Chapter 113 Chapter 113 The Winter of Fenghe Thirteenth Year
After the fifteenth day of the lunar month, there was a heavy snowfall in Luan County. Goose-feather-like snowflakes fell all over the sky, which was quite spectacular.
In the classroom, Dafu analyzed the story that the teacher had taught that day and wrote down his own thoughts. He also wrote an article of less than 500 words based on it.
He was so immersed in his studies that he was oblivious to the conditions outside. He only vaguely sensed that the weather seemed a bit colder. As he finished his work and put down his brush to stretch his fingers, he suddenly realized that the classroom was empty. Only the sounds of cheerful play could be heard from the garden outside.
Dafu looked out the window and saw heavy snow falling all over the place. The green bamboos in the garden were covered in silver, and the ground was also covered with a thick layer of snow.
All the classmates in the classroom were shoveling snow and making snowmen outside, it was so lively.
Dafu saw Shiwu among them. Even in such freezing weather, there was sweat on his forehead and his face was flushed. He didn't know how long he had been playing outside.
He stood in front of the window, looking at the situation, and his heart was thinking of home. On such a snowy day, he wondered how his father, little father and Xiaofu were doing.
I think my younger brother couldn't help but run to the yard to play in the snow even when he was at home. He is always a little playful.
I'm afraid Daddy and Little Daddy are still busy slaughtering pigs.
I guess they are very busy. I haven’t seen my little father and father for more than ten days. Before, I could see them once every three to five days.
He has been studying hard these days and feels that the days are passing by smoothly. He only complains that the time he spends studying every day is not enough and he doesn't miss home much.
But now that I've calmed down a little, I can't help but feel a little sad when I think about how long it has been since I last saw my family.
He comforted himself by thinking that it was because he was too busy at the end of the year that he had no time to come and see him. Besides, the school would be closed in two days, and he would be able to go back home to celebrate the New Year and rest for more than half a month.
"Zhongyang."
Da Fu was lost in thought when he heard a voice calling him. He turned around and saw that it was Xu Xiucai coming towards him.
He quickly saluted: "Master."
When Xu Xiucai came in, he saw Dafu standing alone in the classroom. He saw an article with wet ink on the desk. He picked it up and took a look, a smile on his face.
"Your insights are always accurate and extraordinary, you have some talent, and you are also hardworking and ambitious.
When I first came here in the middle of the year, I was only in the middle of the class, but after studying like this for half a year, I was already in the upper echelons of the class."
Xu Xiucai was very satisfied with Dafu. No matter his talent for studying or his personal ambition and diligence, he couldn't help but pay special attention to this child, even though he was not a child of relatives or friends.
Hearing Xu Xiucai's praise, Dafu humbly said, "I came to the academy late, and as a laggard, I lack the knowledge and experience of my classmates who have been studying there for years. I can only use my brute strength to catch up. Now that I have made some progress, it is all thanks to your guidance."
Xu Xiucai laughed and pulled him to sit. "My teaching is one thing, but your hard work is another. Even though we're both taught by the same teacher, you understand faster. I imagine your uncle, Luo Xiucai, has also answered many of your questions in private."
"Yes, my uncle is always very patient with me, and I have learned a lot from him."
Xu Xiucai smiled and nodded: "I came to you today because I want to ask for your advice on something."
Dafu said respectfully, "Master, please speak."
"There will be a children's exam next February. It's an annual exam for students, so there will definitely be students from the school taking it. I hadn't originally planned to have you and Fifteen take it. Firstly, you're not that old, and secondly, you just came to the city to study this year."
Xu Xiucai said to Dafu slowly, "However, I see that you write fluently and have memorized books well. You will also be good at poetry and prose in the test. You are ready for the next exam."
"What I mean is, you might as well take the exam, not for the chance to pass, but to gain experience. You learn and understand more in one sitting than you would in ten days of studying in a classroom. Are you afraid of the exams at the beginning of the year?"
Dafu was surprised that Mr. Xu actually recognized his ability to take the test. He was quite excited and said, "I'm very willing to take the test!"
After that, he asked again: "Then will the fifteenth take the children's exam next year?"
Xu Xiucai shook his head. "He's not as good as you. Children are very imaginative. Although he's good at poetry and prose and has memorized books, he's too impetuous to just write articles. Let him study for another year before making any decisions."
Dafu said, "He's fifteen years younger than me, and he's also very serious and motivated in his studies."
Xu Xiucai smiled and said, "He is indeed several times better than his father in his childhood, and his family is very tolerant of him. He is your best friend, and he has asked you to take care of him. If he has a chance of success in the imperial examinations, you can support each other."
