I am the villain in the book

An hour later.

Under Wei Yanyu's complex gaze, Wei Changtian got up, walked out of the tea room, and left Xu's mansion with Chu Xianping, who had been waiting outside.

After seeing the two off, Xu Chengwen returned to the tea room and softly asked Wei Yanyu, who was still sitting there motionless:

“Mother, how did the conversation with Young Master Wei go?”

“...”

Wei Yanyu didn't speak, only gently shook her head.

Xu Chengwen hesitated for a moment and softly advised: “Mother, the Wei family's idea of trying to get something for nothing is a bit too far-fetched.”

“However, the imperial court is still holding back, so this matter can be discussed at length.”

“Discussed at length... Alas, that's all we can do.”

Wei Yanyu sighed softly, got up, walked to Xu Chengwen, and reached out to tidy up the latter's collar.

“Chengwen, just now mother was thinking... whether I made a mistake before.”

“Made a mistake?”

Xu Chengwen was stunned: “Mother, what do you mean?”

“...”

Wei Yanyu paused, then said softly:

“You and Wei Changtian are about the same age. People say that he is tyrannical and unlearned, while you are accomplished in both literary and military arts, and have outstanding talent and wisdom.”

“Chengwen, perhaps after your father died, I should have handed the Xu family over to you.”

“Tell me, did mother make a mistake?”

“...”

The sandalwood incense in the corner had already burned out, leaving only a small pile of white ash in the incense burner.

Xu Chengwen didn't expect Wei Yanyu to suddenly bring this up, his body trembled slightly, and he quickly lowered his head and replied:

“Mother, this child knows his own shortcomings and is well aware that he is currently unable to manage the affairs of the Xu family.”

“But... but this child will definitely work harder in the future, only hoping to share mother's worries as soon as possible!”

Bowing his head and bending his waist, trembling with fear.

Xu Chengwen's expression was somewhat apprehensive, not quite like a son's attitude towards his mother.

Although this should be influenced by the strict concept of seniority in the old society.

It was also inseparable from Wei Yanyu's strong personality.

“Chengwen, mother is waiting for that day.”

Wei Yanyu took a deep look at Xu Chengwen and sighed meaningfully:

“Alas, I only hope you won't let mother down...”

Ruyi Inn.

It was already noon when Wei Changtian and Chu Xianping returned.

Unlike Wei Yanyu's words to Xu Chengwen, when Chu Xianping asked “How did the conversation go?”, Wei Changtian gave a definite answer.

“It's basically settled, but Madam Wei wants to wait until that piece of information is verified before she fulfills her promise.”

“Mm.”

Chu Xianping nodded: “It seems we'll have to stay in Jizhou City for a few more days.”

“Staying isn't a problem, but I'm afraid that when the imperial court's army surrounds the city, it will be difficult for us to leave.”

Wei Changtian was a little troubled: “It would be troublesome if we were trapped in the city.”

“Young Master, you don't need to worry too much about this.”

Chu Xianping shook his head dismissively: “We don't have many people, and with Sect Leader Qin here, it will be easy to leave.”

“That's good, as long as we can leave at any time.”

Wei Changtian responded casually, pulled open the curtain, and prepared to get out of the carriage.

However, at this moment, he suddenly remembered something.

“Brother Chu, yesterday afternoon Yujia and I met an old man with a chess stall on the street...”

North of Jizhou City, Gongguo Alley.

Gongguo Alley is a small alley, not too far from the market where Wei Changtian met the old man yesterday, with about a dozen households living there.

Carrying a roast chicken, a few side dishes, and a pot of liquor, Wei Changtian heavily knocked on a dilapidated door.

“Knock knock knock!”

“Knock knock knock!”

After knocking several times in a row, no one opened the door.

Wei Changtian glanced at Lao Liu beside him, just as he was about to curse the old man for standing him up, the door was suddenly pushed open a crack.

“Ugh...”

Black, shiny eyes, two small pigtails.

A little girl about the same age as Wei Qiaoling and Ah Chun revealed half of her head and timidly asked: “Y-you, who are you looking for?”

Huh?

This old man is actually hiding a beauty, no, hiding a loli in a broken house?!

“Little girl, I'm looking for an old man with a chess stall, does he live here?”

“Oh, oh, he's my grandpa.”

The little loli was also simple-minded, and immediately pushed the door open when she heard this, letting Wei Changtian into the courtyard.

“Slurp~”

She stared at the roast chicken in Wei Changtian's hand and drooled, before finally regaining her senses and saying embarrassedly in a low voice:

“Big brother, my grandpa is sleeping...”

“Sleeping?”

Wei Changtian certainly didn't have the leisure to wait for the old man to wake up, and immediately ordered: “Take me there, I'll wake him up!”

“Ah?”

The little loli opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but at this moment, a voice that was both old and lecherous suddenly sounded from the broken house behind them.

“No need, this old man is already awake.”

“Agou, bring this young master in.”

Agou?

Wei Changtian was stunned, looking around, and finally fixed his gaze on the little loli who was staring eagerly at the roast chicken in his hand.

“Your name is Agou?”

“Mm mm!”

“...”

A quarter of an hour later.

“Munch munch~”

An old man and a little girl were sitting cross-legged on the earthen bed, gnawing on the roast chicken, while Wei Changtian was sitting on a broken chair with a missing leg next to them, dumbfounded.

Good heavens, the child was starving!

“Old man, how could you give a junior such a name?”

Crossing his legs, Wei Changtian spoke up for the little loli: “Agou, that's a bit too unpleasant.”

“You don't understand.”

The old man took a swig of wine and said casually: “This old man picked her up by the roadside a few years ago. These kinds of kids need a cheap name to be easily raised.”

“Well, she's still a girl, even calling her A Mao would be nicer.” Wei Changtian curled his lips.

He didn't know why, although he had only met this old man twice, and didn't even know his surname, he spoke without any restraint.

The old man was also very familiar, looked back at Wei Changtian, and then asked the little loli with a smile: “Agou, how about changing your name to A Mao?”

“N-no...”

The little loli's mouth was full of chicken, and she shook her head and replied vaguely: “Agou is nice.”

“...”

Alright, forget it.

Wei Changtian rolled his eyes and stopped dwelling on the issue, and casually said: “Old man, you told me to come find you yesterday, and now I'm here.”

“What is it? Speak.”

“No rush...”

The old man continued to eat and drink, and also pointed enthusiastically to his side: “Young Master, why don't you take off your veil and eat something?”

“No need, I've already eaten.”

Wei Changtian shook his head, but after hesitating for a moment, he took off the cloth veil on his face.

“Clatter~”

Two chicken bones suddenly fell on the earthen bed, and the old man and the little girl both stared straight at him, making Wei Changtian feel a chill down his spine.

After swallowing hard, Agou said softly:

“Grandpa, big brother is so handsome...”

“Indeed...”

The old man nodded, wiped the grease from the corner of his mouth, and sighed: “I must say, he has some of this old man's demeanor when he was young.”

“Good! With this appearance, he's barely qualified to be this old man's disciple!”