An Shi

Besides, although Sima's family is an outsider, they are quite famous in this small town.

Master Sima, whose single name is Zhao, was born in poverty in his early years. He sold buns, studied carpentry, and was a horse thief. He has a lot of experience.Later, the leader of the gang washed his hands in a golden basin and went to Fengtian to become a soldier in the army of Marshal Zhang; but he had no intention of joining the battlefield, so he came to the suburbs of Harbin with his severance pay, built a house, married his wife and had a baby. Lived the life of Tian Jiaweng.

Sima Zhao's wife was surnamed Wang, and she was a young lady from a wealthy local family; her grandparents made a lot of money from panning for gold in the Guandong in the early years, and saved a lot of money.Seeing Sima Zhao's good character and good looks, Mr. Wang betrothed his daughter to him.Although the husband and wife have different backgrounds, they have a very good relationship after marriage. It is a pity that Mrs. Wang is weak and has been lingering in bed after giving birth to her young son. After all, she could not survive the severe cold of the past year.

Sima Zhao missed his wife, respected Yue's family and felt sorry for his youngest son, so he declined all kinds of matchmakers who came to propose a reunion, and raised the two children alone.In order to increase income, he and the Wang family jointly opened a pharmacy in the city of Harbin, and invited old Chinese medicine practitioners and pharmacists to sit in charge.Because he did business without deceit, and kept his promises, soldiers and civilians from far and near came here to seek medical advice. The reputation of this pharmacy was established, and the business became busy.

On this day, Sima Zhao came home after inspecting the business of the pharmacy.Every time he came back from the city, he would bring some delicious and interesting things for the two children; this time, he brought snacks from the newly opened Marrs Western Food Tea Shop[1] on Central Avenue.

The Russian dishes are not exquisite, but the taste is just to the liking of the two boys.Sima Yan stretched out his hand, squeezed a piece of slotted bread from the plate, and shared half of it with the expectant Sima You. Then, while chewing the bread, he pricked up his ears to listen to Sima Zhao and Pei Xiu talking.

Sima Zhao's tone was somewhat helpless:

"...Tao Fu is still young, and his body is not good. Fortunately, he is smart and eager to learn. I don't have to worry about studying in the future. Even if it is a year or two late, it doesn't matter. But Yan'er...he is old, but his homework is difficult. He is still so-so; since he moved back to Shandong with his family when he was young, he has been fishing for three days and drying the net for two days and refused to go to school, so it is not a way to continue like this."

Pei Xiu listened to Sima Zhao's rambling, a faint smile appeared on her lips.For a moment, Sima Yan felt that the other party's clear eyes turned on his face, with a trace of inquiry inside and out; but only a moment later, the eyes withdrew, as if they had never been probing. To observe him in general.

Sima Yan actually didn't like being scrutinized like this, but the other party was a teacher invited by his father: as a teacher, there is nothing wrong with scrutinizing future students.So he patted the bread crumbs on his hands, lowered his head and stirred the soup in the bowl with a spoon.

On the other side of the dining table, Sima Zhao was still talking non-stop:

"Right now, Yan'er is studying at home and needs more care from her husband. Don't be soft-hearted just because he is my son..."

Hearing this, Pei Xiu got up and bowed to Sima Zhao: "Master, don't worry. In terms of age, you are a few years older than me; in terms of status, you are the master of this mansion. So you don't have to call me 'Mr. The word 'Ji Yan' is enough."

Sima Zhao scratched his head: "Ah, alright. I'm a rough person, and I only thought that you scholars are well behaved. Since you said that, then I'd rather be respectful than obedient." He turned to Sima Yan with a straight face. Said: "Yan'er, although Mr. Pei is young, he is still your elder, so don't lose your courtesy. Did you hear that!"

Sima Yan raised his head, reluctantly let out an "um" from his nose, and Sima Zhao was so angry that he blew his beard and stared at him.

When he secretly smiled at his father, he met Pei Xiu's eyes inadvertently.

Those delicate eyes still looked calm, but for no reason, his heart skipped a beat.

At that time, Sima Yan hadn't yet cultivated a thick skin, so he instantly felt his cheeks burning up in disobedience.He got up abruptly, pulled Sima You who was still out of the situation, saluted Zhaoxiu and the other two hastily, and left the dining table as if fleeing.

On the way back to the room, Sima You asked curiously: "Brother, we will study with Mr. Pei from now on, right?"

Sima Yan reached out his hand to wipe off the bread crumbs on the corner of Sima You's mouth, and nodded absently.

Later Sima You hugged his arm and said something, but he didn't remember all of it; because those eyes and those quiet eyes were still lingering in his mind.

For the days of studying in the future, 14-year-old Sima Yan suddenly felt a little scared, and suddenly felt a little provocatively eager to try.

***

Sima Yan, 55, frowned.Just now, he seemed to catch the gaze that made his heart skip a beat.

He chased where the gaze came from, and saw a delicate and thin figure.The figure turned his back to him, as if he was holding a water jug, carefully watering a pot of blooming flowers.

"You are……?"

Sima Yan heard himself asking a question, his voice dry and hoarse.He didn't dare, and couldn't bear to say the name that had been lingering on the tip of his tongue for a long time.

However, the other party did not answer.

Sima Yan stared at the potted flower and gradually lost his mind.The blooming flower has five petals, which are divided into three colors: purple, yellow and white; the edges of the petals seem to be plated with a layer of gold, surrounded by green leaves, which is really beautiful.

Pansies, pansies.The language of flowers is yearning and longing.

But it's all just a daydream.

The author has something to say: Notes:

[1] It is now called Huamei Western Restaurant, located at No. 112 Central Street, Harbin.