Chapter 23: Friends Diligently Studying, Astonishing Their Families

It was no wonder Grandfather Ren could hardly believe his eyes; after all, the Ren Shuhua of the past had left him with the impression of someone who would rather be forced than willingly learn anything. He simply couldn’t accept that his grandson would take the initiative to study.

Ren Shuhua was engrossed in his reading and didn’t immediately notice Grandfather Ren’s arrival. By the time he sensed something, Grandfather Ren was already standing behind him. Startled, Ren Shuhua turned to his grandfather with a reproachful look. “Grandpa, what are you doing? You gave me a fright! Please go out and don’t disturb me while I’m reading!” If he failed to pass the provincial examination, what would happen if the other three stopped including him in their activities?

Grandfather Ren was deeply shaken—his grandson was truly reading? He was overcome with joy. Had his grandson finally figured things out?

“All right, all right, you keep reading. My grandson has finally come to his senses!” Grandfather Ren wanted to show off to his old friends.

Ren Shuhua sighed, “What does this have to do with enlightenment? If I don’t study, my friends will abandon me—that won’t do. I only have a few friends.”

Grandfather Ren was puzzled. “You mean Lin Ze and Qin Ming?” He knew those two boys well; they were just like his own grandson. Surely it wasn’t so bad that lack of study would lead to abandonment.

“Yes, and Su as well. Grandpa, I think Su is what you’d call a genius. You know, he can memorize a text after just one glance! No matter how difficult the arithmetic problems, he looks at them once and knows the answer!” Ren Shuhua’s tone was exaggerated, and Grandfather Ren was astonished. Could such genius really emerge from their humble village?

“Is that true?” Would someone so talented be friends with his grandson?

It wasn’t that he looked down on his grandson, but geniuses usually chose friends who matched their own talents—those who could support them.

“It’s true! So I have to study hard, too. If the four of us take the imperial examination and the other three pass but I fail, what then? Su made us set up this study plan—Grandpa, look at it. If I follow it, do you think I can pass?” Ren Shuhua thought, at least his grandfather was a scholar and could offer some advice.

Grandfather Ren looked over his grandson’s plan. “If you can persist, there’s a chance.” But for the imperial examination, effort alone was not enough; talent and luck were needed.

“That’s good. Su said the same thing,” Ren Shuhua replied.

Grandfather Ren asked, “How old is this Su you’re talking about?”

“He... I think he’s fifteen.”

“And you still call him ‘brother’? You’re seventeen!” Grandfather Ren felt his grandson had no sense of propriety.

“You don’t understand, you don’t understand. I need to study now, Grandpa, please leave.” Ren Shuhua turned back to his book, anxiety gnawing at him.

Grandfather Ren looked incredulous. “Don’t tell me you’re making it up. If he’s so incredible, shouldn’t he already be a scholar at that age? Why would he be hanging around with you?”

Ren Shuhua was indignant at this. “Su injured his head recently. After he woke up, he became so amazing—even able to tell fortunes, and every prediction is accurate. I’ll let you in on a secret: Su was sent back by an immortal.” Ren Shuhua spoke with an air of mystery.

Grandfather Ren: “???” What nonsense was that? Well, as long as his grandson was willing to study, that was all that mattered.

At this moment, Grandfather Ren still couldn’t quite believe that Li Su possessed such abilities.

“I see. Well, study hard,” Grandfather Ren said, leaving the room and carefully closing the door behind him.

Similar scenes played out in the Lin and Qin households. At the Qin household, it was as if they’d seen a ghost—they were so delighted, it was all but a celebration with drums and gongs.

Qin’s father, his round face beaming with excitement, exclaimed, “Maybe our Qin family will finally produce a scholar!” If that happened, he wondered if those people would still dare mock his family as coarse landlords or look down on them.

In the countryside, Qin’s father was a landowner, respected by the farmers. But in the county town, he was subject to ridicule and scorn. He’d had enough, which was why he sent his son to study.

Unfortunately, his son had shown no enthusiasm for his studies before. Now, his heart was filled with irrepressible excitement.

The ‘Su brother’ his son talked about—whether or not he was truly so remarkable—had genuinely motivated his son to study. He must thank him properly.

The Qin family understood gratitude.

He heard the youth was called Li Su; he would inquire about him and send a token of thanks.

…

Li household.

Li Su had brought back the ingredients for making bo-bo chicken, having purchased some special spices for the base from the pharmacy.

“Father, mother, eldest brother and sister-in-law, second brother and sister-in-law, third sister, all of you come in to learn. Whoever learns best will be responsible for making the base,” Li Su said to his family.

Jiang Yu and Dong Fangfang were surprised. “We can learn too?”

Li Su replied, puzzled, “Why not? You’re all part of the Li family.”

Li Zhengping was shocked that Fourth would let her learn as well. People always said that a married daughter was like water poured away—though she’d already divorced, Li Zhengping still felt she was a burden to the Li family.

No one in the family had said anything, but she was well aware of what outsiders said.

Upon hearing Li Su’s words, Jiang Yu, Dong Fangfang, and Li Zhengping were moved. Dong Fangfang felt a pang of remorse—Fourth was so kind, yet she had often spoken ill of him behind his back. She felt utterly ashamed.

Dong Fangfang resolved that she would never speak ill of Fourth again.

Jiang Yu and Dong Fangfang glanced at Feng Cuicui, who nodded, “If Fourth says you should learn, then learn. But regardless of who it is, if you eat from the Li family’s bowl and try to break it, don’t blame me for being harsh!”

Feng Cuicui understood the importance of food recipes, and this recipe belonged to Fourth. His willingness to share it with the family didn’t mean anyone should leak it to outsiders.

Li Zhengping looked at Li Su’s hands and felt that cooking wasn’t suitable for him. She said, “Fourth, why don’t you instruct us while we do it? Your hands are meant for reading and writing, not for cooking.”

Li Su: “...” How were his hands only for reading and writing?

He was about to protest, but saw the family unanimously agree with Li Zhengping, refusing to let him cook.

Li Su replied seriously, “No one ever said a scholar couldn’t cook. I’ll do it this one time. Watch carefully.”

Li Su insisted on doing it himself. He wanted his family to know that although he was a scholar, it didn’t mean he wouldn’t help with family affairs—he was a part of this household.

“Fourth, men don’t cook—any man who does is looked down upon, especially if he’s a scholar,” Feng Cuicui said, clearly troubled.

Looked down upon for cooking? In his previous era, a man who could cook was considered an asset. Here, it was a source of contempt.

“It’s just among family. Would any of you look down on me?” Li Su asked.

The family members all shook their heads. How could they ever look down on Fourth? He was the smartest, most capable person in their family.

“All right, then I’ll begin. Watch closely,” Li Su said, explaining as he cooked.

The Li family was actually worried; Fourth had never cooked before, and letting him do so seemed risky.

They sat upright, carefully watching Li Su’s every move, ready to intervene if anything went wrong.

Li Su thought they were being attentive students, not realizing they were really worried he might set the kitchen on fire or cause some other disaster.