Transmigrated into a Grandpa, Embracing the Laid-Back Life

Chapter 96: The braised pork got cold

Leaving the Zhou Residence, the autumn wind blew, and only then did Su Ming feel a chill on his back.

That conversation with his teacher, seemingly calm and uneventful on the surface, had actually been extremely perilous. The mental energy it consumed was no less than writing a policy discussion essay in the examination hall.

"So, how was it, disciple? Was your teacher's tactic of retreating in order to advance effective?" Lin Yu's voice, tinged with laughter, rang out in his mind.

"Master's calculations are divine," Su Ming said sincerely, recalling Zhou Wenhai's solemn and earnest final instructions. A great weight lifted from his heart. With his teacher's full support, his journey to the capital would no longer be a solitary one.

"However, the matter back home isn't finished yet," Lin Yu shifted the topic, his tone carrying a hint of watching a spectacle. "That Village Chief Zhao in the village is no simple character. Now that you, the carp, have leaped over the dragon gate, in his eyes, you are an auspicious sign, but also a variable. Think about that paper-making workshop."

Su Ming's gaze sharpened. His master's reminder was apt. Zhao Dequan viewed the workshop as his exclusive domain. Now that Su Ming had returned as a Provincial Graduate, in Zhao's eyes, it probably wasn't a glory but a threat that might come to snatch away benefits.

The last rays of the setting sun, like a warm bolt of orange silk, spread across the entire Su Family Village.

Cooking smoke curled up from the rooftops of every household, mingling with the fragrance of earth and vegetation, diffusing in the evening breeze.

Under the old locust tree at the village entrance stood several figures with their shadows stretched extremely long.

There was no clamorous gongs and drums, no glaring red silk. Only Mother Chen, standing on tiptoe again and again, craning her neck to look toward the end of the road.Father Su Shan squatted under the tree, puffing on his pipe tobacco, the smoke swirling, obscuring his expression.

Eldest Brother Su Feng and Second Brother Su Yang stood side by side, their gazes likewise fixed on the far end of the small path, like two silent "gazing-husband stones."

When a small figure in blue finally appeared at the bend in the road, Mrs. Chen recognized him almost instantly.

She rushed forward with a speed that belied her age.

No crying, no questioning.

She grabbed Su Ming's arm, her bloodshot eyes scanning his face and body over and over, as if checking to see if he was missing any piece of flesh.

"Coming back is good enough..."

She repeated these four words, her voice hoarse, her eyes instantly reddening.

"Coming back is good enough..."

Su Shan walked over. His large, rough palm slapped Su Ming's shoulder heavily twice.

The force was heavy, carrying the strength of mountain rocks.

He stared at his son's face, which had grown considerably thinner, his lips moving slightly. In the end, he only managed to squeeze out two words from his throat.

"You've lost weight."

Su Feng stepped forward with a simple, honest smile, silently taking the simple luggage bundle from Su Ming's hands.

Su Yang strode forward, opened his arms, and gave Su Ming a solid bear hug, squeezing him tightly for a moment.

"Let's go, home!" He grinned, smiling like a child. "Mother made your favorite braised pork!"

Warmth, like the evening cooking smoke, tightly enveloped Su Ming.

This simple, unadorned warmth washed away all the noise and scheming of the prefectural city, finally relaxing the nerves that had been taut all along.

This place was his roots.

Lin Yu's Soul Body stretched lazily inside the ring.

Tsk, this familiar scent of everyday life still smells most comfortable. What fine wines and jade liquors of the Deer Cry Banquet could compare to the substance of this bowl of braised pork? Disciple, remember, this is your anchor point, so you won't forget who you are when you're drifting outside.

Just as the family stepped through the familiar courtyard gate, before the bowls and chopsticks could even be set on the table.

A hearty, almost gratingly cheerful laugh came from outside the door without warning.

"Hahaha! I wondered who had returned! So it's the Literary Star of our Su Family Village, Provincial Graduate Su returning in glory! Bringing honor to one's ancestors, bringing honor to one's ancestors!"

