Chapter 113: Previously, I Was Truly Bewitched

Tan Qiuyi paced back and forth in the living room, unable to calm down. She had always been composed and serene, never overly concerned about anything, but today, she found herself unraveling.

She kept glancing at the wall clock; it was nearly eleven o’clock.

“Xiao Bei, go check if the mushroom stew is ready. Should we kill the fish now?” she asked.

“Mom, it’s still early. Xiao Nan should have just started the test. If he passes, he’ll call home,” her younger daughter replied anxiously, picking up the phone only to put it down again.

After a while, she couldn’t wait any longer and tried to dial, but Tan Qiuyi snatched the phone away. “Don’t call. What if your brother hasn’t finished his exam yet? It might affect his performance.”

“If only we hadn’t listened to Xiao Nan and gone to watch in person. Yuanjiang No.1 High School must be bustling today,” the girl said, still craving excitement.

Tan Qiuyi smiled wryly, shaking her head, but then her worry deepened. “Do you think Xiao Nan’s deceiving us? Is he really confident about passing the energy and blood test? I can’t shake this feeling that something’s off. His energy and blood levels were poor not long ago.”

“That’s right—maybe Xiao Nan’s afraid we’d see him fail, so he won’t let us watch the test,” her daughter said shrewdly.

That remark only made Tan Qiuyi more anxious. She furrowed her brow and slumped into a chair.

Buzz… buzz…

The phone vibrated on the table. Both looked over quickly. This time, Xiao Bei was faster, mumbling, “It must be Xiao Nan calling to share good news.”

Before answering, they saw the caller ID and sighed in disappointment. “Tiger Mom’s calling. Who names themselves that? What kind of name is that?”

“Let me take it,” Tan Qiuyi said, cheeks flushing. Of course, she had labeled the contact.

“Qiuyi, your son’s martial arts test is such a big deal, and here you are sitting at home so calmly. Honestly, I’m impressed,” said the woman on the other end with a long sigh, her voice heavy with emotion.

Tan Qiuyi’s heart sank. Her voice trembled, “Xiao Nan didn’t pass, did he? I already knew this. I didn’t go because I didn’t want him to be upset.”

“Well, as long as he gets into a third-tier martial arts university, I’m satisfied. He still has a future.”

“What nonsense! Qiuyi, you really don’t care about your son at all. That’s different from me—I’ve been training his competitive spirit since he was little. See? Now it’s paying off. Third-tier martial arts university? Hmph, you’re seriously underestimating him. He’s got the potential for a prestigious school. He’s been hiding it from us all along.”

“Yu Qing, stop joking around,” Tan Qiuyi said, her face darkening as she listened.

If Xiao Nan could pass the energy and blood test, she might believe it. But claiming he had the potential for a prestigious school? That was clearly sarcasm.

That crazy woman was bragging about her daughter again while mocking Tan Qiuyi’s son.

“I’m not unreliable! Xiao Nan, tell your mom yourself… I’m so angry! No wonder Xiao Nan never comes to my house to play. It must be you meddling all along,” the woman snapped.

“You’re the meddler! How dare you say that? Every time Xiao Nan visits your place, he comes back with bruises. Why don’t you mention that?”

“An accident, just an accident,” Yu Qing said bashfully, then added with a laugh, “Qiuyi, you didn’t say anything about how much Xiao Nan’s improved. That’s not very loyal of you, is it?

“If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it. His energy and spirit are both almost at the qualifying level… It’s such a surprise, truly unexpected. Guess what? That Sun Zhongli kid even tried to bully our Xiao Nan. If I hadn’t been there, watching, he might have slipped through thanks to Lin Anguo’s luck. Luckily, our kid is sharp…”

Yu Qing rattled on, leaving Tan Qiuyi utterly confused. Yet, a quiet joy began to swell within her, a mysterious emotion almost ready to burst.

It seemed Xiao Nan had really passed, and with excellent results.

It didn’t feel like a lie.

Tan Qiuyi knew Yu Qing’s character too well. She wasn’t clever enough to lie without leaving cracks.

She took a deep breath and feigned calm. “Dinner’s almost ready. Tell Xiao Nan to come home quickly.”

