After this disaster, Zhang Shaofei knew that his whereabouts had been exposed and it was impossible to settle down in Chanlin Temple. In order not to bring trouble to other monks, he resolutely decided to return to his hometown, study hard in the cold window, and wait until the imperial examination opened in the autumn to take the exam and gain fame.
Zhang Shaofei left Liuxuan Village alone, walked through dense forests, crossed valleys, climbed mountains and waded in rivers, slept in the open air, and returned to Taizhen Village in Qiu County at sunset.
Taishan is still winding, and the small village is still safe. The sunset in winter is still beautiful, but also very short. Dusk in the mountains is especially short... Gradually, the water-like darkness submerged the houses and trees, flattening the entire village. Finally, it became completely still, just like a flat lake without wind or waves.
The night wind blew strongly in Taizhen Village, and everything was quiet. Occasionally, a few dogs barked, breaking the silence of the dark night in the mountain village.
Zhang Shaofei took advantage of the darkness and entered the village.
After Zhang Shaofei entered the village, he couldn't help but look up at the stars. He saw a bright and dim crescent moon hanging low on the roof of the village, as if asking him to reach out and pick it; it was also as if the villagers were saying to him: "Fei Wazi, welcome back."
In this situation, Zhang Shaofei's lonely heart seemed to have found some comfort. He walked quickly to the west end of the village.
Suddenly, a big black dog emerged from the grass and rushed towards him with a bark.
Seeing that the situation was not good, Zhang Shaofei immediately walked to the corner and squatted down, holding his backpack with both hands, and patrolling the big black dog with his keen and friendly eyes.
The big black dog ran to Zhang Shaofei, sniffed it with his nose, and recognized that he was from the village, and that he was a young man who left the village a year ago. He waggled his tail and head in a friendly manner, and circled around him three times, as if to tell He looks like something.
The big black dog jumped a few times, nodded three times, let him go, and then returned to the grass wagging its tail.
This big black dog was a small black dog belonging to the village chief Guan Jinzhen's family a year ago. Now he has grown up and helps his owner protect the village.
Under the moonlight, Long Fei saw his house, which was the home where he was born and grew up.
The scene in the village appeared in front of him again. Everything here seemed so familiar. However, "the flowers are similar every year, but the people are different every year."
The closer he got to his home, the more Zhang Shaofei's heart beat wildly. He had been away from home for several months, and he was afraid that if he knocked on the door at night, there would be no response. After all, my mother was already old and frail when we parted! Therefore, when he knocked on the door, his raised hand actually trembled a little.
"Go, go, go!" Shortly after three knocks on the door, a faint echo came from inside: "Who is it?"
"Mom, I'm Fei'er." Zhang Shaofei said happily when he heard his mother's familiar voice.
The son's voice is the most familiar to the mother. Wang Shaoxiang was awakened by a knock on the door in a daze. He hurriedly put on his clothes and got up. He rubbed his groggy eyes and said towards the door: "Fei'er is back?"
The answer outside the door was still so soft, yet so familiar: "Mother, it's me, Fei'er is back."
Hearing the voice of his worried son, Wang Shaoxiang walked to the door, opened the upper and lower bolts, and pulled the two doors inward.
The door opened. Against the backdrop of the dark sky, standing at the door was Zhang Shaofei, the son of Ri Si Nian and Ye Nian.
"Ah, Fei'er, you finally came back from your studies!" Before Wang Shaoxiang could light up the oil lamp, he couldn't wait to hold Zhang Shaofei tightly in his arms and said to himself, "Aren't you dreaming? ?”
Zhang Shaofei said sincerely: "Mother, we are not dreaming. I have indeed returned from my studies. After more than half a year of separation, I miss you very much, my mother-in-law!"
Looking forward to it day and night, tonight I finally looked forward to my son coming back from school. Wang Shaoxiang caressed Zhang Shaofei's face with trembling hands and murmured: "Fei'er, what are your plans when you come back this time?" Wang Shaoxiang saw The son's hair was still full of black hair, and two lines of tears, whether of joy or sadness, flowed down Zhang Shaofei's shoulders and dripped on his hands.
Zhang Shaofei originally planned to tell his mother about his experience of going to Dongchan Temple in Huangmei, Hubei Province to seek Buddhist teachings tomorrow. When he asked her, he helped his mother sit down on the chair in the hall, told her the whole story, and even handed her back. The final plan was also revealed.
"Fei'er, I support you for my mother." Wang Shaoxiang originally thought that Buddhism has always been a peaceful place to help people eliminate disasters, persuade people to do evil and do good, and save people. Unexpectedly, it is also full of open and secret struggles and dangers.
"Mother, don't let anyone know that I'm coming back this time, otherwise it will cause trouble." Zhang Shaofei said seriously.
"Fei'er is right, it's better to be careful. During this period of time, you will stay at home and only focus on reading the books of sages. When the exam starts, you will go to take the exam." Wang Shaoxiang seemed to have thought of something when he said this, and hesitated. The strand of hair hanging in front of his forehead said, "Your father's cabinet of books is still there. From tomorrow on, you will not listen to anything outside the window and only read the books of sages."
"Mother, I can do it. Besides, I already passed the Huiyuan exam two years ago. When the exam starts in the autumn, I will definitely go to Beijing to take the imperial exam. I want to return home as the number one scholar in glory." Zhang Shaofei was happy but worried. Disappear, return to the true nature, and indulge in long-lasting happiness...
