This state worried Xie Yan, and Lu Yang regretted accompanying him.
Fortunately, the journey was only three and a half days. As calculated with Hong Lao Wu, they arrived in the provincial capital on the evening of the fourth day.
Upon arrival, Xie Yan didn’t care about anything else; he busied himself helping Lu Yang off the boat. The attendants carried the luggage, and Wu Pingzhi exchanged polite words with the ship’s steward, giving some extra silver in addition to the fare.
They didn’t enter the city that night. They went straight to the Fulai Inn, reported Hong Chu’s name, and secured three rooms to rest.
Once he set foot on solid ground, Lu Yang’s body still swayed involuntarily. Xie Yan helped him lie on the bed, and only then did he truly relax, his body fully letting go as he let out a deep sigh.
“My heavens… my brain’s all scrambled from the motion.”
Xie Yan had the inn boy bring hot water, which arrived soon after. He wrung out a cloth to wipe Lu Yang’s face and hands. Lu Yang still smelled of the cabin. Too unsteady to bathe, he instead sat up, wiped himself down, changed clothes, ate a little, and planned to bathe the next day.
The last time he had accompanied someone to the exams, he had leaned on Xie Yan to sleep during the journey. This time, seasick as he was, it was Xie Yan who cared for him until they disembarked.
Lu Yang said, “Next time you head to the capital for exams, I won’t accompany you no matter what.”
Xie Yan’s heart ached. He had wanted to warn Lu Yang of the hardship to prevent him from coming, but now that he had, he didn’t regret it. Seeing Lu Yang insist on accompanying him, though, was still worrying.
Not wanting Lu Yang to blame himself, he said, “When I go to the capital, you must come with me. If I pass, I’ll sit the final imperial exam. If I become the top scholar, I’ll ride through the streets in the ceremonial robe—if you’re not there, you’ll miss it.”
Lu Yang laughed, “I shouted so much I even gave you big dreams, huh?”
Seeing him smile, Xie Yan continued coaxing, “I need goals too. After all these years of exams, it would be a pity not to finish strong.”
Lu Yang laughed heartily, the pale flush returning to his cheeks.
Xie Yan asked what he wanted to eat. “I’ll go get it for you.”
Lu Yang no longer wanted porridge. He wanted something solid, preferably vegetarian—stir-fried tofu with cabbage, or stir-fried salted lotus root.
Xie Yan agreed, “Wait here, I’ll go buy it.”
He stepped out, saw Wu Pingzhi lingering by the door, and smiled, “Lu Yang is much better now, has an appetite. I’ll go buy his food. What about you? I can get yours too.”
Wu Pingzhi told him to stay in, “I’ll handle ordering from downstairs and bring it up to you.”
Xie Yan thought a moment, didn’t refuse, and let him go.
But shortly after stepping out, he returned. Lu Yang knew immediately—it was Wu Pingzhi who had gone to buy the food.
“You really made a good friend,” he said.
Xie Yan responded generously, “My friends are your friends.”
Lu Yang also wanted to make friends. He knew many people, having received help since childhood. Most were neighbors, or his adopted godfather or older brothers. Later, connecting with Lu Lin’s family created something closer to kinship than friendship.
Formally, he was friends with Ding, the wine shop owner. But because of their age difference, Lu Yang seemed like a youngster; Ding treated him like a junior, a relationship that carried familial warmth.
Lu Yang said, “I even thought about keeping an eye out for the God of Wealth, but… I have no friends. No one to introduce.”
Xie Yan remembered Hong Chu. “Your outings together don’t really count as friendship, do they?”
Lu Yang teased, “It’s been so long, and you still remember?”
He continued, “Our family backgrounds are so different. I never had your pure intentions. When you befriended the God of Wealth, you weren’t thinking about differences; I grew up calculating. Whenever I interact, I notice gaps. I worry, plan, and make arrangements so no one is uncomfortable. With Brother Chu, I instinctively try to be humble, flatter a little. Yet when we talk, I feel he doesn’t look down on me—he respects me and speaks freely. I just can’t help my habits.”
Xie Yan touched his chest, stood, closed his eyes, muttered something, then slowly cupped his hands over Lu Yang’s heart and said, “There, I’ve exchanged hearts with you. Now you have a pure one.”
Lu Yang laughed so hard he was speechless for a while.
A while later, Wu Pingzhi brought the meal. Xie Yan invited him in to eat together, but Wu Pingzhi didn’t come. Lu Yang, still uneasy in bed, was relieved the intrusion didn’t happen.
After several days of travel, everyone was tired. Xie Yan let him eat first and rest early.
Xie Yan arranged the meal on the table. Lu Yang propped himself up, still unsteady, legs weak, needing Xie Yan’s support. He ate a few bites, his voice louder, spirits rising.
Xie Yan chatted casually, about friendship.
Previously, Lu Yang had taught him how to interact with people and conduct himself. Xie Yan had learned a lot, some he understood, some he misapplied, and some he had mastered. Everyone said he had grown.
Now he was teaching Lu Yang how to make friends.
Xie Yan’s approach was simple: know the purpose of making friends.
For business contacts, interactions were mutually beneficial.
“Like how you interacted with Ding at the wine shop—you were careful, making sure neither side suffered, slowly building personal rapport, so business could proceed smoothly. Now, when I befriend Ji Mingzhu and Sheng Da, I do the same—chat about studies, share family matters, meals, accumulate trust, so we can speak openly when discussing deeper topics.”
Lu Yang listened quietly, chewing thoughtfully.
Xie Yan added, “I prefer straightforward friendships. With Li Feng, we tease each other, calculate a little—fine. Wu Pingzhi has money; when I need help, I ask. He knows I’m not greedy—just in need. No beating around the bush. Over the years, I’ve met many. Before marrying you, while at the county school, I had classmates. Those who could handle me talked freely; those who couldn’t avoided me.”
Lu Yang understood: in the county school, he hadn’t made friends—only Wu Pingzhi in Shanshui County.
Xie Yan said, “See, one true friend is enough. In hardship, you help each other, share conversation. You can be simple too. You and Hong Chu click; he understands you, thinks like you, knows you’re not strange. That’s enough. A good friend helps each other; if not, flattering doesn’t work. In business, profit motivates connection.”
Though his explanation twisted, Lu Yang understood: in business, sufficient gain matters; for friendship, profit is secondary. Helping each other unexpectedly often yields the best results.
Lu Yang looked at Xie Yan, eyes bright.
“Ah Yan, you know so much.”
Xie Yan’s long explanation earned him praise, making him grin widely.
Lu Yang served him some food. “You’re right. At first, I didn’t expect to meet him, let alone connect. Being able to discuss business and ambitions is truly joyful.”
Lu Yang thought of a letter from last year. At that time, Xie Yan was still studying at the prefectural academy, debating with Master Cui’s son, feeling exhilarated after the match.