“By the way, Qiuyi, do you think we should have Xiao Nan apply to Qingning University this time? It’d be nice for the two kids to study together and watch out for each other. You know, the top schools in the capital only accept the best. What if something happens, and your daughter-in-law gets kidnapped?”

“If she runs off, she runs off. Xiao Nan’s got plenty of girls after him…” Tan Qiuyi said, softening her tone as she realized her words might be harsh. “Anyway, school matters depend on the child’s wishes. I won’t interfere with his decisions.”

Xiao Nan listened nearby, amused. Mom was really supportive and sensible.

He could hear the relief and happiness in the caller’s voice, so different from her usual gloomy tone.

Honestly, it was the first time he’d realized his mother could be so sharp-tongued. Even the formidable Yu Qing had trouble besting her and was often exasperated.

Years of hard, lonely living must have quietly worn down her original nature.

“Aunt Su, see? My mom’s already made food at home…”

“Come home then! Your family’s so heartless—not once have you invited me for a meal.”

“Uh…”

Was one meal really all that was missing?

“Should I come over now?” Xiao Nan asked awkwardly.

“No, it wouldn’t seem sincere. I won’t ruin your good mood… But think carefully about the trial. It would be a pity to miss it,” Su Yuqing said, waving him off and bringing up the trial once more.

Xiao Nan didn’t respond to that and smiled as he left the principal’s office.

During the conversation, Principal Sun had been distracted and didn’t even notice Xiao Nan’s departure.

…

“Is this for real?” Jiang Yu’s mouth hung open, her expression blank.

“It’s real. The news has been confirmed. Many people saw it. Lin Anguo was forced to take his own life on the spot. Yuanjiang No.1 High School has truly lost face.”

“Xiao Nan’s hiding his strength so well. Jiang Lin, get out here!”

Jiang Yu let out a sigh, then roared.

She recalled the sword test at the dojo that day and sensed something fishy that had clouded her judgment.

“Master,” Jiang Lin appeared, sweating profusely—not from training, but from sensing Jiang Yu’s anger.

“What did you say that day? That Xiao Nan wasn’t strong and didn’t use his martial prowess?”

Jiang Lin’s face changed; he knew he’d been caught and lowered his head in silence.

In truth, the duel’s truth wouldn’t stay hidden long.

Everyone knew his character—how could he not go all out when losing? Saying he didn’t use his martial skills was a lie.

“You fool! How could you ruin my plans? Do you know that?” Jiang Yu fumed.

“Xiao Nan was only a little stronger than me,” Jiang Lin muttered defiantly.

“A little? You might as well compare yourself to one of his pinky fingers. Your resources for this month are gone. Go meditate.”

“Why? I didn’t do anything wrong!” Jiang Lin panicked. Losing face was one thing, but losing resources was serious.

The dojo’s resources were scarce already; now even the training room was off-limits this month. Progress would slow dramatically.

Was hiding a trivial piece of information really that bad?

“Why do you even ask? Losing a duel to a temporary student and embarrassing the Four Seasons Sword Dojo—isn’t that a mistake? Go. Half a year’s worth of resources gone.”

Jiang Yu was furious, resembling a domineering big sister.

“Gao Yuan, why is it so hard to recruit talent? Now look, energy and blood at 5.0, a genius who might get into a prestigious school, with such comprehension and combat skill—it’s way beyond what our Four Seasons Sword Dojo can hope to attract,” Jiang Yu sighed, frowning in frustration.

“Master, why must you recruit Xiao Nan into the Upper Season Sword Dojo? Can’t he join the Four Seasons instead?” Gao Yuan, hesitant to voice her opinion, finally spoke up.

“No! If he doesn’t join, how can he duel and show the might of Yuanjiang’s Four Seasons? How else…”

“We can cooperate, lure him with benefits, cater to his interests,” Gao Yuan said helplessly.

Even the sharpest minds get stuck when fixated.

The master was so wise and mighty usually, yet Xiao Nan had completely thrown her off balance.

“Right… Gao Yuan, you’re right. I neglected that,” Jiang Yu pondered for a moment, then slapped her forehead and smiled. “I have what he wants. As long as I’m willing to invest, I’m not afraid he won’t be tempted.”

If you want someone to do something, you don’t always have to recruit them. At the very least, you can strike a deal.

Earlier, she had been blinded by obsession.