Chapter 90: Sent to the Doorstep

Grumbling aside, one still had to study diligently. After all, it concerned one's life and safety; an extra combat skill meant an extra life.

He listened attentively as Bai Susu explained each move and stance. Wei Suo, who was next to him, tried to talk to him several times but received no response, causing the other student to cast resentful glances. *Brother, did you come to the wrong class? Our Yellow Class isn't primarily focused on cultivation!*

After class, Zu An was reviewing what he had just learned. Suddenly, a school staff member approached him. "Teacher Zu... your dormitory has been arranged. Would you like to go take a look?"

He couldn't help but feel a little chagrined. After all, it was truly absurd; just a few days ago, he was still a student, and now he had become a teacher so quickly. Being called "teacher" felt incredibly awkward.

"It's you," Zu An said, looking up with a smile. They were old acquaintances; this was the same staff member who had led him to meet the headmaster when he first entered the school.

"Indeed," the staff member said with an embarrassed smile. "Come, I'll take you to get acquainted with the environment."

"Alright," Zu An's spirits lifted immediately. It was lunchtime, and there was still some time before the afternoon class, so it was a good chance to see what his new residence looked like.

"How should I address you, Teacher?" Zu An couldn't help but ask on the way. It was their second meeting; getting to know each other better would be good.

The staff member replied, "My name is Zhu Gan, and I'm responsible for some logistical work at the school."

"Zhu Gan? What a surname, and what a bold name too! It sounds like 'disregard life and death, just get it done if you're not convinced!'" Zu An couldn't help but quip.

The staff member's face darkened, clearly not for the first time he had been misunderstood. He quickly explained, "It's not the 'gan' you're thinking of, but the 'gan' written with the water radical and the character for gold."

Zu An looked embarrassed and laughed awkwardly. "This name is also good," he stammered, "it sounds cultured right away, haha, hahaha~"

Zhu Gan looked dejected. *Dude, are you always so insincere with your compliments?*

The two soon arrived at a tranquil "villa area"—at least, that's how Zu An perceived it. It was a serene woodland with neatly trimmed lawns along the roads and many beautiful, colorful flowers. At regular intervals, independent courtyards appeared amidst the trees, resembling the high-end communities of his previous life.

"Teacher Zu, this is your residence," Zhu Gan said, handing him a translucent jade token. "This token is your key; your information has already been recorded, and the courtyard's magic array will automatically recognize your passage."

Zu An took it and observed. Indeed, it had the feel of a xianxia world and looked far more advanced and elegant than any key from his previous life. "By the way," he asked, "can this thing open other teachers' doors?"

Zhu Gan immediately looked chagrined. *Is this guy an idiot? Even a fool would know that's not possible.*

However, remembering Zu An's unpredictable nature and how he had caused quite a stir at the school in just a few days, Zhu Gan still felt uneasy and warned, "Of course not. If the magic array of any teacher's courtyard detects a malicious intrusion, it will automatically launch an attack. You absolutely must not mess around."

"Oh~" Zu An immediately looked disappointed. "Then where is Teacher Shang Liuyu's courtyard? Is it next to mine?"

"You wish!" Zhu Gan finally couldn't help but exclaim. After all, Shang Liuyu was the dream lover of countless male teachers at the school, including himself. "Teacher Shang's courtyard is independent and not here."

Zu An couldn't help but inwardly complain that the academies in this world were far too extravagant. They actually provided every teacher with such a large, separate courtyard. The schools in his previous life were better, with unified classroom and dormitory buildings; perhaps a beautiful female teacher would be next door, and who knew, sparks might fly in the middle of the night.

Zhu Gan gave a few more instructions and then quickly left. He worried that if he stayed any longer, he would be tempted to punch Zu An, who looked far too smug.

Zu An then looked at his new residence. The courtyard resembled a traditional siheyuan; though not huge, the rooms were more than ample. The furnishings and furniture inside were extremely elegant, and all necessary daily essentials were prepared. It seemed the treatment for academy teachers in this world was indeed good.

"This saves me from having to spend money buying a courtyard in the city," he thought. "Hmph, if the Chu family dares to upset me again, I'll... I'll just come here to sleep!"

*I just wonder if the academy allows me to buy a few gentle and beautiful maids...*

Just then, a voice as gentle as water suddenly came from outside. "Teacher Zu, are you inside?"

Zu An was startled. *Speak of the devil!* he thought. *Could it be that the academy even provides every teacher with beautiful young women? But why does this voice sound so familiar?*

He quickly went to open the door, only to see a classical beauty standing gracefully at the doorway, her apricot-shaped eyes full of smiles, looking at him gently.

"You are... Zheng Dan?" Zu An blinked. *Is my luck with women really this strong? Being called "Teacher" by a beautiful young girl repeatedly, that feeling is truly amazing.*

*Hmph, I should really drag the others from school over here to see how sweet and willing this young girl sounds when she calls me. They could learn a thing or two.*

The beautiful young woman across from him smiled sweetly. "Teacher Zu indeed has an extraordinary memory; you actually still remember me."

