"I wonder if Miss Chen Er is interested in hearing my story?" the young man asked without answering.
Chen Anning nodded: "You say."
The young man picked up a spoon and stirred the iron pot, then sat across from her. Amidst the dense heat in the pot, he spoke slowly after a while, "I was only ten years old when I separated from my parents. I'm in a strange place, I don't know anyone, I don't know anything, I can only wander on the streets. When I'm hungry, I just eat the rotten leaves of vegetables thrown away by others, regardless of whether they are raw or cooked. When I'm thirsty, I don't care whether they are clean or not. Drink water whenever you see it.”
"It was okay at first, but as time went by, other beggars came to trouble me. They wouldn't let me pick up even rotten vegetable leaves. After being so hungry for two or three days, I was so hungry that I couldn't bear it. When I passed by a stall selling steamed buns, I rushed over, took two buns, and ran away regardless of whether I would be caught. As you can imagine, I was caught by the stall owner almost as soon as I got the buns. Stop it. When the stall owner yelled and cursed me, I didn’t even care about my shame or the burning of my mouth, so I just stuffed the bun into my mouth and ate it in a few bites."
"I thought at that time, I had already eaten the buns, and even if he beat me, I would admit it."
"Seeing that I was such a scoundrel, the stall owner kicked me out and then caught up with me and kicked me hard. I held my head and let him kick me. I don't know how long I was kicked by him. Just when my consciousness gradually became blurred, My adoptive father stood in front of me. He gave me the money and carried me back home."
"After bandaging me, fetching water and cleaning me, he also cooked me a bowl of porridge. After I had eaten and drank, he let me sleep again, and then he asked me why I stole the buns."
"I didn't think much about it at the time, so I told him everything about being separated from my parents."
"After hearing this, my adoptive father wiped my tears and asked me to stay."
"My foster father was a scholar, but unfortunately he was a poor scholar whose talent was not appreciated, but he did not become cynical because of it. Originally, my foster father was alone and could barely survive by growing his own food. Because he took me in, he could only put down his life. Because of his pride as a scholar, he went to the street and sold calligraphy and painting. With the money from selling calligraphy and painting, he helped me find my parents, taught me how to read and write, and finally paid for me to attend the county school."
"My adoptive father told me that if I really want to find my parents, I must study hard. Only by studying hard can I understand the broader sky and help me search for my parents in more places."
"I remembered this sentence, so I read hard."
"But I didn't expect that my fate would go round and round, and I would find my parents before I could finish. It's just..."
"But in this way."
The young man's eye circles were a little red.
He thought of all the looks and humiliation his adoptive father suffered when he was selling calligraphy and painting on the street, and also thought of the years of studying hard for a goal.
Feeling wronged?
Angry?
Not willing to give in?
Yes, he was wronged, angry, and unwilling.
However, no matter how wronged, angry, or unwilling, what will happen?
Don't you recognize them?
No, he can't.
My adoptive father once said that when you are born as a human being, you have things to do and things not to do.
What's more, they took this road because of him.
Chen Anning was not good at comforting people, and because he was so busy that he didn't know much about him, he was even less able to comfort people. After sitting quietly for half a cup of tea, he asked: "Have you written a letter to your adoptive father?"
The young man shook his head.
He didn't know what to say about his experience.
He even didn’t know how to introduce his parents’ situation.
After all, his adoptive father was a man who would rather starve to death than take a penny from others.
"Then what are your plans next?" Chen Anning asked again.
The young man looked towards the direction of the inn, "Let's settle the matter here first."
Chen Anning followed him and looked in the direction of the inn, nodded in agreement, and said, "I don't know much about the laws of the Wei Dynasty, but in the situation like my parents, you probably won't be able to take the scientific examination. However, After the matter between your parents is settled, I can ask Mr. Xie to find a position for you in the Jinling County Prefect's Mansion."
"Of course, it's going to be a chore."
"And because of your parents' affairs, you will definitely face a lot of difficulties."
"It depends on whether you can do it or not."
"Do it." The young man agreed without any hesitation.
Chen Anning said no more.
It's getting light.
The sun rises slowly over the mountains.
The people who were still in the inn also woke up one after another.
As soon as there were more people coming and going, the young man stopped talking.
It happened that the porridge he cooked was also cooked.
Seeing him busy serving porridge and cooking vegetables, Chen Anning stopped disturbing him, got up and walked slowly towards the inn.
As soon as he reached the door of the inn, he met Zhang Qiang who was about to come out.
When Zhang Qiang saw her, regardless of his injuries, he quickly moved to her while holding on to the wall, "I heard from Sister Huan that you want to check those brothels?"
Sister Huan?
Chen Anning raised an eyebrow, "What's wrong?"
Zhang Qiang said: "Can I go with you?"
"You?" Chen Anning looked at the location of his wound.
Zhang Qiang said: "I can hold on. And, I can help you."
Chen Anning said with great interest: "Tell me, how can you help me?"
Zhang Qiang: "In the past, a kid who was captured took the opportunity to run out and reported it to the officials, but the officials not only ignored him, but also beat him up. Finally, the kid was caught by the bandits and beaten to death in front of all the children. Yes. This time the government officials came to the village to ask if there were any bandits in the mountains. Why didn't any children take the opportunity to tell the truth? This is the reason."
"It's a good thing that you went to Hualou to rescue them. But you also know what Hualou does. They were sent there, and they were inevitably beaten and scolded. They didn't know your details. A few of them dared to risk it and said that they were the ones who were sent there. The child sent?”
"It's different when I'm with you."
Zhang Qiang stretched out his hand, let her take a look at the calluses on his hand, and then pointed to the injuries on his body, "These are the evidence that I am the same person as them. With me as an example, more people can stand up." . And after they stand up and prove that you are sincere in saving them, then the rest of the people will naturally stand up."
"The little mouth is quite talkative." After Chen Anning joked a few words, she nodded and said, "Okay, you have convinced me. As long as you don't feel uncomfortable, then go ahead."
"What are you following?" Xie Xun's voice came from behind.
Chen Anning repeated Zhang Qiang's words without looking back.
Xie Xun glanced at Zhang Qiang and said, "That's quite an idea."
Had a meal.
Chen Anning and Wen Huan took Zhang Qiang and set off for Jinling County to find Xu Zan who had set out last night to search the flower house provided by the little boss.
Because Xie Xun had to deal with the hijacking of the official ship and the news from the capital at any time, he could only stay in the inn alone.
"The two flower buildings in Jinling County were searched last night. All the half-year-old children in the flower buildings were asked to be taken care of alone." After Xu Zan received a few people outside the city, he said as he walked, " As for the other flower buildings, they are currently only under guard and we haven’t had time to search them yet.”
"Go and take a look at the two flower buildings first." Chen Anning ordered.
