Chapter 502: The University of Life
Tan You knew she could support Wang Hunv and Tan Deming, which just went to show how important it was to get a good education. For children from poor families, education was truly one of the fastest ways to change your life.
Tan Deming left with the shopping list to do the purchasing, and Tan You’s dough had finally finished proofing. After setting the kneaded dough aside to rise, Tan You went to the garden to pick long beans.
The old woman was an expert farmer. To the west of the Tan family’s property was a large garden, nearly twenty meters long and twenty meters wide, which produced a considerable amount of fruit and vegetables every year.
Walking over to the patch of long beans, Tan You bent down, picking them quickly. But as she straightened up after finishing a row, her vision suddenly went black.
With quick reflexes, she grabbed a nearby bamboo pole for support, a wry smile on her face. ’Looks like I’ll have to pick up my morning exercises again once I get to school. How can a student possibly handle an intense study schedule without a healthy body?’
Returning with a basket full of long beans, Tan You began to blanch them to remove their raw, green flavor.
Tan You had expected to be working alone, but around seven o’clock, a pair of little helpers arrived. It was Tan Tao and Tan Qin, whom she hadn’t seen in a long time. Compared to his previous dejection, Tan Tao was in much better spirits now, looking more confident and full of life.
Tan Tao and Tan Qin were both good, hardworking kids who knew how to spot what needed to be done. Seeing that Tan You was making buns at home, they both washed their hands and came over to help. Tan Tao, however, was clumsy with his hands, so he ended up with the job of tending the fire.
Meanwhile, Tan Qin helped Tan You make the buns. Though her first few attempts came out lopsided, Tan Qin didn’t rush. She worked slowly and patiently, and her buns gradually started to look more and more proper.
"Something good happen to you recently?" Tan You asked Tan Tao as she folded the buns. She could tell just by the look on his face that the gloom that had been troubling him seemed to have largely lifted.
"Yeah, something good did happen," Tan Tao said, pushing some firewood into the stove. The heat finally became too much for him, so he moved a small stool to the side and sat down. "My dad pulled his ice jelly stall out of the food street."
"Oh?" Tan You’s hands stilled as she looked at Tan Tao. "Did you find a better location than the food street?"
Tan Tao smiled, a little sheepishly. "The city is building a new food court downtown. My dad knows a lot of people from his years as a mason, and they all want to make some money. You know how you taught us to make those snacks before? Well, my dad found a few guys, and we’ve all been busy with that these past few days."
Tan You understood. Seeing how nervous he was, she couldn’t help but be amused. "Once I’ve taught you something, it’s yours. It’s not a big deal, just as long as you don’t tell everyone where you learned it."
"What are you so nervous for?"
Tan Tao scratched his head. "It all just happened in the last few days. I was going to tell you, but your grandpa said you’d gone to the school for military training."
"It’s really not a big deal, I haven’t given it a second thought." Tan You pinched a bun shut, looking satisfied with its pleats. "You’re a big guy now, what’s with being so timid? Do you think I’m that petty?"
Tan Qin burst out laughing. She gestured at Tan Tao’s height. "Taotao is much shorter than me. How can he be a big man?"
"A man’s charm doesn’t lie in his height, but in his character," Tan You said calmly. "Height is something you’re born with and can’t change, but you can always choose to cultivate your character."
Tan Tao couldn’t help but cheer. "Youyou really knows what to say, not like my sister, who only knows how to make fun of me."
"She’s not making fun of you in a mean way," Tan You said with a laugh. "She’s just teasing you. How are those small cakes of hers coming along?"
"Really well!" Tan Qin chimed in eagerly. "Taotao and I split the money from the small cakes fifty-fifty. I’ve saved up all my money. Youyou, I’m going to buy you a present for your birthday."
"And I’ll make you a great big cake!"
Tan You replied, "I’d be happy to receive a gift from you, but don’t buy anything too expensive. A cake made by your own hands is plenty meaningful. When my birthday comes around, just make a few extra. I can share them with my classmates. That would be the best birthday present of all."
Tan Qin was completely taken in by Tan You’s suggestion. "Okay! I’ll make a bunch of different flavors so I can guarantee every single one of your classmates gets a piece."
Tan You changed the subject. "So what did Tan Jin’s parents think about your dad pulling out of the food street?"
"You know how it is. Anyway, our two families haven’t had a complete falling out, so we still interact like we normally do." Tan Tao poked at the firewood beside him. "I’m starting to wonder, was it right to ask Fourth Uncle for help back then?"
"If my dad had just gone straight to his friends, would things be completely different now?"
"There’s no need to blame yourself," Tan You said. "I don’t think you did anything wrong. It’s not shameful to ask for help, but to use a small favor as leverage to constantly demand repayment—I think that’s a sign of poor character."
"Every favor has its limits. Once you go past that and keep insisting on being repaid, it’s no longer a favor—it’s extortion."
"You don’t have to dwell on it. This is just one small thing you’ve encountered as you step out into the world. You’ll run into a lot more later on, and those things will be much crueler and more blatant than what you’re facing now."
"Always with the grand lectures," Tan Tao wrinkled his nose, trying to joke. "You sound like a teacher in front of me. I’m seventeen—my actual age, not the traditional count—which makes me three years older than you."
Tan You replied, "Maturity shouldn’t be measured by physical age, but by mental age. And believe me, my mental age is more than old enough to be your teacher."
Tan Tao clutched his head. "Don’t talk to me about teachers. It gives me a headache."
Tan You’s hands gradually slowed as she folded the buns. "So you just want to be a small-time vendor forever? Just strike out on your own? You’re not thinking about going back to school? There are still options if you want to go back."
Tan Tao was silent for a while before saying, "Youyou, I’m just not cut out for studying. This is how I am now. Right now, I just want to focus on making more money. In the future, I’ll work hard to raise my own kids and do my best to make sure they don’t end up like me."
Tan You sighed. "Alright. Attending the school of life is a good path, too. Getting an education isn’t the only way for a person to get ahead."
"The school of life," Tan Tao repeated, then snorted with laughter. "You’ve got a way with words. I really don’t want to study. My head starts to ache the moment a teacher starts lecturing. But if you tell me to go do business, I’m as happy as can be."
Tan You smiled. "As long as you can find a way of life that makes you happy, no one has the right to criticize you. By the way, the weather is getting cooler. Do you plan to keep selling the small cakes?"
Tan Tao threw up his hands. "Haven’t decided yet. If worse comes to worst, I’ll just go back to selling fried snacks."
Tan You paused for a moment. "I’m busy these days. How about this? On the second Sunday after school starts, come to my dorm. I’ll treat you to a meal."