*I just saw her this morning,* Zu An thought. *If I forgot that quickly, I'd have Alzheimer's.*

"Miss Zheng, is there something you need from me?" Zu An asked, remembering his sister-in-law's warning from the morning, and not letting himself be swayed by her beauty.

"This morning was too rushed, and I didn't get a chance to thank you for saving my life," Zheng Dan said, raising her hand and gesturing with the food box she was holding. "It's lunchtime now, and I imagine Teacher hasn't eaten yet. I specially cooked a few small dishes. I hope Teacher won't mind them."

"Cooked it yourself?" Zu An's expression was odd. "Miss Zheng, weren't you in class this morning?"

*You're insulting my intelligence,* he thought. *I clearly saw you at school this morning. How could you have had time to go home and cook?*

Zheng Dan, with her keen intelligence, immediately guessed what he was thinking. She calmly explained, "Our Zheng family also prepared a courtyard for me at the school. I cooked them there."

"Ah, students can also have such courtyards?" Zu An asked, startled.

Zheng Dan smiled, her lips pressed together. "Ordinary people naturally wouldn't have this. But our Zheng family has some influence in Brightmoon City, so we can enjoy this small privilege."

Zu An suddenly understood. He presumed that besides her, the young masters and ladies from other influential noble families also had separate courtyards at the academy.

*Bah,* he thought, *and here I thought the academy was so high-class. Turns out they also play favorites.*

"Teacher Zu, can you please let me in first?" Zheng Dan said, looking at him pitifully with eyes that could soften any man's heart. "If passersby see us, it might not look good."

Zu An was naturally no exception. He moved aside to let her in, asking playfully, "Are you worried it might reach General Sang's ears and harm your reputation, Miss?"

Zheng Dan sighed softly. "So Teacher already knows about my engagement," she said. "Ah, born into a prominent family, one's marriage is not one's own to decide. Please forgive my candidness, Teacher."

Zu An had to admire the woman's art of conversation. She clearly didn't say a single bad word about Sang Qian, yet she very obviously conveyed her helplessness in this engagement. One could even sense that she wasn't very willing.

But thinking about it carefully, she actually hadn't said anything explicit; even if it reached other people's ears, it wouldn't be a big deal.

"Let's not talk about those things," Zheng Dan said. "I came here specifically to thank you." Her watery eyes gazed at him, and at such a close distance, her beauty was so radiant it seemed like she was glowing.

Even though he saw the various beauties of the Chu family every day, Zu An had to admit that the girl before him was an exceptionally stunning beauty. No wonder she could be ranked alongside Chu Chuyan on the Beauty Scroll.

At this moment, Zheng Dan slowly took out the dishes from the wooden box one by one. The whole process was unhurried, her movements extremely elegant, exuding a unique classical charm. It was as if she were one of those Jiangnan ladies wearing cheongsams seen on television in his previous life, who could eat even hairy crabs with extreme elegance and charm, sparking one's imagination.

Soon, several small dishes were arranged on the table. Each was perfect in color, aroma, and taste; just looking at them was an extreme pleasure.

Zheng Dan was slightly proud. She not only excelled at brewing tea but was even more skilled at cooking, having full confidence in her culinary abilities. However, she rarely cooked on weekdays, doing so purely out of interest. Even Sang Qian had not been fortunate enough to enjoy her cooking, yet this guy was getting the benefit first.

She was waiting for him to praise her cooking, and then she would humbly respond. She had mastered this entire routine; for years, she had been cultivating her persona as a perfect, well-bred lady, and in this regard, she was already very adept.

"Huh, your food box even has an insulation function!" Zu An exclaimed, going over, picking up the wooden box from the table, and examining it from all angles.

Zheng Dan's breath caught; she really couldn't understand what he meant by that. However, she still smiled faintly and said, "The wooden box has insulating runes carved around it; it's nothing remarkable."

"I see," Zu An said, suddenly realizing. It seemed he couldn't underestimate this world after all; although its technology wasn't as advanced as his previous world's, they could achieve similar effects using cultivation methods. There were previously shock-absorbing runes on Chu Chuyan's carriage, and spirit-isolating runes on the Silver Hook Casino's dice cup. He had also heard that corresponding runes needed to be carved on the Chu family's weapons. He should pay more attention to this kind of knowledge in the future.

Seeing his expression, Zheng Dan suddenly realized. This guy had been just a loafing scoundrel in the city a month ago, only recently chosen as the Chu family's son-in-law. He probably hadn't even seen these kinds of items from influential families before. *Indeed, a sparrow flying onto a branch doesn't become a phoenix.*

Although she felt a hint of disdain, her face maintained an impeccable smile. "Teacher, please have a seat quickly," she said. "These dishes might lose their essence if they get cold. I'll pour you some wine."

"Drinking wine?" Zu An said with a half-smile, gazing at the half-exposed, white-jade-like wrist that appeared from her sleeve as she poured the wine. "Drinking makes one easily lose control."