Misty Rain of the Old Times

Chapter 38 Companion Reading
After all, they are children with simple minds. When they meet someone they like, although they may not open their hearts to him/her all at once, they can't wait to share their joy.

It’s no wonder that after the exchange, the relationship between the two has become much closer. They were supposed to grow together anyway, so this is a good start.

Gao Jingming obviously liked the book to the core. After finishing it, he put it on the bookshelf with a feeling of being unsatisfied. He had the urge to take it down and read it again, but he restrained himself.

As long as he wanted, it would not be difficult for him to become a character like the protagonist in the book given his identity and background, but he did not seem to have the idea of ​​setting this as his goal. He just liked the book out of the simplest child's love for it.

Perhaps now he has not even seriously thought about his own future.

Or maybe his future has already been planned, and he just needs to follow the plan...

By this time, Chen Xuan had already taken a rough look at the layout of the study.

The two bookshelves were packed to the brim, but there was almost no sign of the books having been flipped through. I guess Gao Jingming got them to look good after he started studying.

In addition, there is a large desk and a small table next to it, which is also equipped with writing brushes, ink, paper and inkstone. There is a guqin on one side of the room, and a chessboard and couch by the window.

These things don't make the study look compact, but rather a bit spacious. The study is estimated to be about 20 to 30 square meters.

After Gao Jingming put away his books, Chen Xuan couldn't help but ask, "Master, do you still need to practice piano and chess?"

Otherwise those things will just be decorations.

Hearing this, Gao Jingming's face suddenly turned bitter. He nodded and said, "Of course, Xuan, you don't just have to practice piano and chess, you also have to learn calligraphy and painting. The teacher said that in addition to studying and learning, the six arts of a gentleman are also very important. You don't have to be proficient in them, and you don't have to achieve great achievements, but you can't be ignorant of them. Do you know why?"

"Why?" Chen Xuan supported him.

Gao Jingming smiled with some annoyance and said, "Because, in the future, when I'm drinking with a few good friends or classmates, I have to do some elegant things that scholars do. Wouldn't it be a shame to just drink? If I don't do some elegant things, will I roll up my sleeves and brag? Wouldn't that make me a vulgar person? I'll be laughed at."

Chen Xuan had no comment on this, and suddenly thought of a joke that was on the Internet before, which said that even though people in ancient times drank the same amount of wine, they could compose wonderful poems after drinking, while people today tend to make arrogant remarks after drinking.

Tsk tsk, how many famous poems that have been passed down through the ages were written after drinking, and now, when guys drink, they can do anything from KTV girls to international affairs...

"I have been fiddling with these by myself for a while. From now on, Xuan, it won't be boring if you learn with me," Gao Jingming said gloatingly again, as if sharing the hardships together would make him feel better.

The two stayed in the study for a while, and the maid's voice came from outside the door, reminding: "Master, Madam asked you to go over for dinner. Xuan Ge'er won't run away, and we will have a lot of time together in the future. Madam asked Xuan Ge'er to go with you."

"I know, we'll be there soon," Gao Jingming said with some reluctance, then looked at Chen Xuan and said, "Let's go, Xuan, mother asked us to go over for dinner."

Although he didn't know whether it was appropriate to go there and eat for free, the host had already made the arrangements, so Chen Xuan felt that it would be better for him not to disobey.

After leaving the study, Gao Jingming specially introduced his two personal maids to Chen Xuan. The one with a little baby fat was called Xiao Cai, and the quiet and pretty one was called Xiao Ye.

After that, Xiao Ye handed Chen Xuan a key and said, "Xuan'er, this is the key to the young master's study. I'm giving it to you for safekeeping. If you lose it, you must report it immediately. Remember to lock the door when you go out. From now on, the young master's study will be left to you to take care of. However, you are not familiar with it yet, so feel free to ask us if you have any questions."

"Okay, I'll remember that," Chen Xuan took the key and nodded. Qinghe had mentioned this before, so he was not surprised.

A place like a study is no different in importance from a bedroom, so naturally, only specific people can enter and exit.

The backyard where Mrs. Gao lived was actually only separated by a wall from Gao Jingming's courtyard, but it required a detour.

After going to the backyard, Chen Xuan restrained himself from looking around to avoid breaking taboos.

While eating, he chewed his food slowly and silently, picking up only the dishes nearest to him. As a result, even though the table was full of delicious food, he didn't enjoy it at all and even felt a little uncomfortable.

