I asked you to dig wild vegetables to pay off your debt, not go up the mountain to pick up money!

"Why is my uncle back again?"

The two little ones looked puzzled. In their impression, their uncle was always studying hard all day and rarely came home. What happened recently?

Song An Ning was also stunned for a moment, jumped off the carriage and waved at him.

Song Xing was so happy to see Song An Ning.

Song An Ning was his first niece. He still remembered that when the little girl was just born, she didn't like to cry, and her big eyes were rolling around, which made her very cute.

Now she has grown into a big girl. I heard from her parents that this girl is now very capable. As her uncle, he is very happy from the bottom of his heart.

He came back this time to discuss the provincial examination in the fall with his parents, but going to the provincial capital to take the exam would cost a lot of money.

He knew very well what the situation was like at home, and he was not sure if he could pass the exam, so he came back and told them that he would wait for the exam next spring and not take it this time.

While helping Song An Ning and others unload the things, Song An Ning keenly noticed that Grandpa was a little unhappy.

But because there were outsiders around, he couldn't show it and just grinned very reluctantly.

"Aning, you guys talk, I'll go back and cook first."

Wang Qiuyue also noticed something unusual. After putting the things away, she led Wang Ying'er and her brother back to the foot of the mountain.

Looking at Wang Qiuyue's back, Song Dashan nodded in appreciation, "This girl from the Wang family is quite clever. Even though we pay for her services, we should not neglect her."

Song Anning agreed with a smile and changed the topic to Song Xing.

"Is my uncle coming home from his vacation?"

"No, no, please help me persuade Dad..."

When Song Xing talked about this, the usually calm old man was fuming and glaring. If Song An Ning hadn't stopped him, the father and son would have almost started quarreling.

"I don't think it's a big deal. Uncle, don't worry about going to the capital city. Our family is not short of money.

You have to seize every opportunity, take the exam earlier and get the results earlier, what are you afraid of, uncle?"

"..."

Song An Ning hit the nail on the head with one sentence. Song Dashan had said it many times that his family was now doing business with An Ning and had no shortage of money. However, Song Xing, who had always been obedient, was like a stubborn donkey and was determined not to take the exam.

"I'm not afraid, I..."

"You're afraid. If you don't pass the exam, your grandparents will be disappointed, your classmates will make fun of you, and the villagers will talk about you.

These external things limit you and prevent you from moving forward, right?"

Listening to his niece's sharp words, Song Xing lowered his head in shame. He had to admit that what Song An Ning said was right. He just didn't dare to do it because he was afraid of bad consequences, so he always wanted to postpone it.

"So what if you don't pass the exam? It's just embarrassing, and people will talk about you, but what does that matter? Will it make you lose weight?"

"..."

"There are so many people in your academy, but only 20 to 30 pass the exam every year. So the rest of them are dead?

Uncle, if you can't get over this hurdle today, you won't be able to get over it next year either.

You're not young among the students. Are you wasting your time and ruining yourself just for the sake of face? Do you still remember what you were thinking when you first went to the academy?"

"..."

Song Xing's face was as red as a boiled shrimp. He stood in the yard at a loss. He felt embarrassed to have his troubles pointed out by a child, and also felt guilty for his own incompetence.

"Reputation is something you earn yourself, just like how you passed the exam to become a Tongsheng (a student) after just two years of learning. That was earned through your hard work day and night, burning the midnight oil.

You will have to overcome every difficulty, and this is just the beginning of your life. If you can't get through it, then don't stay in the academy. Come back and pickle duck eggs with your grandpa, and you can still survive.

You've read a lot and understand more profound principles than I do. Go take the exam or come back to pickle duck eggs. It's your choice."

"..."

Song An Ning had heard a long time ago that his uncle's knowledge was among the best in the academy, but the more this was the case, the greater the psychological pressure he felt because he cared too much about other people's opinions.

She said everything she should and shouldn't say. The inner demon is like a piece of flesh growing in her heart. She can only endure the pain and tear it out bloodily before she can move on.

Song Xing grabbed his hair in pain. The words Song An Ning said were like a knife, piercing the most fearful part of his heart.

At first, his father and mother sent him to academy, but the school refused to accept him, saying that he had passed the best age for enlightenment and it was too late for him to study.

But he stood stubbornly at the gate of the academy, thinking in his heart: I must study hard and make a name for myself.

He wanted his parents to live a good life and didn't want them to beg the master to accept him. But now, he was stuck in a dead end and couldn't get out. Not only did he fail to change the current situation at home, but he also made the whole family worry.

Looking at Song Dashan's almost completely white hair, he slapped himself hard.

The tree wants to be still but the wind does not stop; the son wants to support his parents but they are no longer around. What kind of shitty reputation is that? How can it compare to parents?

He walked out of the door in a daze. Song Dashan wanted to stop him, but saw Song An Ning shaking his head at him.

"Uncle, this is a heart disease, and he needs to get over it on his own. Don't worry, Grandpa, I'll go over and take a look later."

Tears welled up in Song Dashan's eyes. If Aning hadn't said all this today, that silly boy Song Xing would still be competing with him. If this continued, it would not be good.

He felt a little guilty. His son must be in great pain, but he and his wife had been focusing all their energy on Song Juaner recently and hadn't noticed it at all.

Song An Ning knew what he was thinking, so she comforted him softly, "Grandpa, you and grandma are already very capable. You helped my father and second uncle marry wives and bought land.

He even sent his uncle to study in town. How many people in our village can do that?

I believe my uncle will figure it out."

"Well, I, the old man, was also praised by my granddaughter."

Song Dashan sniffed and looked at Song An Ning with eyes full of pity. What Song An Ning had just said really shocked him. This little girl who only knew a few words could say so many great truths. It was a blessing for his Song family.

"Go out and check on your uncle. Grandpa's going to clean up the side room. It's been dusty since you haven't lived in it for a long time."

Song An Ning went out to look for him but couldn't find him. Xiangxiang said that he was sitting under a big banyan tree watching a group of children playing with ants. He had never been here before.

Seeing Song An Ning coming over, he smiled and waved at her.

Sitting next to Song Xing, Song An Ning looked up at the towering tree and stopped talking about the previous topic.

"Uncle, this tree is quite old, right?"

"Yes, I heard from the old people in the village that it's at least 800 years old."

"It's really beautiful, emitting endless vitality."

Song An Ning narrowed her eyes. After being busy for so many days, it was rare to have such a quiet time.

Now, she wanted to empty herself and think about nothing.

The children who were squatting on the ground playing with ants saw Song An Ning and slowly moved away with bitter faces.

After moving about seven or eight meters, someone shouted, "Run!"

The children ran forward without looking back, as if there was a vicious dog chasing them.

"Haha, Aning, why are they so afraid of you?"

"Hey, uncle, you want to hear a story? Well, it has to start from a dozen days ago..."