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."

seem distant. You need to be thoughtful. I noticed the blade of his firewood knife is chipped. Go to the blacksmith and buy him a high-quality whetstone. Tell him that good steel should be

speaking, Su Ming's mind had already painted vivid

sister-in-law holding new fabric, complaining about wasting money but with joy shining in their eyes. His

weight felt much heavier than the nine hundred coins

I've remembered everything." Su Ming

turned and saw Zhao Rui

need to buy some things for my

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

is different from

these words, his face turning red as he lowered

go look together." Su Ming didn't say more, pulling him toward the bustling East Market of the

East Market was filled with noisy crowds—hawkers' cries, bargaining voices, and children's laughter mingling together, creating a

helped Zhao Rui regain some

instructions, Su Ming first found a

boys in coarse clothing and barely

"What do you want?"

to look at the hibiscus cakes over there." Su Ming pointed to an exquisitely packaged

at him: "Thirty

Ask if they have freshly baked date paste cakes, wrapped in oil

advice: "Shopkeeper, do you have loose date paste cakes? Freshly baked

Su Ming. Seeing he spoke clearly, unlike ordinary village children, his attitude improved slightly: "Yes, ten

"Two jin."

quickly wrapped two large packages in oil paper and handed them over. Su Ming paid twenty coins and carefully placed

came to town, his mother always bought him the most expensive

tea shop,

then spoke calmly. He didn't say much,

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 in

skillfully interact with various shop owners, his heart felt

never truly

previously saw was

today, he witnessed Su Ming's principled arguments at Wenbao Zhai's entrance, his respect for poor scholars like Xu Qing, and now his shrewdness

that Zhao Rui couldn't quite describe—a

at the

was a shrewd woman with darting eyes who enthusiastically approached

what fabric would you like? For

I'd like to look at that blue homespun cloth, the durable

"Young sir has good taste. This blue cloth is most wear-resistant, perfect for fieldwork. Fifteen coins

Su Ming frowned—this was higher than he

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

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

dark. We farming folks aren't too particular, actually. If it were ten coins per

sir, you drive too hard a bargain!" the woman exclaimed, "I'd lose money at ten

pork belly was only fifteen coins per jin." Su Ming said unhurriedly, "Your fabric shouldn't be more expensive than meat, should it? Eleven coins, that's my final offer. I'll buy from you if you

Rui watched in stunned

never imagined shopping could involve such

Rui who clearly came from a wealthy family, the woman gritted her teeth: "Alright, alright, you win!

promptly took out his copper