Chapter 24

“Hey, Daniu, why are you here? What’s the matter?” Village chief saw uncle Daniu and others walked over.

“It is a great news. Village chief, our village has produced another scholar.” Liao Daniu and the village chief were the same age, they used to play together since they were young; there was no seniority between them.

“Scholar?” an elder who was talking with the village chief said in surprise.

There were many people in the village chief house, most of them was senior people with some power in the village. Everyone was surprised but could guess who it was, after all, there was Liao Tingyu who went to the exam.

“Oh, that’s good. I didn’t expect it, a smoke must be rising from Liao Ming family’s ancestral grave*.” A relatively young senior said but he was slapped on the head by an elder beside him,

“What are you talking about, Liao Ming and you are still one clan. In terms of seniority, you are his cousin.”

“That’s right, this kid must be beaten, he couldn’t even say a right thing.” Another elder laughed and said, “My Liao clan is blessed.”

“Then, Is Liao Tingyu back now?”

“He is back, he went to find his parents with his sister-in-law.” Liao Daniu hurriedly replied.

“Should we go to his house now?” Liao Shu asked.

“It is time to celebrate, but he just came back. We should go there a day later.” Liao Tingyu’s grandpa was inside, he replied with teary eyes.

“Are you crying? Why are your eyes so red?” Liao Wei teased him.

“I’m not. It was dust that got in my eyes.” Liao Tingyu’s grandpa replied stubbornly.

Liao Wei poked his little excuse, “It’s autumn. Where did the wind pick up dust or sand? I think you just trying to lie.”

“Liao Wei, just tell me if you want to be beaten. I think you are just jealous I have a good grandson.” Grandpa Liao stared at Liao Wei.

“Haha, he is your grandson, what’s so special about it. isn’t he my grandnephew too?” Liao Wei said with a smile.

“That’s right, Liao Tingyu still my nephew. We have the same root in this village.”

“You are right.”

Grandpa Liao couldn’t say anything, it was true that they have one surname and one root. Everyone kept joking around, he just turned deaf and rubbed his hands. All the hard works had been paid off! Their Liao clan was rising.

There were several brothers in Liao Ming family and he was the third son. The family was sensible, once they got married; they separated to build their own family. But they still met each other on new year to celebrate together and pay homage to their parents.

Even so, Liao Ming’s family was living a hard life, there was a student who spent money like water. They rarely eat good foods, even meat was rarity.

The great news made everyone forgot what were they talked about and the afternoon passed with chatting away.

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On the other side,

Liao Ming was cleaning the weeds in the fields when he saw his pregnant daughter-in-law and youngest son walked over.

“Youngest son is back. Daughter-in-law, why are you? You should stay at home and rest.” Liao Ming put down his hoe; his heart was settled. He knew the exam was done, but he didn’t know whether the youngest had good news or bad news. But his daughter-in-law rushed out with her pregnant belly, this must be good news.

The more he thought about it, it seemed he was right. So, he asked directly, “What’s the matter? Is there good news?”

Mother Deng looked at his youngest son who hadn’t come home for so long, she felt he lost weight and suffered a lot these days. The son just came back, although she wanted to know about his exam but she felt he should rest first instead of asking things.

She winked at her man tried to give him a hint to ask later, but he just ignored her and didn’t get her signal.

Note

*Smoke rising from the grave: it describes some good events or status change in a family, because Chinese believe they are watched by their dead ancestors. Every good thing that happens in their family would affect the dead.

For bad thing/deeds people would say: your parents might turned over in their grave. This describes unrest in the dead body.