When Chen Zi'an heard Su Xiaotian suggest that her family move to the capital to start a small business, he was utterly shocked.
He could hardly believe his ears.
He even doubted if this little girl, Su Xiaotian, knew what she was saying.
Chen Zi'an stared at Su Xiaotian with his clear, bright eyes for quite some time, but in the end, he couldn't ask a single question.
From what he understood, Su Xiaotian was definitely not the type of person to envy life in the capital after only a few days of living there and want her family to move.
Yet, this child had brought up this very issue.
"Xiaotian, are you serious?" it was Su Manxiu who asked.
Su Manxiu's delicate eyebrows were tightly furrowed, her eyes fixed on Su Xiaotian, as if trying to see something on her face.
Everything was fine at home now, and life was flourishing. Why would this child want to move?
Did she know how easy it was to say the word "move" but how incredibly difficult it was to actually do it?
Although the Su family was doing well now, with their meager savings, would they have to beg for food if they moved to the capital?
If Su Xiaotian knew Su Manxiu's thoughts, she would probably say directly: that's absolutely impossible.
She had ways to make money. Although this method of making money was not a long-term solution, as long as she had the first pot of gold, she could start a business.
Once the business got going, the Su family would never lack money again.
Begging for food would absolutely not happen.
Su Xiaotian looked at Chen Zi'an and his wife, who were looking at her with disbelief.
"Yes, Auntie, I am serious."
Chen Zi'an said, "Xiaotian, you are still young and do not understand the principle of it being difficult to leave one's homeland."
If they had a choice, who would want to leave their familiar homeland?
Su Xiaotian, however, waved her hand and said, "Uncle, although it is difficult to leave one's homeland, there is another saying: a moving tree thrives, a stationary tree dies."
Chen Zi'an was stunned, clearly not expecting a little girl to say such a thing.
But this saying, damn it, made a lot of sense.
"That's true, but being too radical is like pulling up seedlings to help them grow," Su Manxiu clearly still disagreed.
She had followed Chen Zi'an to his post in the south and had deeply experienced the principle of becoming less valuable when one leaves their hometown.
In the south, she couldn't fully integrate into the local life for several months. The language barrier and different lifestyles were all concrete problems she faced.
It was fortunate that Chen Zi'an was going to be a leader, and many local people were willing to help her adapt.
The Su family was different. If the Su family came to the capital, they would only be ordinary citizens.
Starting a small business on the street, they didn't know how many people would try to push them out.
Her parents were getting old. Could they endure such grievances in the capital?
When people get old, they should live a stable life in their hometown.
"No, Auntie. Believe me, even if Grandpa and Grandma don't come to the capital now, they will still come in a year or two."
Su Xiaotian said this with great confidence.
Su Manxiu didn't believe it. She knew her parents better than anyone.
"Xiaotian, that's impossible!" Su Manxiu smiled helplessly.
This child was too taken for granted. Although she was smart, she was still young and didn't understand adult thinking.
"Perhaps it's really possible!" It was Chen Zi'an who said this.
Su Manxiu was surprised by Chen Zi'an's sudden remark and asked in astonishment, "Why?"
"I estimate that in two years, most of the children in the family will be in the capital. It's not impossible for Mom and Dad to come to the capital to look after their grandchildren!"
As for the others, his father-in-law and mother-in-law doted on this girl Xiaotian like their own hearts, constantly calling her "Sweetie" or "Precious," and they definitely couldn't let her live alone in the capital.
At that time, it was highly likely they would follow to take care of Xiaotian.
Su Manxiu thought about it, and it was indeed not impossible.
In her parents' hearts, their granddaughter was the most important. Of course, their grandson was also very important.
However, although the children in the family were all good students, could they all get into universities in the capital?
"Xiaotian, have you thought about it? Life in the capital is very different from our countryside," Su Manxiu frowned.
"Auntie, I already have a way to make money," Su Xiaotian said.
