Chapter Six

  At first, the snow was just a dusting, but later it grew bigger and bigger, swirling in the air, and falling endlessly, until the next day it still covered the sky, with no signs of letting up.

  Liáng Zhōngguó's room was tightly closed, but the cold air still filled the room. Liáng Zhōngguó shivered under the quilt, trying to reduce the chill that pierced his bones. He looked out of the window and saw that it had already dawned outside. It was time for him to get up early. As Chinese New Year was approaching, Liáng Zhōngguó wanted to sleep in a bit longer, reluctant to leave his warm bed. However, his parents wouldn't let him have his way, taking turns to urge him to get out of bed at the door. Helpless, Liáng Zhōngguó finally got up, braving the cold to put on his clothes.

  After finishing this, Liang Zhongguo opened the door and a cold wind blew in immediately. Liang Zhongguo shivered and his teeth chattered. He took a deep breath, invigorated his spirit, and looked around at the vast expanse of white, reciting: "The moon is dark, the wild geese fly high, the solitary Yu escapes under cover of night, the light cavalry pursues, the snow fills the bow and knife. You little devils, wait for your grandfather Liang Zhongguo to become the leader of the bandits, sooner or later I'll beat you into a state of disarray." Having finished his lamentation, Liang Zhongguo went to wash up and then headed to the dining hall for breakfast.

  Just as they were eating, Liang Liangfeng's left and right hands each held an object and walked into the dining hall, placing them on the dinner table. Liang Zhongguo took a closer look and saw that it was a camera and a gold watch. Liang Zhongguo exclaimed in surprise, put down his bowl and chopsticks to play with the camera and gold watch, saying: "Dad, where did these toys come from?"

  "Of course it was bought, Zhong Er, the camera and watch are New Year's gifts I gave you, are you satisfied?"

  "Father, I'm satisfied," said Liang Zhongguo hastily. As he spoke, he put on his watch and added, "This is quite suitable."

  Changying also stepped into the dining hall and said: "Zhong Er, today you bring your camera with you, when accompanying Xiangsu to play, take a few more photos as a keepsake."

  "Got it, mom."

  Changying said again: "Zhong Er, play and come back, remember to come back for lunch at noon, and bring Xiangsu and Huang teacher back together."

  Li Chong nodded and said: "Understood."

  Liáng Liàngfēng urged: "Come on, kid, eat your rice quickly, don't be slow."

  Li Chong said with a frown: "Dad, anyway there's nothing important, why eat so fast?"

  "Hey, don't forget that in two days you'll be teaching the 29th Army knife techniques. Hurry up and make the most of your time! Accompany Xiangsu in the morning and practice your knife skills in the afternoon."

  "Father, I've practiced the Liang family's knife techniques for over a decade and have long since mastered them. Why do I need to continue practicing?"

  Liāng Liàngfēng said: "Then did you remember the method I taught you yesterday on how to teach people?"

  "Remember."

  "Remember that's all, I just hope you don't get cold feet halfway through, otherwise, my face will be lost because of you."

  "Relax, Dad, I'm not that stupid."

  Chang Yan softly said: "The child's father, it's rare for Zhong Er to have such confidence, you should be happy."

  Liang Liangfeng smiled faintly and did not confirm or deny it. Suddenly, Liang Zhongguo said: "Dad, when can you teach me the last thirteen moves of the Liang family knife method?"

  Changying said, "Master Liang's swordsmanship has forty-nine moves. You've only taught the first thirty-six to your son and disciples. Now that they're grown up, it's time you teach them the remaining thirteen."

  Liang Liangfeng furrowed his brow and said: "Child, we had an agreement a long time ago. I am in charge of martial arts training, you absolutely cannot interfere."

  Chang Yan reluctantly said: "I forgot for a moment, never mind, I won't bother with this matter anymore."

  Li Chongyu hastily asked: "Dad, when will you teach me?"

  Liang Liangfeng glared at his son and said, "You don't need to worry about this, just master the first 36 moves and you'll be fine."

  Liáng Zhōngguó got nothing out of it and continued to eat with his head down, he felt that staying at home was boring too, so he listened to his father's words and ate quickly.

  After finishing dinner, Liang Zhongguo picked up the camera on the table and said: "Dad, mom, I'm going out to play."

  Changying smiled and said: "Let's have fun."

  Liáng Zhōngguó said: "I understand." After finishing speaking, he went out the door.

  On the street, Liang Zhongguo trudged through the thick snow to Huang Kai's house. The sound of vendors calling out their wares was incessant. Liang Zhongguo glanced at his watch and saw that it was only a little after eight o'clock, yet the small vendors were already up early, working hard to make a living. He turned a corner and a traditional courtyard house came into view - this was indeed Huang Kai's humble abode.

  The gate was closed, and Liang Zhongguo knocked on the door. He let out a white mist and said, "Teacher, it's me, Liang Zhongguo." Liang Zhongguo called out twice, and an 18-year-old girl's voice came from inside the courtyard, saying, "Brother Liang, I'll come open the door for you."

  Liáng Zhōngguó shouted: "Xiāng Sù, we're waiting." The gate of the quadrangle courtyard was slowly opened, revealing a delicate and beautiful face like a flower, with a blue scarf around her neck. She was Huáng Kǎi's only daughter, Huáng Xiāngsù.

  "Huang Xiangsu smiled and said: 'Liáng Gēgē, you can come in quickly.'"

