I Studied Abroad in the Modern Times

Chapter 58: Peculiar Interests

The Qingluan folded its wings, and the two women on its back descended gracefully.

“Senior Sister Zhang, let’s go see my mother first!” announced the Zhao family’s eldest daughter, dressed in striking red robes.

The “Senior Sister Zhang” she addressed remained silent, merely nodding with a cool demeanor as the pair headed toward the Madam’s two-story pavilion. As they neared, the eldest daughter’s pace quickened, her steps brimming with excitement.

Rarely seen outside her quarters, the Madam stood at the pavilion’s entrance, waiting.

The eldest daughter spotted her mother and, unable to contain her emotions, ran forward and threw herself into her arms.

“Mother!”

A decade of separation left her choking on words. Apart from the single heartfelt cry, she couldn’t manage anything else. Tears welled up and spilled over as she buried her face in her mother’s embrace.

The Madam gently stroked her daughter’s hair. In her memory, her little girl was small, her hair just long enough to tie into tiny braids. Now, the young woman in her arms was poised and graceful, taller than her, with a thick head of lustrous black hair.

Sniffing to suppress her tears, the Madam chided softly, “You’re all grown up now. Still crying the moment you see me—what kind of behavior is that?”

Her voice was hoarse, betraying her own surging emotions.

Senior Sister Zhang stood at a respectful distance, as if allowing the reunited mother and daughter their space.

The Madam, noticing her, patted her daughter’s back and said, “You’ve brought a guest. Aren’t you going to introduce her?”

The eldest daughter lifted her tear-streaked face, sheepishly wiped it against her mother’s robes, and turned to her companion. “Senior Sister Zhang, this is my mother.”

Senior Sister Zhang approached and gave the Madam a polite nod, her demeanor courteous but distant.

“And Mother,” the eldest daughter continued, “this is Senior Sister Zhang from Jiushan Sect, the youngest Talisman Master of the Hundred Immortals Alliance, and now a Golden Core cultivator!”

The Madam had initially found the visitor’s aloofness slightly rude, but hearing her credentials, she decided the woman was entitled to such an attitude.

Jiushan Sect, like Qingmu Sect, was a prestigious sect overseen by Nascent Soul elders. The Hundred Immortals Alliance was an even more formidable coalition of sects, wielding enormous influence with its countless affiliated cultivators.

For someone to earn the title of the youngest Talisman Master within such a vast organization was no small feat, and being a Golden Core cultivator only solidified her exceptional standing.

The Madam adopted a solemn expression and offered a deep bow. “I apologize for not recognizing a Golden Core master. Please forgive my oversight.”

Senior Sister Zhang’s gaze remained cool, but her tone was gracious. “There’s no need for formality, Madam. Zhao is my friend, and her ancestor is one of my elders. Let’s speak as equals, setting aside cultivation.”

Relieved, the Madam hesitated before saying, “Then I’ll take the liberty of addressing you as Niece. I’ve already asked the maids to prepare tea; please, come in and rest.”

Despite her outward composure, the Madam remained cautious, mindful not to offend the prodigious Golden Core cultivator.

The three ascended the pavilion. Once the eldest daughter had tidied herself up, they sat down for tea and conversation.

The Madam, ever observant, noticed that Senior Sister Zhang wasn’t so much aloof as she was reserved. Whenever the Madam addressed her directly, there was a faint trace of unease in her expression. However, when the Madam turned her attention solely to her daughter, Senior Sister Zhang seemed visibly more at ease.

Realizing the cultivator’s personality, the Madam refrained from forcing conversation, allowing her to relax.

At one point, Senior Sister Zhang, looking slightly bored, pointed at a small bookshelf. “May I take a look?”

“Make yourself at home,” the Madam replied warmly.

Senior Sister Zhang nodded, selected a book, and began reading.

As the Madam and her daughter chatted, she occasionally glanced at their guest, noting her deep focus on the book.

“Is Niece interested in that book?” the Madam asked, noticing it was Middle School Mathematics. Smiling, she added, “I found it quite headache-inducing myself, but I hear it’s said to be the work of a Nascent Soul master.”

Senior Sister Zhang paused, seemingly weighing the statement, then nodded. “That may very well be true. May I take this book with me to study further?”

The Madam hesitated briefly but, seeing no reason to refuse, replied generously, “This was a gift from my son’s study attendant. If it interests you, you’re welcome to take it.”

Moments later, the Madam suggested, “Traveling must have been tiring. I’ve had a clean guest room prepared near Shan’er’s courtyard. Why not rest there for a while?”

Senior Sister Zhang nodded and stood, following a maid out. At the door, she paused and turned back. “What’s the name of this study attendant?”

“Zheng Fa.”

“Zheng Fa,” she repeated, committing the name to memory before leaving with the book.

Once she was out of sight, the Madam exhaled deeply, as if releasing a long-held tension.

“Mother, why were you so nervous around Senior Sister Zhang?” the eldest daughter asked.

The Madam gave her a pointed look. “It’s your fault for bringing such a big shot into our home!”

Ignoring the comment, her daughter changed the subject. “Is Zheng Fa the study attendant you mentioned in your letter?”

“Yes, that’s him.”

“You asked me to reserve a spot as an attendant for him. That might not be possible anymore.”

The Madam frowned. “I’ve already promised him.”

“You don’t know the full story,” her daughter explained. “One spot has been reserved for a senior brother’s family member, and I’d planned to keep the other for my brother, just in case.”

“Your brother? Isn’t he entering the Immortal Talent Conference?”

“I heard the standards have been raised this year. His dual spiritual roots might not qualify as high-grade anymore, making Qingmu Sect…”

The Madam, unfamiliar with this development, grew anxious. “What will we do?”

“Don’t worry, Mother. I brought Senior Sister Zhang back specifically to teach him talismans. With her guidance, he might use talismans to meet the higher standards.”

The Madam finally understood why her daughter had brought such a notable figure home.

“And if he still fails…”

The eldest daughter sighed. “Then he’ll take the attendant spot and follow me to Qingmu Sect. At least he won’t waste away here.”

The Madam hesitated but relented when her daughter added, “Do you want him to end up like Father, wasting his life away because he couldn’t enter an Immortal Sect?”

...

At Zheng Fa’s courtyard, he was practicing the Pine Crane Stance after lunch, as was his habit even after mastering it.

A soft knock interrupted his focus.

Curious, he opened the door to find a cool-faced woman in a Daoist robe holding a book.

“Did you write this?” she asked, holding up Middle School Mathematics.

It took a moment for Zheng Fa to process her question. “It was taught to me by someone else,” he replied honestly, sensing her significant background.

“Are you skilled in mathematics?” she asked, her previously cold expression lighting up with genuine interest.

“I wouldn’t say skilled—just better than most.” Zheng Fa remained humble, reflecting on his middling abilities in the modern world but confident in his superiority here.

Her eyes sparkled with an intensity that startled him. “Do you, by chance, solve math problems for fun when you’re bored?”

“Do I what?” Zheng Fa repeated, baffled by the absurdity of the question.

She nodded eagerly, her expression akin to discovering a rare kindred spirit.

From the sidelines, Zheng’s mother peeked out with a questioning look that seemed to ask, Who’s this uninvited guest?

...

Well, a maniac, Zheng Fa thought.

Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!