Chen Zi'an and his wife were clearly surprised that Su Xiaotian had actually thought about the problem of making money.
This child didn't understand; she understood too much.
Speaking of making money, there was indeed a difference between a small county town and the capital.
In the capital, opportunities were everywhere. As long as you seized them, making money was not a problem.
The question was, what good way could this child Xiaotian have?
"Xiaotian, you've really thought of a way to make money?"
"Auntie, Grandma opened a breakfast stall in the county, and business is very good. We can open a breakfast stall in the capital too. We can also sell lunch boxes, after all, my grandma's cooking is good."
Su Xiaotian's words were well-reasoned, and Su Manxiu had long heard that her mother was vigorously opening a breakfast stall in her old age.
But she was still thinking of persuading her mother to close the stall. At her age, it was not good to work so hard.
"This is one source of income, and besides, I can also earn some money."
Su Manxiu was even more astonished. Su Xiaotian was just a little girl, how could she have the ability to make money?
"Xiaotian, making money is not easy!" Su Manxiu could only advise.
"Auntie, these are stories I've written recently, and I've already submitted them to a magazine. As long as they are published, I can get manuscript fees." Su Xiaotian quickly took out a few pages and handed them to Su Manxiu.
After reading them, Su Manxiu looked at Su Xiaotian in surprise. This child's writing was too good! The stories were also very exciting.
Little did she know, it was not strange that Su Xiaotian could write such exciting stories. After all, she had lived decades longer than others and had watched many TV shows and read many novels.
Moreover, after arriving in the capital, Su Xiaotian discovered a place where she could listen to stories.
In the capital, there were many ancient trees. These ancient trees might be just ancient trees to others, but to Su Xiaotian, they were story repositories.
The stories preserved in the memories of the ancient trees, with a little modification and artistic processing, could become wonderful stories.
Chen Zi'an took Su Xiaotian's story manuscript from Su Manxiu.
After carefully reading it, he nodded approvingly, "Xiuer, Xiaotian is even more impressive than you!"
Chen Zi'an was surprised by the sophisticated story written by a young girl, but it was only surprise, not suspicion.
The people of the old Su family were all very intelligent, there was no doubt about that.
Su Manxiu gave him a look, "You don't need to tell me that."
If Xiaotian could write stories, she could definitely make money. However, should a family rely on one old person and one young person to support it?
"I think my parents might give up their jobs and come to the capital. At that time, my parents can help Grandma run the restaurant, and Grandma won't be tired. The family can also earn a lot more."
Su Xiaotian had already thought of this.
Whether her eldest uncle and second uncle's families could bear to give up everything and come to the capital, she didn't know, but she thought her parents might.
"We should ask Mom and Dad's opinion on this matter," Su Manxiu said.
Although Xiaotian's plan was good, it was ultimately just a child's opinion.
As the three of them were talking, Du Tonghe knocked and entered.
"Zi'an, Manxiu, I have something I want to discuss with you first," Du Tonghe said this with some hesitation, clearly indicating that what he was about to say might be a bit demanding.
The two exchanged glances, finding it strange what needed to be discussed with them.
Although the two families had a good relationship, strictly speaking, they didn't interact much.
For Du Tonghe to say something like this, asking for a discussion.
"Please speak, Uncle Du!" Chen Zi'an nodded and said calmly.
No matter what it was, they had to listen first before making a conclusion.
Su Xiaotian was also curious, but this was an adult matter.
So she sat aside, preparing to casually reach for a book nearby, open it, and then use her blind spot to bring up the system library panel, intending to take out a book to read.
She didn't know what she had been busy with these past few days, but her reading time was decreasing. Yesterday, she hadn't even read for ten hours, which affected her income.
Although exchanging ingredients for points and selling them was very profitable, reading every day was a steady stream of income, rain or shine!
Just as Su Xiaotian was about to pull out a book, she heard Du Tonghe speak.
