Chapter 57 What Is Their True Identity?

Everyone continued with their own tasks until Aunt Gui came to ask Dr. Jin if it was time to set the table. Dr. Jin was still somewhat reluctant to end his conversation with Manager Qiu and Wen Xiuyi.

Stroking his beard, Dr. Jin said with delight, “Brother Wen, with such learning as yours, it truly is a pity for you not to enter officialdom. Are you really not planning to sit for the exams anymore? I may not have much else to offer, but I do have some connections in the capital.”

Manager Qiu also felt that someone like Wen Xiuyi was wasted running a small stall selling fried rice, and nodded in agreement.

Wen Xiuyi simply smiled, his expression calm and detached, as one who had seen the world’s vicissitudes: “I’d better not. In the past, I was reckless and ruined my family, disappointing my parents, wife, and children. Now, time has passed, I have repented, and all I want is to stay by these three children, make the most of the time left, serve my parents while they are still here, and make amends for my past mistakes.

When the tree longs to stand still, the wind will not cease; when a son wishes to care for his parents, they are no longer there. One must not wait until everything is lost to realize what should have been cherished.”

Dr. Jin and Manager Qiu were both taken aback.

Dr. Jin murmured, “When the tree longs to stand still, the wind will not cease; when a son wishes to care for his parents, they are no longer there… Brother Wen, you truly are someone with insight. I admire you.”

Manager Qiu still seemed a little regretful and asked, “Brother Wen, are you really not considering returning to the exams and entering officialdom?”

Wen Xiuyi shook his head. “Truly not.”

The two exchanged a glance. The former’s face was full of regret, while the latter gave a slight shake of his head, signaling him not to press further.

Manager Qiu could only sigh, “What a pity indeed.”

The atmosphere became a bit awkward. Dr. Jin waved his hand broadly and said, “Enough, let’s not talk about such dispiriting matters. Come, let’s see what delicious dishes Yao Yao has prepared for us today.”

Manager Qiu laughed as well. “Indeed, Brother Wen, to tell you the truth, ever since I last tasted Yao Yao’s cooking, I’ve been thinking about it. If it weren’t improper, I’d have chased after you all to your house by now, hahahaha.”

Wen Xiuyi was a generous man and immediately said, “By all means, you are always welcome at my home. The countryside has its own charm. When the time comes, I’ll have Yao Yao prepare some barbecue; we can sit by the mountains and waters, chat as we please, and feast on roasted meat. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

“Barbecue? What’s that? Is it another new dish Yao Yao has invented?” Dr. Jin and Manager Qiu’s eyes lit up.

Wen Xiuyi wished he could slap his own mouth, but he managed to remain composed. “You could say that. It’s just something the children came up with.”

After all, Yao Yao’s secret recipe for seasoning could indeed be called her own invention.

“Then we’ll be waiting for your invitation, Brother Wen,” the two said with a smile, not the least bit polite—after all, politeness doesn’t fill the stomach.

When Jin Xiuyi and Da Tou were called back, the two boys looked as if they had rolled through the mud, leaving everyone else dumbfounded.

“What on earth have you two been up to?” This was the first time Dr. Jin had seen his grandson so unruly, and he was stunned.

Jin Xiuyi shrank his neck and wiped his hands on his clothes, only making himself dirtier.

Da Tou, on the other hand, was far more composed. He calmly took out a handkerchief, wiped his face and hands, then put it back as if nothing had happened. If it weren’t for the mud all over him, Wen Xiuyi might have believed it.

“My boy, what have you been up to? Did you take Jin Xiuyi to play in the mud?” Wen Xiuyi gave Dr. Jin an embarrassed smile, then quickly pulled his younger son aside and asked in a low voice, afraid of offending Dr. Jin.

Da Tou shook his head and showed him the pouch.

Wen Xiuyi immediately understood—the two boys must have been lying on the ground playing marbles.

“Dr. Jin, I must apologize. The children are being careless,” Wen Xiuyi quickly offered.

Dr. Jin waved it off. “No need, you’ll scare the children. They’re just being playful, it’s nothing.”

The old maid who had been following the boys also hurriedly took the blame. “Old master, it’s my fault for not taking better care of them…”

“There’s no harm done. Take the two of them to freshen up and find one of Xiuyi’s old outfits for Da Tou to change into,” Dr. Jin said, not angry, only a little helpless at the sight of the two muddy monkeys.

Jin Xiuyi visibly relaxed, sneaking a look at his grandfather and smiling foolishly when he saw he was truly not angry.

Dr. Jin tapped him on the head, both helpless and doting. “Go on, take your brother to change clothes and come back clean for dinner.”

“All right. Da Tou, let’s go.” Jin Xiuyi took Da Tou’s hand and led him away. Now that they were good brothers, he, as the elder, should look after his younger sibling.

When the maid had taken them off to clean up, Wen Xiuyi apologized, “The boy is used to running wild in the countryside. I’m afraid he’s gotten a bit too unruly.”

Dr. Jin shot him a reproachful look. “Nonsense. I haven’t seen Xiuyi this happy for a very long time. At his age, he should be playing about. I’ve been too strict with him. Here in the city he has no playmates, but now that he has fun with Da Tou, I’m relieved.

Bring Da Tou over to play whenever you can.”

Wen Xiuyi immediately agreed and also said he’d invite Jin Xiuyi to visit them. Dr. Jin readily assented.

Before long, the two boys were brought back, freshly washed and dressed in clean clothes.

Truly, clothes make the man—Da Tou, dressed in Jin Xiuyi’s outfit, looked every bit the little gentleman of a wealthy family.

Dr. Jin and Manager Qiu exchanged another subtle glance, a hint of meaning in their eyes.

—

By afternoon, the ceremony had been completed, the meal eaten, and it was no longer appropriate for the Wen family to linger. The four took their leave.

Dr. Jin and Manager Qiu saw them off and returned to the study, where the cups from the Wen family sat on the table. Both men harbored the same doubt: what was the Wen family’s true background? Were they really just local farmers?

At that moment, Jin Xiuyi came looking for his grandfather.

“Grandfather, Da Tou gave me a gift today. I want to return the favor. Will you help me choose a present for him?” Jin Xiuyi asked.

Dr. Jin nodded. “Go look through the storeroom. If you don’t find anything suitable, ask Ah Wang to take you shopping. What did Da Tou give you?”

He expected it to be some toy between children, but when Jin Xiuyi produced the two marbles Da Tou had given him, Dr. Jin and Manager Qiu both froze.

Such fine glass marbles, used as a child’s toy? The Wen family’s generosity was indeed surprising.

Jin Xiuyi saw their reaction and was puzzled. “Grandfather, Grandpa Qiu, is something wrong?”

Dr. Jin recovered and shook his head. “Nothing. Since Da Tou gave you a gift, you must choose a good one in return, understand?”

“Yes, I’ll go look in the storeroom. Da Tou seems to love reading. The set of scholar’s tools Father gave me—I’d like to give that to him,” Jin Xiuyi said excitedly. The sooner he gave them away, the sooner his father would stop forcing him to study.