[061] The Knight Who Grasped the Sword (Part One)

The next morning, after calisthenics, Fang Chang'an once again rode his bike to the steamed bun shop.

Thanks to yesterday’s glowing reviews, twenty-nine students from Class Four wanted to buy steamed buns today. Among them were several day students. After early study, they only had an hour before class began. For those who lived a bit farther away, time was tight—a bun breakfast was far more convenient.

After all, they could simply wait in the classroom, no need to run out to the street for food.

Fang Dianqiu, despite Fang Chang'an's advice, didn’t dare take too much responsibility. Class One had only five orders, mostly girls, so the total was twenty-five buns.

Fang Ying got wind of the news and requested two portions, fifteen buns in all.

The biggest increase came from the dormitories. The male boarders in Class Four had discussed the matter, and many had heard about it. That evening, when Fang Chang'an returned, he asked Liu Cheng if he wanted buns; someone else chimed in, and soon twelve orders were placed, totaling eighty-four buns.

This unexpected windfall surprised Fang Chang'an, but it was not beyond reason. He’d hoped to proceed gradually, but a little surprise was no bad thing.

Counting the 204 buns for Class Four, today’s total soared past three hundred, reaching 328.

Yesterday’s first “takeout” order was, for the husband-and-wife owners, one of the rare twists and delights in a life that seemed otherwise foreseeable. Selling hundreds of buns wouldn’t bring much profit, but every little bit helped, and effort was cheap.

Just yesterday, during an idle moment, they’d wondered when that student would ever buy three hundred buns. After discussion, they thought it unlikely: there couldn’t be that many students wanting buns, nor any reason for him to buy so many.

Yet, the very next day, the number was surpassed!

The couple felt both delighted and a little reluctant, for they’d promised that orders over three hundred would be priced at eight cents per bun. Still, they didn’t protest; the ingredients were cheap, and even at a two-cent discount, there was profit to be made. After all, wanting to earn more was only human.

It was business that came out of nowhere—any profit was welcome.

Over three hundred buns, even with advance preparation, meant a busy morning for the couple. One foam box wasn’t enough; they fetched a large bag, hung it from the bike’s handlebars.

Three hundred twenty-eight buns at eight cents each came to twenty-six yuan and thirty cents. Fang Chang'an rounded it up to twenty-seven yuan. By calculation, eight cents would cover three hundred thirty-seven and a half buns; he ordered three hundred thirty-five.

In the end, the couple packed him three hundred forty buns.

Fang Chang'an had not considered how heavy three hundred buns would be. After cycling to the bike shed and parking his bike, he looked at the huge box and bag and felt a pang of worry.

Just as he was about to resign himself to the weight and start carrying them slowly, a careful voice called from nearby, “Chang'an…”

Turning, Fang Chang'an saw it was the boy who’d whistled yesterday. Without ceremony, he waved, “Perfect timing. Come lend a hand—I was just fretting about moving this alone.”

Yang Chengqi hadn’t expected that his tentative greeting would turn him into a porter, but he wasn’t resentful; instead, he felt excited, almost flattered, and hurried over to help with the box.

“You just take the bag,” Fang Chang'an said, hoisting the box himself. Together, they started back, silently grumbling about the lack of a rear door in the classroom building, forcing them to carry everything around.

Yang Chengqi, holding the large bag in both hands, felt confused and a bit nervous. Fang Chang'an noticed and explained, “They’re for other students.”

Yang Chengqi hadn’t expected an explanation and was even more anxious, quickly nodding.

Fang Chang'an, too frail, had to rest twice before carrying the box up to the third floor. He said to Yang Chengqi, “Wait here for me. I’ll deliver this box to my classroom and be right back.”

“Alright.” Yang Chengqi replied, waiting outside Class Four’s wall. He watched Fang Chang'an walk in with the box and suddenly remembered the girl from yesterday. His heart raced; he hesitated, then cautiously shifted to stand at the classroom door.

Class Four was full, but Yang Chengqi, standing at the front entrance, quickly spotted Wang Ke. She kept her head down, unconcerned about anyone noticing her, but still his heart skipped a beat, and he moved away nonchalantly.

