The journey of the only child of a peasant family to take the imperial examination

Zhang Lao Er and Xu Shi knew their son would be returning soon, so they hadn't dared to go out, fearing they wouldn't be there when their son came back.

At this moment, a servant announced the news, and he came out leaning on a cane.

The elderly couple seemed to look the same as before, except that they had more silver hair.

"My son, my son, you're finally back! I've missed you so much!" Xu Shi cried, wiping away her tears as she hugged her son tightly.

It made the people around them feel a pang of sadness.

Zhang Lao Er was the same; the once-tough man now had tears in his eyes, and lovingly pulled his son into the main room: "Come, come, come in quickly, sit down and talk. You must be tired from the journey back."

Surrounded and cared for by his family, Zhang Ping'an felt warm inside and replied with a smile, "I'm fine, I just miss home and I think about you. Dad, Mom, how are you two doing?"

“Good, good, we are all good, and so is Xiaoyuer. He’s very well-behaved. He used to be a bit naughty, but since you went on your western tour, he has suddenly grown up and become much more sensible. He can help your father and me with a lot of things now. He’s going to school now, otherwise he would be so happy, counting down the days until you come back,” Xu replied.

"I've heard about it. That kid has really grown up. I'll have to give him a good compliment when he gets back."

"Of course we have to praise him! Where can you find such a good grandson?" Mrs. Xu said, both crying and laughing, defending her grandson.

In her opinion, Little Fish was perfect in every way.

Zhang Lao Er had always doted on his son, and naturally, his grandson was no less so.

Then he praised, "Little Fish is a smart child, just like you. The teacher always praises his studies."

"Thank you for your hard work, Mom and Dad. You've helped take care of the household for over a year," Zhang Ping'an said, holding his parents' hands with a touch of shame.

Zhang Lao Er and Xu Shi are both quite old. They should be enjoying their retirement, playing with their grandchildren. However, he is rarely home, which inevitably causes the two elderly people a lot of worry.

There are also many concerns about his life abroad.

Fortunately, he's back now, and if he's successfully promoted to Privy Councilor, he shouldn't have to leave again.

The family sat together and talked for a long time.

Finally, Xu excitedly instructed the servants, "Go to the residences of the eldest and fifth aunts and tell them to come over for dinner tonight. Let's all celebrate! It wasn't easy for Ping An to come back from this trip! My son, you've worked so hard!"

Upon hearing the order, the servant responded and immediately went off with great enthusiasm.

As soon as the master returned, the house seemed to come alive, and the servants became more energetic and serious in their work.

Not long after, Xiao Hu led Zhong Xiaobao, who had cleaned up and changed his clothes, to pay his respects.

Only then did Zhang Lao Er and Xu Shi realize that their son had bought a child boy.

“Little Fish is indeed at the age where he needs a pageboy. Just the other day, his uncle said he was going to send two pageboys over. Isn’t this a coincidence?” Xu Shi slapped her thigh and said happily.

Then she remembered Qian Jie: "By the way, where's Xiaoyuer's second uncle? Didn't he come back with you?"

“We came back together, but we parted ways before we entered the city. He went to the Qian family’s villa in the suburbs to rest,” Zhang Ping’an replied casually.

Then, smiling, she waved to the child, beckoning him closer. "Xiao Bao, come here!"

After tidying himself up, Zhong Xiaobao looked even more handsome than when they first met. He was fair-skinned and clean-cut, and looked like a child from a good family.

This shows that the human traffickers had exceptional eyesight.

After examining the child closely, Zhang Lao Er frowned. "He is handsome, but his eyes are a bit fierce."

"Really?" Upon hearing this, Madam Xu also took the child's hand and examined him carefully. "His eyes do look a bit heavy, and he seems somewhat familiar to me!"

After pondering for a moment, Xu realized who the child's eyes resembled. They were exactly like Sanya's when she was little, only more serene.

Her expression immediately darkened, and she looked at her son with a hint of reproach: "Why did you have to buy a child like this? He's no good!"

"Whether he's good or bad, he's come into our family now. It's all fate. If I hadn't bought him, he would have had to go to the palace to become a eunuch. I feel a little sorry for him," Zhang Ping'an said with a smile, stroking the child's head.

"By the way, his full name is Zhong Duan, but you can call him Xiao Duan from now on."

"This child is really lucky; he's fallen into a blessed nest since he entered our family!" For some reason, Madam Xu disliked this child very much.

If it weren't for the fact that today is an auspicious day and her son had just returned, she wouldn't want to say anything unpleasant or bring bad luck.

She absolutely had to send the child back.

Although Zhang Lao Er rejected the child's gaze and felt he wasn't quite suitable for a grandson, he didn't react as strongly as Xu Shi.

He also advised Madam Xu, "Forget it, just like Ping An said, it's all fate. Now that she's in the family, there's no reason to kick her out. It wouldn't look good if word got out. Let her stay here and run errands. We don't lack food to support this child."

After saying that, he took out a few copper coins from his pocket, waved his hand, and said with some affection, "Little Bao, right? Here, Grandpa will give you some copper coins to buy candy. Keep them safe!"

Upon seeing the copper coin, Zhong Xiaobao's eyes visibly lit up.

He walked over, took the copper coin, carefully put it in his pocket, and said thank you, "Thank you, sir, may you live a long and healthy life!"

"Oh, he can even say auspicious words. His family has taught him well." Upon hearing this, Zhang Lao Er's heart softened a bit, and he was no longer so averse to the child.

Zhang Ping'an smiled upon seeing this.

As the sun sets, Xiaoyuer goes home after school, and I personally pick him up after he has eaten his fill.

As soon as he saw that his father had finished eating, Xiaoyuer knew that his father had returned. He quickly tidied up his books and rushed out.

I'm very anxious.

"Dad!" Little Fish shouted as soon as he stepped over the threshold.

His words conveyed a deep sense of anticipation.

Hearing the sound, Zhang Ping'an came out, stood in the courtyard, bent down, opened his arms, and smiled, saying, "Dad's here. Come here and let Dad give you a hug!"

Little Fish threw down his book bag and rushed over, landing in Zhang Ping'an's arms: "Dad, I missed you so much!"

"Me too, Dad misses you too!" Zhang Ping'an said gently, patting his son's head.

"Dad, why haven't you come home for so long?" Xiaoyuer's voice choked with emotion, but she still forced herself to act like a little adult, looking up at him with a hint of pleading, "Dad, please don't leave again, okay?"