Chapter 221 Reading Isn't Actually That Good
Autumn days already carried some wind. If one dressed properly, the breeze might feel comfortable.
Lin Luoyu wore thin clothes. Blown by the wind, she felt cold all over, so she found an equally worn, thin shirt to put on over them.
This shirt was a bit small; wearing it felt a bit tight, but it could make a person warm up.
Lin Luoyu moved her body. Perhaps because she was thin, she did not feel too uncomfortable with this smaller piece of clothing.
However, perhaps it was because life squeezed a bit harder.
But today, life gave Lin Luoyu a chance to catch her breath.
Yesterday, she caught five fish. Lin Luoyu gave two to Li Junzi and gave one to an auntie who occasionally looked after her.
That night, when her stomach was hungry, she ate one.
Now, there was still a tiny bit of rice grain and one fish left. The fish could not be kept for long, so Lin Luoyu chose to finish off this fish today.
She skillfully started a fire. Lin Luoyu scraped off the fish scales, looked at the internal organs of the fish, thought about it, and decided to stew the whole fish together.
She was in no position to consider whether it tasted good, but whether she ate enough.
To match this fish, Lin Luoyu threw in some wild vegetables she had treasured until they were withered and yellow.
As for other seasonings, that was not something Lin Luoyu could possess.
"Hmm..."
A smile appeared on Lin Luoyu's face as she reached out to gently roast by the fire.
The warm small fire, and the fish that could be eaten soon.
Watching the water gradually boil up, the fish meat began to gradually turn white.
The fragrance of the fish drifted up from the pot.
If one did not ask for much, happiness seemed to be just this simple.
Suddenly, Li Junzi's voice came from outside the door.
"Is this Lin Luoyu's house?"
Lin Luoyu stood up neatly. Last night, they chatted briefly on the road and exchanged names, but she did not expect her to come looking for herself today.
Actually, later on, Lin Luoyu felt she had done wrong. Li Junzi was clearly well-intentioned, yet she still said those words.
Giving Li Junzi two fish, Lin Luoyu actually had some thoughts of an apology inside.
It was just that she was a bit embarrassed to say the words in her heart.
Perhaps she actually did not care about herself?
She opened the door. Outside, Li Junzi's face still hung with a gentle smile.
Lin Luoyu hid behind the door frame and asked softly, "Is something the matter?"
"Mm. I am not familiar with this place and want you to take me around to get familiar with it." Li Junzi nodded with a light smile, then took out a few copper coins from her waist to hand to Lin Luoyu.
"This counts as a hard work fee."
Lin Luoyu did not reach out to take the copper coins but opened the door.
"The village is not big; it won't use that much. However, you have to wait a bit. The fish I am cooking is almost done."
Li Junzi nodded lightly, first taking back the copper coins, and followed Lin Luoyu into the somewhat worn mud brick house.
Her gaze looked about; inside the house, the four walls were bare.
There was not even a stool, only a wooden plank bed.
The blackened clay pot was hung over the fire. The water inside was already boiling, and rotten vegetable leaves rolled with white fish meat inside.
Lin Luoyu walked to the bedside and took out a large bowl hidden in the straw.
She raised her small head to look at Li Junzi: "It just happens to be cooked. Come eat a bit?"
Li Junzi was slightly hesitant, but looking at Lin Luoyu, she still nodded lightly.
"Okay, thank you."
Lin Luoyu did not answer, simply stuffing the bowl into Li Junzi's hands, then walking to the clay pot to extinguish the fire.
She poured some water on the edge of the clay pot, waited for it to cool a moment, then Lin Luoyu reached out to hold the clay pot and poured fish meat and wild vegetables into the large bowl.
"Be careful, it's hot."
Lin Luoyu instructed one sentence, then blew on the fish soup in the large clay pot, carefully taking a sip.
A warmth went down her throat, and Lin Luoyu squinted her eyes comfortably.
Li Junzi lifted the bowl, and the fishy smell rushed to her nose.
She looked hesitantly again at Lin Luoyu, who seemed to be eating a delicacy, and Li Junzi still lightly took a sip of the fish soup.
As expected—it really was fishy.
That day, Li Junzi did not even know how she finished that bowl of fish soup and fish.
She only knew that from that day on, for a long time, she did not dare to let Lin Luoyu cook fish to eat again.
Lin Family Gully really was not big. Lin Luoyu took Li Junzi for a tour, knowing every detail by heart.
Where one could fish, where one could catch shrimp, and where wild vegetables were easy to find.
Facing this knowledge she could not use, Li Junzi would also curiously ask a few questions.
For example, what kind of wild vegetables could be eaten, and how that fish should be caught.
Lin Luoyu would explain one or two points to her in detail.
On the road, they also met that group of tyrannical children. However, perhaps because Li Junzi was following beside Lin Luoyu.
That group of children only watched from afar, without even speaking.
