Chapter 6, Tranquility of the Heart
Shall we go out to play together after school?
No, it's fine... Lan Zi got up from the bed and took Coral to the small bed beside them—there had originally been two beds in this room when he lived with his grandmother. After his grandmother passed away, he had only then started sleeping in the larger bed. He then took a quilt from the cupboard, helped Coral lie down, and covered her with it. Coral was just a little child, naturally prone to sleepiness, and at that moment, she was completely dazed, mumbling as she lay in the quilt: "You should sleep too... don't get up if you're sick..." She then fell asleep again, and the faint cold light of the night subtly outlined the peaceful sleeping face of the little girl.
Before long, another person entered through the door. The female server glanced at him but did not approach. The newcomer was a young man, around twenty years old, dressed in what could be considered trendy and even rebellious attire for the time. He first greeted the female server, then turned to the quiet bald young man sitting nearby: "Xiao Li... Oh, is this the bald young man who has been following Lan Zi recently? What brings you here? Hey, what is your name?"
Hmph... The little girl let out a cold snort, stood up, and placed her hands behind her back, striking a pose reminiscent of a standard elementary school student telling a story. However, a glimmer of mischief flashed in her eyes as she began to speak, "Liao Banyu encountered a frog, and from then on, the two of them lived happily together!"
Why didn't you go back
Yes, it is an adaptation of The Frog Prince
Lan Zi's condition is not particularly severe; he has a slight fever, loss of appetite, and general weakness. However, he can still manage to get out of bed and move around. Originally, he had given Shan Hu some money to buy a few items from the market to cook, but unexpectedly, she returned with a pot of congee. Judging by the quality and ingredients of the century egg and lean meat congee, it is clear that the little money he provided, along with the books, would not suffice. He slightly pursed his lips as he watched Shan Hu clattering around in the kitchen, searching for bowls and chopsticks.
Coral glanced at him and said, "I don't know you."
Huh? Coral rubbed her eyes and made a sound
It was still raining outside. Having declined the waiter’s kind offer to help deliver the food, the little girl found it somewhat difficult to walk while balancing the clay pot and holding the umbrella. She carefully crossed the road and then made her way to the street corner. Under the eaves at the corner, she paused for a moment with the pot, looked up at the rain, and rubbed her slightly reddened hands that had been scalded. After that, she continued on with the pot. Since the umbrella mostly shielded the pot along the way, after more than ten minutes, when she returned to the dilapidated building, her back was quite wet.
Your homeroom teacher is Teacher Yan, right? I used to attend Xinhua Primary School as well. I remember she loved to hold class meetings and would have each student take turns performing. Is it still the same now
That is how it is
At this point, the little girl finally looked up and glared at him a few times, saying, "You said it, do I really have to listen?"
I will go back once you fall asleep, so please sleep soon
Not speaking is meaningless
I don't know. Little Bald Head thought for a moment, "I get along well with my deskmate and I also talk to other female classmates..."
Hmm?
You have not yet submitted your reflection to me today, even though you said you would write it.
The century egg and lean meat congee would naturally take some time to prepare again. The waitress went in to give some instructions, and then came out to pour a drink for Coral, perhaps thinking the little girl was cute, and squatted beside her to chat. Coral, being quite mature for her age, felt quite displeased when the woman treated her like a little girl and spoke in a babyish tone. However, she was currently waiting for the congee from the shop, so she only responded with a few perfunctory remarks.
The coral held an umbrella, standing by the roadside, looking left and right at the passing cars. Then, it jogged across the road to the restaurant on the opposite side. The two pendants under the blue cloth cap swayed beside its shoulders as it ran, closed the umbrella, and pushed the door open to enter. This was not a particularly large restaurant, and due to the sudden rain today, there were not many people inside. When a small child pushed the door open and entered, the server standing by the door instinctively looked outside. Seeing that there were not many people coming in, they then turned back.
In a moment, the room was filled with Lan Zi's explosive laughter: "You are basically insulting someone, okay? Haha, Liao Banyu... Haha, Xie Shanhua encountered a frog... Hahahaha..." While laughing, he reached out and threw a mosaic piece to the ground. With a bang, the domino arrangement that the little girl had been working on for half an hour began to collapse with a clatter. Shanhua's eyes widened, and for a moment, she could only jump on the ground, exclaiming "Ah, ah, ah!" Then, puffing out her cheeks, she let out a loud shout and pounced onto the bed. Lan Zi, who had little strength to resist this situation, began to wrestle at the edge of the bed.
Waking up in a daze at night, she saw a small figure leaning by the bed, sleeping on a low stool. Lan Zi thought for a long time before realizing, picked up a piece of clothing and draped it over her, gently pushing her shoulder: "Coral, Coral..."
... ... ''
... ...
Liao Banyu
In the warm yellow light, the sounds of two people laughing, wrestling, and a little girl's indignant shouts can be heard: "Lan Ziyu has encountered a frog! Lan Ziyu has encountered a frog! You are the one living with the frog, ah ah ah ah ah ah ... ... "
It is still raining outside, and the rain has intensified. Lan Zi squats by the bed, gazing at the sleeping profile of Shan Hu, then turns to look at the dark curtain of rain outside the window. This room in the precarious building of Dahu Library amidst the rain seems to be an isolated world, detached from the rest of existence.
... ...