"I know this matter should not have been brought up, but after careful consideration, I still think Xiaotian should study in the capital so as not to delay her."
Chen Zi'an and Su Manxiu were both surprised that Du Tonghe's request was such.
This request was indeed difficult to fulfill.
Although Su Xiaotian was a girl, in the hearts of all the old Su family members, she was the most important existence.
How could they let their Su family's treasure study in the capital? How could they?
Although Xiaotian had recognized Du Tonghe and his wife as godparents, they were not her biological grandparents.
"Uncle Du, I'm afraid this won't work. My parents won't agree," Su Manxiu said, bracing herself.
Du family's only son died on the battlefield, sacrificing himself for the country and the people.
They just wanted someone to accompany them. They should have agreed, but...
Su Xiaotian also stared blankly at Du Tonghe, not understanding why her god-grandfather suddenly had such an idea.
"Please listen to me first. Firstly, we consider that the teaching conditions in the capital are better, and Xiaotian is smart and should receive a better education; secondly, I asked someone to inquire, and after Xiaotian graduates from high school, she might not be old enough to participate in the college entrance examination."
Clearly, no one else had thought that Su Xiaotian would be unable to participate in the college entrance examination due to her young age.
Xiaotian was about to start high school this year. She would graduate from high school in two years. At fourteen, she would take the college entrance examination, which was indeed a bit young.
Chen Zi'an glanced at Su Xiaotian and asked, "Have you inquired clearly, at what age can one participate in the college entrance examination?"
There were two other little monsters in the family in the same grade, one a year older than Su Xiaotian and the other two years older.
"One must be at least sixteen years old to participate in the college entrance examination," Du Tonghe said.
If Yu Ruiyuan hadn't unintentionally asked this question when talking to Su Xiaotian, and then remembered it, they would never have thought to inquire about it.
Chen Zi'an looked at Su Manxiu helplessly, his expression clearly saying: "See? It's not good for a child to be too smart and capable. The three children's ages don't seem to be enough. Little Eight was still two months shy of sixteen when she took the college entrance examination."
Su Manxiu understood Chen Zi'an's meaning and smiled wryly.
Who asked the Su family's children to be so outstanding?
But if she couldn't participate in the college entrance examination, what should they do? They couldn't possibly repeat high school for several years.
Su Xiaotian clearly hadn't expected such a problem to arise. She had always thought that as long as one graduated from high school, they could take the college entrance examination.
Now this problem was really big!
Did she have to study high school twice? That would be too much of a waste of time!
"Zi'an, if I didn't know these things, I would never have made such a request. Although we old folks also hope Xiaotian can stay with us, ultimately, we cannot be so selfish!"
They were grandparents, but adding the word "god" in front proved that there was a difference from biological grandparents.
"Uncle Du, do you have any other solutions?"
Chen Zi'an felt that if Du Tonghe could make such a request, he must have a way to make it happen.
Du Tonghe nodded, "I have inquired, and the high school department of the Seventh Middle School is recruiting for a gifted class with very strict conditions, with an age requirement between ten and fourteen years old."
"You want Xiaotian to take the exam?" Su Manxiu asked.
"I want Xiaotian to take the exam. I also want Little Eight and Little Nine to come and take the exam together."
Du Tonghe was not sure if those two boys could pass.
After all, the competition was too fierce. No matter how outstanding the Su family's children were, they were still hindered by the teaching conditions.
But Du Tonghe couldn't say these words.
Chen Zi'an nodded, "I will immediately find a way to discuss this with my father-in-law and mother-in-law."
Matters concerning a child's entire life were important, and he dared not delay.
Du Tonghe nodded, "The enrollment registration is in ten days, and the examination will be before the start of the semester."
"I understand," Chen Zi'an immediately agreed. After saying goodbye to Su Manxiu, he left the Du family and hurried to find a way to make a phone call.
The Hongxin Brigade did not have a telephone; calls could only be made to the commune.