Gao Jingming naturally had no such concerns and was quite relaxed. Perhaps because he hadn't seen Mrs. Gao for a while, and since he was a child, he was always going through things in a hurry, so he left Chen Xuan alone for the time being. He chatted with his mother about his recent situation, some complaining, some happy. Mrs. Gao listened quietly, occasionally responding or asking a question, her eyes full of love. She helped him add more rice and vegetables, but she didn't ignore Chen Xuan either. After all, she was not a child.

Watching the scene of the mother and son getting along, Chen Xuan felt very envious. The scenes of getting along with his own mother in his memory had become blurred, and he couldn't even remember her face clearly...

After dinner, Mrs. Gao kept Gao Jingming. Naturally, the mother and son wanted to get closer, while Chen Xuan returned to the courtyard alone.

It was already evening, and it was getting late. Chen Xuan had no other plans, so he didn't go out for a walk. He simply stayed in the house and stared blankly, so as not to be unable to find him at the critical moment.

Gao Jingming didn't return to the courtyard until the lights went on. As soon as he came back, he shouted, "Ah Xuan, Ah Xuan, where are you?"

"Master, I'm here. Do you have any instructions?" Chen Xuan immediately went out and responded.

Gao Jingming pointed to the study and said, "Of course I asked you to come and do homework with me. The teacher has left some homework for us."

Is it starting now? Chen Xuan was surprised. Shouldn't he be having fun at his age? He was actually quite self-disciplined. Could it be that he had just started school and the novelty hadn't worn off yet?
It's almost dark now, and even a few candles won't be as bright as electric light. Aren't you worried about affecting your eyesight? I'll have to remind you at a suitable time.

As they walked towards the study, Gao Jingming said, "Xiao Ye, come here for a moment. A Xuan doesn't know anything. Teach him what to do next. Xiao Cai, make a pot of tea."

In the space of two sentences, he had already arrived at the door of the study. Chen Xuan took the key to open the door, but he didn't know what to do next, as he had never been a servant before.

Fortunately, Xiao Ye arrived and rescued him, because Gao Jingming had specifically instructed him to enter the study to give instructions.

She first lit a few candles to brighten the room, then lit a refreshing incense on the desk. After that, she took out the book and placed it on the desk, and then began to spread paper and grind ink.

During this time, he reminded Chen Xuan of various details from time to time, such as the young master wanted to practice calligraphy, what kind of brush and paper he needed, how many drops of water to add when grinding ink, and how many clockwise circles the ink stick had to turn to achieve the appropriate ink concentration.

Anyway, it was quite troublesome. Chen Xuan read and studied carefully, and occasionally asked about the things he didn't understand. It was a bit troublesome, but not difficult. After all, it was not a high-tech thing to make with bare hands.

Gao Jingming watched with interest from the side and seemed to find it quite interesting.

After Chen Xuan was almost familiar with the process, Xiao Ye asked him to try it himself. Naturally, he passed it in one go. Xiao Ye couldn't help but praise him for learning quickly. Even Gao Jingming clapped his hands and gave him a thumbs up, praising him for his intelligence.

Chen Xuan was not very happy at all that such a small thing was actually praised by the kid. Instead, he felt extremely ashamed. Forget it, just bear with it. It's not like he'll lose a piece of flesh.

After the preliminary work was done, Gao Jingming sat down to practice calligraphy. It was like he had everything provided for him. Chen Xuan once suspected that if no one was serving him, he might not even be able to write when he was alone.

Originally Chen Xuan thought that he could just watch him practice calligraphy, and at most help him grind some ink when it was running low. But Gao Jingming sat down and pointed at the small table beside him and said, "Xuan, what are you standing for? Sit down and write with me."

"Ah? I need to write too? What to write?" Chen Xuan was a little confused. He had naturally seen the small table next to the desk, but he never thought it was prepared for him?

Xiao Ye reminded him, "Of course, Xuan Ge'er will write whatever the young master writes, but he must always pay attention to the young master's ink."

"Yes, Xuan, you can't read. This won't do. I'll teach you how to read it while I write it down later." Gao Jingming nodded and said with great interest. After all, normal people have a bit of a teacher mentality, and he is no exception.

Is there such a good thing?

Chen Xuan was worried about how to start learning to read.

It seems like this is what it means to be a study companion. Not only does it mean serving by the side, but it also means learning and making progress together...

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(End of this chapter)