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.

were surrounded by a group of women, led by Widow Li, the village's mobile gossip

Chuntao, I told you, your Xiaoming is the Literary Star descended to earth! Now he’ll

when he becomes an official,

ever, her smile impossible to hide, while she modestly said, "Oh, nonsense, it's

blinking in little bursts. The faint smile

Yang and Su Feng grinned widely, stupidly

Ming return,

"Xiao Ming is back!"

little awkward. He hugged the Thousand Character Classic

that moment, a strong, full-voiced call came

"Brother Su, at home?"

and froze. The visitor wore a silk shirt, his belly neither large nor

him trailed a

The villagers politely said hello

Shan quickly stood, patted his chest, and rushed to greet them, "Village Chief, what wind has brought you here? Come, sit in the

no." Zhao Dequan waved, his gaze landing directly on Su Ming, as if appraising a newly

offer congratulations." Zhao Dequan said with a chuckle, "Su Ming, that child has promise! I heard my son tell me about what he said at the schoolhouse—well said! It touched the hearts of us farmers!

praise left

what to do with their hands, only managing

texts and doesn't know his place. The road to town is long and as his father

words even

Rui?

but his

hundred wen here. Not much—consider it this elder's gift to buy you

pouch and it felt hot

would be a public slap in his face. Take it, smile! Yes, that

Village Chief…" Su

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

humiliated-looking Zhao Rui and left, briskly, not giving the Su family time

and son disappeared through the gate,

was that about?" Su Yang couldn't help but blurt, scratching his

after a long time, exhaled, "He's buying favor for

smarter than his son. He

'bound' you two as brothers. It's 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

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

and looked at the little pouch. For the first time he felt how many curved paths and hidden meanings there could

Su household

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

food is expensive."

bag containing a bit of silver and said only two