear them! Why so much talk?” Lin Shuang glared, showing her authoritative demeanor. “Okay, I’ll do it!” The chubby guy waved his hand to call his subordinates to clear the tables, but Zhou Zhengye stepped forward and blocked him, saying, “No need to clear them. I accept my loss!” With that, he tried to lie down, but Dou Changkun pulled him up by the throat with his fan. Turning around, Dou Changkun strode away, his arrogant laughter echoing behind him. “Zhou Zhengye, I’ll come back later. If you win one event, I’ll lie on the ground and bark like a dog for you. If you still finish last in all six events… just obediently call Fu Chunjian an old fool!” Zhou Zhengye stood there stunned, his fists unconsciously clenching again. Behind a wooden pillar, Lin Dong watched Dou Changkun’s retreating figure coldly and said, “If one’s mood and state greatly affect their handwriting, this guy is no ordinary person!” Yun Lan shook her head. “It should be said that the strategist behind him is extraordinary.” “Oh?” Lin Dong was slightly puzzled. “If he had that much cunning, he would have been first last year.” “Makes sense! I hope that girl doesn’t have the habit of standing up for her partners,” Lin Dong nodded. “It’s hard!” Yun Lan replied sparingly. “That’s what makes a good boss!” Lin Dong smiled and waved at Zhang Heng not far away. “Fat guy, I have something to ask you. Come here!” The chubby guy was startled and quickly darted behind his subordinates, his speed truly remarkable.

He quietly pushed aside the little guy; seeing that Lin Dong was still staring at him, he quickly retracted his neck. Lin Dong was amused yet unyielding, continuing to watch in the direction of the chubby boy. After a long while, the chubby boy twirled his fingers, his face red like that of a young bride, as he shakily shuffled toward Lin Dong.