Unable to resist, he sidled closer, peeking inside.

As soon as Fang Chang'an entered, his hungry classmates called out. Wang Ke glanced up at him, saw him looking back, and lowered her head again.

“Don’t rush, everyone. Be careful not to mix things up,” Fang Chang'an said, placing the box on his desk and the class list on Wang Ke’s. “I have to step out for a moment, please check the list.”

Without waiting for her reply, he added, “Chen Yu, Li Dongfeng, could you help? The list is with Wang Ke. I’ll be right back.”

Both Chen Yu and Li Dongfeng responded, “Sure, don’t worry.”

Wang Yuwei asked, “Where are you going, Class Leader?”

“There are orders from other classes, too.”

Fang Chang'an turned to leave. Wang Yuwei called after him, “Aren’t you taking your buns?”

“They’re at the door.”

Leaving the classroom, Fang Chang'an took the bag from Yang Chengqi and went to Classes Five, Six, and Seven to distribute buns ordered by dorm students.

Class Four, having experienced it yesterday, was large but orderly; Chen Yu and Li Dongfeng helped distribute, while Wang Ke merely checked that no one took the wrong order.

Suddenly, Zheng Lili tugged at her sleeve and whispered, “I saw the boy who whistled yesterday—he’s helping Fang Chang'an carry buns…”

Wang Ke glanced at the entrance—no one was there. She bit her lip but said nothing.

Class Five had only four orders; Fang Chang'an finished quickly, handed the bag with the remaining three buns to Yang Chengqi outside, and smiled, “Thanks, I’ll handle the rest myself.”

Yang Chengqi quickly waved his hands, “No, it’s fine, I’ve already eaten.”

Fang Chang'an laughed, “Just three buns, take them.”

Yang Chengqi hesitated, not daring to refuse, but followed him to Class Six. Liu Cheng and Sun Yanxu were in the classroom. Seeing Fang Chang'an arrive with the bag, they hurried over to help distribute.

Seeing Yang Chengqi tagging along with Fang Chang'an, they were surprised. Fang Chang'an explained with a smile, “I forgot the box couldn’t fit everything, so I brought an extra bag. I was fretting about how to carry it up, but luckily ran into this classmate downstairs.”

Liu Cheng immediately regretted, “Ah, I never thought of that! Tomorrow I’ll wait in the corridor. When I see you, I’ll come down and help.”

Fang Chang'an smiled, “Alright!”

Yang Chengqi sensed several eyes on him, some even seeming envious, and wasn’t sure how to feel.

Yesterday’s ordeal hadn’t faded, but he realized he enjoyed following Chang'an much more than harboring grudges.

After distributing buns in Classes Six and Seven—and promoting his business—Fang Chang'an exited Class Seven. Suddenly, someone called out behind him, “Chang'an!”

Fang Chang'an turned and saw the boy who’d been beaten yesterday and helped today. Surprised, he stopped and smiled, “What is it?”

Yang Chengqi approached, hesitated, then asked softly, “Chang'an… yesterday you said if I had any questions in my studies, I could ask you… Is that true?”

He was so nervous he swallowed hard, glanced up at Fang Chang'an, and continued, “Can I really ask you anytime?”

Fang Chang'an looked him over, surprised. Yang Chengqi’s heart nearly stopped, wondering if Chang'an could see through his sudden desire to study.

Fang Chang'an smiled, “Of course. If you don’t understand something, just ask me.”

He paused, then added, “Though, since we’re in different classes, asking at any time might be inconvenient. You could organize your questions and ask them all at once from time to time.”

Yang Chengqi beamed, nodded vigorously, “Okay! Got it. Thank you, Chang'an!”

Fang Chang'an smiled, “We’re classmates—no need for thanks.”

“Alright!”

Yang Chengqi nodded again, looking truly exhilarated.

Fang Chang'an smiled, then asked his name, “By the way, I don’t know what you’re called yet.”

“I’m Yang Chengqi—Yang as in the Yang family heroes, Cheng as in fortress, Qi as in miracle.”

Fang Chang'an nodded, waved with a smile, “Off I go.”

“Take care, Chang'an!”