Also, because Lin Family Gully was too small and had no market, buying and selling things required going to a slightly distant small town.
Lin Luoyu only pointed out a general direction.
Li Junzi waited until the village tour was finished, then took out the previous few copper coins again, wanting to hand them to Lin Luoyu as payment.
Lin Luoyu did not accept, only saying one sentence—I am not leading the way for you for the sake of copper coins.
So Li Junzi still did not give out those few copper coins, but in her heart, Li Junzi was actually somewhat happy.
Was this not, after all, a sensitive little girl's recognition of herself?
Two days later.
Li Junzi called Lin Luoyu, and they went together to the side of the nearest low mountain in Lin Family Gully.
On a flat piece of ground, Li Junzi told Lin Luoyu that she wanted to build a house here and hoped Lin Luoyu could come help—of course, meals would be included.
Perhaps the temptation of meals included was too great, or perhaps Li Junzi smiled too gently that day.
Lin Luoyu did not hesitate too much before agreeing.
Hearing the agreement, Li Junzi took out a pair of simple-looking shoes from behind her back.
She smiled and shook the shoes in front of her face.
"This work is not simple; it can't be done barefoot. I want to move into the house early."
Lin Luoyu did not refuse this time. The feet of the young child were no longer tender as she put on shoes she hadn't worn in a long time.
The construction of a house naturally could not rely only on Lin Luoyu and Li Junzi.
Many craftsmen began to be hired by Li Junzi.
Lin Family Gully was also rarely lively. Lin Luoyu was the most inconspicuous among that group of people, perhaps it was also related to her being the youngest.
She could not do any heavy work, but she would also strive to do things within her power.
Whether it was moving things or repeatedly passing on messages, Lin Luoyu would do her utmost.
Lin Luoyu would also offer her ideas on the construction of the courtyard, or perhaps her dream of the best courtyard.
"If it were me, I would definitely build a chicken coop over there. Then I could eat eggs and eat chicken."
Thus, in the courtyard, the design of a chicken coop was added.
"I don't know if vegetables can be planted and survive here. Otherwise, if there is land behind the house to grow vegetables, that would be great."
Thus, behind the house, a small vegetable field was added.
Lin Luoyu's designs were not many; this perhaps was related to her not seeing much.
But her proposals would all be adopted by Li Junzi, and she would reveal a look of having received instruction.
The courtyard in Lin Luoyu's dreams was also bit by bit completed before her eyes.
Perhaps Lin Luoyu's dream was too small; this courtyard was completed in just over a month.
Inside the courtyard, Lin Luoyu looked with joy, stepping around to size up the courtyard she had already seen many times.
She remembered every place clearly, but Lin Luoyu still could not move her eyes away.
"Really good." Lin Luoyu said from the heart.
Li Junzi nodded in agreement: "Indeed so."
Lin Luoyu turned to look at Li Junzi. Her face revealed sincere joy.
"I really envy you for having such a courtyard."
Li Junzi asked with a light smile: "Then do you want to come and live here?"
Lin Luoyu pursed her lips, then lightly shook her head. Wanting to say something, she was interrupted by Li Junzi opening her mouth.
This was the first time Li Junzi interrupted someone else speaking after growing up.
She smiled and spoke gently.
"I don't know how to grow vegetables, nor how to raise chickens. Can you come help me?"
Lin Luoyu did not feel joy; she lowered her head and said honestly.
"Actually, I don't know how either. No field in the village is mine, and I can't afford to raise chickens... You can find someone who knows how."
"Then let's research it together." Li Junzi reached out to touch Lin Luoyu's head for the first time and said, "If the chickens die from raising them, or the vegetables don't live, you are not allowed to laugh at me."
Lin Luoyu did not know what her mood was at that time; she only knew she muddledly agreed.
Perhaps she really liked this courtyard in her heart, or perhaps she really liked Li Junzi in her heart.
Thus, living things in the courtyard also began to increase.
A few roosters and hens, and the vegetables in the back yard.
Lin Luoyu always worried the chickens would die or the vegetables would die; when she had nothing to do, she would always walk a few more laps.
She also lived in a house that did not leak wind and experienced the feeling of lighting a lamp at night.
When night fell, she was not curling up alone on the wooden plank bed.
There were warm mats and quilts.
Li Junzi slept on another bed not far away.
Lin Luoyu observed carefully; her sleeping posture was very standard, with two hands placed on her stomach, seemingly not moving all night.
Li Junzi was also different from the adults in the village. She did not farm, nor did she do anything to make money.
Most of the time, she sat in front of a table, seemingly looking at a book she had already read and read again.
Is this not sitting and eating the mountain empty?
Thus, Lin Luoyu worked even harder at raising chickens and farming. Now she had to work hard to support Li Junzi, who did nothing but read books.
Before, Lin Luoyu had also planted wild vegetables, only they would always be stolen by others.
