Life Story (II)
"Just be careful when you practice in the future. It's freezing cold now, and you're still a mortal. I'm afraid you can't withstand the wind and frost in the mountains. Wear some warm clothes and bring enough firewood to keep warm. That will definitely help."
"I don't know what you can learn from Xuan Tongzi, and to what extent you can learn..."
When he said this, his voice dropped again, and he paused for a moment, as if a thousand words were surging in his chest, and finally turned into a dry instruction:
"You can go now. There's no need to worry about breakfast. I can do it myself. This fish... let's save it for lunch."
Finally, as if he suddenly remembered something, he added in a low voice, almost whispering:
"Before you go to the private school in the city...don't forget to go to the bun shop next door and buy two hot buns to fill your stomach."
After saying this, he fell completely silent. He lowered his eyes and stared intently at the cat sleeping on his lap. His long eyelashes cast a small shadow under his eyes. He stubbornly refused to look at the person at the door again.
"nameless……"
When Qingshan heard this, his chest heaved violently and his lips moved several times. All those explanations and promises that were wrapped around his lips were swallowed back into his stomach quietly.
"I understand... Wait until I come back at noon..."
With a soft "click" sound, he finally put the fish basket in his hand down again, turned around silently, walked out of the door quietly, and closed the door carefully.
The room fell silent again.
The heater in my hand continued to emit soothing heat, and the cat on my lap breathed steadily and shallowly.
He Shu turned his head, his eyes seemed to be able to penetrate the window paper, closely following the tall figure that walked farther and farther away in the dim morning light until it disappeared outside the courtyard gate.
How could it be so easy for mortals to cultivate and go against the will of heaven? The hardships involved were more than a hundred times greater than those faced by spiritual beings born and raised by heaven and earth.
What's more, Qingshan's soul was once damaged and his spiritual platform was flawed. Even though it has recovered now, his foundation is not as solid as that of ordinary people. Forcing himself to practice is like rowing against the current.
He understood these principles, didn't he? Xuan Tongzi also repeatedly reminded him that he needed to proceed step by step and not rush things.
But He Shu knew very well that his resistance and anger were not just because of this high-sounding reason.
When you peel off all the worries and concerns, what is exposed nakedly inside is nothing but his own selfish desires that he is unwilling to express and ashamed to admit.
If Qingshan wants to practice cultivation, he will have to spend a lot of time and effort. If he fails to achieve enlightenment, the result will be more trouble than gain. He has become timid and only dares to focus on living a good life in the present.
He didn't want to hope for anything. He was afraid of losing the warmth that was within his reach again and returning to the long and lonely years, even if their days together were short.
"well……"
After an unknown amount of time, a long sigh sounded in the silent room.
"So hungry..."
He Shu sighed deeply, as if all his bones were pulled out. He collapsed back onto the bed, staring blankly at the beams above his head.
He was really too obsessed with face and suffered in vain. If he had known earlier, he wouldn't have said something like "Don't worry about breakfast" out of spite...
Pan-fried fish sticks...
Just thinking about the crispy outside, tender inside, and delicious taste makes him very greedy.
Putting down the hand warmer, He Shu rubbed his empty stomach in annoyance, finally sat up resignedly, and carried the cat curled up on his lap back to the warm bed.
He walked to the door, picked up the fish basket that Qingshan had put down twice, and took a closer look inside.
Several big fat fish were crowded in a shallow puddle. Their gray-brown striped bodies twisted from time to time, and their powerful tail fins swept across the fine sand at the bottom of the basket, splashing tiny water droplets, making them look full of vitality.
I couldn't sleep anyway and was woken up early. I had nothing to do anyway, so I might as well process the fish first. When Qingshan comes back at noon, I can put them directly into the pot and save some effort.
Thinking this, He Shu walked into the yard and glanced at the water tank in the corner. He saw that it was overflowing with clear water, shimmering in the morning light.
This must be Qingshan who got up in the middle of the night and completed the task silently after returning from training.
His hand holding the fish basket couldn't help but pause, and indescribable bitterness and guilt suddenly surged into his heart.
Just now... I shouldn't have treated Qingshan like that.
Knowing who he was fighting for so desperately, yet he still spoke so coldly to him... What a bastard.
He cursed himself in his heart, put down the fish basket in his hand, washed up simply, and walked to the kitchen to get some basins, knives and other tools to kill the fish.
"This young master!"
At this moment, an urgent call suddenly came from the bottom of the hill, breaking the tranquility of the early morning.
He Shu turned his head and saw a strange man standing outside the fenced yard. He was about twenty years old, with ordinary looks, wearing a half-new indigo gown. He was holding his knees and panting, with sweat on his forehead. He looked around anxiously, as if looking for something.
"What's up?"
He Shu turned around and greeted the uninvited guest, who was obviously exhausted from traveling. He leaned against his own fence and asked curiously.
