Transmigrated into a Grandpa, Embracing the Laid-Back Life

Chapter 15: The Old Fox

When Teacher Zhou finished speaking, his words landed like a stone thrown into a calm pond, sending out a thousand ripples.

Inside the schoolhouse, the children's expressions were a spectacle. Some were shocked, some puzzled, some jealous, but most were simply bewildered.

They couldn't understand how Su Ming's few blunt, homespun sentences could be put on the same level as Zhao Rui's grand-sounding words, and even seemed to have the upper hand.

Zhao Rui's face shifted from the color of pig liver to deathly pale, then swelled into a bluish-purple. He felt Teacher Zhou's phrase "I'll award it to Su Ming and Zhao Rui" was not an announcement but a verdict.

A verdict of his failure.

The literary talent he prided himself on looked so pale and powerless compared to Su Ming's words, which smelled of blood and soil—a joke.

"Class dismissed." Teacher Zhou tapped the ruler, and did not add another word.

The students left one after another. As they passed Su Ming, their gazes grew complicated.

Zhao Rui let out a haughty snort through his teeth, shoved Su Ming hard in the shoulder, and strode off.

"Alright, alright, don't stare, they'll be gone soon." Lin Yu yawned in Su Ming's head."Su Ming, stay behind." Teacher Zhou's voice came again.

Su Ming stepped to the desk, bowed respectfully and saluted, "Teacher."

Teacher Zhou looked at him with approval, with sentiment, and with a faint, hard-to-notice worry. He took a booklet from his book chest.

The booklet wasn't thick. Its cover was yellowed coarse hemp paper, stitched with thin hemp thread, the corners worn—clearly handled countless times by its owner.

"This is the Thousand Character Classic." Teacher Zhou handed the booklet to Su Ming, "I copied it by hand when I was young, and I added some of my annotations."

Su Ming received it with both hands. The booklet felt warm, carrying a faint scent of ink and the weight of years.

"Teacher, this is too precious…"

"Take it." Teacher Zhou waved a hand, "Your literacy is shallow, your foundation unstable. In town, even in the county, there will be plenty of people smarter and better-off than you. What you said was very good—its merit is in being 'true', in being 'real'. But remember, there are many people who prefer pretty words. Your path is going to be much harder than Zhao Rui's."

"Student remembers."

"Go, study well these few days. Do not disappoint your brothers' hard efforts, and do not… disappoint the heart within you."

Su Ming cradled the Thousand Character Classic, bowed deeply, and left the schoolhouse.

Lin Yu's voice thrilled, "This old teacher truly favors you! This hand-copied volume is worth more than ten taels of silver!"

By the time Su Ming returned home, the news had flown through the whole village like it had grown wings.

Mrs. Chen and Wang Chuntao were surrounded by a group of women, led by

Chuntao, I told you, your Xiaoming is the Literary Star descended

when he becomes an official, don't forget

her smile impossible to hide, while she modestly said, "Oh, nonsense, it's not

on the threshold, the pipe smoke from his tobacco blinking in little bursts. The faint smile at the corner of his mouth was

Su Feng grinned widely,

Ming return, the courtyard's

"Xiao Ming is back!"

a little awkward. He hugged the Thousand Character

strong, full-voiced call came from the

"Brother Su, at home?"

neither large nor small, his face bearing

him trailed a sulking Zhao

conversation fell silent. The villagers politely said

greet them, "Village Chief, what wind has brought you here? Come, sit in

landing directly on Su

about what he said at the schoolhouse—well said! It touched the

left

what to do with their

shoulder and, addressing Su Ming, said, "Su Ming, look, my boy was spoiled by us since childhood. He recited a few dead texts and doesn't know his place. The road to town is long and as his father I'm really uneasy. You're steadier and more sensible than he is. On the journey, I

words even

look after Zhao Rui? The sun

retort, but his father shot

pouch from his pocket and thrust it into Su Ming's hand, "One hundred wen here. Not much—consider it this elder's

the pouch and it felt hot

voice decisively rang in his head, "Not accepting would be a public slap in his face. Take it, smile! Yes, that simple,

Village Chief…"

patted his shoulder, "It's settled! On the journey, you two must be like brothers and support

that he pulled the humiliated-looking Zhao Rui and left, briskly, not giving the Su family

through the gate, the Su family came back to

about?" Su Yang couldn't help but blurt,

after a long time, exhaled, "He's

hundred times smarter than his son. He knows you've made a name

an investment. If his son fails, and you succeed, he can always pull out today's good deed as leverage. If something happens on the road, or his son gets into trouble, he can say, 'I entrusted my son to Su Ming's care,' and

is not for tea. It's your liability insurance. Welcome to the

For the first time he felt how many curved paths and

household packed Su Ming's

garment, folded it again and again, and put it in the bundle.

food is expensive." She fussed as she packed,

Su Ming a cloth bag containing a bit of silver and