Mr. Harris did not teach today. Of course, as usual, he didn’t spare William Carter a single glance. He simply took out a roster and called out names: “James Carter, Emily Carter... David Carter...”

He called out five names, and then five youths stepped forward, each signing their name on the guarantee slip and affixing their seal.

Mr. Harris began calling names again.

Finally, he read out: “William Carter, Thomas Carter, John Carter, Robert Carter, Richard Carter...”

Of these five, two were from the third branch, and two were distant relatives of the Ye family. Naturally, like William Carter, they were the most troublesome kids in the school, never favored by Mr. Harris. Basically, their lives were already mapped out—to exist as the so-called “useless” members of the Ye family.

Earlier, when everyone else was signing the guarantee, Mr. Harris practically pointed out where each person should sign and where to affix their seal. But when it was William Carter and the others’ turn, he simply looked cold, turned his face away, and couldn’t even be bothered to pay attention.

William Carter couldn’t help but find it funny. Seriously... I’m just a kid, aren’t I? Yet Mr. Harris’s attitude isn’t even as good as mine, and I’m barely over ten years old.

Still, faced with such obvious discrimination, William Carter didn’t say much. After all, for William Carter, the exam was what really mattered.

……

The day of the county exam finally arrived. On this day, Henry Carter got up especially early and, together with Charles Carter, prepared an exam basket and a change of clothes for William Carter, not forgetting to nag a bit and remind William Carter about some exam matters.

William Carter was eager and fearless, like a newborn calf unafraid of tigers. Smiling, he said to Henry Carter, “Dad, I’ll come back as the top scorer.”

Henry Carter replied with a hearty laugh, “Of course, if you become the top scorer, you’ll bring honor to our family.”

Although he said this, it was clear he was mostly trying to comfort him. After speaking, Henry Carter seemed to remember something, and his expression turned a bit gloomy.

William Carter stuck out his tongue. This dad has too many worries—he’s impossible to communicate with.

When they arrived outside the residence, the dozen or so Ye family members heading to the county exam had already been waiting for a while.

Leading the group was a distant great-uncle, of the same generation as the old patriarch. When Henry Carter saw him, he had to call him “uncle.” Great Uncle now had graying temples and looked very elderly. Stroking his white goatee, he directed the younger generation to pile their luggage onto a large cart, then leaned against the shaft and ordered everyone to set off.

William Carter sat at the back of the cart. The only advantage of this open ox cart was being able to enjoy the scenery along the way, but the ride was so bumpy that his butt soon went numb. Thomas Carter and a few others bustled around, sitting beside him, while James Carter didn’t greet William Carter today and was on another cart.

As they traveled, Old Great Uncle Carter surprisingly came over to William Carter, stroking his beard and nodding amiably. He said affectionately, “You’re the eldest branch’s Chunqiu, right? Your father’s back? That’s good—fallen leaves must return to their roots.”

William Carter bowed and said, “Hello, uncle.”

Old Great Uncle Carter nodded at William Carter with a pleased smile. “Good child, I’ve known your father for a long time. Ah... ah... thinking back now, it’s just like yesterday. Back then, your father went to the county exam with me. At first, he was about your age. Tsk tsk, your father was a good man, and I got along well with him. But... he was a literary star—passed the student exam in one go. As for me... haha... I took it year after year, and in the blink of an eye, more than twenty years have passed...” At this point, Old Great Uncle Carter started coughing violently and only recovered after a long while. “You see, if a person loses their ambition, their life is over. I’m sixty-three now, have been taking exams for over fifty years, and I’m still like an old steed in the stable, my ambition undiminished...” With that, he let out a long sigh.

William Carter was speechless. Great Uncle has been taking the student exam for over fifty years and still manages to sound proud about it.

But since he was an elder, William Carter quickly said, “Yes, yes, Great Uncle, your advice is right.” For some reason, he felt a bit uncomfortable inside. Why does it feel like you’re a cautionary tale? Taking exams your whole life, your hair’s white, your teeth are gone, your back is hunched—am I going to end up like you?

William Carter shivered instinctively. No matter how smart I am, don’t I still have my AI? Surely I won’t end up like Great Uncle!

But then again, William Carter wasn’t all that confident about how much help the AI would actually be.

“What? What did you say?” Edward Carter was a bit hard of hearing and couldn’t quite catch it, so he bent over, bringing his ear close to William Carter’s mouth.

William Carter was dumbfounded. Seriously, uncle, do you have to be like this? You’re hard of hearing and still insist on being on the front lines of the imperial exams.

He had no choice but to raise his voice and shout into Old Great Uncle Carter’s ear, “Uncle, your advice is right! Chunqiu will remember it.” Remember it... remember it... remember it... The last three words echoed in the air.