My Transmigrated Dad Is Hopeless at the Imperial Exams

Tao Hanmo transmigrates into the body of a poor farmer's son. He studies hard and takes the imperial exams, but never makes the list. In the end, even his wife chooses to divorce him.

Everyone urges him to give up on the exams, settle down to farming, and raise his only son, Tao Liangmiao.

Tao Hanmo gradually begins to doubt himself and finally decides to abandon the exams and educate his son instead.

But his son learned basic mathematics at four, won all kinds of math competition prizes at seven, skipped grades into high school at ten, and got into the Capital University at twelve... How could he have fathered a five-year-old who still plays in the mud?

Tao Hanmo gently embraces his son. "Daddy will teach you to write."

Tao Liangmiao says nothing and draws a huge turtle on the book.

Tao Hanmo takes a deep breath and forces a smile. "Read this poem after me."

Tao Liangmiao's eyes spin as he chooses to skip class rather than study or sleep.

Tao Hanmo grips his ruler. "I'm a genius who was featured on CCTV News. How did I end up with such a stupid kid?"

Tao Liangmiao is troubled. His dad, who always used to compete only with himself, has suddenly started pushing him to excel.

Fortunately, after all his efforts, he finally gets his dad to understand that relying on your kid is no substitute for relying on yourself.

His dad is spurred into working hard, passes the highest imperial exam, and eventually becomes a high-ranking official.

Watching his exhausted dad, Tao Liangmiao nods. "The harder Dad works, the more I get to enjoy myself. I really am smarter than him."

1. A heartwarming tale of a transmigrated father raising his son, with the boy healing his father's heart. The early story is mostly slice of life; later, the father passes the provincial exam and becomes an official.

2. The wife is not vilified. They divorce simply because their values differ, and they remain on good terms as friends afterward. But they each go their own way, and they won't remarry. Tao Liangmiao still gets twice the love after his parents' divorce.

Theme: The warmth of family can heal you for a lifetime.