Transmigrated into a Grandpa, Embracing the Laid-Back Life

Chapter 23: This isn't stealing, it's academic borrowing

The oppressive atmosphere in the Zhou family dining hall was instantly ignited by Zhou Yulin's return.

He practically charged inside, his face bearing a mix of excitement, shock, and fervor, completely lacking the steadiness expected of a young master from an established family.

"Father!"

Zhou Wenhai was holding a teacup. Seeing his son in such a state, his brows furrowed slightly. "What matter has you so flustered? This is utterly unbecoming!"

Zhou Kang, who had been sitting awkwardly to the side unsure whether to leave or stay, also looked up curiously.

Zhou Yulin paid no heed to his father's scolding. He rushed to the table in a few quick strides, his breathing somewhat unsteady from running so urgently.

"Father! That Su Ming... he... he is absolutely no ordinary person!"

Zhou Wenhai's hand, holding the teacup, paused mid-air. His sharp gaze settled on his son.

"Explain in detail."

"Yes!" Zhou Yulin took a deep breath, trying to calm himself, and recounted everything he had seen and heard in the backyard exactly as it happened.Imitating Su Ming's tone, he named the three ugly clay pots the "Natural Way Group," the "External Intervention Group," and the "Adversity Survival Group."

He quoted Su Ming's statement about "peering into the principles of the minute to gaze upon the Great Way."

With each sentence he spoke, the gravity on Zhou Wenhai's face deepened.

Meanwhile, Zhou Kang's face beside them turned from pale to green, then from green to purple, as if he had been publicly slapped back and forth over a dozen times, his cheeks burning with shame.

The very jokes he had used to mock Su Ming earlier were now, spoken from his own nephew's mouth, becoming profound insights containing supreme wisdom.

This was simply absurd!

"...And that's what happened." After finishing, Zhou Yulin looked at his father with blazing eyes. "Father, I presume to ask, could I also set aside a plot in our backyard to emulate Brother Su's method, establishing these three groups for verification? Observing and recording day and night, within half a month, my Investigation of Things essay will surely achieve a breakthrough in understanding!"

He expected his father to readily agree, perhaps even praise him extensively.

*Crack!*

A sharp sound rang out.

Zhou Wenhai slammed the teacup heavily onto the table. Tea splashed out, leaving a few dark stains on his meticulously kept scholar's robe.

"Foolish!"

voice wasn't loud, but it struck Zhou

Yulin was stunned. "Father,

his gaze cold and sharp as ice, "who created

Ming, Brother

obtained through another's diligent thought, you wish to take it for your own use without his permission? What difference is there

the prized child of the Zhou family, is your way

face instantly flushed a purplish-red, shame and

borrowing from each other. Since Brother Su's method is for investigating things, it belongs to the world

behind his back, and you call that borrowing? That's plagiarism! The most despised conduct for a scholar! If you engage in such underhandedness today, tomorrow you'll entertain crooked ideas in the examination hall! Where have all your studies of the

and forth in the hall, furious,

head, fists clenched so tightly his nails nearly

a clear shortcut to success seen by his father as such a

locked in a stalemate, the atmosphere so thick it felt about to drip with tension, a gentle voice came from behind the beaded curtain, like

provoked such great anger? Be careful

long gown, with a gentle face and a refined, serene

hall. She first soothingly patted her husband's arm, then glanced at her son's flushed face

speak properly with your father. What is all this

recounted the whole story from beginning to end

listened quietly, an understanding expression

wrong, but instead said softly to Zhou Wenhai, "Husband, Lin'er is also acting out of eagerness for

"In my humble opinion, this matter might not be as simple as

at his wife, the fire in his eyes

and, more importantly, a broad mind. Since he could explain this method fully in front of Lin'er,

a scholarly family; we value etiquette above all. For Lin'er to

him personally tomorrow morning under the pretext of seeking guidance? Honestly state our intention, saying we greatly admire his 'method for

he agrees, we owe him a favor and will treat him well in the future. If he doesn't, that is his right, and we will desist without pestering. This way, we neither lose the dignity of our Zhou family nor thwart Lin'er's sincere desire to learn. Wouldn't that

words gradually smoothed the furrow in Zhou Wenhai's

a marvelous method be an ordinary village child? Teacher Zhou recommended him; there must be a deeper meaning. Today, if we set aside our pride, interact with him respectfully, and forge a positive connection, for Lin'er's future... perhaps it could be a tremendous

finally unlocking the lock named "principle" in

Yes.

a scholar and understood one truth better than anyone: true knowledge is more precious than any gold or treasure. A youth with such uniquely clear thinking, his value far exceeded just one essay on

connection, rather than simply

the

sigh. The tense

sat down again, looking at Zhou Yulin, his gaze having returned to its