Cangmang Asks the Way 1: Guardian of the Lamp

Xu Wenyuan was extremely efficient; the seating chart based on points was posted on the classroom wall early the next morning. Cang Tianci and Lin Ruoxi tied for first place and occupied the middle seats in the third row.

He sat down, books in hand, and a faint, crisp, pine-scented scent wafted from his deskmate. Cang Tianci's mind focused slightly, the Hidden Dragon Technique quietly circulating, his senses becoming exceptionally sharp in the warm, comforting atmosphere. His surroundings were no longer just a simple seat, but a network woven from various "energies":

To the left, Wang Xiuzhu's friendliness was tinged with timidity; further away, Lin Wanqing's gaze was entangled with worry. Beside the left aisle, Song Wei's enthusiasm was unreserved, like sunshine; but Zheng Tao beside her possessed a smooth, icy aura, his surface as cold as a mirror, reflecting no warmth, only a slight ripple appearing when his gaze swept over Lin Ruoxi beside him. Behind them, Zhao Xiaohu and Wang Yaowu's jealousy and hostility were like the sour, rotten smell emanating from an old vinegar vat, pricking the back of one's neck.

Several distinct "qi" energies overlapped with a specific human figure, forming a subtle yet tense field centered on him. Cang Tianci unconsciously straightened his back, attempting to use his "qi discernment" skills to "see" the intricacies of this new environment. This special class for gifted children, with its ranking system, open and covert competition, was a miniature "arena of fame and fortune," and also a completely new "worldly training ground." He needed to distinguish between nourishing vitality and stagnant evil thoughts, and more importantly, find the "pivot" within this network that would allow his studies, training, and responsibilities to operate in a balanced manner.

Further back, in the fourth row towards the center, Zhao Xiaohu nudged Wang Yaowu next to him with his elbow, gestured towards Cang Tianci with his lip, and sneered in a low voice, "Hey, look how pleased that stutterer is with himself, like he's fallen into a spider's cave, huh?"

Wang Yaowu's face was gloomy. He snorted through his nose, his gaze like a poisoned nail, fixed on Cang Tianci's back. The twenty points added by the labor committee member allowed Zhao Xiaohu to move up to a seat, right next to his "fellow sufferer" Wang Yaowu. The jealousy and hatred in their eyes towards Cang Tianci almost instantly reached a consensus, forming a silent alliance.

However, compared to the complex "energy" around him, what truly required Cang Tianci to be alert and deal with was his new deskmate—Lin Ruoxi.

As soon as the morning math class ended, she pointed to an extension problem in the workbook about clever calculations of rational numbers, turned her head and asked, "Cang Tianci, this problem is too complicated to solve using the conventional method. What's your approach? I've tried a few, but I feel there's a better solution."

Cang Tianci was taken aback for a moment, then quickly composed himself and looked at the question. After thinking for a while, he stammered as he explained his discovery.

Lin Ruoxi listened intently, nodding occasionally and then asking questions: "If the number of terms is odd, how do you handle the intermediate terms in your method? Is the logical foundation robust enough?"

These questions were precise and challenging, forcing him to think and express himself more deeply. Throughout the process, she acted more like a strict sparring partner, guiding his thoughts and language step by step with her questions.

During the afternoon self-study period, she silently pushed a copy of the "Middle School Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry" magazine in front of him and said casually, "This issue has a special feature on the mathematical concept of 'setting up without solving,' which is quite enlightening for solving word problems. You can take a look."

"Thank you!" Cang Tianci said gratefully. He knew the value of extracurricular materials, especially magazines like these that he simply couldn't afford to buy.

"You're welcome." Lin Ruoxi had already turned back to continue working on her problems, as if it were just something she did casually.

Neighbor Song Wei was like another warm current. She was cheerful and would often turn around to share interesting stories or express her admiration directly: "Tianci, what was it like on the provincial competition stage? Was it particularly tense and exciting?" Her enthusiasm was direct and frank, just like her "qi" (energy), bright and infectious, which always made Tianci feel a sense of relaxation when dealing with complex "qi".

Wang Xiuzhu would occasionally bring her practice problems to ask for help, her attitude polite and earnest. Tianci could sense the cautiousness beneath her kindness, and a subtle, gentle affection in her eyes that went beyond mere friendship.

What truly made him realize the deeper meaning behind some of his actions was Lin Wanqing. One day, after the school bell rang, Lin Wanqing lingered until the very end, and the classroom gradually emptied. Leaning on her crutch, she approached Cang Tianci's desk and pleaded, "Tianci, I... I walked home alone after evening self-study. That alley is too dark, and I'm a little scared. Could you... could you walk me home?"

