The differences between hometowns can actually be quite significant.
There is one type of hometown you can return to, where family members you miss dearly reside, and the journey back is filled with longing.
The other type is the hometown you canât go back to.
Thereâs only memory, but no one you wish to see.
This kind of hometown stays in your mind, but you donât feel the urge to return.
For Shen Han, Yunâan City is the hometown he canât return to.
Madam Yun and Cailing are in the Yun Family of Anyang City.
Although he has many blood relatives in Yunâan City, itâs only that thin bond of blood relation.
He doesnât want to see them, and they probably donât want to see him either.
Sitting in the luxurious carriage of the Dean, they should be reaching Yunâan City in a few more hours.
Traveling south from the Capital City to Yunâan City, the difference in vegetation around is quite noticeable.
The main reason is the significant mountain range between the north and south of Great Wei, causing a considerable climate difference.
With the imminent competition, Dean Tianyi felt a bit anxious.
"This time, donât put too much pressure on yourself, winning or losing is commonplace.
Shen Ye is much older than you, which gives him a considerable advantage.
Even if you lose, itâs just a matter of handing over the Shen Familyâs title, no big deal.
Anyway, your Shen family never intended to pass the title to you.
Just see it as failing to take someone elseâs thing."
Dean Tianyiâs consolation sounded somewhat odd.
If youâre not good at comforting someone, thereâs no need to force it.
People indeed have different strengths, and for Dean Tianyi, heâs more suited to telling dirty jokes.
Today is May 24th.
7:00 AM.
Shen Han and Dean Tianyi finally arrived in Yunâan City.
Yunâan City isnât considered a big city, just slightly better than some frontier towns, and the population isnât large.
But these days Yunâan City is really bustling, and many inns canât accommodate everyone.
The main reason for the popularity is, of course, the competition between Shen Han and Shen Ye.
For Yunâan City to produce two prodigies at once, itâs earned the reputation of a land of talents.
Shen Ye has been a renowned prodigy for years, and Shen Han also performed exceptionally well in the Ten Nations Grand Competition, even having his portrait prominently displayed in the Celestial Universe Pavilion.
The duel between these two outstanding young men makes for quite a spectacle.
Apart from just watching the excitement, many come to observe the competition, hoping to learn something.
The carriage stopped at the gate of Yunâan City, and Shen Han, together with Dean Tianyi, got off the carriage.
The two walked towards Shen Mansion.
Along the way, Shen Han had a faint smile on his face as he explained to Dean Tianyi his past experiences in Yunâan City.
With little money, he could only go to the market to buy some naan bread to stave off hunger.
Dean Tianyi had never heard of naan bread before.
Having some time, he invited Shen Han to go and have a look.
Walking into the market, Shen Han greeted familiar stall owners proactively.
But upon hearing his voice, these stall owners frowned.
They looked at Shen Han a few more times before suddenly realizing.
This is Shen Han!
After Shen Han became famous, people often mentioned his name.
Some stall owners even used his fame to boast when selling things.
Saying Shen Han bought many things from them before attaining his current achievements, thus flattering themselves.
Talking about him often, they hadnât expected they couldnât recognize him when they saw him in person.
Actually, there was another reason people didnât realize.
Who would have thought that Shen Han, now of such status, would actively greet small stall vendors like them.
Upon hearing the voice, they instinctively didnât think of Shen Han.
Reaching the naan stall, and seeing such a large piece of bread.
Dean Tianyi didnât expect it would only cost a few coins to buy several pieces...
Taking the naan bread Shen Han handed over, Dean Tianyi took a bite, and to maintain his image in front of the young ones, he struggled to swallow it.
The taste wasnât exactly bad because the naan bread actually had no taste.
"Did you eat this every day when you were at Shen Mansion?"
Upon hearing Dean Tianyiâs question, Shen Han smiled and shook his head.
"Life wasnât that bad, not every meal was naan bread.
Occasionally, Madam Yun would send me some dishes, which was a rare treat.
But the Old Dowager always liked to preach self-reliance, not allowing Madam Yun to send meals.
If I want to practice and study, I could only fill my stomach with these naan breads."
Hearing Shen Hanâs words, Dean Tianyiâs eyes seemed to flash sharply.
"The Shen family fell to this state truly of their own doing."
After wandering around the market for a while, checking the time, the two then headed to Shen Mansion.
The family performance assessment is an internal competition within the Shen Family.
This year is a special occasion, so more people are sure to come to watch.
But as Shen Han and Dean Tianyi arrived at the mansionâs gate, they were still a bit surprised.
There seemed to be too many people.
Madam He stood at the gate, exchanging polite words with the dignitaries as they arrived.
But when she saw Shen Han and Dean Tianyi, her expression abruptly changed.
She turned her face away directly, completely ignoring Shen Han and Dean Tianyi.
Shen Han remained indifferent, greeting when necessary, itâs up to others to respond or not.
When other dignitaries arrived, Madam He would arrange a servant to guide them.
But Shen Han and Dean Tianyi could only find their own way.
Shen Han didnât mind, he was familiar with Shen Mansion, itâs not that big a place.
There were only a couple of locations suitable for the family performance assessment.
Just as they walked a short distance, a servant from the mansion carefully approached.
"Young Master Han, donât mind, Madam He didnât allow us to guide you, thatâs why no one came...
Now that she canât see, Iâll lead you and this esteemed guest."
Saying this, the servant bowed and walked ahead.
While leading the way, he explained the Shen Familyâs changes over the past year to Shen Han.
Occasionally mentioning unsuitable topics, he would cautiously move closer to Shen Han and lower his voice.
"Young Master Han, you have no idea, every time the mansion hears of your achievements, the Patriarch, Old Dowager, and the two madams are furious.
They canât vent their anger on you, Young Master Han, so they can only scold the other masters and misses, and occasionally we servants also suffer..."
Upon hearing the servantâs words, Shen Han couldnât help but smile, asking, "But you still came to guide us, wouldnât you face more scolding if caught?"
Yet this servant seemed to think things through.
"Today, the master families are busy and have no time to wander around. We servants must also learn to judge the situation.
The future master of the Shen Family isnât certain yet ~
Previously, Young Master Shen Han wasnât well taken care of, so now I must curry favor.
Once you, Young Master Han, inherit the title and become Patriarch Shen, we wonât have such proximity anymore ~"
The words were indeed spoken candidly.