The Heroine Disguises Herself As A Man To Enter The Academy, And The Hero Loses His Memory And Forgets his First Love. - Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

To My Dearest Die’er,

You are so beautiful—just one glance over your shoulder, and I lose half my lifetime. You are so alluring—charming and graceful, like the tender waters of spring.

The passion in my veins, like the fuse of a firework, has been lit by you. I would burst forth into dazzling fire-butterflies just for you.

In this moment, all I want to hear is you say—you want this uncontrollable passion of mine.

My long wait, I would gladly turn into dust beneath your feet—so you may trample it as you please.

Where colorful butterflies dance, I will be there, following.

By the Yuanshui Bridge—I won’t leave until we meet.

Forever waiting,

Mei Fugui

Several red plum blossoms were drawn on the paper, snowflakes drifting between, with butterflies delicately added. Colorful-winged insects clung to snowy plum branches as if caught in a spiderweb, unable to fly away.

“Wow!! So poetic! I’m seriously a genius! Mwahahaha!”

“Young Master Ba, what are you howling about?”

“Shoo! This is Eastern calligraphy, you wouldn’t understand. What’s your education level? Just eat more and talk less.”

“…”

He tossed the brush aside, dramatically swirled his wide sleeves, pulled out a carved seal, and stamped it down with a bang. In the corner, he added another plum blossom and a gold ingot.

“Done. Case closed.”

“Wait, Ba Gongzi, you… this? This counts as done?! This is the very first love letter of my life! It’s important to me—and to the entire Mei family bloodline!”

“Look, I can’t help you with continuing your bloodline. But don’t worry—I always consider my clients’ needs with utmost care. See? I even worked both your names—Mei and Die—into the letter. Trust me, once your little Die’er reads this, she’ll be utterly captivated by your creativity, talent, and deep affection. She’ll want to fly straight to Yuanshui Bridge and elope on the spot.”

“Is it really that magical? Let me see!”

“Silver first, then goods. That’s the rule.”

“Pfft. Miserly scholar. My love for Die’er is priceless!”

No sooner had Mei Fugui spoken than a piece of silver clattered onto the table. One hand paid, one hand delivered. The delicately scented love letter slid to the edge of the desk.

Ba Gongzi grinned as he weighed the silver in his hand and slipped it into his pouch.

“Take it home and savor your priceless love letter. I’m closing shop now.”

“Wait—Ba Gongzi.” Mei Fugui’s tone changed as he grabbed the shorter scholar by the collar. “Hiss—Listen, I might not have read many books, but can you explain why butterflies are landing on plum blossoms in winter?”

Butterflies that lively in freezing temperatures? He had never seen such a thing.

Ba Gongzi raised a brow, brushed off Mei’s hand, and calmly straightened his robe.

“Let me ask you—when do butterflies appear?”

“When it’s warm, obviously!”

“And plum blossoms?”

“Middle of winter!”

“And your surname is Mei?”

“Mei Fugui! Everyone within a hundred li knows me! Rich lands, vast wealth—”

“Sounds like your wealth ends with you… what rotten luck.”

“What did you just mutter?!”

“Ahem, I mean—you’re Mei, she’s Die (Butterfly). One blooms in the dead of winter, the other dances in spring’s warmth…”

“So that means…?”

(What it really meant: You two are incompatible. You’re overthinking this. Too full of yourself. Who chases butterflies in the dead of winter?)But of course, he couldn’t say that out loud. That would ruin the artistry. Instead, Ba Gongzi nodded solemnly:

“It means your fates were written in the stars. Stronger than gold. You would bloom in sunlight for her; she would fly into winter for you. It’s a literary technique—exaggeration. Do you get it? Do you get it??”

“Is… is that really what it means?”

“Pfft! No one around here questions the quality of my love letters! Every newlywed couple on this street—guess who wrote the sample calligraphy they used to woo each other? Me! Why haven’t you won her heart? Because your brain’s stuck in the past. Know what that means? Let me tell you a story: Once, there was a rich miser who had no romance, no class. All he did was count silver and gnaw on pork ribs all day. He chewed and chewed until his intestines got clogged!”

“Ohh! That’s what ‘stuck in the past’ means?! No wonder Die’er said that about me…”

“Now that you know where you went wrong, go fix it! And because I’m generous, I won’t charge you a consultation fee today. But I don’t want to see you again anytime soon! Begone!”

