Chapter 20: Why Buy Books? Just Memorize Them, Isn’t That Enough?

Li Weide and Tom spent quite some time in the wand shop. Li Weide’s demeanor had inspired Ollivander in a way only he could understand. He didn’t even charge Tom and Li Weide for their wands.

Standing at the shop’s entrance, a flicker of confusion crossed Tom’s eyes.

“What’s going on? Now that we have money, it feels like we can’t spend it?”

“If you want to spend some… you can help me buy the things on my list,” Li Weide cheerfully handed over his shopping list.

“Buy your own things yourself!” Tom said, turning on his heel and walking away briskly, as if something dirty were chasing him.

Li Weide shook his head helplessly. When kids get money, their wings get stronger, indeed.

After reflecting on that, he proceeded to stroll through Diagon Alley, ticking off items on his list methodically.

It was already three in the afternoon, and time was running short—they had to get back to the Wus Orphanage before nightfall.

Li Weide was quick; before long, he arrived at the bookstore, Laden Pages, carrying heavy bags. This was his last stop for the day and the one he looked forward to the most.

Of course... it was also Tom’s favorite stop.

Li Weide spotted him already, engrossed in various spell books with great interest.

But he didn’t disturb Tom, as he still had his own business to attend to.

Seeing the time and feeling it was still early, Li Weide handed his list of textbooks to a clerk and asked to have the required books gathered for him.

The clerk moved about with practiced ease, retrieving the books.

Li Weide, meanwhile, ventured alone into the towering bookshelves. After a brief search, he pulled out a book and began reading.

...

“We should go!”

Li Weide felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see Tom.

The sunset’s last light streamed through the bookstore’s entrance; it was quite late.

Li Weide quickly flipped through the last pages of the book in his hands, then joined Tom at the counter.

Their textbooks were neatly packed and waiting.

Beside Tom’s textbooks was a pile of other books; presumably, these were additional purchases.

---

Tom frowned at the mound of books and the heavy bags, feeling somewhat overwhelmed.

“Could you help us ship these books?” Li Weide asked politely. “There’s too much; we can’t carry it all.”

“Of course. Please write down your address.” The clerk smiled, handing over paper and pen.

“And can you ship these other items as well?” Li Weide placed the rest of their belongings before the clerk.

“Certainly, although for items not purchased here, there will be a small handling fee.”

“No problem,” Li Weide agreed readily; the fee was negligible to him.

After writing their address, the two left Laden Pages empty-handed.

Apart from their wands, everything they bought today was sent by mail.

“Didn’t you buy any other books?” Tom eyed Li Weide curiously.

He’d noticed that aside from the required textbooks, Li Weide hadn’t purchased a single book.

Tom knew Li Weide well enough—this guy, like himself, hungered for power. How could he possibly skip buying spell books to enhance himself?

“I bought a lot of magical automatic sketch pens and plenty of parchment,” Li Weide said cheerfully.

“What do you need those for?” Tom asked in confusion.

Li Weide looked surprised. “I’ve memorized all the books I’m interested in. I just need to recite them back at home. Why would I buy them?”

“Pfft…” Tom didn’t believe a word of that boast.

What Tom didn’t realize was that Li Weide wasn’t bluffing; he truly possessed an eidetic memory...

Li Weide glanced at a clock in a nearby shop and sighed. “Instead of fussing over these things, you should be thinking about how to explain to Mrs. Cole. We’ve been missing for a full twelve hours.”

Tom’s face instantly changed. “You’re not seriously planning to tell her it was me who dragged you out for a day of wild fun, are you?”

Li Weide blinked. “Isn’t that true? It was your idea to sneak out this morning. Besides, I’m a ‘good’ kid... who do you think Mrs. Cole would believe, you or me?”

“Damn it! If you hadn’t insisted on playing ‘poacher on poachers,’ we’d have been back already!”

“So what? You didn’t spend the money we earned? Those books you bought at Laden Pages cost a gold or two each. If I hadn’t come with you, could you have bought so many?”

“You... you bastard!”

“Honestly, since you benefited so much, shouldn’t you take some responsibility and shoulder the blame? You can’t just freeload!”

“Freeload? What the hell… Did I do nothing? Who summoned those snakes when we raided the kidnappers’ hideout?”

“Oh right, right, and then invited Nagini, nearly got us killed, didn’t you?”

“You’re shameless! That was your idea!”

“I don’t care... You dragged me into sneaking out.”

“You don’t seriously think I was scared of that old cat, do you?”

“Then take the blame!”

“No! I refuse!”

“Are you scared of me?”

“You... you’re ruthless!”

The two bickered all the way back. By the time they reached the orphanage gates, night had fully fallen.

After walking so far, Tom felt as if his legs no longer belonged to him...

Yet Li Weide showed no sign of fatigue, still brimming with energy despite walking several kilometers.

“How are you not tired at all?” Tom panted. He’d never walked this far in one go before!

“Hmm, I bought some temporary physical enhancement potions... You know what potions are, right? That kind of stuff…”

“I know what they are!” Tom said indignantly. “Why didn’t you tell me to buy some too?”

“You didn’t want to come with me, so how could I call you? I had to get some for myself.”

“You...” Tom felt his lungs might burst with frustration. He wanted to argue, but being in the wrong, he couldn’t.

Just as he sulked, reaching to draw his wand for a showdown with Li Weide—

“Looks like you’ve had a busy day,” a familiar voice came from the shadows.

Li Weide and Tom fell silent instantly, as if under a silencing spell.

Dumbledore stepped slowly from the shadows, his scrutinizing gaze fixed on the two children.

Tom felt a chill run through his blood... a feeling he deeply loathed.

“Good evening, Professor Dumbledore. What a coincidence to run into you here...” Li Weide broke the silence.

He glanced at the orphanage gates behind Dumbledore. It was clear this was no coincidence—Dumbledore had been waiting for them here all along.