Blood Bonds And Golden Ties

Chapter 34:First Day Of School

[Luo Xiao Zhao]

Xiao Zhao opened his eyes and found the sunlight bringly shining in his eyes. It's almost the after noon. He turned in his bed. Almost afternoon? Xiao Zhao shot to a sitting position. Today was the first day of school. Slipping on his shoes, he grabbed his clothing and hastily put them on. He dashed out of the dorm and toward the classroom.

As the sight of the wooden structure with a small porch supported by wooden poles came into view, Xiao Zhao's heart quickened. I am late. I hope he doesn't mind. Maybe if I'm lucky, he won't notice if I sneak in.

He quickly ascended the small step, leaning his back against the wall, he crouched in front of the entrance. Timidly, he peeked into the room. Gu Shi Fu was sitting in front of a table of herbs. The backs of his classmates were against him and he could tell they were all examining something on their tables.

"Now this is ginseng, an herb that can relieve inflammation," Gu Shi Fu said as he held up a white radish-like object. It had brown bumps here and there and on one end of it, there was a tangle of white that branched off. Xiao Zhao watched carefully for an opportunity to slip in. Unfortunately, he quickly realized that it could be a while until he might get his chance since Gu Shi Fu had the keenest eyes and could spot something millions of miles in the sky, or so it was rumored. Either way, Xiao Zhao was in no mood to be confronted by him. The less trouble, the better.

Xiao Zhao slowly sank into a sitting position on the hard wooden floor as he peered in through the door, but quickly hid himself whenever Gu Shi Fu looked his way.

[Quan Mo Ran]

It is getting late and Xiao Zhao still hasn't arrived. Mo Ran glanced at the empty seat beside him. He was one of the first people in class and it seemed that everyone considered him too rude and moody to get close to and except for a couple of odd stares here and there, he was largely ignored. Did something happen to him? Wait, why am I so worried about him? Mo Ran shook his head slightly to clear his mind. He has the Dan Wen. I have to take it somehow without wasting another life.

He heard a subtle movement of clothing and was suddenly alert. The sound of the movement did not come from inside the classroom. He quickly glanced behind him just in time to see blue clothing slide out of his sight. It's Xiao Zhao. Mo Ran realized as he pictured Xiao Zhao in his blue, tattered clothing. Well, that's none of my business. Mo Ran was about to return to his studies when the second voice in his head said, Yes, it is. Why? Because, you are supposed to retrieve the pieces and you can't keep an eye on him if he's out of sight. You got a good point. I should help him out.

Mo Ran took out a pebble and put it in between his forefinger and thumb. Putting his arm behind his back, he furtively glanced at the door. When he was sure Xiao Zhao was peering in, he flicked the rock in his direction using his inner force.

[Luo Xiao Zhao]

The pebble flew at him at lightning speed. Before Xiao Zhao could do anything, it smacked him squarely on the forehead. "Umph!"

"Who's there?" Gu Shi Fu called, suddenly alert.

Xiao Zhao stayed still and hoped he would continue his talk. It was to no avail for Gu Shi Fu said, "Whoever is out there, you better come inside now or else I won't be graceful to you!"

I guess there is no way I am getting out of this now. Reluctantly, Xiao Zhao stood up and appeared in the doorway, looking at the ground, bashful.

"Yuán lái shì luó xiǎo zhāo, qǐng jìn. Nǐ wèi hé zài wài miàn? Wèi hé bù jìn lái tīng kè?Nán dào nǐ pà wǒ chī nǐ bù chéng? Wǒ yǒu nàme chǒu ma?" Oh, it's Luo Xiao Zhao, come in. Why were you outside? Why didn't you come in to listen to me? Are you afraid that I will eat you? Am I that ugly?