Chapter Sixty-Two: Looking Down on Others

The Lü family of Shulü Village was one of the prominent households. Although Zhou Zhi did not know precisely where Lü Xingchuan’s home was, it took only a moment of inquiry with a farmer on the street to learn its location. Wealthy families in the village were few, and unlike Baiyue Village, where the main street divided the poor from the prosperous, the Lü residence stood in the southeast—a spacious estate.

Their home was enclosed by walls of blue bricks, rising nearly ten feet high. The grand vermilion gate facing east was tightly shut, the gatehouse bearing two large golden characters, “Lü Residence,” which gleamed in the slanting winter sunlight.

Zhou Zhi had never entered such an imposing home in all his life. He paused briefly before the door, gathering himself before gently knocking.

After a short wait, the gate slowly opened a crack, and a gray-haired head cautiously emerged, sizing Zhou Zhi up and down before asking, “Who are you looking for?”

The voice was stiff, clearly unimpressed by Zhou Zhi’s shabby attire and unwilling to engage.

Zhou Zhi smiled at the elder, saying, “Sir, I’ve come to see Lü Xingchuan.”

The old man’s face, already deeply lined, furrowed further upon hearing Zhou Zhi address the young master by name. His expression darkened. “The young master is studying and cannot receive visitors.”

Without so much as asking Zhou Zhi’s name or purpose, the gatekeeper was ready to shut the door.

Zhou Zhi thought to himself that Brother Lü Xingchuan was always approachable, with no airs despite his status. Who would have guessed his family’s old servant would be so snobbish?

Yet he couldn’t let the servant close the door. Composing himself, Zhou Zhi smiled again. “Sir, I truly need to see Lü Xingchuan. Isn’t this the Lü residence?”

“You impudent boy, so much chatter! I told you, this is the Lü residence, the young master is home, but he’s studying and can’t see guests. Off with you, now!” The old servant’s face flushed with annoyance. He slammed the door shut with a clang, refusing Zhou Zhi any further courtesy.

This was a true snubbing; Zhou Zhi, who had long hoped to see Lü Xingchuan, found himself unable to even enter the gate.

He could only smile bitterly.

Just as he was about to knock again, a voice rang out from the courtyard, loud and clear: “Old Ding, who’s at the door?”

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“It’s a poor lad, sir, wearing rags, though he’s not short. Hmph! It seems every stray cat and dog wants to come to the Lü family now. He ought to look at himself and see what kind of state he’s in. Does he think the Lü family’s door is open for the likes of him?” the gatekeeper grumbled.

“He claims to have business with the young master and even dared to call him by name! How could our young master know such a pauper? I wager he’s from a family that raises government horses—perhaps their horse is in trouble, and he’s come to beg the young master for help?” The Ding-named old servant chattered on.

Hearing Ding insult him so, Zhou Zhi was furious. Damn it! Truly a snob. As is the servant, so is the master, he thought. Could it be that Lü Xingchuan’s courtesy at Zhou’s home was merely a show, and deep down he looked down on the poor like this old Ding?

But then Zhou Zhi reconsidered. Lü Xingchuan, though born to wealth, was courteous and principled; he was certainly no hypocrite.

The booming voice in the courtyard continued, “Indeed, that’s how it should be. Old Ding, our family is prominent—we must guard the gate strictly and never let strangers in.”

“Yes, sir, I’ll remember,” Ding replied respectfully.

Zhou Zhi recognized the voice clearly now—it belonged to the fat, loud elder he’d met at Doctor Qiu Huichun’s home, the one suffering from high blood pressure: Lü Xingchuan’s father.

If not for Zhou Zhi’s suggestion to Doctor Qiu to treat him with bloodletting, the elder might have suffered a fatal heart attack or stroke. Zhou Zhi called out loudly, “Uncle Lü, it’s me—you saw me at Doctor Qiu’s house!”

Lü Xingchuan’s father, Lü Qiusheng, was exercising in the courtyard. Hearing Zhou Zhi call, he immediately understood who was outside and hurried forward to open the gate.

Lü Qiusheng greeted Zhou Zhi warmly, bowing deeply. “I did not know you had arrived, young man. Please forgive my neglect.”

“Uncle Lü, you are too kind. I’ve come today to see Brother Xingchuan about something,” Zhou Zhi replied, quickly helping Lü Qiusheng and offering his own greeting.

“Come in, please, my good nephew!” Lü Qiusheng, hearing Zhou Zhi call his son brother, immediately addressed Zhou Zhi as nephew, a more endearing term.

Old Ding, the gatekeeper, was dumbstruck. He stared at Zhou Zhi, unable to utter a word, his wrinkled face turning purple with embarrassment.

Zhou Zhi walked past him calmly, ignoring him as if nothing had happened, and the slight only deepened Ding’s shame.

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Seeing Ding still standing frozen, Lü Qiusheng grew angry. “Old Ding, what are you waiting for? Go inform the young master immediately, and make sure he prepares the best tea for our esteemed guest!”

Old Ding dared not delay and hurried through the courtyard to the rear study to deliver the news to Lü Xingchuan.

Lü Qiusheng walked alongside Zhou Zhi, his health noticeably improved, his steps steady. He said, “If not for you, nephew, I might have lost these old bones already. You told me to eat less meat and exercise more, though I was not happy about it at the time.

But thanks to your advice, I feel much stronger now, and even the simple meals taste sweeter than rich dishes!”

“Uncle Lü, you must keep exercising—at least an hour each day. In time, you’ll be even healthier, and longevity will be yours!” Zhou Zhi replied with a smile.

“Haha! You are quite the optimist. Few live to seventy, and I am nearly there myself—I am content. Still, I will heed your advice and keep active,” Lü Qiusheng laughed.

He had been a businessman in his youth and was very sociable. The two chatted as they walked, and soon reached the rear courtyard.

Old Ding had delivered the message, and Lü Xingchuan, as anxious as his father, hurried out to greet Zhou Zhi, meeting him at the entrance.

Lü Xingchuan quickly clasped his hands in respect.

After exchanging greetings, Lü Qiusheng instructed his son to treat Zhou Zhi well, then returned to his exercise.

True friendship is as mild as water. Zhou Zhi and Lü Xingchuan entered the study, joking as they went.

Inside, Zhou Zhi noticed another man—he wore a square cap and scholar’s robe, his face fair, eyes bright, with a few streaks of gray in his beard, about fifty years old.

He smiled warmly at Zhou Zhi.

Lü Xingchuan introduced him, “Brother Zhou Zhi, you may not know this gentleman. He is a scholar from Gaochang Town, his name is Fan Jin.”

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