“Yes! Yes! Thank you, Ba Gongzi! I’ll disappear right away! So Die’er will definitely show up at the bridge after this?”

“If she doesn’t, it means you still haven’t improved enough!”

“Got it! Starting today, no more pork ribs!”

“Hmph. You better keep your word.”

The unlucky customer vanished down the street. The silver clinked into a tiny pouch. Ba Gongzi grinned triumphantly, tying it to his waist.

That Die’er girl had already said she only wanted to marry a cultured scholar. She didn’t care one bit for the Mei family’s silver. A single love letter wasn’t enough to win her—unless she was already falling for him. That meant Ba Gongzi had to protect himself—step aside gracefully when things went south, and keep his golden reputation intact.

He picked up the folded letter, stuffed it into his waistband, pulled his robe tight, bit his fan between his teeth, and hurried outside.

Ba Gongzi had just stepped outside when three young women gathered nearby, giggling and pointing at him.

“It’s the young master from Wuya Bookhouse! Even today, he radiates that scholarly glow. So elegant, so refined—who wouldn’t want a gentleman like him?”

“A scholar glowing with scholarly energy—what else would he glow with? Killing intent? Please. Look at him—thin neck, swaying waist. He looks more like a woman than a man.”

“You don’t understand Ba Gongzi’s charm! I once asked him to write a love letter for me to give to my childhood sweetheart. And guess what? The very next day, the guy showed up at my house to propose!”

“Your man’s a bit too easy, don’t you think?”

“No, it’s Ba Gongzi’s fault! He told me to just casually toss the letter somewhere obvious—like, where the guy’s parents could find it. He wrote that I was graceful, good at managing a household, modest, and wise. So…”

“Wait, he helped you design a trap for your future husband? That’s… sneaky.”

“I honestly don’t think he’s that amazing. He’s just clever. I mean, what kind of proper young master struts around like that—fan in mouth, flouncing like a lunatic in the street?”

“A real man should be more like Chancellor Li’s eldest son—dignified, noble, refined. Just looking into his eyes makes me weak.”

“You mean Li Chenjing from East Sequence Academy? The one we voted most eligible bachelor? He’s hard to approach. I heard from people at his school that he’s not interested in romance at all.”

“Not into women? Then… into men? Could men love men?”

“The love between men—‘Longyang affection’—has been a mystery for centuries. We women may never understand.”

“You think he’d be interested in Ba Gongzi?”

“Pfft! As if. Even if he doesn’t like women, he’d never go for someone as flamboyant as that!”

“Shhh! Quiet down—he heard you!”

Ba Gongzi heard every word. His smile twitched. Flamboyant sissy, was it? Hmph!

Grinning broadly, he sucked up the bit of drool threatening to fall from his mouth, stopped dead in the street, and took the fan from his teeth. With a flick, it unfolded in one elegant motion—revealing a painted orchid. He arched his brows with a sly smile and stepped forward, calm and poised, his shoes clicking smartly against the pavement.

The girls blushed and fell silent.

Dignified and aloof? Is that all it takes? Just walk slower and talk less?

Women are blind—blind in sight and in heart. That’s why they pick the wrong man and love the wrong person. But him? His calling was to guide them from darkness into light. A noble mission indeed!

But not today.

At the fifth willow tree by Liutiao Street, another client awaited one of his handwritten love letters to win over a lover.

This one was secretive. Ba Gongzi hadn’t even seen his face. He’d only received a message and a delivery passphrase.

Probably one of those sour-faced scholars, Ba thought. They recite Confucius and Mencius but forget how to write about love. They’re too embarrassed to ask guys like me for help. But their desire for romance? That’s real. Physical needs? Go to Chunfen House. Emotional needs? That’s my department.

What’s the big deal? Just a love letter. Why the secrecy? Let’s check the passphrase…

The evening sun cast a red glow across the street and lake. Willow branches danced in the wind. Beneath the fifth tree, a figure stood with his hands clasped behind his back, facing the lake.

He wore no headpiece. Silk-black hair flowed freely, with strands tangled among the willow fronds. Gold-edged robes flowed like water. A few downy seeds clung to his wide sleeves.

A nobleman. Regal and refined. The kind of man who probably never burped, scratched, or used the toilet.