Anyway, you have caught a cold recently, and it is also raining
Coral, have you made any friends at school
"Don't you recognize me? How is that possible? You're just being disrespectful. Where are you from, you bald kid? The entire Southeast Asia knows me as Brother Short Flute..."
You are the little guy, I am the little girl
I understand, I understand, I was wrong
If you scare the children again, you will have to leave!
It has been said
As she spoke, she took out a small pouch from her clothing and pulled out a hundred yuan bill, followed by another one. In such a shop, two hundred yuan is basically enough for a lavish meal: "It must be cooked in a clay pot, the meat has to be fresh, and we need to add plenty of meat and century eggs. It has to be delicious and nutritious... Both of us need to be full, so we must cook with care." She earnestly placed the money on the table and extended two fingers... "Both of us need to be full, so we must cook with care." She earnestly placed the money on the table and extended two fingers.
Yes, I was selected last week, and then I told them a story
... ... ''
Where are your parents, little friend
Oh, I was just joking, Xiaoli
Recently, you are truly not allowed to go to the garbage dump; that place is the most susceptible to bacterial infection
Beside her, Coral helplessly turned her head away, too lazy to listen to the flirtatious banter of the couple.
He encountered a frog, and then... they lived happily together? Over there, Coral nodded vigorously, "What about the middle? What about the process?"
The room fell silent, and Lan Zi maintained the posture of listening to the story, while Shan Hu also kept her gaze fixed on him. After a moment, noticing that the story had no further developments, Lan Zi began to recall the content of the story, which was as fragmented as fried beans: "This is, um... a frog... a prince?"
... ht tps : / / m. he t u sh u co m co m. ..
Before long, the porridge was ready, served in a clay pot resembling a small basin. Coral paid for the pot in full, and when it had cooled slightly, she wrapped the edges of the pot's two handles with newspaper, donned a blue cloth hat, and carefully opened her umbrella, tucking it under her neck as she ventured out.
"Um... I told Grandpa that my good friend is sick and that I will take care of him tonight..." She squinted her eyes, responding instinctively, clearly still not fully awake. After a few seconds, she stretched and looked around, "Lan Zi, you are up... Do you want some water?"
... ...
The autumn rain falls incessantly, showing no signs of stopping. This dilapidated building is located on the outskirts of the city, where there are few residences left. By night, the third-floor room, illuminated by a warm yellow glow, resembles a lonely lighthouse in the darkness. Two children, one large and one small, are in the room. Coral, feeling bored, drags out half a bag of mosaics—small square tiles typically used for exterior walls during construction—that had been left on the balcony. She squats on the floor of the room, arranging them like dominoes, while Lanzi chats with her.
Seeing her serious demeanor resembling that of a little adult, the waitress was momentarily taken aback, then lowered her head and smiled, saying: "Sister understands, quickly put away the money, there is no need for so much. I will go inside and tell them to make the best porridge, alright"
... ...
Sister, I would like to order something
Coral glanced at him a few times, then lowered her head, saying, "Forget it, you probably wouldn't like to hear it."
"Alright, little girl, come and call out to the flute brother for me to hear."
It is raining, the autumn rain falls gently, water droplets glide down the eaves, merging into the streams along the sides of the road
No! Coral was holding the bowl and chopsticks, waiting for him, then walked over and said, "If you are ill, you should not get out of bed and do things randomly"
They are all playing very boring games
... ...
Well
Then I am also very bored
Coral, it is past 8 o'clock, time to go home
"There is a very annoying male classmate in our class," Coral added with a clear voice
I can just cook it once I buy it back
I know you want to eat something else, but I won't be able to cook it even if I buy it. You are currently unwell, so ready-made congee is the best option.
"What story?" Lan Zi smiled and said, "Tell me about it."
"Well, I will give you the money later." Coral nodded and then added, "You must not cut corners; I like to eat meat and century eggs, and I do not like drinking porridge."
I came here alone. The little girl sat on the stool, took off her hat, and began to browse through the menu by herself. Then she pointed to the last page and said, "Century egg and lean meat congee, my brother is sick, I want the best one."
No, the treehouse is very fun, and there are many things to find in the junkyard. I am currently planning to make a submachine gun, but unfortunately, I haven't found suitable materials yet Coral is focused on arranging the mosaic
As he spoke, the female attendant also stood up: "Short Flute Brother, have you watched too much Dragon Ball or taken the wrong medicine, coming here to scare the children!"
Do not speak!
Moments later, he returned to his bed and quietly fell into a deep sleep
The bald little girl has a stubborn personality, but her concern for others is always a good thing. The two of them gathered by the bed and finished most of the porridge. Coral brought a hot water-washed cloth to wipe Lanzi's mouth, and then went into the kitchen to clean the bowls and chopsticks. It was evident that she was not accustomed to this task, perhaps even doing it for the first time. After much effort, she managed to clean two bowls, but ended up breaking one. While cleaning up the porcelain shards, she accidentally cut her finger and bled. In the end, it was Lanzi who called for a stop, applied medicine to her wound, and bandaged it with a plaster. It was evident that she was not accustomed to this task, perhaps even doing it for the first time. After much effort, she managed to clean two bowls, but ended up breaking one. While cleaning up the porcelain shards, she accidentally cut her finger and bled. In the end, it was Lanzi who called for a stop, applied medicine to her wound, and bandaged it with a plaster