Shanshan was very angry.
She wiped her tears and walked home crying, which shocked her family.
Wen Yiqing and the wet nurse coaxed and coaxed together, and then they could clearly understand the cause and effect from her sobbing and unclear tears.
Wen Yiqing couldn't laugh or cry: "What the hell is this?"
Shanshan's tears kept falling and she couldn't stop them. She only felt that she had been severely cheated. She had always thought Shitou was a homeless little beggar, and she felt extremely distressed. She thought about him every day, fearing that he would not have enough to eat or wear warm clothes. She would save half of his favorite snacks and give him half.
But he has a family and a mother!
"The stone is not your puppy. Besides, the puppy also has parents, and it's not like he really jumped out of the stone." Wen Yiqing wiped the tears from the little girl's face with a handkerchief, and saw her eyes were red. He looked pitiful, feeling pity and helplessness in his heart, "He never hid it from you. It was you who misunderstood."
Shanshan thought to herself: How could she treat Brother Shitou as a puppy?
She thought again: It would be great if it was really a puppy. So she could take him home.
She asked with tears in her eyes: "Mom, do you also know?"
"Know."
The little beggar who was born with gray eyes, Yuncheng is a small place, anyone can tell him something.
His father was a Hu businessman, but he died young, and his mother remarried early and gave birth to a fat boy with her later husband. She lived a harmonious life, but could not tolerate him, and was driven out to earn a living at a very young age. He obviously has a family and a mother, but he sleeps in a ruined temple on the street corner all day, living worse than a dog. If he hadn't been born with great strength, he would have died of starvation and freezing.
Last year during the Lantern Festival, Wen Yiqing got his help. Shanshan kept thinking about it and asked for his opinion.
He felt that he had a mother and there was no need to recognize another one.
It's never easy to say something bad about someone else's mother in front of others. As both mothers, Wen Yiqing could only take care of him more on weekdays. If the shop needed manpower, he would ask him to do the work for the same price as an adult. During the holidays, he would borrow Shanshan to send him food. He didn't want to ask for more.
How to explain this to Shanshan?
The little girl was well protected by her and was full of innocence. She didn't know that there were good and bad parents in the world, and not all biological children could be treated as eye-sores.
Wen Yiqing thought for a while and said, "Shanshan, do you plan to never see him again?"
The little girl stopped crying and looked at her blankly.
"Think carefully. When we go to the capital in the next year, you will never see him again." Wen Yiqing said, "Don't you still want to take him to the capital with you?"
Shanshan's whole little face wrinkled up in embarrassment.
But she didn't stay angry for long.
She is a soft-spoken child, her temper comes and goes quickly, and her anger only lasts for a while. When the maid said Shitou was looking for her, she jumped off the chair and ran out without Wen Yiqing's persuasion.
Don’t forget to bring a plate of jujube paste cake.
The tears on her face had not been wiped dry, her nose and eyes were red from crying, and she looked wet and pitiful. When she saw the stone, even if she put on a fierce look, she was soft and not intimidating at all.
Shitou was so anxious that he was sweating profusely, "Shan Shan!"
Shanshan said fiercely: "Next time you lie to me, I will ignore you!"
Although Shi Shi didn't know where he had lied to her, he agreed with everything. He watched helplessly until the sweet smile appeared on the little girl's face again, and then he felt relieved.
Shanshan gave him the date cake. Having just eaten a lot, he still had a lot of room in his stomach.
Shanshan: "Then if you don't go home, can you celebrate the New Year with me this year?"
Shitou thought for a while: "I want to ask my mother first."
"Why are you asking your mother?"
"My brother is sick, and she may want me to work."
Shanshan felt sad again, "My mother said that after the New Year, we will set off."
"I'll come find you when I have time."
That's what she said, but Shanshan waited and waited. When red lanterns were hung up and Spring Festival couplets were posted everywhere in the house, she changed into several new clothes, but she didn't see him coming. Occasionally I met him outside. He was still busy working, and his brother's illness was not cured yet.
On New Year's Eve, Shanshan said a series of auspicious words, happily blessed everyone, and received lucky money from her mother.
Manager Qian had been frowning for many days, but when the New Year came, he took a sip of wine and spoke proudly of Uncle Zhongyong's Mansion.
"... As soon as the Chinese New Year comes, the emperor holds a banquet in the palace. Not everyone can attend, including the Chinese, civil and military officials. The gentlemen of our uncle's house have this honor every year. What does the palace banquet look like? You guys Have you seen it?"
