Chapter 57: What’s Their Background, Really?
Everyone was busy with their own tasks until Aunt Gui came to ask if it was time to set the table. Doctor Jin was still engrossed in conversation with Shopkeeper Qiu and Wen Xiuyi, reluctant to stop.
Doctor Jin stroked his beard, smiling with delight. “Brother Wen’s learning is so profound—it’s truly a pity you haven’t entered officialdom. Are you really not planning to sit for the imperial exam again? I won’t boast of much, but I do still have some connections in the capital.”
Shopkeeper Qiu agreed. He also felt it was a waste for someone like Wen Xiuyi to simply run a fried rice stall—far beneath his talents—and he nodded in support.
But Wen Xiuyi merely smiled, his expression calm and filled with the serenity of one who had seen through the world’s ups and downs. “Better not. I was once too foolish and made a mess of my family, let down my parents, wife, and children. Time has passed and I’ve come to my senses. Now, all I want is to stay by my three children, and while time still permits, be by my parents’ side and fulfill my filial duties, to make up for the wrongs I once committed. ‘The tree may wish for stillness, but the wind won’t cease; the child may wish to serve, but the parents are no longer there.’ One shouldn’t wait until everything’s lost to learn to cherish it.”
Doctor Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu were both momentarily stunned.
Doctor Jin muttered, “The tree may wish for stillness, but the wind won’t cease; the child may wish to serve, but the parents are no longer there… Brother Wen, you are truly a man of clarity and wisdom. I deeply admire you.”
Shopkeeper Qiu still seemed a little regretful. He asked, “Brother Wen, you really won’t reconsider pursuing the exams and entering officialdom?”
Wen Xiuyi shook his head. “I truly won’t.”
The two looked at each other. The former full of regret, the latter signaling subtly not to press further.
Shopkeeper Qiu could only sigh. “What a shame.”
The atmosphere turned a bit awkward. Doctor Jin waved his hand. “Enough of these sobering topics. Come, let’s go see what Yao Yao’s cooked for us today.”
Shopkeeper Qiu chuckled and followed. “Yes, Brother Wen, to be honest, ever since I had Yao Yao’s cooking last time, I’ve been thinking about it nonstop. If it weren’t inappropriate, I would’ve chased after her to your home by now, hahaha.”
Wen Xiuyi was generous by nature. He immediately said, “Come by anytime! I welcome you to visit our home. The countryside has its own charm. When you come, we’ll have Yao Yao prepare some barbecue for us. Imagine: good food by the water, mountains behind us, chatting while we eat grilled meat—isn’t that a joy?”
“Barbecue? What’s that? Another of Yao Yao’s newfangled creations?” Doctor Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu’s eyes lit up.
Wen Xiuyi regretted his loose tongue and wanted to slap himself. He could only maintain his composure and smile. “You could say that. Just something the child likes to tinker with.” After all, Yao Yao’s special seasoning blends were indeed her own invention.
“Then we’ll be waiting for your invitation,” the two men said, clearly unreserved—after all, courtesy doesn’t fill a belly.
When Jin Xiuyi and Datuo were called back, they looked as if they’d been rolling around in the mud. Everyone was stunned.
“What have you two been up to?” It was Doctor Jin’s first time seeing his grandson in such a messy state and he was completely taken aback.
Jin Xiuyi shrank his neck, trying to wipe his hands on his clothes—which only made his outfit dirtier.
Datuo, on the other hand, remained far calmer. He calmly pulled out a handkerchief, wiped his face, then his hands, and quietly tucked it back away like nothing had happened. If not for the clumps of mud on his clothes, Wen Xiuyi might’ve believed him.
“You little rascal, what were you doing? Took Xiuyi to play in the mud?” Wen Xiuyi awkwardly smiled at Doctor Jin and quickly pulled his youngest son aside to question him in a low voice, worried he might’ve upset the old man.
Datuo shook his head and showed him his pouch.
Wen Xiuyi instantly understood—they’d probably been crouched down playing marbles.
“Doctor Jin, I’m truly sorry about this. The child doesn’t know better,” Wen Xiuyi apologized.
Doctor Jin waved a hand. “What are you doing? Don’t scare the kids. Children are supposed to play—it’s nothing.”
The maid who had followed the two boys also quickly admitted fault. “Old Master, it’s this old servant’s fault for not taking good care of the young masters…”
“I don’t mind. Just take them to clean up and find some of Yi’er’s old clothes for Datuo to wear.” Doctor Jin wasn’t angry, just a little helpless at the two muddy troublemakers.
Jin Xiuyi visibly let out a breath of relief and even sneaked a look at his grandfather. Seeing that he truly wasn’t mad, he gave a sheepish grin.
Doctor Jin gave him a doting yet exasperated look. “Go on, take your little brother to get changed. Wash up before we eat.”
“Okay! Come on, Datuo, let’s go.” Jin Xiuyi took Datuo’s hand and led him away. They were good brothers now—and as the older one, it was his job to take care of the younger.
Once the maid left with the boys, Wen Xiuyi finally said, a bit embarrassed, “He’s grown up in the countryside and is used to playing wild. I hope you don’t mind.”
Doctor Jin gave him a mock-glare. “What’s there to mind? I haven’t seen Yi’er this happy in a long time. At his age, he should be playing freely. I’ve kept him too restrained. He hasn’t had anyone to play with here, so seeing him happy with Datuo puts me at ease. Bring Datuo over often to play.”
Wen Xiuyi agreed readily, and even invited Jin Xiuyi to visit their home. Doctor Jin accepted just as easily.
Soon, the maid returned with the two boys, now freshly washed and in clean clothes.
And sure enough—clothes make the man. Datuo, dressed in Jin Xiuyi’s fine clothing, looked no less than a young master from a noble family.
Doctor Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu shared another subtle glance, their expressions thoughtful.
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By afternoon, the official ceremony was done, and the meal had been eaten. The Wen family of four didn’t want to overstay their welcome and prepared to leave.
Doctor Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu walked them out, then returned to the study. The two tea cups from the Wen family still sat on the table, and both men had the same unspoken question—what exactly is the Wen family’s background? Were they really just local farmers?
Just then, Jin Xiuyi ran in to find his grandfather.
“Grandfather, Datuo gave me a gift today. I want to give him something in return. Can you help me pick one?” he asked.
Doctor Jin nodded. “Go check the storeroom. If nothing’s suitable, have Awang take you to buy something. What did Datuo give you?”
He assumed it was some typical children’s toy—but when Jin Xiuyi pulled out two glass marbles, both Doctor Jin and Shopkeeper Qiu froze.
Such finely crafted glass beads… as toys for children? The Wen family’s generosity was more than a little surprising.
Jin Xiuyi was puzzled by their reactions. “Grandfather, Grandpa Qiu, is something wrong?”
Doctor Jin returned to his senses and shook his head. “It’s nothing. Since Datuo gave you a gift, you should pick a proper one in return, alright?”
“Mm! I’ll go look in the storeroom. Datuo really seems to love studying. I think I’ll give him that set of scholar’s tools Father gave me. If I gift it to him, Father won’t make me study anymore!” Jin Xiuyi said excitedly as he ran off—more eager to get rid of the books than to be generous.
