Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 133 Discerning Eye for Talent_1

Chapter 133: Chapter 133 Discerning Eye for Talent_1

Zhou Shuren lamented the brief moment of eye contact, sighing at Zhulan’s strong determination, "I bought two roast chickens and seasoned pig’s feet. Today’s passing of the county exams is a joyous occasion, so I brought back two dishes."

Zhulan had been craving roast chicken for a long time. The roast chicken in ancient times, made from free-range chickens not fed on drugs or hormones, naturally tasted good and were even more delicious when roasted, "Alright, then I’ll plan a few more dishes. You go rest first."

Zhulan tidied up Zhou Shuren’s changed clothes, planning to wash them tomorrow, and also took down the beddings to replace with new linens before taking Silver Coin out to shop with Lady Li. They bought four jin of ribs, half of a liver, regretting that the large and small intestines were already sold out, she thought for a while and then bought five jin of pork belly, and two blocks of tofu on the way back.

For dinner, the staple was rice, with eight dishes: roast chicken, sausages, pig’s feet, braised pork, vinegar-slathered cabbage, potatoes stewed with ribs, scallion-tossed tofu, and tofu soup.

By the time Zhou Shuren woke up, the children had also returned from school, and the table full of dishes looked almost like it was New Year’s.

There was no need to ask about the results at the school, one look at the dishes and it was clear that the county exam was passed; Zhou Changlian and Zhou Changzhi immediately surrounded their father, asking about the exam questions.

Zhulan watched her two sons with a smiling gaze. Chang Lian was fifteen at the turn of the year and was ready to compete next year, while Chang Zhi, who was naturally more talented than Chang Lian, planned to join him―they were eager to hear every detail of Zhou Shuren’s exam experience.

When Lady Li brought in the staple food, Zhulan spoke up, "Stop circling around your dad and sit down to eat."

In this family, after six months of understanding, it was known that dad’s words could be contested, but mom’s words had to be obeyed; otherwise, dad wouldn’t be a loving father!

Zhou Shuren and the others all sat down, and he poured himself a glass of wine, "Passing today’s county exam is an auspicious start; let’s have a good meal to celebrate. You boys pour yourselves a drink and join me for a good toast."

Seeing Rongchuan also pouring a drink for himself, Zhulan didn’t stop him. Whether in the past or present, one couldn’t avoid drinking scenes. Being unable to drink or having a low tolerance was a disadvantage; better to drink and avoid being taken advantage of unless one was allergic and got drunk from one cup―the rest could slowly learn.

The men chatted and drank wine while enjoying their meals. Zhou Shuren also shared some of his observations from the county and gave tips on interpersonal communication skills, such as how to be more discerning with people’s intentions. These experiences, honed from a young age, were extremely valuable!

At Zhulan’s table, the children ate happily, and Lady Li and Zhao Shi also indulged in meat freely. Zhulan quietly listened to Zhou Shuren’s experiences. If the boys learned even half, it would be enough for a lifetime.

But why did Zhulan feel a pang of heartache? The more experience Zhou Shuren shared, the more it signified a difficult childhood. They once talked about Zhou Shuren’s time in the orphanage with insufficient funds, earning his own tuition fees, not wanting to buy clothes and shoes, picking up bottles and doing handicraft work from a young age, studying hard in junior high to win scholarships, and working part-time in shops. As for choosing the archaeology major, it was because he had collected Copper Coins from a young age, realizing the value of antiques, and consciously hanging around antique stores to gain exposure.

Zhou Shuren acknowledged that he knew being an orphan without a background meant that it would take years to succeed and save enough money to buy his own house and have his own home. The major was a calculated decision, and only through diligent effort in appraisals, participating in projects, and finding undervalued items, did he manage to buy a house and a car. Unexpectedly, he traveled through time to an era where his expertise became an advantage.

When she first heard it, she even envied him a bit, but now she felt sad. The hardships Zhou Shuren endured to succeed―in comparison, she was less fortunate with her parents, but she grew up in a blessed environment, and even her job was well arranged. By contrast, she felt even more sympathetic.

Hearing Zhulan’s concerns, Zhou Shuren, who wasn’t drunk, felt as if he had drunk too much. Was this gentleness really from Zhulan? Could he be bolder, suppressing his restless desires, and be content with Zhulan’s care? That night, Zhou Shuren dreamed a beautiful dream!

The next morning, Zhou Shuren told the children going to the clan school not to boast, reminding them that there were still two more exams to pass. After a sensible breakfast, the children went off to school.

Zhou Shuren then visited the Clan Leader. The clan hadn’t had many who passed the county exam this time, only three, including himself and Zhou Mingqing, the grandson of the Clan Leader, who ranked fifth. There was one other from Zhou Shuren’s generation, only twenty years old, who just barely passed.

In the past, during trips to Pingzhou, they would stay in inns; the inns not only cost more, they also might not have rooms available, adding unnecessary expenses, and the food wasn’t good, which could affect the exam performance.

This time, Zhou Shuren didn’t hold back and mentioned he had a residence in Pingzhou where they could stay. However, he hoped the Clan Leader would keep it confidential.

The Clan Leader was initially surprised, then delighted at the reduced expenses. Not only would his grandson have a comfortable place to stay and good food, but staying with a trustworthy family also provided peace of mind. Upon Zhou Shuren’s return, as the Clan Leader stroked his beard, he reveled in the enormous benefits of Zhou Shuren’s return to the clan, feeling somewhat proud that he had the foresight to recognize a gem!

When Zhou Shuren returned, Jiang Sheng and Xue Mei had just arrived with their child. Zhulan, holding her granddaughter and chatting with her eldest daughter, asked, "Your brother went to deliver something and asked how you’re doing with your separate household, but you always just say it’s fine. Tell me the truth today, how is it since you moved out?"

Xue Mei was happy that her mother was thinking of her and happily responded, "Mother, you can see I’ve gained weight, that shows I’m doing well. I really haven’t hidden any troubles."

As for her in-laws ignoring her and her husband, it wasn’t worth mentioning; Xue Mei didn’t care anymore. She’d been hurt enough and now found their indifference quite peaceful!

Zhulan was relieved to see that her daughter was doing well. Hearing Zhou Shuren’s voice, she smiled and said, "Your father is back, and he has found new work for Jiang Sheng, which I’ll also tell you about."

Xue Mei’s eyes lit up; she knew any job her father found would be good.

Zhulan didn’t elaborate on how the job was found, but simply described the work and the Silver Coin involved. Finally, she advised, "When you go back, if anyone asks, don’t tell the truth. Keep a low profile to avoid trouble and not be disturbed. That way, Jiang Sheng will have more time to study."