He shook his head cooperatively.
Manager Qian immediately started boasting. He had never been to the palace, but he had seen the lively scenes in the uncle's house. Even if he said it in an exaggerated way, Shanshan would be fascinated to hear it.
Shan Shan longs for it: "I want to go too."
Manager Qian stroked his beard, "You? You can't go."
"why?"
"You are not an official, why would the emperor ask you to enter the palace? Unless..."
"Unless what?"
Qian Guanshixin said: Unless you are the princess in the palace and the emperor's daughter.
But how dare he make fun of the emperor? He heard the little girl ask and casually fooled him.
In just the blink of an eye, the new year is over.
As soon as the new year is over, the climate starts to get warmer. Wen Yiqing started handling Yuncheng's affairs a year ago, and was busy until the new year when he finally finished it.
Many shops were resold and replaced with a thick stack of banknotes hidden in the interlayer of boxes and cages. The rest were looked after by trusted stewards, and every quarter they would ask someone to distribute the account book dividends and send them to the capital.
Even though Shanshan is usually an optimistic, happy and big-hearted little girl, she will inevitably become unhappy at this moment. Even though she had wanted to live together as a family before, when it came time to leave, she couldn't bear to leave anything.
Wen Yiqing led her servants to pack their luggage, and took out her old toys one by one from the box. When she turned around, she saw that the room was mostly empty. When she turned around, the child had sneaked into a corner to find the treasure, holding a The cloth tiger, which had been missing for a long time, came to ask her for credit, which made her even more confused.
After everything was done, it was time to go to the capital.
On the day they left Yuncheng, Shitou came to see them off at the city gate.
Shanshan was already prepared to say goodbye. As soon as she saw him, tears welled up again and fell down. She wiped them again and again until her mother's handkerchief was wet with tears. Can't stop no matter what.
"Brother Shitou, you have to take good care of yourself." Shanshan said sadly: "You have to eat enough every day to grow tall and strong. I won't be able to give you anything to eat in the future. You don't want to die. .”
"good,"
Shanshan handed him his little goldfish money bag.
The stone didn't want to be taken away, but the little girl was still shedding tears, and the hot tears dripped on his resisting hand, making him stiff all of a sudden, and he didn't even dare to move his fingers any more. He could only watch as Shanshan stood up on tiptoes and slung the money bag over his body.
Here is all the money she has saved. Most of her pocket money in the past was used by Shanshan to buy food and toys. After knowing that she was leaving, she didn't eat more snacks or buy more toys. She saved them all. down. Now everything has been handed over to Stone, and not a penny has been left.
Shanshan sniffed and said with a heavy nasal voice: "Brother Shitou, I know you don't want to accept my money. But if you take it, I won't worry about you. You go and treat your brother. Don't worry about it anymore." I’m hungry.”
Shitou lowered his head and touched the money bag on his chest, and responded in a low voice.
Shanshan looked at him eagerly, but still refused to give up: "Brother Shitou, are you really not going to the capital with me? My mother agreed."
"My mother is here," he said.
All right.
To be honest, no matter how good another place is, she doesn't want to leave her mother.
She could only say goodbye to him sadly, trying hard to keep her eyes open and remember his appearance in her mind. Remember it firmly, for fear that your memory is not good and you will forget it if you are not careful.
Shitou touched the embroidered pattern of goldfish scales on the money bag and thought for a long time, as if he had made up his mind.
"Shanshan, I have a name." He said, "They all call me Shitou, but actually I also have a name. My father gave it to me. I haven't told anyone else."
Shitou: "Stretch out your hand."
Shanshan handed over his hand obediently.
The rough fingertips lightly traced across the soft palm. Shitou used his fingers as a pen, lowered his head, and wrote his name awkwardly, stroke by stroke.
He was illiterate and could only write his own name. He paid a scholar in the city to teach him how to write. He studied for several days and practiced whenever he had time. Until now, it was the first time that he had written his name to others.
Tuo, postscript, Heng.
After writing the last stroke, Shitou showed a shy smile, "Shan Shan, you must remember it."
Shanshan nodded heavily: "Yes!"
"When I grow up, I will earn enough money to go to the capital to visit you."
"Really?" Shanshan quickly stretched out his little finger: "Let's pull the hook."
Shitou also stretched out his little finger and hooked with her.
