Meng Ruyi couldn't refuse the overly friendly female lead. So, she just nodded. Then, she saw Shangguan Xue take another step forward, grab her hand, and start walking.
It was a rather strange experience.
The person beside her was the one who, in the original story, had caused her miserable death. But when she first met her, Meng Ruyi didn't sense any malice from this person. Instead, she was being led forward affectionately by her.
Just what kind of person was Shangguan Xue?
The doubts in Meng Ruyi's heart grew stronger, but she could only suppress her curiosity and try to keep a normal expression on her face.
"So, Miss Meng, which courtyard near Mr. Lin's do you live in now?" Shangguan Xue asked, without hiding the envy on her face. "It's really great. That's what all the scholars dream of."
Just as Meng Ruyi was about to reply, she heard Shangguan Xue seem to ignore what she had just said and quickly jump to another topic. "But if Miss Meng wants to go to the capital to have fun some time later, just tell me."
"I'm not very familiar with the academy, but I'm very familiar with the capital."
Then, Shangguan Xue began to talk gently about various small things.
"Miss Shangguan?"
Meng Ruyi heard someone speak. When she looked up, she saw two men in scholar's clothes standing there. They looked a bit surprised when they saw her.
"Master Zhao, Master Li."
Shangguan Xue looked up and greeted them. Then she introduced Meng Ruyi. "This is Miss Meng, a disciple of Mr. Lin."
"Hiss." The one called Master Li gasped and stared at Meng Ruyi with his mouth wide open. "I thought Mr. Lin was just making up the story about having a disciple. It turns out it's true!"
The one called Master Zhao stared intently at Meng Ruyi. After a long while, he gave a meaningful smile and said, "Seeing is believing, Miss Meng."
Although his face was gentle when he spoke, his tone carried a hint of aggression.
Everyone present changed their expressions. Meng Ruyi knew he meant no good. So, she just nodded slightly in response and then lifted her foot to continue walking.
"Miss Meng, you're leaving without saying a word. Do you look down on me?"
The man surnamed Zhao's voice turned cold. His hostility towards Meng Ruyi could no longer be concealed.
Is this guy crazy?!
Meng Ruyi paused slightly. She didn't understand where this man's hostility came from, but she remained calm and showed no trace of timidity. She stared at him steadily.
"Zhao Xin! What are you doing?" Master Li beside him patted his shoulder. He smiled apologetically at Meng Ruyi and said, "I'm sorry, Miss Meng."
"Zhao Xin is just like this. He gets into these moods from time to time. Don't take it to heart."
As he said this, he reached out and tugged at Zhao Xin's sleeve. But unexpectedly, Zhao Xin snorted and looked at Meng Ruyi. "I thought Mr. Lin's disciple must be outstanding. But I didn't expect you to be just a little girl. How could you catch Mr. Lin's eye?"
Oh, so he's here to pick a fight. He must be jealous because I'm Mr. Lin's disciple?
Meng Ruyi looked at him and smiled lightly. "So what? I'm just a little girl, but Mr. Lin just doesn't take a fancy to you, a grown man. What can you do about it?"
"If you have so many opinions, why don't you go and talk to Mr. Lin? Picking on a little girl like me doesn't show much of your ability, does it?"
Zhao Xin's face changed. He was about to step forward to argue, but was stopped by Chuixue.
"Miss Chuixue!" Only then did the two of them notice Chuixue. Their faces changed again, and they were shocked.
"Now I don't know Miss Meng's talent, but I can see that you have a sharp tongue." Zhao Xin was still not convinced even after seeing Chuixue. He continued, "I wonder if you'd like to have a competition with me. If you lose, you'll have to leave the academy. How about that?"
"Zhao Xin!" Shangguan Xue frowned. "Don't bully Miss Meng just because she's new here!"
Seeing that Shangguan Xue was defending her, Zhao Xin's face turned even darker. He stared intently at Meng Ruyi, looking like he wouldn't give up until she responded.
"Ah?" Meng Ruyi pretended to be surprised and said to Zhao Xin, "You looked down on me, a little girl just now. But now you still want to compete with me?"
"Sure. But if I win, what will you do?"
"You win?" Zhao Xin sneered and looked at Meng Ruyi. "Impossible!"
Meng Ruyi was too lazy to argue with him. She continued, "If I win, then you leave the academy."
Everyone's faces changed. They didn't expect Zhao Xin to smile and say, "Then see you in half a month. I hope Miss Meng will cherish her days in the academy."
After saying that, he left, leaving Master Li standing there looking completely bewildered and so embarrassed that he wished he could dig a hole in the ground.
"Ah... this..." He couldn't help but scratch his head. He looked at Meng Ruyi and said, "Miss Meng, why don't you tell Mr. Lin about this? Zhao Xin is going too far. You just arrived at the academy, and he wants to compete with you."
"Alas! Why does my father have so many relatives? They always cause me trouble!"
"By the way." Master Li bowed to Meng Ruyi and said gently, "I'm Li Wenxi. It was Zhao Xin's fault just now. I'll try to restrain him when I get home. I'll also try to get him to take back the bet."
As he said this, Li Wenxi let out a long sigh. This Zhao Xin had an over - inflated ego. He was Li Wenxi's cousin. With just a little bit of talent, he thought he was the best.
Li Wenxi had to clean up his mess because of his father's instructions. Alas!
It seemed that Li Wenxi was a decent guy, at least on the surface.
"No need. Thank you for your concern, Master Li." Meng Ruyi said with a hint of a smile on her face, which made Li Wenxi's heart skip a beat.
"...Okay." Li Wenxi swallowed hard. "If Miss Meng can get rid of this trouble, then I, Li Wenxi, owe you a favor. If not, I will definitely try to get him to take back his words."
It seemed that Li Wenxi had suffered a lot because of Zhao Xin.
Meng Ruyi couldn't help but smile and nodded.
The atmosphere suddenly became a bit awkward. Shangguan Xue was standing on the side and inexplicably felt like an outsider. So, she endured her discomfort and said, "Then I'll take Miss Meng to continue looking around. Master Li, feel free to do as you like."
"I'm sorry to have troubled you two. See you next time."
Li Wenxi left in a hurry. His back looked like he was eager to fly away.
After he left, Shangguan Xue sighed and said to Meng Ruyi, "Miss Meng was chosen by Mr. Lin. Naturally, you're extraordinary. But there must be some people who are not convinced."
"If you can establish your prestige through this competition, it might be a good thing."
Meng Ruyi nodded, deep in thought.
It seemed that her days in the academy would surely be eventful.
"By the way." Shangguan Xue suddenly asked, "I heard that Mr. Lin has another disciple who seems to be very close to Miss Meng. Is he in the academy now?"
"Yeah. Brother Song is probably resting now."
Meng Ruyi didn't want to say more, and Shangguan Xue didn't ask further.
After walking a few more steps, there were more people up ahead.
"That's the martial arts arena up ahead." Shangguan Xue pointed at the crowd in front and asked curiously, "There must be someone having a sparring match. Do you want to go and have a look, Miss Meng?"
Meng Ruyi was feeling hot. But the next moment, she heard the people around talking.
"Hey! That new guy is so arrogant. He's getting into a confrontation with someone!"