My Promotion Story Through Time Travel

Chapter 14 An Encounter with Tao Ju'an

Life went on. Lin Ziping followed his two masters, Li and Zhang, to learn martial arts and train, attended classes at the academy, and studied in the evenings. His life was regular and uneventful.

After He Jinbao apologized to Lin Ziping in Li Fuzi's house, He Jinbao and his gang never came to cause trouble again until the end of the primary school exams.

Lin Ziping and Zhu Zi were isolated in the academy and no one spoke to them. Master Cheng also ignored Lin Ziping in the classroom, as if he were invisible.

If it were the original owner, she might feel uncomfortable, but as Mu Shaoying's Lin Ziping, she had long understood that loneliness is the norm in life.

Thinking that Zhu Zi was still a child, Lin Ziping worried that he would be upset, so he suggested that Zhu Zi not accompany him to the academy. However, Lin Zhong refused, saying that Lin Ziping was too young. Lin Ziping didn't know what Zhu Zi was thinking, and pondered what he would do if he were Zhu Zi. So he asked Zhu Zi to organize his notes.

Aside from his worries about the pillar, Lin Ziping was quite satisfied with his undisturbed life at the academy. He spent his days wandering through the library and even discovered a tree by the pond with lush foliage. Its branches intertwined to form a dense shady canopy, providing a cool and comfortable respite in the late summer.

It had been many years since I had climbed a tree. At first, I was a little clumsy, but I gradually became more skilled. Leaning against the trunk, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the branches and leaves, dappling Lin Ziping. A gentle breeze rustled the leaves. Here, I could steal a half-day of leisure and feel quite happy.

That noon, Lin Ziping was lying on a tree again, taking a break, when a commotion arose below.

Peeking over the shoulder, he saw a group of teenagers beating up a young boy. Judging from their clothes, they were probably students of the Xuxue Academy. Lin Ziping frowned, thought for a moment, and decided to intervene. He shouted loudly towards the tree, "The teacher is here!"

Hearing this, the group of teenagers looked around warily, and one of them said, "Let's go. The teacher has been very strict lately because of the elementary school."

Several people kicked the boy on the ground and scattered in all directions.

After the group walked away, the boy lay on the ground for a long time without getting up.

Is the injury serious? Lin Ziping climbed down the tree with a puzzled look and approached the boy.

The boy was wearing an undergarment, his hands covering his head, curled up on the ground.

"They're gone!" Lin Ziping said to the boy. "You can get up now."

After a moment, perhaps seeing that Lin Ziping meant no harm, the boy lowered his hands from his head and looked at Lin Ziping: "Who are you?"

Lin Ziping took out the handkerchief that Granny Liao had prepared for him and handed it to the boy: "Lin Ziping, a student of the elementary school."

The boy got up from the ground and took Lin Ziping's handkerchief: "Thank you."

Lin Ziping waved his hand: "Let's leave quickly." Feeling that there was still some time before class, he climbed up the tree again, picked up his book, and started reading.

"Climbing trees is not allowed in the academy, it's too dangerous, come down quickly." Lin Ziping looked down at the tree and saw that the boy had returned at some point and was calling out from under the tree.

Lin Ziping thought for a moment, then climbed down the tree: "Okay, I'm down now. Why did you come back again?"

The boy had tidied himself up and was no longer just wearing his undergarments. He was somewhat thin and was wearing the school uniform. The clothes were a bit faded, and upon closer inspection, there were traces of patching on the cuffs and hems. His face was pale, but his eyes were clear, and there were still injuries on his face, showing how disheveled he had been just now.

Seeing Lin Ziping climb down from the tree, the young man bowed to him and said, "Thank you for today's matter."

Lin Ziping shook his head and said no, and then neither of them spoke, making the scene a little awkward.

The boy broke the silence and said, "My name is Tao Ju'an, a second-level student in the School of Preliminary Studies."

Lin Ziping introduced himself again: "I am Lin Ziping, a student of elementary education."

"You are Lin Zi'an, a student of Mengxue. I've heard of you," Tao Ju'an said with delight, looking at Lin Ziping.

Lin Ziping pondered for a moment: "Were they referring to me when they were talking about elementary education?"

"Your story has already spread throughout the academy, and everyone knows that your family situation is somewhat special." The boy probably felt it was inappropriate to talk about other people's family situations, so his eyes darted around as he spoke, avoiding eye contact with Lin Ziping, and his hands unconsciously clenched together, making him seem somewhat uneasy.

Lin Ziping understood what Tao Ju'an meant by his family's special circumstances. The original owner of this body would have been ashamed of having an uncle who was a eunuch, especially since it was often mentioned in school. But now Lin Ziping didn't care about it.

There was no need to share his thoughts with outsiders. After a moment's consideration, Lin Ziping changed the subject and asked, "Excuse me for asking, who are they? Why did they hit you?"

Tao Ju'an smiled helplessly: "They are wealthy young men from this county. I am unwilling to do the homework assigned by the teacher for them..."

Lin Ziping knew that Tao Ju'an hadn't explicitly stated his meaning, so he asked, "Then why did you tell the Master?"

Tao Ju'an remained silent for a long time.

Lin Ziping suddenly realized that he had asked a foolish question. He had already told Master Cheng about his own situation, but the reality had not changed much.

Tao Ju'an's face showed some bitterness: "After hearing about Young Master Ziping's story, I greatly admire his perseverance and courage. However, I don't have Young Master Ziping's courage. Things should get better after I finish my studies. It'll only be a year or two, I can just bear with it."

Lin Ziping opened his mouth as if to say: Is there no other way but to endure it?

But it's stuck in my throat. Everyone has their own way of dealing with problems, and others have no right to criticize them.

Just then, the school bell rang. Tao Ju'an said to Lin Ziping, "Thank you for today, Young Master Ziping. It's getting late, time to go to school. Farewell."

Lin Ziping nodded, watched Tao Ju'an's departing figure, and then turned and walked towards the elementary school.