Chen Zi'an felt that he would need to ask someone to help find people, which was too troublesome, so he directly called the county's bus team.
As a result, Su Laosan was not at the bus team; he had gone out on a trip. The person who answered the phone said he would return the next day.
Unable to help it, Chen Zi'an called the cake factory again, but the people at the cake factory said that Liang Xiu and Qi Liangying were both resting at home today.
Finally, Chen Zi'an had no choice but to call the commune and ask the commune people to help deliver a message, asking the old Su family to wait for a call tomorrow morning.
It was fortunate that the Su family was now a celebrity in the commune.
Everyone in the commune knew how outstanding the Su family's children were, with five of them getting into universities in one go, all top universities in the country.
When the commune members heard that it was to find the Su family's university students, they readily agreed. This young cadre even specially went to the Hongxin Brigade to deliver a message to Grandpa Su and Grandma Su.
After all this trouble, the Su family finally received the call the next morning.
Grandpa Su and Grandma Su listened to their son-in-law tell them the news that Du Tonghe had inquired about, and for a moment, they couldn't quite process it.
"Old man, tell me, how can this be? It's not fake, is it?" Grandma Su asked with ač¦ē¬.
"It shouldn't be. Old Du has lived in our Hongxin Brigade for so long, he is still trustworthy and wouldn't speak without reason. Besides, there's Zi'an. Even if he heard what Old Du said, he would definitely inquire about it."
Grandpa Su analyzed it very rationally.
It had to be said that Grandpa Su's analysis was very accurate.
After Du Tonghe told Chen Zi'an the news he had inquired about, Chen Zi'an did indeed investigate it again through his own methods.
In fact, the situation was exactly as Du Tonghe had said.
Only then did Chen Zi'an call the Su family.
"Why don't we let our precious girl start school a couple of years later?" Grandma Su thought her method was good.
Such a little thing, only a few years old, and she was going to university?
She heard from her grandsons that at university, they had to live together with several people. If her precious girl was so small, what if she was bullied?
Grandpa Su glanced at Grandma Su, this old woman was getting more and more confused.
Why didn't she use her brain and think about how much this child Xiaotian loved to study?
If she was made to stop for two years before studying, how uncomfortable would the child be?
"But I can't bear to leave my child!" Grandma Su understood what Grandpa Su was thinking.
Su Xiaotian loved to study, she loved it very, very much.
She couldn't let this child Xiaotian not study normally just because she couldn't bear to part with her.
But she also couldn't accept letting the child leave her.
"Then what else can we do? Don't worry, didn't Zi'an also say that Old Du's intention was to let the three children take the exam together!"
If the three younger ones went together, they could look out for each other.
"But I..." Grandma Su was so anxious that she was about to cry.
"How about you go with them?" Grandpa Su glanced at his wife and said helplessly.
But Grandma Su hesitated again.
Her breakfast stall was doing very well now, earning more than ten yuan a day, and more than twenty yuan on a good day. If she left, wouldn't this money be lost?
"You mean you don't want to go?"
Grandpa Su originally thought that his wife would readily accept his suggestion, but he didn't expect her to hesitate.
"My breakfast stall has just become popular. I'm reluctant to leave. That's a large income. The future marriages and families of the children will depend on this breakfast stall..."
Grandma Su thought that once she left, she wouldn't be able to earn that money, and her heart ached.
"Then you think about it, is precious girl more important, or is the breakfast stall more important!" Grandpa Su hit the nail on the head.
This old woman was really confused. Why didn't she think that the breakfast stall couldn't compare to precious girl?
"Of course my precious girl is more important," Grandma Su said, "Isn't this me trying to save more dowry for my precious girl?"
"You are trying to lose the big for the small."
Although dowry was important, was it more important than the child's future? It's not like the old days anymore. Girls can also show their faces in public. I heard that some women are even high-ranking officials. Perhaps his Xiaotian could become a high-ranking official in the future.