C13 A Distribution

"That's the old man, our White Courtyard's chef. He's got a real knack for cooking," Huajun said with a smile.

The table was already set with dishes: eight plates in total, featuring five stir-fried dishes, one soup, two plates of assorted fruits, a stack of white porcelain bowls and chopsticks, and a wooden basin brimming with rice.

Two long benches flanked the table, and to the left was a single chair. Huajun led Yu Yin and the seven others to a table in the corner. She took her seat in the chair and gestured for everyone else to sit.

"When the instructor hasn't picked up their chopsticks, none of you may start eating. If the instructor hasn't tried a dish, you can't either. Understood?" Huajun instructed once everyone was seated.

The group of eight stared at her, taken aback.

"It's just how things are done at the academy," Huajun stated calmly, exuding an air of authority without showing any anger.

Yu Yin frowned, his opinion of Huajun dropping sharply. The idea of hierarchy even at mealtime didn't sit well with him.

"Go ahead and serve the rice, Little Fatty," Huajun said with a light chuckle, nodding at Dongmen Ai.

Ravenous, Dongmen Ai's eyes practically glowed with hunger. He quickly got up and began serving rice to everyone.

"Please, Master," he said with a grin, presenting the first bowl of rice to Huajun with both hands.

Huajun nodded in approval, clearly pleased with Dongmen Ai's actions.

"What a sycophant," Ou Lu muttered under his breath, rolling his eyes.

Once everyone had their food, they all waited for Huajun to make the first move.

Huajun took to heart the importance of maintaining dignity as a leader, a lesson she remembered from Long Yang. Now, she reveled in the truth of that advice.

This meal turned out to be the most uncomfortable dining experience Yu Yin and the others had ever had, especially for Zhuang Jiujing, who was accustomed to a life of luxury. She barely touched her chopsticks.

After the meal, Huajun announced, "There's dishwater in the room. One of you stay behind to wash the dishes; the rest will come with me to get your daily supplies."

"Ladies first. Shall we five discuss who washes up?" Zhao Cai suggested with a smile as he stood up.

"Since you're so eager, you can be the one to stay," Yu Yin said coolly, then rose to follow Huajun out.

Xia Chen glanced at the leftover food and followed the others out.

"Damn it, I'm not cleaning this up." Ou Lu cursed, visibly upset. He spun on his heel and stormed off.

"Cough, cough. Dongmen Ai, maybe you could wash up this time?" Zhao Cai suggested, eager to make his own escape.

"Um, you all go ahead. I'll stay behind and wash," Zhang Ziyue offered with hesitation.

"Silly girl, why bother washing? Let's just leave," Huixiao scoffed, grabbing her and pulling her away.

With an expressionless face, Zhuang Jiujing watched the departing group and then left herself.

Eventually, Zhao Cai and Dongmen Ai were the only ones left staring at each other across the table.

"Let's do this: I'll wash up this time. When we get back, we can work out a duty roster so everyone takes turns," Dongmen Ai proposed.

"Do you think Yu Yin will listen to you?" Zhao Cai asked with a sneer.

"Don't worry, I'll make sure he agrees."

"I have no objections, naturally. So, I'll leave this task to you," Zhao Cai conceded.

Zhuo Courtyard —

The courtyard was bustling as Huajun led Yu Yin and the others into the back room.

Inside, the floor and bed were piled high with various supplies.

"Each mentor typically has fewer than twelve students, so these items are portioned out for twelve," Huajun explained, approaching one of the stacks.

"Each person gets ten pairs of white socks, two wooden basins, two sets of bedding, two sets of long robes and undershirts, two pairs of boots, a silk scarf, a straw mat, a set of porcelain, a jade belt, and a packet of mouthwash powder."

"Please check everything and let me know immediately if anything is missing."

They carried the packages into the room, and Yu Yin and the others began to arrange their supplies.

"The well water is warm in winter and cool in summer. After washing up, get some rest. Tomorrow, I'll start teaching you how to cultivate," Huajun advised before leaving.

