Xiao Jingchuan sneered inwardly, thinking, "Hmph! This old woman really knows how to act!"

But he still looked at Granny Yang calmly and said, "Oh? Is that so? I'm truly flattered. However, I have some things to take care of right now, so I'm afraid I can't stay and have dinner with Second Uncle."

With that, Xiao Jingchuan turned to leave.

Seeing this, Granny Yang quickly grabbed him and said anxiously, "Oh dear, Chuan'er, look at you, how can you be so inconsiderate? Your second uncle sincerely invited you to stay for dinner! Besides, what could be more important to you right now than reuniting with your family?"

Xiao Jingchuan broke free from Granny Yang's hand and sneered, "If my second uncle really wanted to invite me to dinner, why didn't he invite me in town? Don't try to fool me."

Shen Yunsheng said with a half-smile, "Grandma, why don't you go in and ask my second uncle first? If he really wants to invite us to lunch, then we'll stay."

Granny Yang was so angry that she stomped her feet. This brat was really shrewd. If the couple didn't go to the academy, wouldn't all her efforts be in vain?

After understanding his wife's intention, Xiao Jingchuan immediately chimed in, "Grandma, my second uncle doesn't earn money easily either. You should go in and ask him. If we listen to you and go into the academy with you, wouldn't my second uncle be very embarrassed?"

Xiao Wenjing muttered to himself, "It's just going into the academy to see my second brother, why aren't my son and his wife going in?"

Just then, Xiao Wenjing was about to ask a question when the old man next to him grabbed his hand and began to plead, "Wenjing, what's fun at the academy? Why don't we go for a stroll in front of it together!"

Xiao Wenjing remained silent, while the old man feigned anger: "I'm angry because you won't play with me."

"Calm down, I'll go with you right away." Once the old man started to act cute, Xiao Wenjing couldn't do anything about it.

"Wenjing, you're still the best. If you were my son, that would be wonderful!" The old man hugged Xiao Wenjing with a grin. Xiao Wenjing was both amused and exasperated. He felt that the old man was like a child who could only be coaxed.

Seeing this, Shen Yunsheng couldn't help but chuckle to herself. She thought to herself: Grandpa is really something! If her father-in-law really lets them into the academy, then they won't have a chance to deal with that hateful old woman.

Xiao Jingchuan also thought the old man was really smart.

Throughout this journey, the old man kept his father very happy. It was precisely because of his delays and obstructions that the couple had enough time and space to deal with those difficult people.

After the old man pulled Xiao Wenjing away, he deliberately started chatting idly: "Wenjing, you're actually quite smart. If you had had the chance to study back then, you would definitely have been outstanding." Hearing this, Xiao Wenjing couldn't help but feel a complex emotion welling up in his heart. His eyes dimmed, and a bitter smile appeared on his face.

Xiao Wenjing stopped and recalled his childhood. Back then, he especially envied his second younger brother because his brother could not only study at the academy but also wear beautiful new clothes, while he could only help with chores at home. Although time has passed, this envy has not faded. Now, his brother has started his own family and career, yet he can still continue his studies, which fills Xiao Wenjing with a sense of感慨 (gǎnkǎi, mixed feelings of regret and helplessness).

He sighed silently, his eyes revealing a longing for the past and a sense of uncertainty about the future. He knew that opportunities in life don't always come equally to everyone; sometimes, fate's arrangements are beyond our control. However, he wasn't discouraged by this; instead, he chose to face reality with a strong mindset.

Seeing Xiao Wenjing's eyes welling up with tears, the old man felt sorry for him. He had heard about the Xiao family's affairs and he also disliked the biased Granny Yang. Xiao Wenkai was clearly a good-for-nothing, yet Granny Yang still devoted everything to supporting his education.

Xiao Wenjing could only be the sucker; if it were him, he wouldn't be willing to accept it, and he would be sad too.

Xiao Wenjing sighed, feeling somewhat helpless and aggrieved. He gently patted his chest, then stepped forward to help the old man up, and said softly, "Uncle, let me tell you a little secret. Actually, I've always loved reading, so whenever I have free time, I secretly find a quiet place to study. Although I've never been to school and received a formal education, I can understand all the books my second brother has read."

The old man was very shocked. He understood the hardships of children from poor families. There were too many people like Xiao Wenjing who wanted to study but could not go to school. They deserved attention.

"Wenjing! I'll tell you a little secret too." The old man gave Xiao Wenjing a kind smile. He paused for a moment before telling Xiao Wenjing that he had remembered his name was Ye Shi'an.

To encourage Xiao Wenjing to continue his studies, the old man said with a smile, "Wenjing! Actually, I'm a rich man, and I can support your education."

"Old man! Don't try to amuse me. If you were rich, you wouldn't be wandering around like this."

Xiao Wenjing couldn't help but tease the old man. In fact, he felt warm inside. Although the old man's words were a joke, he was the first elder who was willing to support his studies. If his parents had been willing to support his studies when he was young, he might have passed the exam long ago.

“I…I’m not lying to you, I really have money. If you don’t believe me, we’ll go to Heda Money Exchange and get the silver right now.”

The old man felt increasingly sorry for Xiao Wenjing. He thought Xiao Wenjing was too pitiful. He was really unlucky to have such a biased mother like Granny Yang.

"Uncle, I appreciate your kindness, but even if you had the money to support my studies, my family wouldn't agree. I'm just a peasant by nature, and I'd rather be a farmer."

Xiao Wenjing was deeply moved, and he secretly wiped away his tears when the old man wasn't looking.

"You silly child, are kings and nobles born with special privileges? Don't underestimate yourself."

The old man stopped and gently patted Xiao Wenjing's shoulder. No matter what age, everyone can read. If Xiao Wenjing wanted to learn, he would really help him.

"Uncle, my life is already set. My only wish now is for my daughter Sheng'er to give me a big, healthy grandson so I can help them take care of the child."

The old man muttered to himself, "Those two children haven't even had sex, so how could they have had a chance to have children?"

"Uncle! To be honest, I'm a little envious of my second brother. He's younger than me, but he already has two grandsons." Xiao Wenjing couldn't help but sigh softly again.

"Wenjing! Having children should be done naturally. My Youyou isn't that old, so it's fine to have her a few years later."

The old man was somewhat disgusted by Xiao Wenjing's preference for sons over daughters. His daughter Youyou was so young, and he couldn't bear to let her have children too early.

Xiao Wenjing frowned slightly. Although the old man remembered his name, he was also senile.

Seeing that Xiao Wenjing was unhappy, the old man continued to chat idly.

On the other side

Granny Yang had already entered the academy, but before she could see her second son and eldest grandson, she was stopped in her tracks by a tall, obese scholar.