TSWPF -Chapter 276 Guidance

“Brother-in-law! Brother-in-law! You did so well on your exam, let’s have a big feast tonight to celebrate!” Li Qingning hugged Liu Zhimou’s leg and looked up at him with excitement.

Li Qingling couldn’t help but chuckle, rubbing Qingning’s little head. “Little foodie, always thinking about food.” Qingning had really been easy to raise—never picky since she was little, always happily eating whatever was given, her belly always round and full.

Li Qingning stuck out her tongue at Li Qingling and said confidently, “Grandpa says, being able to eat is a blessing. Since I can eat so much, my fortune must be huge.” When she grows up, she wants to be a gourmet. Her sister said that a gourmet can taste all kinds of delicious food.

“Yes, yes, you’re right—being able to eat is indeed a blessing.”

“Of course!” Qingning proudly lifted her chin. “Brother-in-law, have you answered me yet? Are we celebrating today or not?” If he didn’t say yes, the feast would be off.

Liu Zhimou smiled and patted Qingning’s little head. “Alright, let’s follow Ningning’s lead. Tonight we’ll have a feast—whatever feast you want, it’s up to you.” This little one really had a lot of reasons just to eat.

Hearing Liu Zhimou’s answer, Qingning let out an excited “Ahhh!” “Brother-in-law, you’re the best! But I still need to think carefully… what kind of feast should we have?” She released her hug and went over to hold Liu Zhirou’s hand, asking her what she wanted to eat.

Liu Zhirou smiled and said she’d be fine with whatever was decided.

Qingning pouted, telling Liu Zhirou to think carefully, then went on to ask Li Qingfeng and the others what they wanted to eat.

Li Qingfeng and the others teased her, insisting she should decide for herself.

“Hmph… are you guys saying you don’t want a feast anymore?” Qingning put her hands on her little waist and glared at them.

“Little Ningning, what feast? Will grandpa get some too?” Just as they entered the courtyard, the old man heard Qingning and asked with a smile.

Seeing Grandpa Xue and Mr. Luo, Qingning ran over with a wide grin. Excitedly, she said that to celebrate her brother-in-law’s excellent exam result, they would have a feast today, and asked what they wanted to eat.

The old man and Mr. Luo smiled and said, “Whatever Little Ningning wants, we’ll eat too.”

Qingning wrinkled her little brow, conflicted. She wanted to eat so many things but couldn’t decide.

“Come, tell me what you want to eat. Grandpa will help you figure it out.”

Qingning counted off on her fingers: “I want barbecue, hotpot, roast duck, and…” Everything she could think of, he could make.

The old man was speechless.

This little girl wanted so much, he could barely keep track of it all.

“So what do you want the most?”

“I want everything.” Qingning scratched her head. She wanted it all but knew her sister would never agree, so she was torn.

The old man chuckled and continued to guide her. “Then what do you want the very, very most? Don’t answer so quickly. Think it through, then tell grandpa.”

He was teaching Qingning that in life, one must make choices, that you can’t have everything.

All eyes were on Qingning, curious to see how she would respond.

After thinking for a while, Qingning still couldn’t choose. Embarrassed, she asked if she could have a little more time to think.

“Of course, we have time. Take it slowly.”

“Okay…”

“Well done, young man! You topped the provincial exam—truly showing the style of your father in his day.”

Mr. Luo smiled and patted Liu Zhimou’s shoulder. Truly impressive, even for his disciple’s grandson. Having such a clever student and disciple brought him immense satisfaction.

“This is all thanks to Master’s guidance. I wouldn’t have achieved such results without it,” Liu Zhimou said sincerely, bowing to Mr. Luo.

He knew clearly that without Mr. Luo’s teachings, he could never have scored so well. He knew his own abilities.

Mr. Luo humbly waved his hand. “It’s your own talent that brought you such results.”

He added a reminder: Liu Zhimou must prepare seriously for the final imperial exam and not slack off.

Liu Zhimou nodded firmly. He wouldn’t relax now, not when he was so close to the finish line.

“If you have doubts, come to Master anytime.”

“I will.”

