paddock

After returning home at noon, Yuan Ning called the reporter whom he met last time.He gave the reporter's phone number to Shen Jingjing's mother, and he couldn't help but talk to the reporter.After the call was made, Yuan Ning skipped some things and told the reporter about Shen Jingjing's younger brother.

"She hasn't called yet," the reporter said.

Yuan Ning said: "I'm sorry, I left your phone number with her without your consent."

The reporter said with a smile: "What's the matter, I have to thank you! It just so happens that I want to find someone to learn about the current situation of children with autism in China. I will wait for her call."

After hearing what the reporter said, Yuan Ning felt relieved, hung up the phone and went to the dining room to eat.Zhang Xiuling inevitably asked who Yuan Ning was on the phone with just now.Yuan Ning also didn't mention Shen Jingjing's matter, only said that a classmate's younger brother suffers from autism, and he and Zhang Xiuyan happened to meet a reporter who had information on this.

Ms. Xue asked about autism, sighed and said, "What a poor child."

Zhang Xiuwen knew that Ms. Xue was easy to be sad, so she cleverly changed the topic: "I looked at the calendar these two days and found that this year's elder brother can celebrate his birthday!"

Yuan Ning was taken aback for a moment.No one told him about Zhang Xiuyan's birthday, and he didn't even know when Zhang Xiuyan's birthday was.He looked at Zhang Xiuyan and wanted to ask, but felt that he didn't care about his elder brother.Just as he was hesitant to ask Zhang Xiuwen and the others secretly, he saw Zhang Xiuyan look over and spit out a date: "No. 29."

Yuan Ning understood that Zhang Xiuyan's birthday is on the 29th.It's February!Yuan Ning had noticed before that not every year has the 29th, at least the past two years when he tore up the calendar with his second aunt, there was only the 28th.No wonder the third brother said "Big Brother can celebrate his birthday this year"!

Ms. Xue discussed with Zhang Xiuwen and Zhang Xiuling how to celebrate when they arrived.Yuan Ning couldn't help thinking about it.What kind of gift should I give my brother?If it was just a greeting card, would the eldest brother feel that he was not careful enough to give the same gift twice?

Until the evening, Yuan Ning was still thinking about this matter.

Yuan Ning felt that if he didn't decide on the gift, it would be impossible to calm down and read the book to do the questions.He went through his family members in his mind, quietly walked out of the room, ran to Mr. Zhang's study room, knocked on the door and whispered, "Father!"

Mr. Zhang said, "Come in."

Yuan Ning opened the door and walked in, then closed the door again.He ran to Mr. Zhang's desk, glanced at the tall documents on the desk, and couldn't help saying, "Father works so hard every day!"

Mr. Zhang said: "It's nothing hard, it's just regular documents." He looked at Yuan Ning, "What's the matter?"

Yuan Ning's throat moved, and after thinking through the words back and forth, he bravely said, "Father, can you tell me what elder brother likes?"

This question stumped Mr. Zhang.Zhang Xiuyan doesn't like pop music, ball games, or anything that most teenagers love, and he doesn't have any special requirements for food, drink, housing, and transportation, as long as the clothes are comfortable and the food is delicious.The only time Zhang Xiuyan personally admitted that he "liked" was to this little Douding in front of him.Besides, he really never heard Zhang Xiuyan admit what he likes.

Mr. Zhang said, "Why do you ask me?"

Yuan Ning was stunned, and said, "I think my father should be the one who knows the elder brother best in the family." Although Mr. Zhang didn't talk much, it gave Yuan Ning that feeling.Zhang Xiuyan is usually responsible for managing them, so he always maintains his elder brother's majesty in front of them, and does not easily express his happiness and anger.However, Ms. Xue is not in good health and spirit, and does not have much energy to pay attention to these things.After much deliberation, Mr. Zhang is the best questioner.

Mr. Zhang didn't expect Yuan Ning to say that.He puts most of his energy into work, and Zhang Xiuyan manages more affairs at home than him, but if you count carefully, he is indeed the person who communicates with Zhang Xiuyan the most. After all, Zhang Xiuyan has to ask for instructions first. He will do it again.

For Yuan Ning's words, Mr. Zhang thought for a moment, and said: "Your grandfather has always been very sorry that he could not settle down with an old friend. That old friend is a carver. Your grandfather was very close to him when he was young, and often It was your grandpa who painted for him, and he carved the inkstone according to your grandpa's painting. At that time, the most powerful friend in the inkstone factory was your grandpa, who was praised by the standing committee member who inspected the inkstone factory."