Dafu said, "I've made a note of it."
Xu Xiucai patted Dafu's head and said, "Studying hard and making progress is good, but don't immerse yourself in it all at once. It's not good to become a bookworm in the future.
After school, it's time to have some fun and relax. Let's go play with Shiwu and the others for a while."
"I heard from Fifteen that you're missing home. Your father and little father have been busy lately and haven't had time to come see you, but they're worried about you. I heard they're busy buying a house in the city, so they want to bring you back home soon."
When Da Fu heard this, his eyebrows raised and his eyes flashed. He felt happy and a little sad at the same time.
He was of course happy that his father and younger uncle were planning to take him back, but he also felt a little uncomfortable because his father and younger uncle were already very busy, and now they had to run around and work hard for his affairs.
Xu Xiucai said, "Don't overthink it. Your parents are working so hard, but ultimately, it's all for your own good. Only when you're well can they feel at ease and comfort."
"Yes. Thank you for your teachings, Master."
"It's snowing heavily today, so go enjoy the snow, but don't just wait for the coolness."
After Xu Xiucai finished speaking, he left.
Dafu's heart was restless for a long time. For one thing, the children's exam would be held next year and there was not much time left, so he couldn't help feeling nervous.
Secondly, I couldn't help but think about what Mr. Xu said about my father and little father buying a house. I thought it must be true, but I didn't know if there was any progress.
He wanted to go to the shop to ask, but he was afraid of causing trouble at home, so he decided to just study hard and prepare for the exam.
Although the teacher said that he was only taking the test for the purpose of tempering himself and not for the purpose of getting on the list, it would be really embarrassing if he did not prepare well and took the test carelessly and answered it badly.
As for the matter of buying a house for the family, he would wait for another three to five days. By then, Father Xiu Mu and Little Father would definitely come to pick him up, and he could ask about everything then.
After figuring it out, he calmed down again, and at the same time had some expectations.
Fifteen saw Dafu outside, lost in thought, and quickly waved his hands and shouted, "Brother Dafu, have you finished your article? Come and make a snowman with me! I can't even make one better than them!"
Da Fu laughed when he heard the sound, and went out to help Shiwu shovel snow and build a snowman.
After another five days, on the 20th day of the twelfth lunar month, it was time for the school to close.
In order to allow students to return home early, we only had half a day of classes. Usually, the class ended at lunchtime, but today we have a holiday.
The students rushed out of the school excitedly, discussing what to do for fun during the holidays, and forgot about studying for a while.
Today, Dafu did not do what he usually did. He would wait until almost everyone left after school. He packed his school box early in the morning and waited at the door.
He waited eagerly, only to see many of his classmates' families coming to pick up their children. After waiting for about a quarter of an hour, no one came to pick him up.
Dafu changed his hand and carried the heavy book box. Before coming out, he put on the gloves made by his father so that he could let his father see them. Unexpectedly, it was a precaution. Otherwise, his hands would be stiff and cold while carrying the box.
He was a little unsure, not knowing whether his father and his younger father would come to the school to pick him up today. What's more, it had not been decided beforehand, so he didn't know whether they would come to his aunt's house to pick him up.
Dafu thought to himself that he would wait for another quarter of an hour. If no one came, he would go back to his aunt's house first. There was no way that someone from his aunt's family would come to pick him up.
Just as I was thinking this, I heard a soft voice calling from afar: "Brother!"
Dafu's eyes lit up when he saw a furry figure running on the freshly cleared snow, and it pounced into his arms.
He took a step back after being pounced on by the powerful opponent, and almost hugged the chubby cub in his arms, and then they both fell to the ground.
"Run slower, you might knock your brother down!"
When Kang He caught up, he saw the two kids hugging each other, with Fan Jing following closely behind.
Xiaofu giggled and rubbed against Dafu, loving it very much.
Dafu was feeling a little itchy from teaching Xiaofu to do this. He didn't expect that his younger brother would come with his father and younger brother to pick him up. He was particularly happy to see that his younger brother, whom he hadn't seen for more than a month, was still so close to him.
He bent down slightly and picked up Xiaofu: "Why did you come to pick up your brother today?"
"I begged Daddy and Little Daddy to bring me here."
Xiaofu looked at Dafu with cat-like eyes. Seeing that his brother was not wearing a mask either, and his cheeks were a little red from the cold, he rubbed his little hands, cupped Dafu's face, and covered it, saying, "I miss my brother."
Dafu laughed: "I miss you too."
