Qi Yu naturally didn't know that he had passed by Gandao.
After dinner, he took a hurried bath in a hot water bucket, and then plunged into the study.
Since you have chosen to copy books as your livelihood, you must complete it as soon as possible. Procrastinating is a waste of time. If it takes too long, you will be complained by the shopkeeper.
Although copying a book does not require elegant handwriting, it does require writing stroke by stroke, which is much slower than expected.
Also, the writing brush left behind by the original owner was not very easy to use, and the inkstone was missing a corner. If it was not placed smoothly, ink would overflow.
The equipment is really bad, I can only upgrade it later when conditions permit, so I'll just make do with it for now.
I am still a little uncomfortable with the oil lamp lighting, and my eyes will feel sore after a long time. There is nothing I can do about it, I can only get used to it slowly.
I sorted out the manuscript I had written, blew out the oil lamp, and then got ready to rest.
Where will you sleep today?
Looking up, there was still a dim light from the west window, uh...she wasn't asleep yet?
You can't stay in the study all night. Not to mention the loneliness, it's too cold!
Sleep with her?
Although it was just a sign, his heart felt a little itchy. After struggling for a while, Qi Yu finally mustered up the courage to cross the threshold.
Just like in the memory, this simple dormitory was cleaned spotlessly, and the words "Double Happiness" when they got married were still glowing with a faint red light on the wall, without fading at all.
The graceful figure on the bed was facing away from him, motionless, as if he was fast asleep.
Gulu...
Qi Yu swallowed subconsciously, feeling uneasy.
I held my breath, then pressed it down, and then I felt a little calmer. Taking advantage of this brief moment of distraction, I hurriedly blew out the oil lamp and leaned down on the bed.
Be gentle and don't make any noise.
She still didn't respond, maybe she was really fast asleep.
Lying back to back with her, he hurriedly recited the multiplication table of Jiujiu silently to suppress the other little Jiujiu in his heart.
Xiao Jiujiu finished reciting silently once...
Then, the single loops.
"Why don't you take off your clothes when you sleep?" Liu Quan's voice came from the darkness.
She didn't sleep? Khan...
"I...forgot." Qi Yu said inconsistently.
"You haven't talked to me so calmly for a long time." Liu Quan said slightly resentfully.
Qi Yu heard the grievance and said guiltily: "In the past... I was the bastard. I will definitely change my ways in the future. If you don't believe me, just wait and see."
She stopped talking, sighed softly, and stopped talking.
But in this darkness, Qi Yu always felt that there was a pair of eyes looking at him, and he felt a little uneasy.
I can't help but think about it...
In my previous life, I was a single person who had never even had my first love, but now I was sleeping in the same bed with my wife, feeling both nervous and a little excited.
This is like a person who has been hungry for a long time. He should have eaten some gruel to moisten his stomach first, but now he is served a plate of hard vegetables. He will suffer from indigestion.
Forget it, stop thinking about it, just recite the multiplication table silently...
The night finally passed.
Early the next morning, after making breakfast, Liu Quan went to Xiufang to pick up the work and started her new busy day.
Compared with yesterday, Ms. Zhou was also happier because her son had turned around and started making money. What made her even more gratified was that her son's temperament had improved after he drowned in the river. He even recovered from his madness without medical treatment. It was a blessing in disguise.
Bar.
Qi Yu didn't sleep well, he kept rubbing the dark circles under his eyes. After washing his face with cold water, he regained some energy.
Breakfast improved slightly, and I finally got some rice grains in the porridge.
Farmers also say that people who work hard are not lazy, and the same goes for scholars. If you work hard, you will earn money and your life will improve.
The light north wind blew loudly last night, and the room was filled with cold air and chilly.
These thatched houses were built by the grandfather of the original owner. Due to their disrepair, they are no longer even able to keep out wind and rain. It is time to renovate the tiles.
But this matter can't be rushed, we have to wait until we have the money.
After breakfast, Qi Yu continued to copy books. As soon as he sat down, he heard someone calling outside the window. Listen carefully to the voice of his wife, Liu Quan.
"Come out for a moment."
Qi Yu put down his pen, opened the door and went out: "What do you want me to do?"
"Last night, Mrs. Yan from West Village passed away due to a sudden illness. You wrote an elegiac couplet and I sent it to express my condolences," Liu Quan said.
"Master Yan? He doesn't seem to have much contact with our family..." Qi Yu said in a daze.
Master Yan's full name is Yan Zhen. He is a foreigner who has lived here for a long time. It is said that he is a scholar. In recent years, he has set up a private school in the West Village. He earns some tuition fees on weekdays and can be regarded as a somewhat knowledgeable person in the countryside.
But he has no children, and he comes from a desolate family, with very little communication between his neighbors.
