"Magistrate Chen! Do you not realize that every three years, countless scholars wait for that one opportunity, yet how many actually see their wishes fulfilled? Rather than squandering precious time on such a distant, unreachable goal, it is far better to seize the present and do something truly useful."
Magistrate Chen was so incensed by these words that he felt his head might explode. Unable to contain himself, he scolded Su Yu, "Hmph! Is your so-called 'useful work' nothing more than cooking meals to scrape by? Or spending your days in this academy teaching those brats to read and write?"
Su Yu remained unperturbed. With a calm smile, he replied, "Please, Magistrate Chen, do not be angry. Spending time with my family is what brings me the greatest joy. As for earning a living through cooking, you truly overrate my abilities. I am nowhere near as clever or quick-witted as my daughter; those ways of making a living were devised by my family together, and I merely help out in my spare time."
Chapter 29