Transmigrated into a Grandpa, Embracing the Laid-Back Life

Chapter 28: Human Relationships

Su Ming and Zhao Rui walked along the cobblestone-paved street.

The book stall and that aloof youth named Xu Qing faded into the distance with the flow of people.

Zhao Rui remained somewhat absent-minded, like a puppet whose soul had been extracted, mechanically following Su Ming's footsteps.

Two sentences echoed repeatedly in his mind.

One was what Xu Qing had said: "Some were handwritten by classmates from the County School who had nowhere to sell them, so they consigned them at my father's stall."

The other was what Su Ming had said: "Studying isn't just for examinations."

Students from the County School actually needed to copy books to earn a few coins?

Studying wasn't just for examinations? Then what was it for? Zhao Rui's worldview had been completely overturned and thrown into chaos by these two statements.

"Good job, disciple." Lin Yu's lazy voice broke the tranquility in Su Ming's mind, "The initial interpersonal anchor point has been established. That kid named Xu Qing is a potential stock worth long-term investment."

Su Ming mentally acknowledged with an "mm" sound, his footsteps never pausing."But..." Lin Yu's tone shifted, "Establishing external connections alone isn't enough. Fortresses are most easily breached from within. Our 'base area' also needs proper maintenance."

"Base area?" Su Ming was somewhat puzzled.

"Your home, and your Teacher Zhou." Lin Yu's voice carried a calculating tone, "Whose effort made it possible for you to come to the County School for registration today?"

"Teacher Zhou." Su Ming immediately answered.

"Exactly. How much travel money do you have left after saving on accommodation and meals this time?" Lin Yu guided patiently.

Su Ming quietly touched the money pouch in his robe and calculated mentally: "Ninety coins spent on books, eight hundred fifty coins remaining."

"Over eight hundred coins! A fortune!" Lin Yu's voice exclaimed exaggeratedly, then turned serious again, "But, disciple, money is just lumps of copper when held in your hand. Spending it wisely, on what truly matters, and next time you come to Qingshi Town, you'll probably have received the first payment from papermaking!"

Lin Yu's internal monologue was quite different: "Oh my, my little ancestor, I can't sleep peacefully with over eight hundred coins on you. What if you get robbed on the road, or you get hot-headed and pick a fight? Who would I complain to then? Quickly convert it into 'fixed assets,' and specifically 'human relationship assets' that generate long-term benefits—this is the safest investment!"

Su Ming stopped walking, glanced back at the still dazed Zhao Rui, and pulled him under a relatively quiet eave by the street.

"Master, what do you mean?"

"I mean we need to go shopping." Lin Yu's voice carried an air of strategic command, "This is called 'human relationship investment,' an extremely important aspect of the 'Way of Survival.' Spend small money to accomplish big things, use minimal cost to maintain the most crucial relationship network, ensuring you live comfortably and securely in the village—this is more important than anything!"

"Then... what should we buy?" Su Ming was completely clueless about these matters.

"Follow my instructions." Lin Yu cleared his throat and began issuing orders.

"First, Teacher Zhou. He's your guide into the scholarly world and a major support for your future in the village. We can't neglect him. Go to a pastry shop and buy a respectable box of pastries. Then go to a general store and buy two liang of leaf tea. Nothing too expensive, just enough to show sincerity. This is called 'respecting teachers and valuing principles.'"

"Second, your father. He enjoys his pipe tobacco. Go to a tobacco shop and buy him a pack of the best tobacco shreds. Let him show off to his old friends while smoking, saying 'My third son bought this for me in town.' This is called 'filial piety,' and it will make him more determined to support you."

"Third, your mother and your eldest sister-in-law. Women are the most practical. Go to a cloth shop and buy two chi of durable blue cloth, dark-colored and stain-resistant. Let your mother make an apron or your sister-in-law sew sleeve covers—both would be good. This is called 'thoughtfulness.'"

"Fourth, your eldest brother. As head of the household, he carries great pressure. Let's buy something substantial—go to the butcher and get two jin of pork belly, so he can satisfy his cravings and add some richness to his meals."

solemn tone, "He was willing to risk his life for you—that's life-and-death friendship. Ordinary gifts would seem distant. You need to be thoughtful. I noticed the blade of his firewood knife is chipped. Go to the blacksmith and

finished speaking, Su Ming's mind had already painted vivid

mother and sister-in-law holding new fabric, complaining about wasting money but with joy shining in their eyes. His eldest and second brothers eating delicious pork belly, their mouths

weight felt much heavier than the

everything." Su

saw Zhao Rui staring at him

need to buy some things for my family. What about you?"

Rui opened his mouth, his face showing confusion and embarrassment, "My... my father doesn't lack

lacks nothing. But what you bring back yourself is different from what your father buys, isn't it?"

these words, his face turning red as he lowered his

on, let's go look together." Su Ming didn't say more,

with noisy crowds—hawkers' cries, bargaining voices, and children's

energy helped Zhao Rui regain some

Yu's instructions, Su Ming first found a

two boys in coarse clothing and

"What do you want?"

Su Ming pointed to an exquisitely

him:

not tasty. Ask if they have freshly baked date paste cakes,

advice: "Shopkeeper, do you have

clearly, unlike ordinary village children,

"Two jin."

and handed them over. Su Ming

Rui watched from the side, his expression complex. When he previously came to town, his mother always bought

tea shop, tobacco

Su Ming first listened to Lin Yu's analysis in his mind, then spoke calmly. He didn't say much, but always asked pertinent questions, neither showing timidity nor appearing like

meat, he specifically asked the butcher to select good pork belly with balanced fat and lean portions, and sweetly complimented, "Master, your knife skills are really sharp!" The butcher, pleased, even threw

a shadow. Watching Su Ming skillfully interact with various shop owners, his heart felt like a mixed spice jar had been

truly known this village boy

was just a quiet, somewhat

for poor scholars like Xu Qing, and now

was something about him that Zhao Rui couldn't quite describe—a seriousness and engagement

at the cloth

darting eyes who enthusiastically approached when she saw Su

gentlemen, what fabric would you like? For your mothers or

I'd like to look at that blue homespun cloth, the durable kind." Su Ming

of fabrics: "Young sir has good taste. This blue cloth is most wear-resistant, perfect for fieldwork.

Su Ming frowned—this was

"Her pupils are darting around—the price is inflated. This cloth is

a deep breath, imitating how his father usually shopped. He reached out to touch the fabric, then examined it

color... is too dark. We farming folks aren't too particular,

bargain!" the woman exclaimed, "I'd lose money

per jin." Su Ming said unhurriedly, "Your fabric shouldn't be more expensive than meat, should it? Eleven coins, that's my final offer.

watched in stunned

imagined shopping could

wealthy family, the woman gritted her teeth: "Alright, alright,

Su Ming promptly took out his copper