The man raised his head at the sound, quickly straightened his clothes, and saluted, his breath still catching.
"Excuse me, sir! Excuse me, is this the residence of Mr. Li Qingshan, the teacher at Mingde Hall in Chaisang City? My name is Bai Ziming, and I've come to visit you with something important to tell you..."
As he spoke, his voice gradually lowered, and a look of hesitation that was difficult to express revealed on his face, as if he had something to hide.
"Are you looking for Qingshan?"
He Shu didn't bother with all the twists and turns. He just narrowed his eyes slightly, looked up and down at the young man in front of him who called himself "Bai Ziming", and thought quickly in his mind:
The Bai family name is a prominent one in the city these days, and it's said they're quite powerful. And judging by this person's age, he shouldn't be a student's parent. Why did he suddenly come to Qingshan? And so eager...
"Excuse me, sir. May I ask if Mr. Qingshan is home?"
Bai Ziming asked anxiously, with anticipation in his eyes.
"He left early in the morning and went to Mingde Hall."
He Shu said, straightened up, walked out of the courtyard, and took a few steps towards the man.
"He should have come down the mountain by now. If you need anything from him, please tell me. I'll pass it on to you when he returns."
"this……"
Bai Ziming suddenly looked embarrassed. He lowered his head, not knowing what he was thinking about, and looked very embarrassed.
"If it's not convenient to tell an outsider like me, then there's no need to say it."
Seeing him like this, He Shu waved his hand and turned to leave.
"If it's something extremely important and I have to tell you now, then you should hurry up and catch up. Perhaps you can talk to him before he arrives at Mingde Hall. Go quickly and don't miss the time."
"It's not... it's not that it's inconvenient to say it, but I have to express my feelings in person... Alas!"
Bai Ziming suddenly stamped his feet heavily, beating his chest in frustration.
"I rushed so hard, but I'm still a step too late? Sir, why are you leaving so early today?"
"Ah, well..."
He Shu paused, raised his hand and touched the tip of his nose, looked away awkwardly, and said vaguely:
"He, he planned to go to the city for breakfast today, so he left early."
"I see..."
The disappointment on Bai Ziming's face deepened. He sighed and bowed again.
"Then I'll take my leave first."
Before he finished speaking, he turned around hurriedly, walking quickly and hurriedly.
However, after taking a few steps, he suddenly stopped, turned around, and shouted to He Shu, who had already walked to the middle of the yard:
"Master! If I were fast enough to catch up with Mr. Qingshan before he arrived at Mingde Hall, nothing would have happened today. But if I can't catch up, and Mr. Qingshan is invited into the mansion, today... I'm afraid he won't be able to return home on time! Please be aware of this!"
"Hey, what do you mean by that?"
He Shu frowned and asked, doubts suddenly arose in his heart. He quickly ran closer and asked loudly.
But Bai Ziming had already turned around and was running away along the path he had come from. His indigo figure was getting farther and farther away in the morning mist, and he was getting smaller and smaller. His reply came intermittently on the wind, gradually fading away:
"Don't worry, sir. If there are any special circumstances, I will come again and tell you."
Accompanied by the sound of a few startled birds flapping their wings and rushing out of the treetops, the sound completely dissipated in the slightly cool air in the early morning.
He Shu stood there, looking at the direction where the man disappeared, hesitating. He didn't know whether to chase him or keep him, and was at a loss for a moment.
What was going on? The Bai family wanted to invite him? When had Qingshan become involved with the Bai family? How could he not know?
The Bai family did have some impression. It should have been twenty or thirty years ago that a member of the family passed the imperial examination and became an official of high rank. Since then, the family has prospered and became the new rich in Chaisang City.
How strange! How could such a powerful family, so arrogant and with so many high-ranking officials and celebrities as their usual associates, suddenly condescend to seek out a teacher like Qingshan who taught at a private school?
Although Qingshan is an excellent teacher, he is also gentle, considerate, reliable, kind, well-educated, and of high moral character. He is truly a rare good man in the world...
"Could it be that they are impressed by Qingshan's talent and want to give him a position?"
As He Shu's thoughts wandered, he couldn't help but start to think wildly. He muttered in surprise:
"If that's the case... then we have to move our entire family?"
"No, no!"
He immediately shook his head in self-denial.
"The peach tree in the courtyard can't be moved. The spiritual energy elsewhere is nowhere near as abundant as it is here in Luzhu Mountain. Killing the tree is a small matter, but if it affects the nourishment of Qingshan's soul... that would be a big deal!"
"Furthermore, if Qingshan persists in his cultivation, he will also need the support of this spiritual energy..."
"But...but this concerns his future after all...If I block such a good opportunity, wouldn't it seem selfish?"
He Shu muttered to himself, feeling extremely confused.
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