The old man spoke up: “I think Elder Liu and Elder Lu, upon hearing this news, will rush over soon. Let’s not stay here—let’s wait for them in the Flower Hall.” With such great results, those two elders wouldn’t miss the chance to congratulate him.

“Let’s go to the Flower Hall to wait for them.”

When they arrived, Elder Liu and Elder Lu had indeed come. Both praised Liu Zhimou warmly, but reminded him not to become arrogant and to prepare thoroughly for the final exam, aiming for the top three.

With so much support, Liu Zhimou felt a warm surge in his heart. He promised to work hard and not disappoint anyone.

“But don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Stay calm,” Elder Lu advised, concerned that too much stress would hinder his performance.

Elder Liu nodded in agreement. “Yes, yes, stay calm. Your son is clever, and so is your grandson. Seeing him succeed is truly a blessing in this life.”

“Grandpa, Maternal Grandfather, I can manage myself, don’t worry,” Liu Zhimou said.

“That’s good…”

They knew he was independent-minded; giving too many instructions would be unnecessary. They shifted the conversation to casual topics.

While everyone chatted happily, Qingning, still conflicted, clapped her hands and exclaimed, “Grandpa, let’s have barbecue today! We haven’t had it for a long time!” She blushed as everyone looked at her. Embarrassed, she apologized. “Sorry for interrupting.” Her sister had taught her not to interrupt when others were speaking—it was rude.

“No problem,” the old man said kindly, beckoning her over.

Qingning ran to him. “Grandpa, do you agree to barbecue today?”

“I agree.” He patted her little head. “Ningning, you see, you can’t have everything. Life requires choices. If you give up some things, you can have the things you really want. When faced with decisions like today, if you can’t decide immediately, calm yourself and think carefully to make the best choice.”

“You’re still young and might not fully understand, but that’s okay. Just remember it. When you grow up, you’ll understand.”

“Okay, I’ll remember,” Qingning said obediently, nodding. She didn’t fully understand yet, but she would later.

“Good child.” The old man loved Qingning so much because she was sweet, obedient, and good at charming people. She truly was his treasure. “Come on, let’s prepare the ingredients and go to the pavilion by the lotus pond for barbecue.”

After all the ducks were moved to the estate and the lotus pond was planted, when the flowers bloomed, he could enjoy a full pond of lotus again. Even without flowers now, just seeing the leaves made him happy.

“Okay…” Qingning swallowed in excitement at the thought of food, then waved to Li Qingling and the others. “Hurry up, come on! Barbecue… barbecue!”

Seeing Qingning so happy, Li Qingling and the others laughed.

Li Qingling felt grateful to the old man. She and Liu Zhimou were often busy and couldn’t teach the children, so he did. His methods were excellent, using examples so the children would remember and not forget easily.

To repay him, she decided to make him a few more outfits.

“Not just Ningning is thinking about barbecue—I’m thinking about it too,” Elder Lu chuckled. After tasting Li Qingling’s dishes, as well as the novelty hotpot and barbecue, anything else felt bland. If he weren’t embarrassed, he’d come eat here every day.

Li Qingling laughed. “Grandfather, eat more later. If you want, come anytime, and I’ll cook for you.”

Elder Lu laughed and agreed.

This grandson had truly hit the jackpot with such a good daughter-in-law. Seeing the couple so happy together, he could share the joy with his youngest daughter when he grew old.

“Grandpa?” Elder Liu asked, a little jealous.

Li Qingling paused, then laughed. “Grandpa is the same, and Master is too. I treat everyone equally.”

Mr. Luo looked proudly at Elder Lu and Elder Liu. “I’ll stay here for a while. Eat whatever you want anytime.” He sighed happily, glad he never married, free to go wherever he pleased.

Elder Lu: “…”

Elder Liu: “…”

Wanting to smack him, perhaps?

“Mo’er, tell Grandpa when you plan to formally acknowledge your ancestry,” Elder Liu asked, glancing at Mr. Luo with a smile.

Liu Zhimou said directly, “Grandpa, I’ll do it after the final imperial exam, alright?” He didn’t want distractions before the exam.

Elder Liu got a satisfactory answer and nodded. “Good.”