Transmigrated into a Grandpa, Embracing the Laid-Back Life

Chapter 69: A Gifted Question

The day before the exam, the side hall of the Zhou Residence.

The side hall smelled of aged wood and old scrolls. Zhou Kang held a cup of hot tea, blew away the foam, his eyelids drooping as he listened to the house steward who stood bowed before him.

The steward was the gate attendant, quick with his tongue and tasked with recognizing visitors.

"Second Young Master, I went to the west market this morning and saw two people, they looked terribly familiar." The steward rubbed his hands, a cautious expression on his face. "I looked closely and—hey—aren't they the two country kids who came to petition Second Madam before the New Year? Zhao Rui from Su Family Village, and that quiet one, Su Ming."

Zhou Kang's sipping motion froze. He lifted his eyelid a sliver, revealing murky but shrewd eyes beneath.

"Them? They're back for what? The exam?" Zhou Kang set the cup down, the porcelain bottom knocking against the yellow rosewood side table with a crisp sound. He leaned forward slightly, and the laziness that had coated his face vanished, replaced by the single-minded focus of a hound catching a scent. "With just them? Zhao Rui's an empty-headed fool, how could he possibly pass the County School exam?"

The steward dared not speak, only giving a few nervous chuckles.

Zhou Kang's fingers tapped the table unconsciously, making a soft "tok, tok" sound.

Su Ming… that kid did have a certain edge, enough to make someone as proud as Yu Lin lower himself. But Zhao Rui? He was just a pile of useless mud.

Suddenly, the tapping stopped.A cold smile slowly crawled up the corner of Zhou Kang's mouth.

He thought of Zhao Rui's father, the Village Chief of Su Family Village, Zhao Dequan. That kowtowing expression, that eagerness to grovel and throw everything on the table to curry favor with the Zhou family, was still vivid in his mind. Zhou Kang clearly saw what lurked in that man's eyes—ambition, the desire to climb onto the Zhou family's high branch through his son and then lord it over the countryside.

Now, that useless son was coming to take the County School exam? Staying in that shabby inn? Of course, Zhao Dequan must have instructed him. Afraid of being refused at Zhou's door, he decided to act first and report later, hoping his son might luck into success and then flatter Zhou Kang in person?

Fools!

Zhou Kang snorted inwardly.

But the foolishness was perfect.

could pass on his own merits. If Zhou Kang did nothing, Zhao Dequan's move would be a dead play and he'd have needlessly offended

what if… Zhou

take much force, not even his personal appearance—just slip a vague favor to Professor Liu, let

"favor" would tie Zhao Dequan to him. Whether his son could stay at the County School, whether he might rise at all in the future, would

cartful… would Zhao Dequan still hide a share? Dare he not split some

Kang felt completely at ease. Even the

"Mm, you did well. Good eye. Go to

palpable. He thanked him

with Zhou Kang alone. He lifted his tea, took

Dequan's fearful yet grateful face, and the steady stream of wealth, funneled bit

his voice full of the amusement of a cat playing with a mouse, "you sent your son right into

move might yield unexpected

how to open that barely noticeable channel with the

of the County

Qingshi Town's air was thick with

Hundreds of students from villages and towns gathered, their faces

trembled and went weak, his face deathly pale as he clutched Su

like I've forgotten everything. What should I do? My head

Ming pulled his arm

"Go in."

lecture hall. Rows of separate desks were neatly arranged; the atmosphere was solemn. Several invigilators

sat the two

robe, his face was stern and his gaze swept

rest on him

is more curious than anything else about you right now. Don't show weakness—if you remain calm, he'll think you

eyelids, adjusted his breathing, and calmed himself

first test: memorizing and