Chapter 80 Dog's Name Revealed
I crouched down in the corner, airing out the goose feathers I was clutching, while secretly turning to glance at Sima Hui. Mr. Shui Jing, a renowned scholar, a true gentleman—how could I not take a second look? (31)
When I turned around, I saw Sima Hui looking at me and smiling. I quickly lowered my head and muttered to myself, "A scholar is a scholar indeed. Even the wrinkles on his face look pleasing to the eye. What a wise display!"
Zhuge Liang helped Sima Hui sit down, showing great respect and courtesy.
"Teacher, this is for you." Zhuge Kongming took out a large scroll from his sleeve and handed it to Sima Hui with both hands.
Sima Hui accepted it and nodded repeatedly.
I gaped in disbelief. Here we go again! How could he fit such a large scroll in his sleeve? Didn't he find it heavy? Truly amazing…
The image of Doraemon's magic pocket involuntarily came to mind. Looking at the elegant and handsome Zhuge Liang in front of me, with his tall hat and wide belt, and then thinking of the chubby Doraemon, I couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"What are you laughing at, young lady?" Sima Hui asked me curiously.
"Huh?" Looking around, I realized I was the only girl in the courtyard, so I quickly stood up straight, like a primary school student seeing a teacher.
"Hehe, young lady, there's no need to be so reserved." Sima Hui laughed. "What were you laughing at just now?"
I was speechless. I couldn't very well say that his students looked like Doraemon... He probably didn't even know what Doraemon looked like.
"Just enjoying myself, that's all," I said with a dry laugh.
"Your appearance is quite peculiar, young lady." Sima Hui looked at me for a while, stroked his goatee, and slightly suppressed his smile.
My palms started sweating. Could it be that he could tell I wasn't from this era and labeled me a monster, then tied me up and roasted me over a fire?
Noticing my nervousness, the dog stepped forward and took my hand.
Sima Hui turned his gaze slightly to the dog, then stood up, looking quite surprised.
I subtly pulled the dog behind me.
“This child…” Sima Hui stepped forward, staring intently at the dog.
"His face is peculiar too?" My lips twitched slightly as I hid the dog behind my back. Was he really Mr. Shui Jing? Or was he just here to freeload? He told everyone his face was peculiar, which involuntarily reminded me of Tuanzi's colleagues—those people who carried a banner with something like "Iron-Mouthed Predictor Sima the Half-Immortal" written on it…
Sima Hui didn't seem to care about my suspicious look, and simply looked at the dog, "Child, what's your name?"
The dog glanced at me but remained silent.
I really want to give him a kiss, he's so cute! (A little educational moment: Kids, please remember, if a strange man tries to talk to you on the street, never talk to him!)
Sima Hui followed the dog's gaze and looked at me.
I felt a chill run down my spine from his gaze, so I grinned and said, "Uh... I've heard that Mr. Sima is a man of great talent and learning, with countless students. Perhaps... I could ask you to bestow a name upon me?" Thinking that the name "Dog" was rather unrefined, I went along with it and began to speak in a very formal and literary manner.
Sima Hui stared at the dog for a long time before slowly uttering a single word, "Zhao".
"Zhao?" I parroted.
“Zhao means the day of summoning,” Sima Hui said, looking at the dog as if sighing.
Summoning the sun? I was completely baffled.
Zhuge Kongming also looked at Gou'er, with a somewhat incredulous expression.
Sima Hui frowned slightly, as if he had made a great decision, and then looked at Gou'er, "Zhao'er, would you be willing to become my disciple?"
Zhao'er?
The dog shook its head. "I have a sister."
“Young lady,” Sima Hui looked at me, “this child is destined for greatness; she will surely achieve great things in the future.”
What about Gou'er's future? He's bound to achieve great things someday, but... in this chaotic world, how much price must one pay to "achieve great things," and how much must one sacrifice? Subconsciously, I didn't want Gou'er's hands to be stained with blood.
“This child is extraordinary; it is ordained by Heaven and cannot be avoided. In the future, his sense of good and evil will determine the lives of many. Although I am neither virtuous nor capable, I can teach him to distinguish between good and evil and seek blessings for the common people.” Sima Hui looked at me and spoke slowly.
Zhao, Zhao Ri? It took me a while to come to my senses. Zhao Ri! To shine as brightly as the sun—what majesty! Sima Hui was trying to tell me that Gou'er's "great potential" was destined, unavoidable. What he could teach was kindness, kindness for all living beings.
I pulled the dog down to kneel before Sima Hui, saying, "Thank you, sir, for bestowing a name upon Zhao'er."
"I wonder if the child's parents are still alive?" Sima Hui asked.
"That's all." I said, tightening my grip on the dog's hand slightly.
"What is your father's surname?" Sima Hui asked, looking at Gou'er.
The dog pursed its lips. "I don't know."
From the very beginning, I called him Dog, and he didn't even know his own surname... I felt a slight pang in my heart.
"How about Sima?" Sima Hui asked with a smile.
Sima? Sima... Sima Zhao?!
I was slightly taken aback. What a coincidence! He shared the same name as a real historical figure. But at that time, the person named Sima Zhao had not yet been born.
I looked up at Sima Hui, and he was looking at me too, with a wise expression that seemed to see through everything.
“Young lady, everything is predestined. Your appearance is destined to change some things.” Sima Hui’s gaze fell on the heart-shaped buckle on my left wrist, and he smiled faintly.
My heart skipped a beat, and I suddenly felt a sense of powerlessness, as if facing a predetermined fate.
“Sister…” Gou’er, no, Zhao’er, looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“We have nowhere to stay anyway, so let’s just treat this as a free hotel,” I whispered casually into Zhao’er’s ear.
Zhao'er laughed, his flawless face reflecting a dazzling brilliance in the sunlight. "Sima Zhao thanks Teacher for bestowing this name upon me," he said, his voice clear and resonant.
I suddenly realized that the name Zhao'er was indeed more suitable for him.
Sima Zhao.
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