Yuan Ning listened carefully.

Mr. Zhang said: "The problem also came from this standing committee member. Later, this standing committee member had a problem, and a large number of people were dismissed and investigated. The inkstone factory also closed down not long after. At that time, your grandfather, an old friend, was already an inkstone factory. The director of the factory, after being investigated, he was imprisoned for several years, and he had a falling out with your grandpa after he got out, and he never wanted to see your grandpa again.” At this point, Mr. Zhang paused, “Your grandpa fell ill two days ago. This year, this is what I am most concerned about.”

Yuan Ning understood Mr. Zhang's meaning: "If this old man can carve an inkstone for my grandfather, my elder brother will be very happy!" Zhang Xiuyan will definitely be very happy to settle the regret of the grandfather he cares about the most.

Mr. Zhang nodded.He said: "I can give the address to Driver Li and let him be responsible for sending you there. But no matter whether it succeeds or not, you have to come back on time, lest mother worry about you."

Yuan Ning's heart was pounding, and she couldn't help asking: "Can I go a few more times?" Since the other party didn't even want to see his grandfather who was seriously ill, if he only went once, he might return without success.

Mr. Zhang said: "Yes."

Yuan Ning said happily, "Thank you father!"

Mr. Zhang said: "I am also very happy that you can prepare a gift for your eldest brother with such care." He looked at Yuan Ning, "My birthday is July 7th."

Yuan Ning: "..."

Was his father begging him for a present?Did he hear correctly_(:3」∠)_

Yuan Ning said: "I remember!"

Yuan Ning went back to the room, took out his notebook, and planned to record the birthdays of Mr. Zhang and Zhang Xiuyan on it.After he wrote Mr. Zhang's name, he paused, and simply wrote down the names of the whole family, and then went to knock on Zhang Xiuyan's door.

Zhang Xiuyan opened the door to let him in.

Yuan Ning said: "Brother, can you write me everyone's birthdays!" If he could know in advance, he would be more sure of getting the inkstone carved by the old man. Now there is only less than half a month left. Even if the old man is willing to engrave it, he may not be able to make it in time!Yuan Ning decided to prepare other gifts while looking for the old man, so as not to be late.

Zhang Xiuyan saw that Yuan Ning had seriously written the names of the whole family in the notebook, reached out to take the notebook and pen from Yuan Ning, and wrote down everyone's birthdays.

Seeing that Zhang Xiuyan wrote down all the dates without thinking, Yuan Ning knew that Zhang Xiuyan remembered everyone's birthdays very clearly.

So although the elder brother looked cold, but he was very gentle in his heart!

Yuan Ning said, "Then I'm going to read a book!"

The day returned to its usual calm.

In the evening of the next day, Yuan Ning was driven by driver Li to find that old friend of Xue's grandfather.From Driver Li, Yuan Ning learned that this old friend of the Xue family's grandfather was surnamed Ye, and his name was Ye Wenguang.The place where Mr. Ye lives is not far from Zhang's house, about 15 minutes' drive away, but the scene is quite different.Compared with the big inkstone factory that Mr. Zhang said, this place is really too small. There is only an ordinary courtyard house surrounded by swaying bamboos.

This is not a place suitable for planting bamboo, but the bamboo in this area grows exceptionally well, and it has not withered after the winter, and the straight bamboo poles have become more vigorous. The bamboo body that is about to drip.It was the first time for Yuan Ning to see such a well-grown bamboo. His eyes were filled with amazement. He followed Driver Li along the path covered with bamboo leaves to the courtyard, and knocked on the animal ring on the gate.

Soon, a fifteen or sixteen-year-old boy came over and opened the door.Seeing that they were two strangers, the boy asked suspiciously, "What's the matter with you?"

Yuan Ning said: "Hello, I want to find Mr. Ye, is he at home?"

The boy said: "Yes. But who are you, what can you do with grandpa?"

"I want to ask Mr. Ye to carve an inkstone." Yuan Ning said.

"For this, it depends on fate. Grandpa hasn't carved inkstones for strangers for a long time." The young man opened the door slightly sideways, "Come in, I'll take you to see grandpa."

Yuan Ning followed the young man into the courtyard, turned around the eaves on both sides, and saw an old man sitting there, holding a flat knife in his skinny hand, hitting the bottom of the inkstone one by one, sometimes lightly tapping, sometimes heavy chiseling, and digging holes. The uneven inkstone gradually became smooth and beautiful in his hands.

Yuan Ning saw the old man's eyes like torches, his knife moving like flying, his hands were steady and fast, he was secretly amazed, he stopped and did not move forward, he held his breath and watched the old man's movements.

