Su Butong thought for a while and said, "Really? I don’t remember."

"Of course you don’t remember," Grandma said, "You were busy every day back then, where did you have time to hold the baby? It was always me holding him."

Mrs. Su laughed beside her, "Mom, you remember things so clearly."

"Of course," Grandma said, "Sixty years have passed, and every single event is etched in my memory. When he grows old, I’ll settle the account with him."

Everyone laughed.

After the laughter, Professor Su looked at the child in Yang Ping’s arms and suddenly said, "This child, who knows what he’ll do in the future."

Xiao Su said, "He’s still young, who knows."

"Indeed he’s still young," Professor Su said, "But our Su Family, for several generations, has been scholars. If he follows this path, it would be good."

Su Butong nodded, and his gaze became distant.

"Speaking of which, I remembered something."

He looked at the grandchildren surrounding him and began to speak slowly.

"Do you know when our Su Family started studying and pursuing academia?"

Su Nanchen thought about it, "You mentioned before, from the generation of the great-grandfather?"

"Not just that," Su Butong shook his head, "It started from my grandfather’s generation."

He paused, his eyes seemingly traversing through time, looking towards a distant place.

"My grandfather, your great-great-grandfather, was a scholar during the Qing Dynasty. It was the Guangxu era, and the imperial exams hadn’t been abolished yet. After he became a scholar, he could have comfortably become an official, but he didn’t. He participated in the Self-strengthening Movement, advocating for learning from the foreigners to surpass them. Not many people could keep up with the trends of the times then, but he was one of them."

Su Nanchen listened, feeling moved inside. These stories have been mentioned sporadically by Grandpa before.

Grandma nodded beside him, "Your grandfather’s deeds, I’ve heard you mention them before, he was a visionary."

Su Butong glanced at her and continued, "And then came my father’s generation. Your great-grandfather studied Medicine as a Doctor in the United States during the Republic era. Counting from him, our Su Family has been in Medicine for four generations."

Professor Su interjected, "I remember when I was a child, there were books at home that father brought back from the United States. Some were in English, some in Chinese, and I couldn’t understand any of them. But he treasured them greatly, not letting anyone touch them."

Su Butong nodded.

"Later, it was my and your grandmother’s turn. We studied Medicine in the Soviet Union. Back then, when the new China was just established, everything was to be rebuilt from scratch. After returning from studying Medicine, we’ve devoted our lives to the field."

He looked towards Professor Su, "In your father’s generation, he also studied abroad, in Germany. Specialized in Orthopedics, now already an Academician."

Then he looked at Su Nanchen, "In your generation, you’re doing well too, with the Outstanding Young Talent award secured, and the hope of becoming an Academician in the future. Yang Ping’s accomplishments are even more extraordinary, winning the Nobel Prize twice, glorifying the nation."

He paused, reflecting, "Counting from the Qing Dynasty to now, our Su Family has spanned six generations. Each generation studies, each generation conducts research, each generation aims to contribute."

He looked at Su Nanchen and Yang Ping, his gaze earnest.

"Your generation has better conditions than ours, more opportunities than ours, and greater responsibilities too. I hope that whatever research you pursue, you remember the tradition of our Su Family — study to gain understanding, apply knowledge to practice, work for the country."

For a moment, the living room fell silent.

Yang Ping nodded, rarely speaking a word, "Grandpa, I remember."

Su Nanchen also solemnly said, "Grandpa, we remember."

Grandma looked at Su Butong, her eyes brimming with a smile.

"Old man, why did you think to talk about this today?"

Su Butong said, "I’m happy, looking at a table full of family, thinking about these generations, feeling sentimental."

Grandma nodded, then glanced at the younger generation present.

"Your grandfather is right. Our Su Family doesn’t possess any other skills, besides studying. Back during the Qing Dynasty, your grandfather’s grandfather ran enterprises, built factories, made firearms, all with the intention of strengthening the country. And afterwards, one generation after another has pursued the path of study."

She paused, smiling as she said, "When you have children in the future, make sure they study well. Our Su Family’s tradition must not be lost."

Lin Lan touched her belly, smiling as she said, "Grandma, he’s already listening inside, and will surely love reading in the future."