Transmigration: Space-Aided Rise to Power and Prosperity-Chapter 157 - 82 Charcoal Basin

"Big brother! Don’t you know that Little Uncle has a great talent for studying? I asked the teacher before; although child prodigies have always existed, someone like Little Uncle, who has read so many books in almost three years, is incredibly rare. Comparing yourself to Little Uncle, aren’t you just asking for trouble? Big brother, sometimes you just can’t compare."

Second son was smiling, but if you looked closely, there was no laughter in his eyes. Of course, they couldn’t compare. Some people are born to be cherished, like Little Uncle; no matter how poor the family was in previous years, he never worried about food and clothing. But as for them, what kind of life did they lead? Even the opportunity to study seemed like it was given as charity by him.

Gu Chengyu gave second son a deep look, unsure if he was trying to sow discord or undermine Da Lang’s confidence, hoping he would give up. Sometimes, he felt second son’s thoughts over the past two years were as deep as second brother’s; before, second son only liked small schemes, but perhaps because he read a lot, his mind became more active in these years.

Did second son think no one knew his mind? Did he think everyone in the family was a fool?

"Second son, what you said wasn’t right. Studying relies three parts on talent and seven parts on hard work. As long as you work hard, success is only a matter of time. You only know I finished reading these books, but you didn’t see my diligence. Da Lang, have faith in yourself, don’t overthink. If you want to continue studying, I’ll talk to dad." Gu Chengyu stood up and patted Da Lang’s shoulder in comfort.

Gu Chengyu was six years younger than Da Lang, but his height had already reached Da Lang’s chin. Maybe Da Lang didn’t eat well as a child, so he wasn’t tall, but he was not considered short among his peers, which was inherited from the Gu Family, as they were all tall.

Gu Chengyu said this intentionally because he knew Mr. Gu had long made up his mind to have second son continue studying, while Da Lang...

Hearing this, second son’s face turned somewhat unpleasant, clenching his fists as he thought he discreetly glared at Gu Chengyu.

Though second son tried to be covert, the attentive Gu Chengyu noticed the whole scene with his side glance.

He knew what second son meant; Mr. Gu initially said to study for only three years, but those who excelled could continue. Second son believed he studied better than Da Lang and thrid son, thus this opportunity belonged to him. But fearing accidents, he often tried to undermine Da Lang, hoping Da Lang would voluntarily give up, after all, didn’t Da Lang read worse than him?

Perhaps Da Lang did not want to study? Gu Chengyu shook his head and stopped thinking about it; regardless of whether Da Lang wanted to study or not, it was his choice, especially with so many sisters in the elder household who were probably hopeful too!

Second son recalled what dad said, to achieve success, you must seize every opportunity. Over the years, he increasingly felt dad was right.

"Little Uncle is truly modest. Big brother! If you have anything you don’t understand, just ask Little Uncle. We’ll go review our books." Second son smiled and dragged the bewildered third son back to his desk.

Go ahead and ask! Ask every day! Best if Little Uncle has no time to read, then when exams come, let’s see how arrogant he can be.

Second son pressed heavily with his brush on the paper, sneering internally.

"Little Uncle! I’m going to study first; you get to reading!" Da Lang also took the book back to his seat.

Holding the book in front of him, Da Lang found he could not absorb a single word. He never told anyone, but truthfully, he didn’t like reading; he dared not say this. He feared that a hard-won opportunity would be wasted halfway through, disappointing his mother and others greatly.

So he didn’t dare slack off; already lacking in aptitude, if he didn’t work hard, there would be no hope at all. But the more he held the book, the less he could read, and he felt incredibly tired and sometimes just wanted to take a break.

Nowadays, life at home was much better than before; no need to worry about food or clothing, nor getting up early and working hard, he was satisfied. He knew the chance to study was hard-earned and cherished it.

Holding the book, Da Lang’s mind wouldn’t calm down. At times, he thought about studying hard to meet dad and mom’s expectations; at others, he pondered what he truly wanted to do if he could choose not to study.

Winter nights were particularly cold, and Mrs. Lv worried Gu Chengyu might get chilled studying in the room, so she lit a brazier inside. The coal in the brazier was ordinary wood charcoal, inevitably smoky when burned. Gu Chengyu usually didn’t light it, preferring to use his inner strength for warmth than endure the choking smoke.

So the brazier was usually placed on Da Lang’s side; their desks were nearer to the door where cold wind blew in, making it truly cold. With the wind, some smoke could disperse, making it less heavy to smell while providing warmth. His room was small, and closing windows might lead to intoxication.

"Xiao Bao! Why are you still reading so late tonight?" Suddenly, Mrs. Lv’s voice came from outside.

Mrs. Lv arrived at the study door with a plate of plum cake, seeing Gu Chengyu hadn’t returned to his room to sleep yet. Knowing he was studying, she brought snacks to fill his belly.

Mrs. Lv pushed open the door and noticed Da Lang and the brothers hadn’t left, her face darkening. Then she saw the brazier was in the big room, meaning Xiao Bao’s room had no brazier.

"Mom! Why have you come? I’m practicing calligraphy and will head inside soon. It’s cold outside; come on in." Hearing Mrs. Lv’s voice, Gu Chengyu set down the brush and stepped out of his room.

"Is the brazier meant for your use? What’s this? Hasn’t your teacher taught you to respect elders? Your Little Uncle is freezing inside while you enjoy comfort here. What kind of rules are these? Have you studied to put learning in a dog’s belly?"

Mrs. Lv raised her brows, pointed at Da Lang and the two brothers, and began scolding them, feeling that her Xiao Bao was being bullied behind her back.

The sudden reprimand left Da Lang and the brothers stunned and frozen in place.

Seeing the situation was bad, Gu Chengyu hurriedly explained.

"Mom! I told them to place it here; I cough from the smell, so I gave it to Da Lang and the others."

"Cough from the smoke? I said before, this coal isn’t good; something so cheap can’t be quality coal. Your dad is just stingy." Hearing her son complain about the smoke affecting his throat, Mrs. Lv was no longer insistent on him using it. But since he didn’t need it, those little brats shouldn’t benefit either.

"Next time we won’t buy it anymore; I’ll have your dad get you better coal." Mrs. Lv, worried her son might get too cold, planned to buy Yin Shuang charcoal next time.

Gu Chengyu didn’t say not to buy, knowing he could manage but Da Lang and the others were truly cold.

"Xiao Bao, you’ve read so late; must be hungry? Have some plum cake to fill your tummy, I went to town just today to buy it." Mrs. Lv was led into his room by Gu Chengyu, seeing the piles of books on his desk, she immediately felt sorry for him, thinking such a small child had to read so many books; it was too hard.

"How come mom thinks you’ve gotten thin? Tomorrow I’ll kill a chicken for you; studying tires the mind, so you need to eat well." Mrs. Lv lovingly touched Gu Chengyu’s forehead, her eyes full of affection.

"Mom! I’m not thin; in fact, I’ve gotten fatter! Don’t kill the chicken; chickens should be kept for laying eggs. I’ll finish this and rest, and you should rest early; it’s awfully cold today." Gu Chengyu pinched the flesh on his cheeks and reassured Mrs. Lv.