CHAPTER 165: CHAPTER 90: 2ND BROTHER IS ABOUT TO ENTER THE FIELD

When Gu Chengyu used qinggong to rush home, it was already 3:15 PM. Gu Chengyu estimated that it took him about a quarter of an hour from the town to the village, which was indeed much faster than an ox cart, and even faster than a horse cart. It seems qinggong is really for traveling, although he was quite exhausted.

The Gu Family’s dining table was one of the best in the village, although it still couldn’t compare to Mr. Zhao’s house. Tonight’s dinner was white porridge with mixed grain pancakes, along with cabbage stewed meat and scrambled eggs. Nowadays, the Gu Family no longer sells eggs. With so many chickens, they produce plenty of eggs, so they keep them for themselves instead. Eggs are no longer a rarity.

"There are three more months until the exam. What thoughts do the eldest and second households have? Xiao Bao must take the exam next year, but what about your two households?" After saying this, Mr. Gu took a sip of white porridge and swallowed it.

Gu Chengli did not expect Mr. Gu to bring up this matter. In fact, he didn’t know how Da Lang’s studies were going. He had asked, but Da Lang always hesitated without giving a definite answer. He just felt that Da Lang might not make it, and still Da Lang could take the exam?

Gu Chengyi frowned. He had already asked the teacher, who said that the second son had some spiritual energy for studying and studied diligently. If he studied for a few more years, he might have a chance to pass. But the third son was different; he didn’t seem to have his heart in studying.

"Dad! Even those young masters from wealthy families who studied since childhood don’t go for the exams after just two or three years, right? Going to take the exam now, isn’t it too early? The teacher of the fifth son, with such a great reputation, didn’t become a scholar until he was over twenty, right?"

What Gu Chengyi mainly wanted was to fight for a few more years for the second son. The third son didn’t like studying, so let him be! But if the second son didn’t study, wouldn’t it be a pity? He could see that the second son was most like him, smart and knew what he wanted. Compared to the second son, the third son lagged far behind, with much less comprehension.

"What about the eldest? What do you say?" Actually, the Gu Family was living well now. It wouldn’t matter if the children studied for a few more years. The reason they said otherwise before was due to the lack of silver at home, fearing they couldn’t support it.

"Dad! I don’t know either. Better to ask Da Lang! Only he knows how well he’s doing." Gu Chengli felt a bit conflicted. He hoped Da Lang would study more. He knew Da Lang wasn’t doing particularly well, but what can be seen in just these two years? It would be better to study for three more years. If he really can’t pass the exam by then, it’s also good to come back and help the family.

Mr. Gu looked at Da Lang again, "Da Lang! What do you say?"

Seeing everyone in the Gu Family staring at him, Da Lang panicked a bit, "I... I don’t know either." He was afraid to take the exam, but he was also hesitant about whether to continue studying. If he didn’t study, what could he do?

"Dad! Da Lang is still a little kid, what can he understand? In my opinion, if the study is only for two or three years, it’s definitely difficult to pass. I want the second son to study for a few more years."

Gu Chengyi would not miss this opportunity. As for the fifth son going for the exam, he sneered in his heart. Just because the teacher praised him a few times, he thought he was a prodigy? To think of taking the exam after just three years is sheer fantasy. But he wouldn’t say it out loud, just let him go take it! If he can’t pass, let’s see if his mother still dares to flaunt at home, as if she has the only clever son in the world.

"How you all are doing in the private school, I believe you know in your heart too. Our family is not that wealthy and cannot support you studying forever. If anyone wants to take the exam this year, is there any?" After finishing his bowl of porridge, Mr. Gu put down his chopsticks.

Mrs. Lv said nothing standing by. Studying was the most important thing in the family. If she went too far, the old man would not show her a kind face, and even her brother-in-law wouldn’t spare her for hindering the Gu descendants.

"Grandpa! I want to take the exam!" The second son, seeing that Mr. Gu hadn’t promised his father, thought Mr. Gu was not allowing them to study anymore, so he wanted to take a chance. Moreover, he believed he wasn’t learning any slower than Little Uncle. There was no reason Little Uncle could go, but he couldn’t.

"Second son! What nonsense are you talking about? You’re still young. Isn’t it more secure if you study another two or three years?" Gu Chengyi was startled by the second son’s words. He would rather the second son wait another three years. It’s too risky this time. Even though he’s not the one studying, he knew becoming a scholar wasn’t easy.

"Dad! I have made up my mind. I want to give it a try. If it doesn’t work, then I’ll take it next time." He actually wanted to compare where he was lacking compared to Little Uncle. Wasn’t Little Uncle just good at memorizing? Every day he secretly read by lamplight in his room just to catch up with him. He didn’t believe Little Uncle could be much better than him.

Gu Chengyi fell silent for a while. In fact, he also held a bit of hope. What if he really passed? Taking the exam wasn’t a loss. Anyway, in three years, he could take it again. Even if he didn’t pass, it would still be a good opportunity to gain some experience.

"Second son! Have you really thought it through? If you really want to go, I won’t stop you. If you don’t want to go, I can still let you study for three more years. Isn’t that more secure?" Mr. Gu didn’t want to delay his grandson’s future either. The second son was the most promising among the grandsons, so he naturally wanted him to continue studying.

The second son hesitated upon hearing this, but eventually made up his mind. "Grandpa! I still want to give it a try!"

Mr. Gu, seeing that the second son had made up his mind, did not ask further. He just turned to inquire about the other two grandsons to see what their plans were.

Da Lang hadn’t decided what he could do, so he only said he wanted to continue studying. The third son was still young and confused about the future. He looked at his father but found that his father was fully focused on his second brother and didn’t care whether he wanted to continue studying or not. He felt a bit dejected.

"Grandpa! I don’t want to study anymore. I want to learn business!" After thinking for a moment, the third son still firmly said to Mr. Gu.

Gu Chengyu was surprised. He knew the third son wasn’t interested in studying, but he didn’t expect him to be so straightforward.

Mr. Gu was also shocked, "Third son! Have you really thought it through? If you want to study, the family will support you for three more years." The other two grandsons were still studying, there was no reason the youngest shouldn’t.

Seeing this, Gu Chengyi hurriedly stepped forward to stop. "The third son is also foolish. Since father has allowed it, why not study? Does he really want to come back and dig in the fields? Isn’t studying better than working in the fields? This fool."

"Third son! You little child, what do you understand? Studying can lead to success, which is something many people can’t even dream of." He looked at the third son as if he had foolishly given up, such a good opportunity wasted.

"That’s right! Third son, don’t be silly! Didn’t your grandpa say that the family can still afford it?"

Mrs. He also became anxious when she heard the third son wanted to give up studying. The second son was close to his father and not very close to her, the mother. Only the third son always thought of her when he had something good to eat. Her husband didn’t take care of the third son, but she couldn’t watch him be ruined and end up being a farmer for life. As for wanting to do business, that had long been ignored. Business required capital. Would the family agree?

Originally, ever since studying, his father paid more attention to his second brother than to him. His father only ever inquired about his second brother’s studies. He knew he wasn’t as smart as his second brother, nor was he as eloquent to please his parents.