Chapter 2914

"Look at that school in the county town. They fish for three days and mend nets for two. What can you learn there? Just wasting time." Yan Tieniu looked coldly at Yan Zhishan.

"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. Are you planning to go with Gousheng and join the Red Guards to loaf around?"

Yan Zhishan said, "Many of my classmates have joined."

"They can join, but you cannot," Yan Tieniu said firmly. "Do you not remember how hard you worked to get into school? Don't you see the teachers pouring their hearts out to teach you? Is that what they taught you—to act recklessly?"

Yan Tieniu took a deep breath. "Yingtian, we are children of farmers. Our duty is to ensure our family has food to eat. But look at the world outside. Has all that chaos solved the problem of hunger?"

Yan Zhishan was not unreasonable. His current behavior was just a result of the times, not a calculated choice. But hearing his father’s words, he woke up.

It was true. His teachers, though imperfect, were very responsible. Those who opposed them were mostly students with poor grades.

"Isn't that revenge?" Yan Zhishan frowned.

Yan Tieniu replied, "No need to be alarmed. You should actually be grateful for this era. These experiences give you judgment. You won't be lost when facing difficulties in the future."

Yan Tieniu was indeed a qualified father. His earnest advice had a profound effect on Yan Zhishan.

After speaking, Yan Tieniu looked at Yan Xiwan. "Guai Guai, are you going to the capital?"

"I will go," Yan Xiwan sighed. "My medical skills rely only on books right now. Reading gives me theory, but I need to see my master."

She paused, then added, "And my willpower is strong. Don't worry I'll be led astray."

Yan Zhishan felt this sounded like it was aimed at him. He sighed. "Guai Guai, can you please not emphasize the words 'led astray'?"

"No choice. Someone’s brain is a bit foggy, so I have to remind him," Yan Xiwan said with a smile.

"Fine," Yan Zhishan sighed, seeing his sister’s attitude.

Yan Tieniu nodded slightly. "Since that’s settled, I will write to your godfather later to arrange things. You two will leave together in a few days."

Yan Tieniu continued, "I won’t go with you this time. You siblings are grown up. It’s time for you to travel alone."

Yan Tieniu looked serious. He was naturally worried, but if he always protected them, the young eagles would never grow wings. He had to let them go.

Yan Xiwan blinked her clear eyes. "Dad, you haven’t even written to Godfather yet. The details aren’t confirmed. You’re thinking so far ahead. Impressive."

She gave her a thumbs-up.

Yan Tieu coughed. "I’m just stating the worst-case scenario first."

She then went back to write the letter.

"I saw Dad’s eyes turn red," Yan Zhishan said softly.

Yan Xiwan noticed too. "Dad is reluctant to let us go, but he does it for our good. He must let us leave."

Parental love seeks a better future for children. It looks far ahead. This saying was true.

Yan Zhishan nodded. "Actually, I should have stayed."

Yan Xiwan looked at him. "Brother, your grades are not bad, but you lack Eldest Brother’s steadiness and Second Brother’s integrity. You rely on small cleverness. That cleverness works in some situations, but in others, it brings danger."

She continued, "Dad wants you to go to the capital to see the wider world. Only then will you understand where your cleverness is appropriate."

"So, Brother, do not let Dad’s arrangements down."

Yan Zhishan nodded. "I understand. My previous thoughts were improper. It’s just hard to leave home."

"We leave to learn skills. Once we learn, we can repay our hometown in the future," Yan Xiwan said seriously.

Yan Zhishan nodded again, looking at her. "Guai Guai, I am the older brother, but why do you feel like the sister?"

"No choice. I see things more clearly than you in some matters," Yan Xiwan answered with a smile.

Yan Zhishan shrugged. Indeed, in some ways, his ten-year-old sister was more清醒 (clear-headed) than he was.

"Rest assured, I won’t go looking for trouble anymore," Yan Zhishan said.

"Perhaps some people want you there. Rather than being calculated by unknown people or events, it’s better to change environments. In a new place with strangers, it takes time for them to plot against you."

Cheng Junnan received Yan Tieniu’s letter and went to discuss it with Old Cheng.

After reading the letter, Old Cheng said, "Tieniu is clear-headed. Since that’s the case, you arrange the schools for these two children. Remember to tell Old Yuan."