"Is this all mine?" Dongmen Ai chuckled upon seeing the pile of items by the bed as he entered the room.

"I picked it up for you. Here's the mentor's checklist. See if anything's missing," Yu Yin said, handing him the list.

"Haha, thanks a lot, Yu Yin," Dongmen Ai said with a hearty laugh as he accepted the list.

Yu Yin gave a slight smile, turned, and continued tidying up the beds.

As time passed, the sky grew dim. By now, the five of them had nearly finished their cleaning.

"Yu Yin, everyone, I borrowed a wooden plank from the kitchen and used a white stone to write out a future dishwashing and duty roster. Take a look and let me know if anything needs to be changed," Dongmen Ai announced.

"Life is long; we should take turns to avoid any hard feelings," he said, holding up a square wooden board with a grin.

"I've set it up so that each of us takes a turn daily. I'll skip today since I've already done my part. How about we officially start the rotation tomorrow?"

Yu Yin and the others cast their eyes on the wooden board but remained silent.

"We can't always be looking out for our own advantage. I agree with Dongmen Ai's duty board," Zhao Cai said, nodding in approval.

"Damn, that's fairer. I'm in," Ou Lu grumbled in agreement.

"I have no objections," Xia Chen said, his voice neutral.

"Yu Yin, what about you?" Dongmen Ai asked, turning to him.

"I disagree," Yu Yin stated, his face devoid of emotion.

The four men were taken aback, their brows furrowing.

"What, you expect us to wait on you?" Zhao Cai asked icily.

"That's not right, Yu Yin," Dongmen Ai said, his tone one of resignation.

"You little bastard, I've never been so tempted to punch someone," Ou Lu fumed, his anger visible.

Yu Yin ignored their reactions, his gaze fixed on Dongmen Ai.

"There are eight students. Are the women exempt from doing anything just because they're women?" he challenged.

Everyone liked to talk about equality between the sexes, but when it came down to it, women often received extra help with their responsibilities.

Yu Yin wasn't deeply offended by this, but he believed it was important to address and correct this unfair practice.

"Are you even a man?" Zhao Cai taunted.

"In that case, you might as well consider me a woman. But I would prefer not to be included on the duty roster," Yu Yin retorted with a scoff.

The atmosphere turned tense as the four men stared at him.

"Your shamelessness has completely reset my standards, you know that?" Zhao Cai declared.

"I'm too ashamed to associate with you," Ou Lu sneered with disdain.

"Fine, I'll go ask Huixiao and the others," Dongmen Ai sighed, picking up the wooden plank and leaving.

Yu Yin, uninterested in engaging with anyone, grabbed two wooden basins—one for washing his face and the other for his feet—and left the room to take a shower.

The sound of water echoed loudly as Yu Yin, standing by the well in the center of the courtyard, doused himself, drawing the curious gazes of those around him.

"Where did this country bumpkin come from?" some wealthy young men muttered with furrowed brows.

"How shameless," a few passing female students muttered, blushing and unable to look at him.

Yu Yin glanced down at his gray-white cloth pants, frowning in confusion. He hadn't fully exposed himself, he thought.

In Huajun's room, she watched Yu Yin showering unabashedly in the courtyard and couldn't help but scold with a mix of laughter and tears, "This brazen boy."

"Close the door, so we don't have to see that," she added.

Huixiao and the other two girls quickly lowered their heads and moved to shut the door.

"Since none of you object, that settles it. I'll head back first," Dongmen Ai quickly said to the three women, eager to leave.

"Yes, of course," Zhang Ziyue replied timidly.

As night descended, the entire island was enveloped in darkness.

Yu Yin changed into his inner shirt and lay on the bed with his eyes closed, but sleep eluded him.

The room was silent, and Xia Chen, along with the others, lay awake, each lost in their own thoughts.

"Mother..." Yu Yin whispered softly. Despite all he had been through, the memory of the fire remained an inescapable nightmare.

Deep into the night, only the song of nightingales filled the air, and eventually, all five of them drifted off to sleep.