She looked up, her eyes filled with a vulnerability that was impossible to refuse. It was indeed on the way from the school to the sports school, and Cang Tianci nodded without hesitation: "No...no problem."

And so, from that day on, the agreement to escort her was made. However, Cang Tianci soon noticed something "unusual." Every time he took her home, Lin Wanqing would always start a conversation, and the topic always revolved around studying.

"Tianci, could you give a more relatable example of 'subjective initiative' that the teacher mentioned in today's political class?" "Did you understand the principle behind that little experiment the physics teacher mentioned? Could you explain it to me and see if my understanding is the same?" "The annotation for this classical Chinese text says that this word is ambiguous. Which interpretation do you think is more fitting to the context?"

She let him speak, let him talk, let him repeat himself. At first, Tianci simply answered patiently, until one time when he was telling his story, he caught a glimpse of a smile in her eyes beyond her focused listening, and an expression encouraging him to express himself fluently. Suddenly, Tianci understood.

That's it!

Lin Ruoxi's rigorous discussions, Song Wei's enthusiastic curiosity, and even Lin Wanqing's seemingly dependent "plea for help"... they were all using their own methods to create opportunities for him to speak naturally and organize his thoughts. This cautious kindness, unassuming yet precisely targeting his most vulnerable spot. Recalling the first day of school when Lin Ruoxi defended him, saying, "His expression is gradually improving," and "We should help him," a huge, scalding warmth suddenly broke down Cang Tianci's defenses, surging through his entire body. That feeling of being carefully wrapped in kindness and treated gently was even more shocking and heartwarming than the moment he won the provincial gold medal.

However, this heartwarming "special training" was not without onlookers, nor was it blessed by everyone.

"Tsk, see? The 'Stuttering Hero' is escorting the 'Lame Talented Girl' home again. He's really busy." Zhao Xiaohu hooked his arm around Wang Yaowu's shoulder, his voice not too loud or too soft, just loud enough for the boys around to hear, which drew a burst of ambiguous and malicious chuckles.

"They're just taking advantage of their proximity; they're surrounded on all sides. How can they possibly manage?" Wang Yaowu chimed in sarcastically.

"Maybe he used some underhanded methods, after all, he's such a good fighter..."

These words, like a cold wind from a gutter, occasionally slipped into Cang Tianci's ears. But he simply silently channeled the Hidden Dragon Technique, quietly dispelling the rising anger and chill. His heart was filled with a different, more powerful warmth. The sour words of these petty scoundrels could no longer easily sting him.

He simply studied harder, trained more diligently, and cherished every opportunity to speak. He felt that the invisible barrier that bound his speech was gradually becoming fragile and loose under this day-to-day, diverse "bombardment."

Tianci always kept his distance from Zheng Tao. He could sense the scrutiny beneath the other man's smile.

One evening after self-study, the crowd thinned out. Zheng Tao didn't leave immediately. Instead, he casually strolled over to the desk where Zhao Xiaohu and Wang Yaowu were sitting with their arms around each other. He tapped the desk lightly with his knuckles and said in a low voice:

"Tiger, Yaowu, the 'central figure' of our class, are too popular. It's time to let everyone see whether there is real gold or rotten cotton under the glamorous facade."

Zhao Xiaohu's eyes lit up, and he asked, "Brother Tao, do you have any ideas?"

Zheng Tao's gaze swept across the deep night outside the window, a cold smile curving his lips: "Didn't he establish himself with 'real' things? Then let's pry open a crack in his most 'real' place. A pen, a few hundred yuan, is enough to turn 'hard work and honesty' into 'profiteering and treacherousness'."

He paused, looked at Zhao Xiaohu, and asked, "Xiaohu, don't you have an expensive imported pen? Do you have it?"

"Hey, Brother Tao, imported Parker, shiny silver, definitely 'substantial' and definitely 'something he'd be envious of'." Zhao Xiaohu grinned and patted his pocket.

"Yaowu," Zheng Tao turned to Wang Yaowu and instructed, "Tomorrow you're responsible for putting this pen in Cang Tianci's schoolbag. Be careful. Tomorrow afternoon during PE class, when the classroom is empty. I want it to 'appear' in a reasonable way, and be 'discovered' in full view of everyone."

Wang Yaowu nodded emphatically, a malicious gleam in his eyes: "Understood. I guarantee it will be well-hidden and found 'smoothly'!"

Zheng Tao gave the two men one last look, his tone chilling: "Remember, what we want isn't just a punishment, but to tear off his 'moral exemplar' facade. The higher the seed of doubt is planted, the more people will see him fall, and the more firmly they'll remember."