There was a drizzle in the sky, and the eaves blocked the rain, only occasionally a few drops of rain drifted in along the wind.The old man put down the flat knife in his hand, and also put down the inkstone in his hand.He looked at Yuan Ning, his eyes were not cloudy at all, they were as sharp as a falcon.

Yuan Ning said, "You are amazing!"

Looking into Yuan Ning's bright eyes, the old man felt inexplicably as if he had seen it somewhere before.He asked, "Whose child are you from?"

Yuan Ning hesitated for a moment, and said, "My name is Yuan Ning." He paused, but still answered truthfully, "My elder brother is called Zhang Xiuyan, and he is going to have his 14th birthday soon. I hope you can help me carve an inkstone. .”

Zhang Xiuyan?chapter?The old man had a sharp look.He sneered and said, "It's you again? You really linger! Anyone with the surname Xue, don't come to me again!" The old man turned to the young man, "Don't let anyone in!"

Yuan Ning knew that she was hated, but she didn't want to leave like this.He squatted in front of the old man, looking at the inkstone in front of the old man.This is a rock, right?It is really amazing to be able to flatten the stone.Yuan Ning didn't seem to have heard the old man's eviction order, and asked curiously: "We use inkstones when we write, are they all made from this kind of gray stone?"

The old man stared at him.

The old man didn't return him, but he didn't chase people away either.He continued to pick up the inkstone and carefully leveled the uneven places.

After the old man finished playing the inkstone, Yuan Ning also stood up, said goodbye to the old man politely, and followed Driver Li to go home.

In the evening of the next day, Yuan Ning came to visit again.Seeing that he was young and stayed for a long time yesterday, the boy let him in.Yuan Ning still didn't bother, just watched from the side, observing the old man's sword skills, observing the old man's movements, and even observing the old man's expression of concentration.When the word "Xue" is not mentioned, the old man is always so focused.

What happened in the first place?

The ex-friends, why did the quarrel become so unpleasant, and they didn't even want to see each other for the last time?

The person who was refused to meet died with regret, but what about the person who refused to meet and is still alive?Yuan Ning was a little dazed, he still couldn't understand such a complicated mood.

Yuan Ning obediently waited for the old man to finish his work, then took out a small wood carving of animals from his pocket.

It was a cute little squirrel with long hairs on its ears and tail. Although it was such a small wood carving, it was carved so lifelike that it seemed that it could count how many hairs there were on its ears.It has hook-like claws and a half-closed umbrella-like tail. It looks as if it will jump up to the tree at any time and hang upside down from the branches with these claws and tail.

Yuan Ning said: "This is carved by a friend of mine. He is only 14 years old. Can you see if he is very talented?" Speaking of Luo Yuanliang, his words flowed out, "His parents are gone. Living on Grandpa Xie's ranch, he does a lot of work every day. But he is never tired, and he goes to the mountains every day to find medicinal materials and vines to exchange food with Mr. Carpenter. His handcarving is from carpentry I learned it from Mr.

Hearing Yuan Ning's words, the old man didn't pay much attention to it, but he still raised his eyes to look at the wooden squirrel sculpture.When he saw the appearance of the wooden squirrel, the old man was really surprised.Such a carver actually came from the hands of a teenager?

Yuan Ning has been paying attention to the expression of the old man, and seeing that the old man is attracted, he immediately talked about more things: "This is given to me by Luo Yuanliang, and there are nine other ones, all very cute, but I didn't bring them here. Do you want to see it? If you want to see it, I will bring them all tomorrow!"

The old man said: "Okay, you bring it."

Finally let the old man speak again, Yuan Ning left happily.

The grandson of the old man wondered, "Grandpa, didn't he come to ask you to engrave an inkstone? Why did he just come to talk to you?"

The old man's eyelids moved, and he said lightly, "How do I know?" Although he hated the grandpa of the Xue family, he couldn't help but keep a cold face to a half-grown child.If Yuan Ning wants to come, let him come, anyway, he won't let go, how can this kid still hold his hand and force him to engrave an inkstone?

Yuan Ning had indeed given up asking Mr. Ye to give Zhang Xiuyan's inkstone as a birthday gift, but he liked to see Ye Lao's inkstone very much, and felt very peaceful in his heart.Come here for half an hour every day, and I feel that the whole person has calmed down.

Yuan Ning went home in driver Li's car. When the car drove near Zhang's house, Yuan Ning saw a familiar figure.

Yuan Ning sat up straight and said to Driver Li: "