Seeing that the two brothers were getting along well, Fan Jing's eyes softened. He stepped forward and took Dafu's bookcase. "Have you been waiting for a long time?"
Dafu shook his head: "I just came out too."
Kang He said, "I was originally going to pick you up in a mule cart, but a car broke down on the road outside Luoxue, blocking the way. I waited for a long time but couldn't get through. I had to get off the cart and walk over, which delayed me a bit."
"No, I didn't. It was just so cold, and we were stuck in traffic, so I had to walk here. I was afraid my brother would get frozen."
Dafu adjusted Xiaofu's rabbit fur hat and taught him to run happily, so the hat became tilted.
"He's not afraid of the cold at all. It's been snowing these days, and he's been playing in the yard all day long, even when his hands are frozen red."
Dafu smiled and pinched Xiaofu's cheek: "You are so playful."
Kang He said, "Let's go. It's not good to keep the car parked on the street for too long."
A family of four walked towards the car, chatting and laughing.
When they arrived at the blocked area, the people had already been evacuated. The two boys got on the car first, Fan Jinghou also got in, and Kang He was responsible for driving.
He pulled the reins and asked inside, "Are you seated? We're about to leave."
Xiaofu answered loudly: "Okay!"
A charcoal brazier was placed in the mule cart in advance, and the entire shed was warm.
Fan Jing took off the outer windproof coats for the two boys, took out a box of still hot chestnut cakes and taught them how to eat.
Xiaofu took two pieces in each hand, fed them to Dafu first, then gave them to Fan Jing, and then he went to the front of the car and stuffed a piece for Kanghe as well.
"Okay, come sit down."
Fan Jing hugged the kid in his arms. If he wasn't held, he would climb up and down and squeeze around in the car, and wouldn't stay still at all.
Dafu held the little boy's hand, wanting to ask him what he did at home, but he saw that the street scene outside the window was heading towards a place he had never been to.
He couldn't help but turn his head and ask Fan Jing: "Shouldn't we go back to the shop first?"
Fan Jing said: "Yes. I'll take you to see the new home."
Dafu's eyes widened upon hearing this, and he quickly asked, "A few days ago, Mr. Xu told me that Daddy and I were busy buying a new house in the city. Is it done so quickly?"
Fan Jing always spoke lightly, but his tone couldn't hide his good mood. "Just in case someone suitable came along, I'll take it. I've been busy with the handover and buying furniture for the past half month, so I haven't had time to come to the academy to see you."
Kang He heard the father and son talking outside the car and said, "I've picked you up to go to your new house. They wanted to know if you want to come home or continue living with your aunt when the school starts next year."
Fan Jing looked at Dafu and asked for his opinion.
Dafu didn't even think about it and said, "Of course I'll go home and live with my little daddy and my brother!"
His face turned red with excitement. Although he knew that his little father and father were busy with the new house, he did not dare to think that it would be ready so soon. How could he not want to go home?
Seeing this, Fan Jing patted his head and said, "Then go to your aunt's house in a few days and move all your things back."
Dafu couldn't help but blush slightly, feeling that he was too eager to show off his talent. His aunt's family didn't treat him badly, but he was so happy that he couldn't hide his emotions in front of his closest people, so he said it.
"Thank you, little daddy."
After that, he said to Kang He who was driving outside, "Thank you, Daddy."
Xiaofu looked at his brother and asked him in confusion: "Brother, you are the son of father and little father, why are you still thanking me?"
Kang He laughed: "Xiao Fu is right. The whole family is eating lunch together, so why are you still saying thank you?"
Dafu nudged Xiaofu affectionately and said, "Brother said the wrong thing."
Fan Jing knew what Dafu was thinking, patted him on the back gently, and took out a piece of cake for him to eat.
The car drove all the way into the West City, and then into Chaoxi Lane, which was not very smooth. It took almost half an hour to get home.
Everything about West City is good. There are many wealthy families, and almost every household has a carriage. In the cold winter, people drive when they go out, so the roads are particularly crowded.
The South City where their shop is located is much better.
There is no absolutely good location in the city, but each location has its own advantages and disadvantages.
"Oh, my dearest, Grandma, I haven't seen you for a long time."
When Chen Sanfang and Qiao'er hurried to open the door, they saw Dafu and felt very distressed.
Father Fan also ran to the door to greet him. He had just arrived at the new house this morning and had been wandering around for half a day, but he still hadn't figured out the gate and yard. He was so dizzy that he got lost in his own garden.
He kept saying that the garden was beautiful, but it was too complicated and not as good as the houses in their village with straight entrances and exits.
