Qi, wearing an jade pendant around his waist, with neatly combed white hair and a high crown on his head.
The elderly man sat in Mr.
Qi's former position and told the four children that Mr.
Qi had resigned from his teaching post and was no longer the principal of Guanhuashuyuan, so he would lead their trip.The journey abroad was something Mr.
Qi had agreed to with the children long ago, and their elders had also approved.The elderly man no longer appeared as kind as before;he was stern in demeanor and asked, "Where is Li Baoping?Why isn't she coming to school?"Li Huai, the mischievous one, who did not get along well with the girl wearing red cotton coat, immediately reported, "On her way here, Li Baoping heard that the old locust tree fell.
She insisted on going to see it for herself and wouldn't listen to me.
She was even threatening to hit people."The other three young students each thought privately that Li Huai really followed his mother's example in lying.The elderly man turned to a little girl with pigtails and said, "Go tell Li Baoping to come back;we are leaving the town today."The little girl nodded, somewhat unwillingly, stood up, and ran out of the schoolroom.Although young, Li Huai had a sharp tongue and added sarcastically, "Old Man Ma, you must strictly discipline students like Li Baoping.
Otherwise, they won't amount to anything.
Since Mr.
Qi is no longer here, Old Man Ma, you have to take up the responsibility..."The elderly man gave him an stern look that made him shut up immediately.Earlier, Li Huai was annoyed by Mr.
Qi's rules but now he missed Mr.
Qi's good nature.In the neighboring room of the schoolroom, which belonged to Mr.
Qi Jingchun, Emperor Minghuang from Guanhuashuyuan sat behind a desk, surveying the surroundings with a disheartened smile.
"There aren't many books here."——Chen Guangyuan arrived at the blacksmith's workshop and heard this news, feeling somewhat bewildered.Ning Yao left the town early in the morning, and Ruan Xiu said it was because of something that happened on Dangling Mountain.
Ning Lady hurriedly left after receiving a flying sword message.Only now did Chen Guangyuan realize that Ning Lady had actually gone to Muying Lane before to say goodbye.Chen Guangyuan, carrying his basket, stood under the eaves of the house where Ning Yao was staying and pursed his lips.Ruan Xiu said softly, "Ning Lady asked me to tell you that she will borrow your sword for a while.
She'll return it later."Chen Guangyuan shook his head and said, "It's fine."Ruan Xiu hesitated and then Chen Guangyuan realized that her words didn't matter if he told Ruan Lady.
He scratched his head and said, "I should go back to Muying Lane first."Ruan Xiu nodded.Chen Guangyuan walked forward.Suddenly, Ruan Xiu remembered something and shouted, "Meng Guangyuan, your father said that during this time you should work in the workshop.
He might need your help with blacksmithing later."Chen Guangyuan turned around with a smile and said, "Thank you."The young woman in blue smiled.Chen Guangyuan walked alone by the stream until he reached the stone arch bridge.
Suddenly, he stopped, took off his basket, sat at the edge of the bridge, and placed it next to him, his feet hanging in mid-air.He shook his straw sandals lightly.For Ning Lady's departure, the young man did not feel too sad because he knew she would leave from the beginning.However, there were some words that couldn't be said yet.After a long while, Chen Guangyuan was suddenly startled awake by a loud splash of water.
He quickly turned around to find his basket gone!Without hesitation, Chen Guangyuan used both hands and fell into the stream.Once in the water, he quickly adjusted his posture, head down, diving deep into the water.When Chen Guangyuan's eyes widened to see a faint light, he lost consciousness at that moment.In the next instant, Chen Guangyuan found himself standing on a mirror-like surface of water.
He kicked his feet and created ripples, but the surface did not collapse.Chen Guangyuan suddenly raised his hand to shield his eyes.A bright light illuminated everything in front of him, piercing through the sky.After the light faded, Chen Guangyuan lowered his hand and saw a person hovering in the distance.
One foot was bent while the other hung down, as if sitting on a cliff edge.
The figure lounged lazily with a white radiance surrounding them.Chen Guangyuan couldn't make out the figure's face.It reminded him of the man standing at the covered bridge in his dream before, but he wasn't sure if it was the same person.The figure yawned and said slowly, "That reader named Qi Jingchun says that he is very disappointed with this world.
So what about you?"After the figure spoke, Chen Guangyuan's breathing became difficult as he gritted his teeth.Soon, he could hear his own heartbeat like someone pounding a drum loudly.
His face flushed red and he clutched his chest tightly.A divine person struck the spring drum, announcing that spring was coming to the world.The drum didn't sound;spring wouldn't come.The figure waved his hand casually, his sleeves swaying like a river of stars.Back on the stone arch bridge, the young man who had dozed off suddenly woke up and turned around.
His basket was now safely beside him.He held his head in frustration, "Did it happen again?!"Chen Guangyuan slapped himself hard;it hurt.He quickly stood up, grabbed his basket, and ran.Chen Guangyuan rushed back to Muying Lane, opened the gate, and found many locust branches lying on the ground near the entrance.Thinking that that girl was both fast and strong.After putting down his basket, Chen Guangyuan sat at the gate, wiping sweat off his forehead.A red figure ran quickly from one end of Muying Lane.The little girl panted heavily as she saw Chen Guangyuan.
She grinned broadly.Se apoyó en una rama de sauce yufu, jadeaba mientras sacaba un hoja de huaílu, brillante y verde, de su bolsa bordada.Chen Guangyuan accepted it and looked down at the leaves, noting that compared to those obtained by Mr.
Qi earlier, these had yellowed veins and didn't have the same lustrous green hue when observed closely.Looking at the girl in red cotton coat who was looking around, Chen Guangyuan smiled and stretched out his hand.The little girl looked puzzled.Chen Guangyuan did not retract his hand.After a moment's hesitation, she took the last leaf from her bag, slapped it hard on Chen Guangyuan’s palm.Chen Guangyuan continued to hold out his hand.Enardecía sus mejillas y, dándose la vuelta, logró encontrar otra hoja de jacarandá y se la entregó con una cara sombría.Chen Guangyuan resisted laughing, gathered the eight leaves together, but only took three of them, handing them to the little girl in red cotton coat.
"Here you go."The little girl did not take the leaves;her black, round eyes full of confusion.Chen Guangyuan patted the little girl's head gently and said soothingly, "Hiding it yourself is different from me giving it to you later.
Remember, always keep your promises."Looking at that innocent face, Chen Guangyuan smiled and said, "If you try hard but still can't do it, remember to tell me."Although the little girl thought what he said made sense, she felt embarrassed.
She pouted her small face and said angrily, "You're so much like Mr.
Qi from the schoolroom.
I don't like you anymore!"Chen Guangyuan smiled wryly and said, "I'll help you carry those locust branches to your home.
I'm strong;one trip will be enough."The tired girl's eyes lit up, and she laughed with her eyes squinting into crescents, "Then I can like you for longer!"The End