Chapter 35: Sometimes Speaking Late Can Be a Blessing

Old Man Wen was surprised to see Da Tou holding a book.
"Da Tou, are you reading?"
Da Tou said nothing.
Seeing the awkwardness between grandfather and grandson, Wen Yao changed the subject, "Grandpa, what brings you here?"
Old Man Wen strolled in at his own pace, glanced around, and replied, "Just out for a walk, thought I’d come see you both."
As he spoke, his gaze drifted toward the kitchen.
Looking at the simple kitchen, Old Man Wen remembered all the delicious dishes that had been made there. Suddenly, he felt it was too shabby—if only he’d built a better kitchen for his eldest son.
Noticing Old Man Wen still standing, Da Tou put down his book and fetched him a stool.
Seated, Old Man Wen patted Da Tou’s head. "Are you managing all right?" he asked Wen Yao.
"Yes, I can manage. Grandma came earlier and helped me with everything," Wen Yao answered properly.
Old Man Wen nodded, and silence fell once more.
After a while, he asked, "Where’s the braised meat?"
"It’s cooking," Wen Yao replied.
Old Man Wen said nothing more.
Wen Yao suddenly realized—was Grandpa craving a taste?
"It’ll be ready soon. Grandpa, why don’t you sit a while longer and help me taste it when it’s done?" Wen Yao said with a cheerful grin.
A look of delight flashed across Old Man Wen’s face, but after a moment’s thought, he waved his hand. "No, no, that’s for selling. Better let you sell it."
After all, their livelihood depended on this. However much he might crave it, he couldn’t take advantage.
To ease his own discomfort, Old Man Wen pulled Da Tou onto his lap and asked about his reading progress. Da Tou was no longer as timid as before; he wriggled out of the old man’s embrace, picked up his writing stick, and began to show Old Man Wen what he’d learned.
Watching Da Tou write character after character on the ground, Old Man Wen was amazed and filled with curiosity.
"Da Tou, what are you writing?"
Though he had raised a scholar in Wen Xiu Yi, Old Man Wen himself was illiterate. Perhaps because he’d never had a chance to study, he had always hoped the next generation would produce a learned man.
A scholar did emerge, but, alas, not quite the kind he’d dreamed of.

In just these few moments, the hardships of a lifetime flashed through Old Man Wen’s mind. Seeing Da Tou write so earnestly, he was nearly moved to tears.
But it wasn’t pride in Da Tou’s writing that brought tears to his eyes—it was sorrow. What use was writing if Da Tou couldn’t speak?
At that moment, Da Tou only tilted his head and looked at Old Man Wen, unable to utter a sound.
Wen Yao stepped in as his voice.
"Grandpa, Da Tou wrote our names," she pointed to the characters on the ground, reading them out one by one for Old Man Wen.
The more he listened, the redder Old Man Wen’s eyes became. He just looked at Da Tou, stroked his head, and pressed his lips together in silence.
Da Tou, a little frightened, shrank back and hid behind Wen Yao.
Wen Yao, startled by the old man’s expression, asked, "Grandpa, what’s wrong?" Had she said something wrong? He looked about ready to cry.
Old Man Wen gazed at Da Tou with deep affection and sighed helplessly, "Heaven is unfair. Our Da Tou is so clever, and yet..."
He left the rest unsaid, not wanting to hurt Da Tou’s feelings.
Da Tou looked at Wen Yao, utterly bewildered.
Grandpa’s sadness seemed to be because of him.
Wen Yao patted Da Tou’s head and began to comfort Old Man Wen. "Grandpa, Da Tou is still young. Maybe it’s just not his time yet. I once heard someone say that the cleverest children face the most challenges. Da Tou is so smart—perhaps speaking late is just his challenge."
Old Man Wen seemed reassured, but still asked, "That makes sense, but who told you that?"
She’d said too much, but Wen Yao replied smoothly, "My mother, of course."
Since Madam Liu had already left, no one could chase her all the way to the capital to check.
At the mention of his daughter-in-law’s perpetually aloof face, Old Man Wen sighed inwardly. He knew she came from a good family and looked down on theirs. If not for her father-in-law’s connections, she would never have married into their family.
Madam Liu had read books with her father since childhood, so it was no surprise she knew such things.
"You’re right—Da Tou is just a late talker. If anyone dares call our Da Tou a mute again, Grandpa will give them a beating, how about that?" The last two sentences he directed at Da Tou.
At the word "mute," Da Tou frowned slightly, but seeing Old Man Wen’s face, he relaxed and nodded.
In the past, no matter what others said, the child would ignore them, let alone respond. But this time, to see him react—Old Man Wen was overjoyed.

Happily, he asked Da Tou to write a few more words, even told him his own name and asked him to try writing it.
Wen Yao’s lips twitched. "Grandpa, I haven’t taught him your name yet."
Old Man Wen looked a little disappointed, but it didn’t matter—Da Tou was clever all the same.
The three of them chatted about everything under the sun for a while, and before long, Wen Yao’s braised meat was ready. Though Old Man Wen insisted he wouldn’t eat any, Wen Yao still sliced a bit for him to try.
True to his word, Old Man Wen didn’t eat the meat, but he did have something else in mind.
"Yao Yao, that cake you made last time—how did you make it?" Old Man Wen asked suddenly.
Wen Yao raised her brows. So that was it—the old man wanted some dessert.
"What’s this, Grandpa, do you want some?" She teased.
Caught out, Old Man Wen coughed awkwardly. "Nonsense, that’s for children. I was just asking, that’s all."
Wen Yao drew out her response, "Oh, I see. I was just thinking there’s still time—I could steam a bit more. But if you’re only asking, I won’t bother."
Old Man Wen’s lips twitched. The girl was doing it on purpose—absolutely on purpose.
Seeing his face wrinkle up, Wen Yao laughed and said, "Just teasing, Grandpa. Wait right here, I’ll make some for you. Do you want it sweet or plain?"
After all, too much sugar isn’t good for the elderly.
Old Man Wen’s face flushed, but he stammered, "Well, um, sweet—sweet, please."
Wen Yao understood at once.
Who would have thought her grandfather had a sweet tooth?
She turned to the kitchen, and Old Man Wen craned his neck to watch her bustle about.
Da Tou dragged over a bench and sat beside Old Man Wen, book in hand. There were still words he didn’t know, but he could remember their shapes.
As for Wen Yao, while her back was turned, she quietly bought some xylitol from her space. Watching her already meager achievement points dwindle, she felt a pang of regret, but for the sake of the old man’s health, it was worth the expense.