In the distance, Wen Yiqing shouted, it was time to separate. Shanshan's sadness came up again, but this time she had hope. Before they separated, she began to look forward to seeing each other in the future.
She turned back three times at a time. When she got into the carriage, she poked her head out from behind the curtain and waved vigorously in this direction.
"Brother Shitou, you must remember to come to me!"
The groom swung his whip, and the horses screamed and kicked with their long hooves, sending up bursts of flying dust.
Shitou couldn't help but take a step forward.
The carriage started moving, the wheels rolling. He couldn't help but speed up his pace, first walking quickly, then walking faster and faster, and running faster and faster.
How can a human's feet outrun a wheel or a horse?
He just watched the convoy getting further and further away, until he could run no longer, his chest was beating like a drum, and the wind whistling in his ears stopped. He stopped panting and ran far away from the city gate. . He stood up straight and looked at the farther end of the road. The motorcade had already turned into a shadow on the horizon of the setting sun, and then nothing could be seen.
Shi Shi wiped his eyes quickly.
He clutched the little goldfish on his chest and walked back step by step. The shadow behind him was very long. His body was hunched and his head was lowered, like a wild dog that had lost its tribe and lived in isolation.
He has no friends left.
He really wanted to go. He only has one friend, Shanshan, who treats him better than his mother. He also knew that Shanshan had a bad memory. There were so many new things in the capital, and she would have many new friends, so she would soon forget about him.
But, his mother is here.
In Yuncheng, smoke is rising from the chimneys of every house, and children playing in the street are called home by the calls of their parents.
Shitou's footsteps hurried into the city. He stepped on the familiar bluestone slabs, walked through alleys, and finally stopped in front of a small courtyard.
When he reached the door, he raised his hand to knock, but hesitated again. When he came before, he was never welcomed.
During the hesitation, voices came from the closed courtyard door.
It's his mother's voice.
Madam Li: "Bao'er's illness has been cured for several months. When will he be allowed to go out?"
Man: "Why are you panicking? That guy can give us more than ten pennies a day, and that lasts for a whole winter, which is more than he has in a lifetime."
Madam Li: "Bao'er hasn't seen anyone for too long. I originally said I was afraid he would be cold, but now it's even hotter. I'm afraid I won't be able to hide it anymore."
Man: "Where's the money?"
Lady Li: "When he comes, I'll have a few words with him, and he'll definitely be obedient."
Man: "Don't you feel bad for me as a mother?"
Mrs. Li: "I kicked him out a long time ago, thinking that he might be dead. Who knew that he was alive and well despite being so tough."
Man: "It's so late today. That guy should be here soon. Go take a look."
"..."
The voice gradually became lower.
The courtyard door creaked open, and Madam Li was about to step out, but someone was stuck at the door, blocking her way.
She looked closely and saw a half-child in front of her.
Those wolf-like gray eyes were now filled with hot tears, but they were gathering in their sockets like pools of water. They bit their lips stubbornly to hold back from falling.
It's her eldest son.
Madam Li moved her lips, remembering the conversation she had just had with her husband, knowing that he had heard everything, she was a little embarrassed, but she couldn't think of words for the moment.
"you……"
The stone suddenly moved.
He took off the little goldfish purse and poured out the heavy silver inside. There was a loud clatter, which startled Lady Li. He went through all his pockets again, took out all the coins, and threw them into the pile of money on the ground. Finally, he put the money bag back into his arms with great care.
Then he turned and ran.
Madam Li stared at his back in stunned silence, unable to even stop him.
Half of the setting sun has set, and the orange-yellow afterglow dyes the sky red. The other half of the gray-blue night has already been covered with a crescent moon.
He just ran away. Heading towards the city gate, without looking back, he ran straight in the direction of the setting sun.
Like a puppy that lost its owner, it ran across the cold bluestone road, across the grassy fields, and fell in the dark snow and mud. Whimpering, he got up in embarrassment.
He wanted to find the little girl who gave him food and told him to live well and not die.
…
The team rested at the inn.
Shanshan was overjoyed for her first trip away from home, but after riding in the carriage for two days, her buttocks seemed to have become four-parted. Even if her mother held her in her arms and told her nice stories, she couldn't get excited. Come.
Her little head was still filled with the sadness of separation.
"I wonder how Brother Shitou is doing. Are you hungry? Have you eaten enough today?"
Wen Yiqing put a chopstick of vegetables into her bowl: "Didn't you leave money for him?"
