Transmigrated into a Grandpa, Embracing the Laid-Back Life

Chapter 77: This Damn Top Scholar Halo

Professor Liu was so agitated he paced back and forth in his study, his graying beard trembling with each step.

He clutched Su Ming's policy discussion essay as if holding some priceless treasure.

"Good! Excellent! In my lifetime of teaching, I've seen mountains of beautiful, ornate essays, but you are the first one who can take the principles down to the fields and villages, and make the calculations resonate in people's hearts!"

He suddenly stopped, turned to look at Su Ming, his eyes gleaming with intensity.

"I will personally transcribe a copy of this essay of yours, attach my own commentary, and submit it to the Magistrate of Anyuan County! No, I'll also send a copy to the Assistant Magistrate and the Chief Clerk! Money, grain, water conservancy—they are the true experts!"

Anyuan County was the direct superior authority over Qingshi Town.

Su Ming's heart skipped a beat.

He had originally thought this essay would at most cause some ripples within the County School. He never expected Professor Liu planned to take it directly to the highest levels of the county government.

Professor Liu seemed to see through his thoughts, letting out a hearty laugh and patting his shoulder.

"Don't be afraid, lad! If the sky falls, this old man will hold it up for you!"He made a rare joke, winking. "If the Magistrate truly adopts this strategy and relieves Qingshi Town of its decades-long suffering, I will fight tooth and nail to get you the chief credit!"

A surge of warmth rose from the depths of Su Ming's heart.

This wasn't just the satisfaction of having his work appreciated; it was a solid, reassuring feeling of being valued and protected.

He bowed deeply. "This student is unworthy of such praise. It is all thanks to the professor's guidance!"

"Disciple, steady, steady!" Lin Yu's voice frantically warned in his mind. "Don't get fooled into limping by a few sweet words from this old man! Greater credit means greater risk! You're being roasted over the fire right now! This seriously violates our core principle of 'surviving is victory'!"

Lin Yu inwardly wailed, "It's over, it's over, there's no hiding now. Before, you were a firefly in the dark night; now you're the noon sun, visible even to the blind. My retirement life, my low-key development, all ruined!"

Su Ming responded in his heart, "Master, given the circumstances..."

"Circumstances, my foot! Quickly think of a way to retract it! Say you were young and ignorant, talking nonsense, it shouldn't be taken seriously! Or... or say you suddenly contracted a severe illness and were delirious!" Lin Yu started offering terrible ideas, then immediately refuted himself. "No, no, that would be even more suspicious... Forget it, forget it. Sometimes, the higher you stand, the stronger the wind, but you can also see farther and be safer!"

Although his verbal wailing continued, Lin Yu's voice, besides worry, held a trace of barely detectable pride. After all, this essay also had a share of his "remote guidance" credit. But this emotion was immediately suppressed by his greater "survival" anxiety.

Leaving Professor Liu's quiet courtyard, Su Ming walked on the County School's bluestone path with mixed feelings. There was the exhilaration of recognition, hidden worries about the future, and his master's ongoing "Way of Survival lectures" in his mind.

The afternoon sun filtered through layers of overlapping leaves, casting dappled light and shadow.

This feeling was novel and carried a hint of unreality.

Passing through the moon gate and skirting a bamboo grove, the small courtyard of the Room A dormitory came into view.

The courtyard gate was slightly ajar.

Su Ming pushed the door open and immediately saw the scene inside.

Zhao Rui was kicking the leg of a stone table with the tip of his foot, a look of disgust on his face, muttering curses.

"What a dump! My Room D is practically like our village's woodshed! Smells moldy, and the window leaks wind! Why do you get a small courtyard with a well!"

Seeing Su Ming return, he immediately rushed over as if finding someone to vent to.

"Su Ming, this isn't fair! My uncle is, after all, Director Zhou's own brother. Is this how they treat me? Playing favorites isn't supposed to be this blatant!"

The courtyard was small but very clean. A grapevine grew against the east wall, its vines already covering half the wall. To the west was an ancient bluestone well, its mouth covered in moss, emitting faint threads of cool air.

The main room was divided into inner and outer sections. The outer room was a study, fully equipped with the Four Treasures of the Study, a row of bookshelves against the wall. The inner room was the bedroom, with brand-new bedding.

A place where one could study and cultivate in peace.

Su Ming ignore

Su Ming set down his

at least give me a Room C!" Zhao Rui declared

then?" Su

then waive my monthly tuition gifts! I'm also

rank did you get in

red, his voice weakening. "La... last place, so what? I

and patted his shoulder. "If you're not convinced, next time get the top scorer title. Then forget Room A, even if you

was choked into speechlessness for

at Su Ming's calm profile, feeling both angry and annoyed, yet utterly

few light coughs sounded at the

this must be the current top scorer, Su,

somewhat frivolous voice rang

Rui turned

silk robes than ordinary students, jade pendants hanging from their waists, folding fans in hand, faces

with fair skin and slightly upturned

name was Li Wenbo, an old-timer at the County School. It was said his father was a classmate of the Chief Clerk of Anyuan County. He always looked down on others and

correct." Su Ming neither humbled nor arrogant,

swept over Su Ming, a trace of disdain curling

Five Southern Townships of Qingzhou' that shook heaven and earth, earning

respects," but

pointy-faced, monkey-like student beside him immediately chimed in. "Yes, we're all very curious. What kind of essay could let a...

words "mountain

drawled lazily. "See? This is

understood

back Zhao Rui, who wanted to rush forward and argue, and revealed

forgive my laughable state, senior

Zhao Rui freeze. Li Wenbo and his two companions were also

kid, why doesn't he follow the usual script? Not only is he not angry, but he's also

all his strength into

countryside, still carrying a whiff of earth." Su Ming continued with a smile. "I'm afraid it might offend you senior brothers. This courtyard is also small, truly nothing good to offer as hospitality.

words were extremely humble,

his "country bumpkin" identity, issued a dismissal, and gave the other

expression shifted. He had originally wanted to seize the opportunity to provoke Su Ming into a poetry contest to publicly shame him. Who knew

dry laugh, fanning himself. "We didn't come for tea. We merely heard Top Scorer Su's policy discussion was excellent, so surely your classics, poetry, and verse must also be extraordinary. The weather is nice today, why don't

Here it comes.

their real

it. But if they could outdo Su Ming in poetry, they could still trample the "top scorer"

for a few days in the village, how

How vulgar!" Zhao Rui stiffened

what, in this brother's opinion, is

on Zhao Rui's shoulder, looked at Li Wenbo,

right. However, this student's learning is shallow, my mind empty. I truly cannot produce any good poetry or verse. I fear I would spoil the refined mood

admitted

Wenbo was stumped again. All the mocking words he had prepared were stuck in

you force him? Forcing further would make

Zhao Rui was so

eat it? Protecting your life and developing steadily is the true path! Arguing

Wenbo's face turned pale then flushed. He felt

hold back, sneering, "I thought the top scorer had some real skill. Turns out it's just a

"Silence!"

came from outside

to see Zhou Yulin, dressed in white, walking in with a stern

swept over Li Wenbo and

Wenbo, what are you doing

Yulin, Li Wenbo's expression instantly changed, his arrogance shrinking