Su Ming stacked the last batch of split firewood neatly and heard footsteps approaching from outside the courtyard gate, along with a somewhat awkward greeting.

“Su Ming.”

Su Ming turned his head and saw Zhao Dequan with a beaming smile, and Zhao Rui trailing behind him with a face full of reluctance.

Zhao Dequan’s laughter was booming and hearty, while Zhao Rui, following him, wore an expression of utter unwillingness.

Su Shan hurriedly wiped his hands on his clothes and went forward to greet them. “Village Chief, sir, what brings you here today? Please, come inside and sit. Chuntao, go pour some water!”

“Ah, don’t trouble yourself!” Zhao Dequan waved his large hand, stopping Wang Chuntao who was about to head to the kitchen.

Zhao Dequan’s gaze swept around the courtyard, from the drying vegetables to the firewood pile in the corner, and finally, landed precisely on that corner of the backyard.

There, a large pot, a stone mill, and wooden barrels were all arranged, with a few scraps of failed paper from experiments tossed beside them.

The afternoon sunlight was just right. One of the palm-sized paper scraps was flipped over by the wind, and its surface actually shimmered with a delicate, warm, and smooth luster.

That sheen was worlds apart from the rough, yellowish, even grass-fiber-laden paper produced in the workshop.

Zhao Dequan’s steps paused for a moment, his eyes lingering on that scrap of paper for a full two breaths.

(“Disciple, he saw the paper scrap you left behind from experimenting with the improved formula!”)

Lin Yu’s voice instantly exploded in Su Ming’s mind, carrying a sense of urgency that reveled in watching the drama unfold.

(“This old fox’s eyes are sharper than an eagle’s! He’s definitely wondering in his heart why you’re hiding such good stuff and not bringing it to the workshop. Steady, don’t panic, don’t panic even if the sky falls! The more flustered you are, the more he’ll think you’re up to something!”)

Su Ming’s heart gave a violent thump, but his expression remained unchanged. He just silently stepped to Su Yang’s side, lowered his eyelids, and assumed the respectful posture of a junior listening attentively.

Zhao Dequan withdrew his gaze, his face still wearing a genial smile as if he had merely glanced casually a moment ago.

He looked at Su Shan, but his words were directed at Su Ming. “I heard Xiao Ming is going to study in town? That’s wonderful! Our Su Family Village hasn’t produced a proper scholar going to the County School in many years!”

Su Shan gave an honest smile, rubbing his hands together. “The child is just fooling around, insisting on going out to see the world.”

“How is that fooling around?” Zhao Dequan’s face turned stern. “Matters of scholars, can they be called fooling around? This is called ambition!”

He shifted the topic, asking seemingly casually, “However, with Xiao Ming leaving, our village’s paper-making workshop won’t run into any major problems, will it? After all, the formula was something you found, and you’ve been overseeing the work in the workshop. You’re the backbone. What are we to do if you leave?”

Here it comes!

Su Ming’s heart tightened.

(“See? The fox’s tail is showing,” Lin Yu snorted. “This is both a warning and a probe. Disciple, use the script we rehearsed! Shift the blame… ahem, shift all the credit to your Second Brother!”)

Before Su Shan could speak, Su Ming stepped forward, bowed, and replied, “Uncle Zhao, you jest. I’m just someone who reads books all day, what do I know about craftsmanship? All the intricacies of paper-making were figured out by my Second Brother through trial after trial. He’s skillful with his hands, and a steady person, soaking in the workshop every day. He knows far better than I do when to add firewood and what color indicates the pulp is ready.”

He scratched his head, revealing a hint of a young man’s shyness. “Actually, everything I know, Second Brother knows. What I don’t know, he’s already figured out by now. With me gone and Second Brother in charge, the workshop will only run better than before. Moreover, my brother recently pulled me along to try and figure out if we could make even better paper at home. You can see the scraps of my brother’s newly made paper over there, but we haven’t pinpointed the exact reason for the improvement yet, so we haven’t mentioned it to the village.”

These words were flawlessly delivered, both elevating Su Yang and completely absolving himself, perfectly crafting the image of a bookworm who “only provides theory, knows nothing of practice.”

Hearing his younger brother praise him like this, Su Yang’s face flushed slightly red, and he quickly waved his hands. “No, no, it was all Xiao Ming who taught me…”

“Look at this, just look!” Zhao Dequan pointed at the Su brothers and laughed heartily at Su Shan. “Shanzi, your two sons, one has the brains, the other is willing to put in the effort, and both are so humble. You truly are blessed!”

Zhao Dequan nodded, the smile on his face growing even brighter as he cut straight to the main point. “Shanzi, Xiao Ming, I heard yesterday that Xiao Ming is going to study in town. I thought about it all night and decided I must support this!”

He shifted his tone, sighed, and pulled Zhao Rui from behind him forward. “My boy here, ever since going with Xiao Ming to town for the exam last time, seems to have changed when he came back. He knows to study hard now, and he’s learned some fear. That’s a good thing. But with his half-baked skills, I’m really not at ease letting him go to the County School by himself.”

Being criticized by his father in front of everyone, Zhao Rui felt embarrassed and muttered, “Dad, I can manage…”

“Manage my foot!” Zhao Dequan glared, then switched back to a helpless tone as he addressed Su Shan. “See? That’s his attitude. So, I was thinking, when Xiao Ming goes to town, he could take this useless thing along. They took the exam together, so they’ve shared hardship. Studying together, they can look out for each other, and I’d feel more at ease.”

This time, Zhao Rui just awkwardly turned his head away and muttered quietly, “Who needs him to look out for me…” But the resistance in his tone was noticeably weaker, more an issue of a young man’s pride.

“Shut your mouth!” Zhao Dequan turned and roared, scaring Zhao Rui into swallowing the rest of his words.

Zhao Dequan resumed his kindly demeanor, patted Su Ming on the shoulder, and said earnestly, “Xiao Ming, don’t judge A Rui by his current behavior. He’s not a bad kid, just spoiled. The town academy is a mixed bag. With his temperament, I’m afraid he’ll be deceived or led astray. You’re different. You’re steady, sensible. With you by his side to watch over him and guide him, I’m at ease!”

With such high praise bestowed upon him, it was difficult for Su Ming to refuse.

Su Ming understood clearly. Zhao Dequan’s move was partly to let Zhao Rui follow the “enlightened” Su Ming and catch some “scholarly aura.” More deeply, it was probably to use his son to keep tabs on and observe him, ensuring the core “secret formula” of the paper-making technique wouldn’t be compromised by his departure.

He stepped forward, his tone sincere. “With Uncle Zhao’s trust, I dare not decline. Brother Zhao Rui has become much steadier after this experience, and his academic foundation is solid. Studying together, we can spar and motivate each other.”

“Good! Good! With your word, I am at ease!” Zhao Dequan nodded with satisfaction.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep