Chapter 125 Study Partner
He Shuqiang led everyone out of the main street, deliberately choosing small streets and alleys to walk through, and proudly said: "Brother Shan, you have never walked these roads, I will take you to play."
De Ge'er followed excitedly and put his arm around He Shuqiang's shoulder.
Sun Shan walked behind and accompanied Yuan Jie'er. The little fat girl was chubby and walked very slowly.
Sun Shan asked his servants to carry her away, but Yuan Jie'er refused, saying it was more fun to walk.
Sun Shan asked curiously, "Yuan Jie'er, what do you usually do?"
Yuan Jie'er raised her head and answered crisply, "I'm very busy. I have to practice needlework and learn to read. My mother said that she would teach me the art of music, chess, calligraphy and painting when I grow up."
Sun Shan glanced at the chubby little hands. Can these hands be used for needlework or playing the piano?
Yuan Jieer asked, "Brother Shan, what do you usually do? Where is Sunjia Village? I want to go to Sunjia Village, too. I've had enough of Hejia Village."
Sun Shan explained, "I like to study. I usually go to class and never go anywhere. Sunjia Village is too far away. You have to walk a very long way and climb a very high mountain to get there. You can't go there."
He Shuqiang asked in surprise: "Brother Shan, is Sunjia Village in the mountains? I also want to go to Sunjia Village to play."
De Geer said, "Yes, our Sunjia Village is very far away, surrounded by mountains. Every time we go to the city, we have to walk a long way. You can't go there, it's too difficult."
He Chunyuan asked curiously: "Brother Shan, when will you return to Sunjia Village?"
Sun Shan wanted to go back early as he had fallen behind in his studies. If he didn't go back, he would become lonely.
After thinking for a while, he said, "I will go back in two days. I came to the capital on leave and I have to go back to class."
He Shuqiang, He Chunyuan, and De Ge'er opened their eyes wide and looked at Sun Shan in surprise.
De Geer said nervously: "Shan Zi, we will be going home in two days? How come I didn't know?"
De Ge'er didn't want to go back to Sunjia Village. It was so good here in the capital. He didn't have to work, didn't have to go to court, and didn't have to be scolded by his parents. There were delicious food every day, endless meat and desserts. Life was so happy.
Suddenly he heard Sun Shan say he wanted to go home, and he became unhappy.
He Shuqiang was also anxious. He had finally met a new partner, but why did he have to leave? He said anxiously, "Brother Shan, don't go back. It would be better to stay in Hejia Village."
He Chunyuan was also anxious. Even though she was her brother's accessory, it didn't prevent her from having new friends. She quickly said, "Brother Shan, don't go back. Stay in Hejia Village. We can play together."
Sun Shan shook his head and said, "No, I want to go back to class. You too, Qiangdi, are almost recovered now and should go back to school. And Dege, you have been having so much fun these days. Go back and wait for the teacher to beat you."
He looked at Sister Yuan again.
Yuan Jieer shrank her neck and said anxiously: "I don't play every day. I study hard at home."
Sun Shan remained silent, and the atmosphere around him became depressed.
Sun Shan said to He Shuqiang, "Let's go eat pork soup noodles. I'll treat you."
I don’t want to continue the heavy topic, so I look up into the distance and see a pork offal soup noodle shop, which looks very much like the Chaoshan pork offal soup noodle in my previous life. I miss the taste very much, and it reminds me of the Shenzhen pork trotter rice.
When De Geer heard that there was food, his unhappiness immediately disappeared, and he clapped his hands and said, "Okay, let's go eat."
As for the He Shuqiang siblings, they were still in a depressed mood, but after taking a bite of the rice noodle soup, all their unhappiness disappeared. They squinted their eyes and slurped the noodles.
De Geer said happily: "Shanzi, pork offal rice noodles are really delicious. You can't eat them in Sunjia Village."
He Shuqiang said proudly: "I eat it often, and the meatballs are delicious too."
Little girl He Chunyuan echoed, "My grandfather often takes me out to eat. Brother Shan, Brother De, you guys should eat more, or there will be nothing left to eat when we go back."
