Perhaps because he thought the novels he was telling were novel, Leng Yan would write down the novels he had never heard of on paper. By the time he finished telling a novel, Leng Yan would have a completed novel in his hand.

Then Yan Cheng, who has a quick business mind, got an inspiration.

He borrowed Leng Yan's handwritten novels and asked others to copy them, then printed them out and sold them in his own bookstore. He did make a lot of money.

＊

Seeing Yan Zhuo, who had passed the search, entering the examination room with his examination basket, Yan Cheng was even more nervous than when he took the exam himself.

Although I know that my elder brother can easily pass the provincial examination with his talent, I still can't help but worry.

I was afraid that my elder brother would feel cold, hot, hungry, thirsty, and even smell the smoke in the examination room.

The stinky smell in the examination room is not something that most people can bear.

"Yan Cheng, are you here to see your elder brother off? Let's go sit over there. I've booked a private room. I'll be alone, so there's no need to worry about anyone disturbing us."

A boy of fifteen or sixteen squeezed over. Leng Yan lowered his eyes and glanced at him indifferently without stopping him.

"Yan Miao?"

Yan Cheng then remembered that the last time they met, Yan Miao had said that he had an older brother who would also take part in this year's provincial examination.

"Okay, come over and sit down."

There were four people sitting in the private room of the teahouse, Yan Cheng and Leng Yan on one side, and Yan Miao and his servant on the other.

It is an indisputable fact that Yan Guangyi's lineage is not favored by the Yan clan.

But there are always people who don't care too much about the old stories of their ancestors, and pay more attention to the other person's character and personality when interacting with others. Yan Miao is a typical representative of them.

Yan Miao is the grandson of the current Yan clan leader, who hates and dislikes Yan Guangyi's lineage.

However, Yan Miao was particularly fond of Yan Cheng. After the two met, Yan Miao often enthusiastically invited Yan Cheng to go out and play together.

"In another month, will you be going to the capital?"

As soon as he sat down, Yan Miao diligently poured Yan Cheng a cup of steaming hot tea and looked at him eagerly.

That look was a bit like the grievance and reluctance expressed by a domestic pet dog when it heard that its owner was going out for a trip and left it at home.

"Yes, my brother and I stayed in Wuding Prefecture for too long, and my parents kept urging us to go back as soon as possible."

"I don't know how long it will be before we meet again, Brother Cheng, I really can't bear to leave you."

“…You’re so corny.”

Yan Miao said seriously, "I'm serious. Don't look shocked and unbelieving. Although we've only known each other for two years, I feel like you're more like my brother than my own brother."

This was the first time Yan Cheng heard this. He thought Yan Miao treated him as a friend, but he didn't expect that she treated him as a younger brother.

Is he really that much like a younger brother?

Yan Miao curled his lips, revealing a slightly disdainful and sarcastic sneer:

"You are well aware of the specific situation in my family. My two younger brothers were both born to my stepmother. They are not close to me at all. In fact, under the instigation and influence of my stepmother, they even think that my eldest brother and I are stumbling blocks that prevent them from successfully inheriting the family business."

"My eldest brother should have no problem taking the provincial exam this time. He will then go to the capital to take the metropolitan exam. He asked me to go with him to avoid being bothered by those annoying people at home."

"I know very well that my eldest brother is thinking about me. He's worried that I'll be alone at home without anyone to protect me and won't be able to fight my stepmother. But I... want to go to the southwest border."

When Yan Cheng heard this, he was slightly startled, blinked subconsciously, and looked at the young man opposite him uncontrollably.

His body was strong and sturdy, not at all like a young boy of sixteen or seventeen years old. Instead, he looked more like a strong and muscular adult, with firm and powerful tendons all over his body.

At first glance, he looked like the kind of brave and strong man who could easily knock down several people in just a few moves.

Thinking of the restless Nanyou Kingdom in the past two years, Yan Cheng suddenly realized what Yan Miao was thinking: "Are you going to join the army?"