Having Face

As the saying went, "He who heeded advice ate his fill." If people could truly listen to advice, then regardless of the wider world, on a personal level alone, they would certainly avoid a great many troubles. After all, those who opened their mouths to advise you in daily life were either family or friends, or at worst colleagues with whom you had a decent relationship. There were indeed people in this world who could not stand to see others doing well or being more capable than themselves, but there were far more who, so long as it did not harm their own interests, offered a word or two out of goodwill. All in all, their intentions were good.

Father Su was a dutiful and responsible teacher. He was happy when his students studied well, and worried when they did not. Though there were no evening self-study sessions or extra classes yet, teaching seriously, passionately, and treating it as a lifelong calling was exhausting work in itself. His health had never been very good to begin with. Thin and gaunt as he was, after working like that year after year, he naturally could not hold on any longer.

"Grandpa, are you sick?"

In the Su family's back courtyard, seven-year-old Wang Bin, who was about to start first grade, stood by the bed with a wooden sword in hand. Tilting up his head, he blinked his big eyes and looked worriedly at Father Su, who was leaning against the headboard.

With some effort, Father Su stretched out a hand and rubbed his grandson's little head. Yet his smile was kindly. "Grandpa's fine. I'm just tired. I'll be alright after resting at home for a while. Binbin, go play with your friends."

"Okay, then get some good rest, Grandpa." Putting on the