The gently swaying willows made his silhouette flicker like a spirit from another world. Calm, otherworldly. Eyes lowered, he gazed at the rippling lake, as if waiting, or simply lost in thought. His whole aura screamed: Do not disturb.

That must be him, Ba thought. Time to break the ice.

“HAHAHA! Friend! Buying a love letter isn’t shameful. Life’s already hard—why make it sad too?”

SLAP—his hand landed squarely on the nobleman’s back.

The man turned slowly, black eyes deep and unreadable. His lashes didn’t even flicker.

“What?”

“Oh, come on, don’t play dumb. I, Ba Gongzi, always respect client privacy. Even if you’re secretly courting a married woman, or a top courtesan from Chunfen House, I won’t judge. Love is innocent! Freedom reigns! But, uh, since emotions are pricey, you should… maybe… pay up?” He wiggled his fingers meaningfully.

“…”

Why is he looking at me like I’m insane?

Come on, lighten the mood already! These stiff scholars think they’re above everyone else! Hmph. Fine. Time for the passphrase.

He coughed into his fist, put on a serious face, and declared:

“Let me ask: Who in the world is most—□□?”

“…”

“Hey, aren’t you supposed to answer? Did I miss a memo? Since when is silence the standard for manliness?! Someone should’ve told me! Hey—say something!”

“…What should I say?”

“You’re supposed to respond with your line! The code! I mean—let me see…” He pulled out the note and read the response aloud:

“So dazzling, none shall surpass!”

“Your lust has nothing to do with me.”

“…”

Wait, what?

He thought that line was poetic! So refined! So self-aware!

Could it be…

I’ve got the wrong guy?!

Before Ba Gongzi could flee, his waistband came loose, and the love letter slipped to the ground.

Big characters on the envelope caught the nobleman’s eye. He frowned.

To: Li Chenjing

The man bent to pick it up and, without a word, unfolded the letter.

“W-Wait! That’s a product for sale! No payment, no opening! You can’t just read it!”

“A product?”

“Yes! Return it now, or I’ll take drastic measures!”

Ba Gongzi shoved his fan into his belt, rolled up his sleeves, and struck a fighting pose.

But Li Chenjing merely glanced at him and asked coolly:

“You wrote this?”

“Of course! And you’ve got no manners—rich family, fancy clothes, and no respect for personal privacy? Peeking into others’ letters for pervy satisfaction? Don’t think I won’t punch that pretty face of yours!”

Li Chenjing ignored him and read aloud:

“What is love in this world?
It’s all bloody useless.
Thousands of flowers, plucked in haste—
Blow out the candle, and they’re all the same.”

His tone was calm, almost elegant. Yet the words were… crude.

“Meaning?” he asked, looking up.

His eyes caught the dying sunlight, shimmering like wine. For a moment, Ba Gongzi felt an electric jolt. His raised fist slowly lowered, his mouth moving on autopilot.

“It’s… a love letter.”

“This?”

“I-It might be… a little different from what you usually get. I left in a rush and… maybe grabbed the wrong one…”

“You wrote this love letter—for me?”

“…What?!”

“Why would you write me a love letter?”

“For you?!” Ba Gongzi’s eyes bulged. He rubbed them in disbelief. Then he spotted the jade pendant at the man’s waist—engraved with three characters: Li Chenjing.

Oh gods. Two men. One letter. A sunset. A willow-framed lake.

This looks like a confession scene!

Ba Gongzi panicked.

“Young Master Li, I—I—listen, I didn’t—”

“You didn’t write it?”

“I did! But I don’t like you!”

“…”

“We’re both guys! Why would I have any of those feelings for you?! That’s improper desire! Even Confucius said: avoid improper thoughts! HAHAHA!”

“That letter—keep it. I’m leaving.”

“Wait—over there—!”

As Ba tried to flee, Li Chenjing reached out to stop him. Ba panicked, slapped his hand away with his fan, and stumbled backward—

Only to find no ground beneath his foot.

Where’s the floor?! Why can’t I feel the floor?! Why is the ground gone?! Why is he smiling?! Oh gods—he’s smiling at my pain?!

SPLASH. A body hit the lake.

Li Chenjing calmly finished his sentence:

“That paving stone was loose.”

You scheming bastard. I’ll remember this