Thus, she never planted them again.
But the vegetable field in the courtyard would not be stolen, so Lin Luoyu worked hard to open up another plot of land.
Li Junzi was not just watching Lin Luoyu work, either; she would also work together. However, just like she said.
In Lin Luoyu's words, she was a bit clumsy.
Just like this, half a month passed with light clouds and gentle wind.
Heavy rain. Lin Luoyu looked worriedly at the chicken coop with heavy protection, still worried those chickens would be soaked by the rain and all die of sickness.
Li Junzi sat on a chair by the window, flipping through the book in her hand.
Perhaps bored, Lin Luoyu asked curiously: "Is the book good to read?"
"Of course it's good to read." Li Junzi turned her body, looking at Lin Luoyu, "There is another world inside books."
Lin Luoyu looked over suspiciously: "Another world? That amazing?"
Li Junzi nodded with a smile: "Of course it's amazing. Look, don't officials all know how to read?"
Lin Luoyu wanted to say something, but in the end, just nodded lightly.
"You want to read books?" Li Junzi asked.
Lin Luoyu's small hand picked at her cuff: "I don't know characters..."
"I will teach you."
"But I am very stupid..."
"Where are you stupid? You raised the chickens I couldn't keep alive; you are already smarter than me, aren't you?"
Lin Luoyu raised her head to look at Li Junzi. Her face still hung with that familiar smile.
Actually, Lin Luoyu was also curious what characters were, and also curious why Li Junzi was willing to hold books every day.
She nodded: "Then I will learn..."
Li Junzi's smile became even stronger. She put down the book in her hand and walked to Lin Luoyu.
"If you want to learn, you have to call me Teacher from now on; you can't call me Big Sister anymore."
"Teacher?" Lin Luoyu was somewhat confused.
"Mm! Also, before learning characters, you must first learn the apprenticeship ceremony."
"Is it that troublesome?"
"Of course. That is another world, after all. Could it be that the clever Lin Luoyu is scared?"
"I'm not scared! I will learn."
Li Junzi nodded with a light smile.
The apprenticeship ceremony was actually not hard, just a cup of tea and a set of movements.
Recognizing characters was also not hard, just a few strokes and a bit of focus.
Calling out "Teacher" was also not hard, just two words.
However, Li Junzi regarding the matter of teaching became different from before.
She became exceptionally strict and began to be somewhat unsmiling.
But perhaps Lin Luoyu was truly smart; the progress was very gratifying.
Li Junzi mostly focused on praise, from time to time killing a chicken to celebrate.
Lin Luoyu felt heartache watching it, but she was still very happy when eating chicken.
After finishing the basics, she gradually began to go deeper.
Lin Luoyu's time working began to decrease, and time reading books began to increase.
Li Junzi's time reading books decreased, but time working increased.
After finishing every book, Li Junzi would have Lin Luoyu make a summary and thoughts.
Li Junzi said: "Reading books and looking at books are different. Only by reading them in are they yours."
Actually, if one really wants to talk about it, reading is actually a bit more tiring than working.
But Lin Luoyu discovered that as long as she read seriously and read well enough.
The smile and joy on Li Junzi's face could always not be concealed.
So Lin Luoyu read with even more spirit.
After Li Junzi finished the books she carried with her, she would go to the small town to buy them. When she bought many books, she bought a bookshelf.
As the bookshelf was gradually filled.
Lin Luoyu's height also grew, and she understood the meaning of what Li Junzi said about another world inside books.
Although Lin Luoyu had never gone out, she saw the world's colorfulness from inside books.
She also saw other people's magnificent and envy-inducing lives.
Lin Luoyu also began to be reluctant to part with the books.
It is just that life is not joy everywhere, especially after being joyful for a long time.
Li Junzi's sacrifices were actually not only what Lin Luoyu saw with her own eyes.
"Senior Sister, finding you really wasn't easy."
"Finding me for what? Didn't I send a letter back?"
"Senior Sister, are you joking? You are only one step away from a Great Confucian, and Junzi Mountain is opening to a woman for the first time!"
"I know, but so what?"
"Do you really know what you are doing? Giving up studying hard for over twenty years for a mortal girl? There are many pitiful girls in this world. You can only save this one here, but if you prove the Great Confucian, you can save more!"
"Junior Brother, do you know why Master always says you don't get the trick?"
"Does Senior Sister have some instruction?"
"Reading, being a person, doing things all emphasize not giving up halfway. Reading is the same, and she is the same."
A cold snort, as if poked at a sore spot, the icy male voice threw out a sentence: "I will take these words to Master. But Senior Sister surely knows Master's temper."
Then he turned and left.
That night, curled in the warm quilt, Lin Luoyu, at that moment, seemed to be placed once again on the wooden plank bed in her own home.
At that moment, Lin Luoyu was actually thinking.
Reading, actually isn't that good.
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