Li Xiulan leaned around the edge of the table to see if Hou Jin was still at the front. She could see him standing there, although it seemed like several of the scholars had challenged him to a fight. They all lay on the floor, completely unconscious. Xu Chang was checking on each of them and making sure that they were alright while Hou Jin continued to insult the remaining scholars.

Song Fen peeked out from behind her and looked at the wreck Hou Jin had created.

“Ugh… he always gets into fights. It’s a good t...t-hing that Xu Chang is with him or else we probably would have both been challenged to a duel by now.”

“Xu Chang…” Li Xiulan repeated the name, pondering it. “Do you know him? Why is he with Hou Jin?” She watched as Xu Chang lifted up an unconscious man and moved him to a more comfortable spot. “He seems to be a much gentler person.”

Song Fen nodded in agreement. “T...t-echnically, he’s Hou Jin’s bodyguard, but he’s much more like his handler in reality. Without him, Hou Jin would have challenged a bunch of high-ranking officials and sullied the name of the White Snake sect.” She balanced herself on her knees, trying to get a better look at the scene. “Xu Chang is actually a good friend of my brother’s. I’ve only talked to him a few times, but he seems nice enough.”

“Huh,” Li Xiulan remarked. Xu Chang seemed to have convinced Hou Jin to leave the room, as the two of them were now walking towards the table Li Xiulan and Song Fen were hidden behind. Li Xiulan pulled her head back and retreated further towards the wall, pulling Song Fen with her. Xu Chang and Hou Jin passed by them, Hou Jin still prattling on while Xu Chang remained silent.

“-honestly, this is the competition? If only Song Fen and that girl… what was her name? Li something.”

“Li Xiulan,” Xu Chang replied.

“Yes, her. If they weren’t here, things would go much more smoothly.”

The two of them reached the door. Hou Jin continued walking, but Xu Chang paused. Noticing that his companion had stopped, Hou Jin turned around. Li Xiulan and Song Fen both scrambled to get out of his line of sight, scrunching themselves behind the table. Xu Chang bowed.

“Master Hou Jin, I have a meeting I must attend with the contest hosts. Please return to your room without me.”

Hou Jin’s victorious, biting smile faded. It seemed like he wanted to protest, but he contained the words. Is he actually friends with Xu Chang? Li Xiulan wondered. Maybe Xu Chang was the only one who would put up with his nonsense. “Alright. Come back as soon as you are finished.”

“Yes, sir.”

The two of them separated. Li Xiulan watched as they walked down the hall, with Hou Jin returning to his room and Xu Chang going the opposite direction towards a large set of sliding doors that she believed led to the main courtyard. Song Fen tugged on Li Xiulan’s sleeve.

“Should we go t...t-oo?”

“What?” Li Xiulan asked. Surely stalking a bodyguard wasn’t a good idea?

“Our clothes,” Song Fen elaborated. “We made it t...t-hrough to the next round. They should give us clothes that fit.”

“Oh.” Li Xiulan thought about it for a bit. Song Fen was right, but she didn’t want to take the risk that Xu Chang might think they were following him. If they got on his bad side, they’d have no chance of surviving until the end. But… she was curious as to what business he would have with the hosts. Even if they were caught, they had a legitimate excuse, right? 

“Mm. You’re right, let’s follow him.”