"Yes, I’ll go see Uncle Yuan later," Cheng Junnan said. "Guai Guai has only visited twice in all these years. Now she can stay for a long time."

"Exactly. Guai Guai is obedient and cute. She should have come to the capital long ago," Old Cheng agreed.

Cheng Junnan nodded. "I’ll go home and tell Yuanying to prepare a room. Our Guai Guai is coming. I must decorate a very beautiful room for her." His heart was full of fatherly love.

Cheng Junnan went home and told Wang Yuanying. As expected, Wang Yuanying happily started decorating the room.

At the same time, Cheng Junnan began arranging schools for Yan Zhishan and Yan Xiwan.

The arrangement went smoothly. Everyone knew the Cheng family, so they wanted to show respect to the Chengs.

Once the schools were arranged, Cheng Junnan wrote back to Yan Tieniu. In the previous letter, Yan Tieniu had stated he would let the siblings go to the capital alone and would not send them off.

Therefore, Cheng Junnan had to handle everything here. He described the arrangements in great detail.

At the end of the letter, Cheng Junnan wrote that once the time was confirmed, they could send a telegram. He would go to the train station to pick them up.

When Yan Tieniu received the letter, he read the contents to the family. Then he said to Yan Xiwan, "Your godfather says school starts on September 1st in the capital, for both middle and high school. Since you are transferring, you need to go early for a placement test. So, your godfather suggests you and your brother go early to look at the study materials. This will give you more confidence for the test."

Yan Tieniu then asked Yan Xiwan, "Guai Guai, discuss with Yingtian. When do you plan to leave?"

Yan Xiwan raised an eyebrow and looked at Yan Zhishan. Yan Zhishan said, "Dad, you’ve arranged everything. Even though you aren’t sending us, you won’t let us go empty-handed, right? So don’t you still need to prepare things?"

"You little calculator, plotting against your dad," Yan Tieniu laughed and scolded. "But you’re right. We need to pack properly. We are farmers, so we can only bring some local specialties."

Yan Tieniu continued, "Grain and vegetables are scarce now. I think you should bring some grain. Your Uncle Cheng won’t mind the food, but we must do our duty."

"Fine. Dad, you decide. I have no objections," Yan Zhishan and Yan Xiwan both agreed.

Seeing the siblings act like hands-off bosses, Yan Tieniu said nothing more. He dutifully went to prepare the gifts.

Even though Cheng Junnan was Yan Xiwan’s godfather, as their biological father, Yan Tieniu had to do his part.

Most importantly, he needed to get various certificates, introduction letters, and transfer documents.

Without an introduction letter, one could not travel. So these documents were crucial for the siblings.

Considering they would spend the next few years in the capital, Yan Xiwan decided to cultivate on the mountain behind the village for a while while they were still there.

Because the mountain was remote and sparsely populated, the spiritual energy was significantly higher than in the towns.

Yan Xiwan knew that although she had successfully completed the Foundation Establishment stage, she needed to temper her mindset to advance further. This was why she agreed to Yan Tieniu’s plan to go to the capital.

Yan Village was a secluded small mountain village. Here, her mindset could not improve.

Yan Xiwan came here mainly to consolidate her Foundation Establishment cultivation.

Yan Xiwan went up the mountain every day. Each time she came down, she brought back wild game. Over time, the weather grew hot. If not eaten quickly, the meat would spoil.

Fortunately, Wang Suyao had good cooking skills. She turned the excess wild game into cured meats. Now, these cured meats would be part of the gifts for the capital.

Looking at the packed bundles, Yan Xiwan felt a bit nervous.

Although she had the Life Space, she couldn’t use it in front of everyone. So she had to carry these things herself.

"Dad, isn’t this too much?" Yan Xiwan pointed to the several bundles in front of her.

Two bundles were their daily luggage. The other three contained various specialties and grain.

Yan Xiwan thought it was terrifying, but she also admired the pure hearts of people today. To show apology, they even brought their own rations.

"This isn’t too much. You siblings will live and eat at the Cheng house. This is just the first batch. I will send some every month. The Chengs are relatives, but we cannot take advantage of them," Yan Tieniu taught the two children.