Before the words faded, the ruddy, beaming face of Village Chief Zhao Dequan appeared at the entrance.

Behind him followed three village elders, all dressed in respectable clothes, wearing standardized smiles on their faces.

This formation seemed as if they had timed it perfectly, waiting here specifically.

The smile on Mrs. Chen's face stiffened slightly. Su Shan silently straightened his posture, tucking his tobacco pipe back at his waist.

Ming stepped forward, neither subservient nor arrogant, and cupped his

no need for that, no need for that!" Zhao Dequan quickly waved his hands, his face smiling like a blooming chrysanthemum. "You are a Provincial Graduate Master now. We country bumpkins

polite words, but his eyes were

Graduate Su, you've really brought great honor to our Su Family Village, to our Qingshi Town

Ming's shoulder heavily, then shifted

ranking, there is a slight, tiny bit of regret. But it doesn't matter! A Provincial Graduate is still a Provincial Graduate, a Literary Star

spoken, first praising highly, then gently lowering, showing closeness while also highlighting the gap

smiled and did

him unmoved, Zhao Dequan ushered everyone into the main room and

up the bowl of coarse tea Su Yang had just poured, blew on the floating foam, his gaze sweeping over the Su family's obviously renovated

you

a sip

someone of your great stature wouldn't even glance

drew out his tone, his eyes becoming

your top scholar exams. This family business, I, your uncle, and these elders will watch over it firmly for you, and for the whole village! This is the rice bowl for over a hundred old

words "entire

attempting to completely sever Su Ming's connection to the workshop under the banner of "the

he puts a tall hat on you, then cries poverty and hardship, and finally wraps it all up with the banner

completely tear up with Zhao Dequan over a workshop, it will cause your parents and brothers to find it difficult to take a single step in the village.

Su Ming responded

the timing wasn't quite right yet. He put down the tea bowl, his face revealing an extremely

his tone sounding especially considerate, "matters in the official circles, they're hard to predict. If one day things don't go smoothly, if you miss home, if you want

the direction

will always be a manager's position for you in our

in reality, they were like removing

Su Ming: Your retreat

expressions of the Su family members all

if she wanted to say

wore that same humble,

picked up the coarse ceramic teapot on the table, walked over to Zhao Dequan, and refilled

tea poured into

your words are

surface of the old well in

only able to luckily pass the provincial exam entirely due to my teacher's guidance and the support of the villagers. These three words, 'Literary Star,' this junior absolutely does not

the tea bowl in front of Zhao Dequan, his posture

Zhao

smiled slightly and said something that made Zhao Dequan's eyelids

in the books, with single-minded focus. I would never

to Zhao Dequan and the

and the esteemed elders. This junior is young, with shallow experience. I dare not speak recklessly and will absolutely have no

reassurance pill, hitting exactly what Zhao Dequan

in front of everyone, renounced any management rights or say

biggest stone in Zhao Dequan's heart

smile on his face

words when he saw Su Ming straighten

the door, as if seeing the distant capital, "if in the future, this junior can truly achieve some small success outside, I will certainly not forget that it was the land and water

time, if I can do something for the elders and fellow villagers of my

were spoken with genuine feeling and were flawlessly

the sentiment of not forgetting one's roots and also, like a seed, gently planted an idea in the hearts of Zhao Dequan and

won't forget my hometown,

push things to the extreme, making

was a smart man.

heartily, stood up, and patted Su

those words, I, your uncle, am reassured! The Su family producing an outstanding talent like you is the good fortune of our

pleasantries, urged Su Ming to rest well, and then, with a satisfied smile, led the three elders

courtyard returned

dinner table, the bowl of braised pork was stewed

"Eat more, look how thin you are. You

mention

son returning safely

a bowl of wine, picked it up, and raised it toward Su

"Have a drink."

with his father's. The pungent liquor

looked at his son, and

your own ideas in your heart,

to me, to your two

flowed through Su Ming's