Transmigrated into a Grandpa, Embracing the Laid-Back Life-Chapter 27: Xu Qing

The young man heard footsteps and looked up. When he saw the newcomers were Su Ming and Zhao Rui, a faint trace of surprise flickered through his eyes, which were usually as calm as deep pools. He clearly recognized them too, especially Su Ming—from the entrance of Wenbao Zhai. His face remained expressionless, but he gave a very slight nod toward Su Ming as a form of greeting. For Zhao Rui standing beside him, he merely glanced over before refocusing on the book in his hands.

"Master, it's him! The one from Wenbao Zhai..." Su Ming said inwardly to Lin Yu.

"Oh? That kid protecting the books?" Lin Yu's voice carried a hint of amusement and understanding. "Interesting. Him being here... it seems the man you saw at this book stall last time was most likely his father. The Wenbao Zhai assistant chased him away, probably because he wanted to copy books there. Tsk, this book stall is his actual 'territory.' Disciple, opportunity has arrived, have a good chat!" Lin Yu's thinking was extremely sharp, instantly connecting the two events and pointing out the key details.

Su Ming's mind suddenly cleared. So that was it! No wonder he was chased out of Wenbao Zhai—he must have been copying books there.

"I came to look at books." Su Ming suppressed his thoughts and walked to the book stall, also nodding toward Xu Qing.

"Mm, feel free." Xu Qing's voice remained cool, but seemed slightly less tense than at Wenbao Zhai's entrance.

Zhao Rui stood to the side, looking at the spread of yellowed old books and unconsciously frowned. In his past understanding, books should be brand new and crisp like those in Wenbao Zhai, not casually laid out on a grass mat like this.

Su Ming naturally squatted down, his gaze roaming through the book piles. The books here were more varied than at Wenbao Zhai and much cheaper. He picked up an elegantly handwritten "Qingzhou Local Records" and selected another book about basic arithmetic called "Simple Explanations of the Nine Chapters."

"Disciple, ask him." Lin Yu's voice carried encouragement. "Establishing effective communication is the first step in developing connections. Start with this book stall."

Su Ming picked up "Qingzhou Local Records" and looked at Xu Qing: "Are all the books here copied by you alone?" His tone carried genuine curiosity rather than doubt.

Xu Qing paused in wiping a book cover and looked up at Su Ming. Seemingly surprised by the question, or perhaps because Su Ming was the only one who had spoken up for him at Wenbao Zhai, he remained silent for a moment before answering: "Not all. Some I copied, some were handwritten by classmates from the County School who had nowhere to sell them, so they consign them here with my father." Though his voice remained flat, there was a slight explanatory quality to it now.

"County School students?" Zhao Rui couldn't help interjecting nearby, his tone carrying a subtle complex emotion—envy? Or some kind of disappointment?

Xu Qing glanced at Zhao Rui but didn't respond, tacitly confirming it.

"I see." Su Ming nodded understandingly.

"See that, disciple." Lin Yu's voice held some excitement. "This is a ready-made, highly potential information node! He doesn't just sell books—more importantly, he connects to those impoverished County School students who copy books to make a living, who thirst for knowledge but have empty purses! This channel is far more valuable than a simple book stall. This person, think long-term, is worth deepening ties with!"

"How much for these two?" Su Ming handed over his selected books.

Xu Qing took the books and glanced at them: "Local Records, forty coins, Simple Explanations of the Nine Chapters, fifty coins, total ninety coins." The price remained far lower than Wenbao Zhai.

Su Ming promptly counted out ninety coins from his robe and handed them over. Xu Qing took them, carefully counted them, and put them away. He looked at Su Ming, a barely noticeable recognition appearing in his eyes. This youth before him, dressed just as roughly, didn't focus solely on imperial examination stepping stones like many educated people in town. The books he chose—one on local geography, one on practical arithmetic—both revealed a pragmatic and broad-minded approach.

"You bought these for the imperial exams?" Xu Qing surprisingly took the initiative to ask, his tone carrying some inquiry.

Su Ming put the books into his bundle and said frankly: "Studying isn't just for exams."

The same words once again came from Su Ming's mouth.

Zhao Rui standing nearby felt as if something had struck his heart, leaving him feeling stuffy and somewhat confused.

Xu Qing's eyes, however, suddenly brightened. He looked at Su Ming, remained silent for a moment, then suddenly said: "You... if you come to town often, you can come here to read books. Just reading without buying is fine too." He said this quickly, then slightly lowered his gaze to the book in his hands, seeming unaccustomed to actively offering such kindness.

This was almost the greatest generosity a poor scholar could offer.

"Thank you!" Su Ming clasped his hands respectfully and gave his name: "I'm Su Ming, from Su Family Village."

"Xu Qing." The youth briefly responded with his own name.

These simple two lines of dialogue, without extra politeness, silently built a bridge between the two.

"Success! Excellent!" Lin Yu praised in Su Ming's mind. "Initial interpersonal node successfully anchored! Ninety coins bought two practical books, but more importantly, using 'studying isn't just for exams' opened the door to this aloof youth's heart, and earned a precious 'knowledge access' permission. This investment shows foresight, with long-term returns!"

"Alright, disciple, the primary and secondary objectives of this trip have been achieved, with additional substantial gains. Zhou Kang remains a hidden danger, it's not wise to linger here, time to go home."

"We should go home."

Su Ming nodded, clasped his hands toward Xu Qing, then turned and walked toward the city gate with Zhao Rui, who still seemed somewhat dazed.

Xu Qing watched their retreating figures until the two disappeared around the street corner, then squatted down again and continued wiping his precious old books. Only this time, the corners of his mouth seemed to hold a very faint smile.