After the meal, Sun Shan went to pay the bill, but the He family's servant had already paid.
Sun Shan said seriously, "I said I invited you. A man should keep his word. You gave me the money, but I broke my promise."
After saying this, he returned the money to the servant.
The servant looked at Sun Shan in surprise. He really looked like the teacher in the clan school, so old-fashioned.
Everyone left the shop and walked around Hejia Village again.
After passing the He's ancestral hall, we turned into the lotus pond and saw many workers cutting the blue brick fence. Old Master He San was very fast, and he had cut half of it in just a few days.
He Shuqiang said fearfully, "Sister, you must not run out on your own and fall into the lotus pond. You are not as lucky as me because Brother Shan saved you."
He Chunyuan rolled her eyes at He Shuqiang and patted her chest to assure him, "I won't sneak out. My mother said that girls should stay at home and behave like ladies."
Sun Shan glanced at the chubby girl, who seemed far from being a lady.
After playing for a while, Sun Shan ordered his servants to take He Shuqiang and his sister home. Since they had been out for a day and didn't return, the He family sent people to look for them again.
The two siblings said goodbye to Sun Shan and De Ge'er reluctantly, and before leaving they said they would go play with Sun Shan tomorrow.
Sun Shan looked at them speechlessly. After all, he was not a real child and did not really like playing with children.
When I returned to Aunt Sun's house, I was called to the He family's old house for dinner.
After dinner, He's father said to Sun Bomin, the village chief, "Grandpa Qiang'er came to me today and wanted to keep Shanzi in He Village so that he could keep Qiang'er company and go to class together."
He Dalang added: "The Third Old Master thinks Shanzi is smart and clever, and is eager to learn, and Qiang'er likes him. He wants them to have company so they can study better."
After hearing this, Sun Bomin shook his head without thinking: "No, the mountain is too small, I am worried."
Perhaps she felt her tone was too stiff, so she said hastily: "Sister, you should understand what I mean. It is good for Shanzi to stay in the He family to study, but I only have this one son. If he is not around, I..."
Looking at Aunt Sun helplessly.
Of course Aunt Sun understood. Shanzi was the only eldest brother who came to her after waiting for so many years, so it was normal for her to be worried.
She said in persuasion: "Brother, I'm telling you the truth. I agree that Shanzi should stay in Hejia Village. He will have a better future if he studies with Qiang. Brother, this is Shanzi's good fortune. Others can't ask for it."
The third old master He probably meant to let Shanzi be Qiang Ge'er's study partner, similar to the character of a book boy. But he is much freer than a book boy, only taking care of Qiang Ge'er in study, and living a normal life otherwise.
The He family school also accepted some students who came to seek refuge from relatives of the emperor, as long as they paid enough tuition.
Old Master He San asked Sun Shan to accompany Qiang Ge'er, and he would definitely cover his living expenses. This was a rare opportunity, and Aunt Sun didn't want Sun Shan to miss it.
Uncle He comforted Sun Bomin and said, "Brother, Qiang has a good temper and gets along well with Shanzi. If he stays in Hejia Village to study, not only will you not have to pay tuition, but Shanzi will also have a better teacher to teach him.
My dear brother, Shanzi is a smart boy. If he stays in Hejia Village to study, he might be able to pass the exam and become a scholar."
The village chief listened to everyone's conversation and understood the intention of Old Master He San. He wanted Shanzi to accompany Qiang Ge'er to study so that they would have company, and all the tuition fees would be covered.
His eyes lit up and he said, "Bomin, this is a great thing. Studying costs a lot of money. If Shanzi stays in Hejia Village, you don't have to pay for it, and he can still study. It's a great thing. You should agree to it quickly.
Don't worry, with Chunlan and Yuniang here, Shanzi will be fine. Besides, our Shanzi has been steady and independent since he was young, he is not an ordinary child, and we can trust him to do things."
Sun Bomin's eyes were red, and he said nothing. He looked at Sun Shan and then at everyone else, not knowing what to do. On one hand, there was his son's future, and on the other hand, there was his own reluctance to let go.