  Liáng Zhōngguó nodded, stepped into the courtyard, Huáng Xiāngsù wanted to close the door, Liáng Zhōngguó hurriedly stopped her saying: "Xiāngsù, don't close the door, I'll just say a few words and then we can go out and play together."

  Huang Xiangsu asked: "Liang brother, what shall we play?"

  Li said: "Tomorrow is New Year's Day, we just stroll around on the street, there will always be fun."

  Huang Xiangsu nodded and suddenly saw the camera in Liang Zhongguo's hand, exclaiming: "It's a camera! Brother Liang, how did this end up in your hands?"

  "This was bought by my father for me, we took a few photos while playing as a keepsake."

  "Good idea!" Huang Xiangsu clapped his hands and said.

  Liáng Zhōngguó yelled: "Teacher, come out for a moment."

  Huang Kai came out and said, "China, what's going on?"

  Liáng Zhōngguó said: "Teacher, I'm going out to play with Xiāng Sù today, please approve."

  Huang Kaidao said: "It's okay to go out and have some fun on a day like this, just come back early."

  "Huang Xiangsu happily said: 'Thank you, Father, for your help.'"

  Li Ang said: "Teacher, my father and mother also asked me to invite teacher Huang to our home for the New Year's celebration this year."

  "Huang Kai pondered and said: 'This has never happened before, why did your parents suddenly come up with this strange idea this year?'"

  Li Chong shook his head and said: "Teacher, I don't know about this either. You'd better go with Xiang Su."

  Huang Xiangsu refused: "Brother Liang, I'd better spend the New Year with my dad at our own home."

  Li said in opposition: "Is it lively just because there are many people? You and your dad, just the two of you, spending New Year's is so boring. Similarly, my parents and I, three people celebrating the festival together, is also lonely. When everyone gathers together, there's atmosphere."

  Huang Kai was still hesitant, but he couldn't withstand Liang Zhongguo's persistent persuasion and finally agreed. After the former finished speaking, he said: "Zhongguo, I also have something to tell you, I don't plan on teaching you how to read anymore."

  "Teacher, are you fed up with me being too stupid and don't want to teach me anymore?"

  Huang Kai said: "China, don't think about it in a wrong way. Actually, I have nothing to teach you anymore, so I just quit."

  Huang Xiangsu also said: "Li, brother, my father has been teaching you since you were eight years old, and has taught you for over a decade. He's already exhausted his skills on you, it's time for him to find someone new."

  "Then, teacher, you will have to find another job?"

  Huang Kai nodded and said: "Right, I plan to find a middle school to be a teacher after the Chinese New Year. With my hard-won academic qualifications, it's more than enough for me to be a middle school teacher."

  Liáng Zhōngguó said: "Teacher, my mother said that today at noon, Teacher and Xiāng Sù should come to my place for lunch. You must remember to go, okay?"

  Huang Kai smiled and said: "Going to your home this afternoon, aren't you being too impatient?"

  "Teacher, anyway we have to go, let's just go today."

  Huang Kai knew that if he didn't go, Liang Zhongguo wouldn't give up. He could only say: "Okay."

  "Teacher, it's settled then. You go to my house by yourself at noon, I'll bring Xiangsu to my house, remember to definitely go!"

  Huang Kai nodded and said: "China, are you short of money? Do you want to take some from me?"

  Liáng Zhōngguó hastily shook his head and said, "Teacher, I have enough money with me, no need." After finishing speaking, he pulled Huang Xiangsu's hand and left, fearing that Huang Kai would give him money.

  Huang Xiangsu said "goodbye dad" and then walked along the beam of China.

  Huang Kai gazed at the disappearing figures of the two people and sighed: "Young people are still better."

  Liáng Zhōngguó and Huáng Xiāngsù walked onto the street. The latter said: "Brother Liáng, where shall we go to have some fun?"

  Liáng Zhōngguó said: "Take a stroll around the street, have something to eat. Have you eaten yet?"

  "I've eaten."

  "Since you've eaten it, then eat another candied hawthorn to digest." A voice suddenly came from behind Liang Zhongguo and Huang Xiangsu, startling the two.

  Li Chong turned his head and looked at the person who had just spoken, with a string of ice sugar gourds on his shoulder, and smiled: "Xiao Zhen, it's you."

  "It was me."

  Huang Xiangsu asked: "Liang brother, do you know each other?"

  Li said: "Right, we met him yesterday, he's a hot-blooded patriotic young man named Xiao Zhen."

  Huang Xiangsu immediately asked Xiao Zhen if he was well, and Xiao Zhen politely returned the courtesy.

  Li Chongzhong asked: "Xiao Zhen, why don't you go and attend to your important matters?"

  "Yesterday I and my classmates worked overnight to produce many handbills with the news of the big event, which we distributed to all sectors of society in Beiping."

  Li Chong asked curiously: "How's the effect?"

  Xiao Zhen sighed: "There are all kinds of people, some say that something must be done in response to the situation, some look at it and have no reaction, don't know whether they will do anything or not, and some scold us for being boring."

  "It's normal, don't worry, things will get better."

  Xiao Zhen said optimistically: "I think so too."

  Liáng Zhōngguó asked again: "Xiāo Zhuàn, how did you end up buying candied hawthorn here?"

  "Chinese New Year is approaching, my neighbor is busy and doesn't want to set up a stall to sell candied hawthorns, so I'll set up a stall to do some small work, earn some extra income, and help him sell candied hawthorns."