"But his brother is sick." Shanshan wrinkled his face: "Sickness costs money!"
Wen Yiqing couldn't help but glance at her with a strange look.
The only little girl in the family was so spoiled by her that she would reach out for clothes and open her mouth for food. She was so young, and Wen Yiqing didn't expect her to be sensible, healthy and happy so early. Now you actually know how to care about money?
Shanshan counted on his fingers: "Brother Shitou has worked for so long without leaving a penny, but his younger brother is still so seriously ill. It must take a lot of money to cure his younger brother's illness. ?”
She was only worried about whether she ate too much, played too much, and saved too little money. Stone would have to work a lot more to save enough money for medical treatment.
"Shanshan, when you came in just now, did you see any rabbits in the backyard?"
Shanshan's attention was immediately diverted: "Really?!"
"Really." Wen Yiqing smiled: "Let's go play after dinner."
Shanshan didn't have anything to disagree with. He hurriedly ate the rice in the bowl and took the wet nurse to go down to see the rabbit.
The fluffy rabbit shrank into a few white balls, its pointed ears still trembling. Shanshan squatted beside it and watched it for a while, testing the outside of the cage with his little hands, and wanted to reach in and touch it several times. Before she could touch it, she was attracted by the movement outside.
He was a guest at the inn. He didn't know what happened to him, so he cursed and shouted "stinky beggar".
Hearing the familiar name, Shanshan looked over subconsciously.
There was a conflict in the front hall of the inn, and who was finally kicked out. Shanshan looked out curiously and saw an unkempt little beggar.
Shanshan had only made good friends with one little beggar in her life. Even though his messy hair obscured his face and he looked more embarrassed and miserable than before, she recognized him at a glance!
"Brother Shitou!" she shouted in surprise, "Why are you here?"
The little beggar raised his head and finally saw her. His eyes suddenly lit up with infinite hope.
He came here on his own two feet.
He asked for the way to the capital. He did not take the official road, but took a shortcut. He traveled day and night. When he was tired and sleepy, he lay down on the roadside and relied on his innate sixth sense, which was as sharp as a beast. Feeling, he didn't make a single wrong step, and he caught up with them just by relying on his feet!
His shoes had been lost a long time ago, and the soles of his feet were full of festering blisters. Wen Yiqing applied thick medicine to his injured feet, holding his scarred feet and wincing in distress.
"It's so dangerous along the way. You're so young, but you're not afraid of losing your life!"
Shitou looked at her timidly.
"Mrs. Wen," he said anxiously, "can I be your servant? I can do anything, as long as I have food to eat, no wages are required."
Shanshan sat next to him and interrupted: "Brother Shitou, you can be my brother. You don't have to do any work. I will take you to eat delicious food!"
Shitou whispered: "No."
Shanshan waved his hands generously: "It doesn't matter!"
Wen Yiqing was interrupted several times when he wanted to speak, and in the end he could only look at his excited little daughter helplessly.
She asked Nurse Chen to find a passenger at the inn, and bought a set of clean clothes for a child of similar stature to him. She also gave him a bath, and his messy and knotted hair was washed and combed neatly. He didn't know how many days he hadn't taken a shower, and it took several buckets of sewage to finally become clear.
He put on neat clothes and tied his hair into a small bun, revealing his face. He was taller than an ordinary child, and his deep facial features showed the first signs of his future handsomeness.
Shitou uncomfortably pulled down a few strands of bangs to cover his face. He wanted to take off his clothes, but was stopped by Wen Yiqing.
"I haven't thanked you before for finding Shanshan for me."
Shitou looked at her expectantly: "Then..."
Wen Yiqing pursed her lips and smiled: "Our family is not short of servants, but Shanshan wants you to play with her. If you are willing, come to the capital with us."
After all this effort, Shanshan was so sleepy that she straightened her head. When she heard her name, she sat upright, opened her sleepy eyes wide, and looked over expectantly.
Shitou pursed his lips and nodded heavily.
At night, he slept in a warm and thick quilt.
Shi Shi couldn't remember the last time he slept in such a nice place. He thought he would be uncomfortable, but as soon as he closed his eyes, he fell into a deep sleep.
Shanshan also closed her eyes in her mother's arms.
She thought of her mother, her relatives far away, her biological father who was nowhere to be found, and her brother Shitou, and fell asleep sweetly.
In the dream capital, life is even happier than in Yuncheng!
