Chapter 11 - There Is No Other Choice as a Man (1/2)

Proofread by Fu Tianying

We had to say that Hu Chunqiu was not that stupid. He immediately realized that he was drugged, and Ma Tian’en was the first one to be suspected who pricked him with a needle just now. At that moment, he was seized by rage and had no other idea but to revenge himself on Ma Tian’en without any consideration that he was at the birthday party of Mrs. Tian.

Tian Ronghua came over and propitiated, “Since it happened in our Tian Family, I have to take the responsibility for bad treat whatever the reasons. Hope for your forgiveness.” Then, he whispered to Hu Chunqiu: “Mr. Hu, we’d better not make it more serious, which may harm your fame.”

Ma Tian’en looked at Hu Chunqiu triumphantly, waiting for him to make a scene. He didn’t worry at all because Tian Fugui had changed the cup when he took the rescue. If checked, no evidence would be found, and the drugs were already in the belly of Hu Chunqiu, who had no way to prove someone’s crime even in the court. In addition, if it was circulated, Hu Chunqiu might be said immoral to take aphrodisiac.

Thinking of that, Hu Chunqiu calmed down and found that the drug was still working, so if he continued to call to account, he would probably do something inappropriate. What’s more, he knew that he could not find any evidence since Ma Tian’en was certain about what to do. The most important was that though he could prove Ma Tian’en’s behavior, he would not take other serious consequences except for apologizing to him for he was infamous all the time, but his own reputation would be destroyed. Therefore, the best way was to admit that he was uncomfortable.

Therefore, Hu Chunqiu held back his anger and joined his hands to make an obeisance, “I felt a little sick when I woke up, but didn’t realize that it came on suddenly. Maybe I had caught a cold when I was reading last night, and I had drunk too much as I was happy today, so my body had a fever and my brain was dizzy. I’d like to express my sincere thanks to Mr. Ma for rescuing me.”

Saying that, he turned back and left right away with the company of Tian Ronghua, who would arrange him to have a rest. Meanwhile, Tian Fugui was asked to greet all the guests.

Though waiting for a while, people could continue with fresh dishes with the cold ones replaced. Without Hu Chunqiu and Tian Ronghua, the atmosphere was much warmer. Everyone ate and talked. Ma Tian’en made people laugh by various jokes, as if the unhappy things had not happened.

Tian Ronghua went back after all had eaten the birthday cake. He chatted with guests until they had to leave respectively as it was getting late.

With pride from the bottom of heart and the drive of alcohol, Ma Tian’en ran directly to the room of Wu Zhong as he got home. While he shouted “teacher”, he pushed in to find Wu Zhong sitting at the table infront of the window, holding a book in his hand. In an indigo gown, he had his hair in a bun without kerchief. The setting sun sprinkled on him through the window, and he put down the book and turned around as he heard Ma Tian’en. With gentle smile, his eyes were full of warm light. Ma Tian’en felt that his mind seemed to stop thinking for a moment, and his heart jumped faster as if to jump out. Pinching his hot face, he thought that if she had taken the aphrodisiac too.

“Why are you running so urgently? Come and have a seat,” said Wu Zhong, and stood up to greet Ma Tian’en. Feeling the smell of the alcohol in his body, he knitted his eyebrows. Then he put scented tea in a tea pot, then used the boiling water to brew it. Wu Zhong, with his slender fingers, adjusted the tea cream by a small amount of boiling water and then poured slowly while he tapped at the same time by a tea cage. After a while, the cup of tea was handed over to Ma Tian’en until the pale yellow color appeared.

“You are too young to drink so much; just take a cup of tea to dispel the effect of alcohol.” Wu Zhong knew that Ma Tian’en could not avoid social engagements as the inheritor of the Ma Family, but he still felt pity for him.

“Dear master, I’m OK,” Ma Tian’en took a sip and then he hurriedly asked him for a prize, “I have taken revenge for you today.”

“Revenge? What’s that for?” Wu Zhong looked at Ma Tian’en with doubt, with a bad feeling arising in his heart.