New ink fragrance in old times

After hearing this, Lin Wenru nodded slightly, and then said, "We don't have as much land as yours. When we finish harvesting the rice here, we'll let Shuisheng and Shuizhi help you. With more people, the harvest will go faster."

When Lin Xueqian heard this, his heart was filled with gratitude, and he quickly thanked him: "That's great, thank you, second uncle."

Lin Wenru turned to look at Lin Sixuan, his eyes full of expectations for the younger generation. He asked, "Mu Tou, the exam will be next year. How are you preparing?"

Hearing this, Lin Sixuan replied, "Second Grandfather, the teacher said I could try to take the exam. He has great confidence in me."

Lin Wenru nodded gently, then asked with concern, "Well, has the matter of the guarantor been settled? You can't take the county exam this year because we can't find a guarantor."

Lin Xueqian quickly replied, "Second Uncle, my family is already asking people about this. We hope to find a suitable guarantor as soon as possible."

After hearing this, Lin Wenru thought for a moment and said, "How about this? I'll ask your Aunt Xiufang's family to help inquire about it. They have a wide network of connections and might be able to find someone. When we have some information, we can make more contacts and get this done."

After hearing this, Lin Xueqian and Lin Sixuan both showed gratitude on their faces and thanked Lin Wenru one after another: "Thank you, Second Uncle (Second Grandfather)."

Lin Wenru looked at Lin Siyuan and asked habitually, "Chengtuo, you just started community school this year. Are you used to it?"

As soon as the words came out, Lin Siyuan felt very uncomfortable.

Although Lin Siyuan had a smile on his face, there was a hint of displeasure in his eyes, and he was obviously quite disgusted with this nickname.

Lin Siyuan muttered to himself. Every time he heard the name "Scale Weight," it felt like a gentle prick in his heart. This nickname had once been a term of endearment for him at home, but since entering the community school, he had come to realize that it was incompatible with what he was learning and pursuing. He had already privately requested that his family change to addressing them according to their birth order, calling his eldest brother "Da Lang" and himself "Er Lang."

However, my eldest brother said that my second grandfather's family had already separated from theirs. Logically, the custom of addressing others should have changed with the independence of the family, but reality always seems to be a step behind. I can't directly correct the way my second grandfather's family addressed me.

Today, he didn't want to come to his second grandfather's house. Every time he visited, in addition to being jokingly called a "weight", he also had to face a series of questions, which made him feel embarrassed and annoyed.

Although he felt some resistance in his heart, Lin Siyuan tried his best to remain polite today because he was accompanying his younger brother.

He smiled and replied to Lin Wenru: "Second Grandfather, everything is fine in the community school. I have gotten used to life there. We learned the Thousand Character Classic and the Three Character Classic, and are now learning the Rules for Disciples."

As he spoke, he playfully anticipated what Lin Wenru might ask next, tried to answer all the questions in one breath, and offered, "Second Grandfather, do you want me to recite a passage for you?"

Lin Wenru nodded, seeming to be satisfied with Lin Siyuan's answer, but this action unexpectedly made Lin Siyuan's heart tighten, and he secretly regretted: It was too hasty.

Lin Wenru smiled and shook his head, saying gently, "No need, Chuan Tuo, you just need to study hard and remember not to indulge in trivial matters and neglect your studies."

Hearing this, Lin Siyuan finally felt relieved and quickly responded obediently, "I understand, Second Grandpa."

Just as Lin Siyuan was about to breathe a sigh of relief and thought the conversation was over, Lin Wenru suddenly changed the subject and turned his gaze to Lin Mo beside him, asking with concern, "Douzi, are you feeling better?"

When Lin Mo heard Lin Wenru suddenly ask about his health, he hadn't expected to become the center of the conversation. He was stunned for a moment, a look of surprise on his face. This change made the atmosphere around them become a little awkward, and a hint of awkwardness filled the air.

At this moment, Lin Xueqin stood up at the right time. He looked at Lin Wenru with a smile and took the initiative to break the moment of silence: "Second uncle, don't worry, Douzi is almost well now and his body is recovering slowly." Hearing this, Lin Wenru nodded slightly to show that he was relieved.

Just then, Qian Xiufang came over with a few bowls of hot tea. Her appearance seemed to bring a touch of warmth to the slightly solemn atmosphere.

"The tea is ready, everyone have some," she said as she handed out bowls to everyone present. Behind her were three other women, each holding their own bowl, passing the tea to everyone.

When one of the women handed a bowl of tea to Lin Mo, she said kindly, "Douzi, drink this bowl."

Lin Mo quickly took it and said gratefully to the girl in front of him, who was about seventeen or eighteen years old, "Thank you, sister."

The brief silence in the air was broken by Lin Siyuan's whispered reminder: "Sanlang, this is my second cousin."

Lin Mo reacted quickly, a flash of embarrassment on his face then turned into gratitude, and he quickly changed the words and said, "Thank you, second cousin."

Upon hearing this, my second cousin Lin Xiqian smiled slightly, and that smile contained tolerance. She nodded gently, turned around and left without saying anything.

Seeing this, Lin Xueqian changed the subject in time and said to Qian Xiufang, "Second Aunt, we have already eaten, why don't we let Shuisheng and the others drink this tea."

Qian Xiufang replied with a smile: "Don't worry, there's still some in the pot. Shuisheng and the others will go drink it soon."

Lin Wenru quietly sipped the egg tea in his hand. The egg flowers floating in the bowl swayed gently with the heat. He blew gently and took a sip. The tea seemed to have a faint sweetness, which made people feel warm.

However, this tranquility did not last long. Lin Wenru suddenly changed the subject and said to Lin Xueqin, "Last time, Chuanzi's wife came to see Xiufang and asked Shuisheng to tell her to come back. The next day, Douzi went to the clinic. I think Douzi is not as smart as before."

Lin Mo's heart suddenly jumped. He felt that there seemed to be a deep meaning in Lin Wenru's words, and he couldn't help but speculate secretly.

Lin Xueqian and Lin Sixuan also exchanged glances, seemingly pondering the meaning of Lin Wenru's words. At this moment, the atmosphere in the room became subtle again.

When Lin Siyuan heard Lin Wenru's words, he felt unhappy. He muttered secretly: "This old man is full of nonsense. My brother is naturally the best in the world."

Although he did not directly refute, the expression on his face revealed his dissatisfaction.

Just then, brothers Lin Xuerui and Lin Xuezhi came in with bowls in their hands, talking and laughing, breaking the delicate atmosphere in the room.

Lin Xuerui walked straight into the yard and asked curiously while drinking hot tea from his bowl, "What happened to Douzi? Why did we hear you mention him?"

Seeing this, Lin Xueqin said, "It's nothing serious, it's just that my second uncle is concerned about Douzi." As he spoke, he signaled with his eyes that the two brothers should not ask too many questions.