Chen Sanfang said that he was just a peasant who could not enjoy the good life, and he couldn't even figure out how to run a house with only more than ten rooms.
Qiao'er shook her head, thinking that the house, which was originally deserted, suddenly became lively after the two of them quarreled.
Dafu called out obediently: "Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt."
Qiao'er smiled and patted Dafu's head. "Come in quickly! It's cold outside. I'm afraid you're hungry at this hour. The food we ordered from the restaurant has just arrived, so it might be cold if we wait any longer."
Several people filed into the house, and Kang He went around to the back door and parked the cart and mule in the stable.
After lunch, Dafu looked at the new house and thought it was very elegant. Holding his brother's hand, they went from one room to another. They entered a small courtyard planted with bamboo through a crabapple door, and then walked out through another octagonal door.
This is similar to my aunt's house. It's a big house divided into several small courtyards, but this one is more beautifully maintained.
Dafu liked this house very much, not caring about whether it was good or bad, but he was very happy just because he could be with his family.
I still vaguely remember that before our family moved into the mansion, we lived in a small mud-walled house and we lived in harmony.
In the evening, Kang He personally went to the kitchen to prepare some fresh dishes.
He took a square pot, put in pork bones and this year's new rice, and simmered them together. He put a stove underneath and added charcoal to keep the fire warm.
The whole family helped to prepare fresh prawns, slice fish and pork liver, and pound pork meatballs, mutton meatballs, shrimp meatballs, fish meatballs... They also prepared crispy and tender vegetables picked from their own fields.
In the evening, a room full of people would sit around a table in the dining room, eating meat and vegetables cooked in porridge and dipping them in sauces, enjoying the warm and delicious taste.
Outside the window, snowflakes are falling, accumulating on the grass and trees in the garden. The charcoal fire in the house is warm, the children are happy, the elders are joyful, and everyone is in a happy mood.
The new house has four courtyards. The main courtyard is where Kanghe and Fan Jing live, Dafu lives in one courtyard, Qiaoer and Xiaofu live in one courtyard, and the other courtyard is where Fan Dad and Chen Sanfang live.
The houses in this city are composed of several houses in a courtyard, and everyone is the master of his own courtyard. This is the case for most of the wealthy families in the city.
Even richer families like that would have separate courtyards for couples to live in. After all, if a couple had three wives and four concubines, the wives would live in one courtyard and the concubines in another, and the men would choose a courtyard to rest in.
The Fan family thought that since they had bought a house in the city, they should follow the city's customs.
But even though the yard was divided first, Xiaofu was still left with the adults. The child was too young and lively and active, so he needed to be watched. So Qiaoer lived alone in the yard for the time being.
I asked Dafu for his opinion, wondering whether I should live in the same yard with my father and little father first, or live in my own yard.
He said that he was old enough to live in his own yard, and that he could concentrate more peacefully when studying here.
Kang He and Fan Jing naturally followed his wishes.
In this way, the Fan family reunited and stayed in the city for three days. Father Fan was worried about the mess at home, and he couldn't have fun in the city, so he asked to go back to the countryside.
Chen Sanfang was used to life in the city, but she was still thinking about her father Fan, so she would go back to the village occasionally and stay overnight in the city sometimes.
Kang He and Fan Jing were very busy, so they took their two children to live in the city so that Dafu could get used to the new residence as soon as possible and concentrate on studying more quickly.
As for Qiao'er, she felt that any place was fine, but as a young girl, she naturally preferred the city. Firstly, she could help out in the shop, and secondly, it was easier to make friends and have fun there than in the village.
On the twenty-sixth day of the lunar year, several strings of firecrackers rang out in the alley, a plaque of the Fan family was hung in front of the gate, five tables were set up in the courtyard, and relatives and friends from the city were invited to have a warm-up meal.
He also gave some small gifts to several nearby neighbors to officially move into the new home and also informed his relatives and friends.
Kang He and Fan Jing's move into their new home this time was much simpler than their previous moves in the countryside a few years ago, and there was no big fuss.
They didn't want to make things too much trouble. There were many trivial things to deal with when buying a house in the city. Although people could live there now, they still had to wait and see whether the tenant would send people to help later. Things could not be completed in a day or two, so how could they have the mood to hold a grand banquet?
Besides, what kind of place is Chaoxi Lane? They must have moved in to live at the end of the lane. The grand celebration they made seemed like a group of small-minded people who had achieved success.
But no matter what, in the winter of the 13th year of Fenghe, when there was heavy snow, the Fan family finally had a place to stay in Luan County.
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