Chapter 1: The Top Science Scholar Reborn as a Farmer's Son

Daxia Dynasty, Apricot Blossom Village.

Li Su’s head throbbed with pain, as if someone were drilling into his skull. Nausea welled up, and when he slowly opened his eyes, darkness greeted him.

A memory not belonging to him surged within his mind.

He had transmigrated, arriving in a fictional ancient era.

The original owner was also called Li Su. At birth, a Taoist priest had declared he was destined for high office, and bestowed upon him this very name.

At two or three years old, he indeed displayed exceptional talent for reading.

His family was of humble farming stock, yet they persisted in sending him to study. At nine, he passed the preliminary exams, earning the title of child scholar, and was hailed a prodigy.

He went to the county to study further, but his classmates, jealous of his gifts, deliberately led him astray—encouraging idleness, indulgence in food and drink—so that at nine, Li Su’s path became crooked.

He grew selfish, disregarding his family’s situation, constantly demanding money, which he spent not on studies, but on eating and drinking.

For several years, he failed the imperial scholar exams, never making the list.

Rumors spread that he was now ordinary, and Li Su, frustrated, abandoned himself even further.

This injury came from standing up for someone at his classmates’ instigation—struck on the back of his head with a club, splitting it open. Upon waking, Li Su found himself inhabiting this body.

As for Li Su himself, in his previous life, he was the top scorer in the science stream of the national college entrance exam. He’d always ranked first, a gifted student with a photographic memory and a nimble mind.

He even gave up guaranteed admission to pursue the title.

How did he die? He succumbed to exhaustion after studying late into the night—he remembered the moment of dizziness and tinnitus, and the heavy thudding of his heart.

His parents, joined in a business marriage, had never cared for him, only supplying money. Their relationship was distant; they spoke barely a few words a year.

He was grateful for the financial support, which afforded him intellectual abundance, but disagreed with their approach to marriage and parenting.

He planned that, after turning eighteen, he would cease using their money, but would support them in old age—only financially.

With no one to guide him, he could only cling to books, reading not only required subjects, but astronomy, geography, management, agriculture, and more—his interests were broad.

Having died from reading in his past life, he resolved to learn from that mistake. This time, he would not pursue the imperial examination; he would farm, run a shop.

After all, the ancient imperial exams were far more difficult than the modern college entrance exam, and he was someone who only cared for first place. If he undertook the exams, he would have to read obsessively again.

The exams also required writing essays and poetry. Reciting poems was easy for him, but composing them was a challenge.

This life, he was in the family he’d always longed for—parents who loved him, siblings, and the opportunity to farm.

Once he fully absorbed the original owner’s memories, the pain eased, leaving only the ache from his head wound.

Li Su slowly sat up, and the door creaked open. A young boy with two tufts tied atop his head, cheeks red as a monkey’s, stepped in.

Seeing Li Su sit up, the boy froze, then burst with joy and dashed outside, shouting, “Little Uncle’s awake! Little Uncle’s awake!”

In his haste, he stumbled and fell, sprawling on the floor.

Li Su winced for him, but before he could speak, the boy had already scrambled up and continued running and shouting.

Feng Cuicui came running, stumbling, both excited and anxious. When she saw Li Su awake, tears flowed instantly.

Li Su was at a loss, unaccustomed to such scenes.

“My son, if anything happened to you, how would your mother survive?” Feng Cuicui sat by the bed, pulling Li Su into her embrace.

Li Su awkwardly extended his hands, hovering in the air. Was this what it felt like to be cherished by a mother?

Strange, unfamiliar, but very special.

He wanted to experience this new kind of affection, breathed deeply, and steadied himself.

“Mother, I’m fine now, don’t cry.” Li Su gently released her, reaching out to wipe away her tears.

Feng Cuicui paused. Her youngest son hadn’t been so close with the family for ages—he only came home to ask for money.

Her eyes reddened immediately. “Yes, my son is blessed.” The doctor they’d called said that if he didn’t wake today, they should prepare for the worst.

Thankfully, he’d awakened.

“You must be hungry. I’ll bring you some porridge.” Feng Cuicui rose—Li Su had been bedridden so long, he must be famished.

She brought a bowl of white rice porridge.

Li Su was indeed ravenous, and soon finished the entire bowl.

At the doorway, three children—two boys and a girl—peeked in, occasionally craning their necks for a look at Li Su.

Whenever their gaze landed on his bowl of porridge, they all licked their lips in unison.

These were the children of his elder brothers. Li Su beckoned them in.

The three hesitated—Little Uncle was fierce, and they dared not approach. They turned and fled.

Li Su: “…”

Was he really so intimidating? In his past life, he’d been the most handsome boy in school!

Seeing the empty bowl, Feng Cuicui asked, “Li Su, do you want another bowl?”

Li Su was still hungry, but knew that a patient just awakened shouldn’t eat too much.

He shook his head slowly. “No need, Mother.”

…

After several days of eating white porridge, Li Su was finally allowed out of bed.

He stepped outside and took a deep breath—the air was indeed fresh.

Lately, the family had been busy loosening the soil in the fields, clearing weeds and debris, preparing for sowing and seedling raising.

Before lunch and dinner, someone would return early to prepare the meals.

Now, only the youngest girl and Li Su remained at home. The girl, upon seeing him, reacted as if a mouse had seen a cat.

She’d been squatting on the ground, playing with chicks. But as soon as she saw Li Su, she stood up and timidly called, “Little Uncle.”

Her voice was barely audible.

Li Ziru was terrified—Little Uncle would surely scold her for playing with the chicks instead of behaving properly.

Li Su smiled at her. “Ziru, do you know which field Grandpa and Grandma are in?” He had no memory of the family’s fields—he’d never been allowed to go.

They’d only let him study.

Li Ziru was stunned—Little Uncle smiled at her!

Little Uncle was truly handsome—the best-looking person in the family!

Li Su’s face was sharply contoured, handsome and masculine, softened by his smile. His skin was fair, and he wore a blue long robe that fluttered in the breeze.

“I…I know.” Li Ziru replied meekly.

“Then please lead Little Uncle to the fields.” Li Su spoke gently, leaving her bewildered.

He approached, picked her up, and couldn’t resist pinching her cheek—so adorable.

Li Ziru gasped—Little Uncle had picked her up!

A faint medicinal scent clung to Li Su. Her cheeks turned red, but she didn’t ask him to put her down.

Guided by the little girl, Li Su carried her to the edge of his family’s fields.

His arrival drew many eyes—everyone in the village was out at this hour.

Li Su spotted his family: his eldest and second brothers and father were in front, plowing the fields with a straight plow. The brothers pulled the plow, ropes digging into their flesh, while the father guided it from behind.

His sisters-in-law and mother followed, harrowing the ground; two boys trailed them, pulling up weeds.

Sweat beaded their foreheads, dripping silently into the earth, yet it stung Li Su’s eyes.

It was sour, blinding, and searing.