My family has no contact with him, not even an acquaintance, so why send an elegiac couplet?
Seeing Qi Yu's confusion, Liu Quan explained: "Although Master Yan has no heirs, you and he are both scholars, so etiquette cannot be ignored. It is just a matter of pen and ink, so there is no need to worry too much."
The lady is right, be kind to others and be kind to yourself.
Qi Yu agreed: "Yes, I will write it right away."
After laying down paper and grinding ink, hanging the pen without letting it fall, you still need to think carefully about your words.
From a normative point of view, there are also particularities in writing elegiac couplets, which can be roughly divided into three types: if you are a relative of the deceased, you should use "weeping elegiac"; if you are paying tribute to the younger generation, you should use "worshipping"; if you are just a normal relationship or
If you are an ordinary person, you can use 'respect'.
Since he wanted to show respect, it was better to be humble, so Qi Yu wrote a letter of condolence.
Liu Quan knew how to read, took one look at it, and put it away happily, and then said: "There is one more thing that I need your help with. You can take the yams collected at home and sell them at the market tomorrow to get some money to buy rice.
It takes a lot of time to go back and forth, so you can just deal with it outside during lunch."
Qi Yu was stunned: "But I still have to copy books."
Liu Quan advised: "Although you can make money by copying books, you have to wait until the copy is completed before you can get it. Now that the family is short of food, selling things will make money faster."
Water from afar could not quench the thirst of the nearer, and only cash in cash could alleviate the urgent need. Qi Yu agreed after thinking about it.
Liu Quan was a little hesitant to speak, but said nothing more. After acknowledging the situation, he went out with the elegiac couplet.
She also said that it was the first time she had spoken so many words to herself since she came into this world. Although her tone was still cold, it was much better than before.
Three feet of ice does not freeze in a day. The relationship between husband and wife who respect each other like ice needs to be improved slowly. Over time, they will respect each other like guests.
According to the plan, Qi Yu went out early the next morning carrying yams and headed straight to the market.
The market was bustling with people, and most of the stalls were selling seasonal vegetables. I seemed to have arrived a little late, and all the good seats were taken by others.
After searching for a long time, Qi Yu found a remote stall and squatted down to sell it, but no one paid any attention to it.
After a closer look, I found the reason. Other vendors had put some straw on the goods, but I didn't.
After asking for advice, I learned that root cuttings represent no goods and are worthless, which means there are good goods sold at low prices, so I followed suit.
His luck was so good that it wasn't until the sun turned west that Qi Yu sold the yams at a price lower than the market price. Disappointed, he hurried home with thirty coins in his pocket.
After entering the house, I heard Ms. Zhou muttering: "Today's table of dishes costs at least twenty cents. Even Dashui said that the service was a bit expensive."
Dashui, whose full name is Zhou Dashui, is the second uncle of the original owner. He is currently working as a pian in the ceremonial room of the county government. Although this is just a small job without rank, it is already a very respectable official in the eyes of the country people.
I have become a father.
Is this a coincidence? As soon as Fang left home today, his uncle rushed over. This is out of season, why are you moving around?
"Mom, what's wrong with my second uncle coming over?" Qi Yu asked.
Zhou said happily: "It's nothing. He heard that you drowned in the river and came over to see what happened. After learning that you were fine, he was relieved. Of course, he also did some official business."
"What a coincidence, I'm not at home."
"He didn't pay attention. He praised you when he heard that you were selling goods at the market. Then he just chatted about family matters, which was nothing serious."
In recent years, this uncle has helped a lot. If it weren't for him, he might not even have a wife. Qi Yu is still grateful to him.
Mrs. Zhou added: "Your second uncle also said that the shopkeeper Qian of the coffin shop is too overbearing and he will think of a way."
Qi Yu shook his head and smiled: "I owe you debts, what can I do to help you pay off your debts?"
"How do I know this? But he and his wife discussed it for a while, but they didn't come up with the reason."
"Thank you for your trouble, uncle."
Zhou Dashui is a minor official in the county government's ceremonial room. He is mainly responsible for performing some chores such as sacrifices, teachings, etiquette, and festivals. He does not have much power. What can he help?
After chatting for a while, Qi Yu went into the study to copy books, not wanting to waste time.
Unknowingly, the most difficult night has arrived again.
Where will you sleep tonight?
Although the bed felt warm, the atmosphere was cold.
He gritted his teeth and chose to sleep on the same bed with her, but Liu Quan never communicated with him again and seemed to go to bed very early every day.
Several days passed like this, night after night.
There were several times when Qi Yu wanted to take the initiative to communicate with his wife, but she always said, "Go to bed early" and directly killed his expression.
It’s not like nothing was gained.
I have memorized the multiplication tables thoroughly...
Don't be so pessimistic. Falling in love is like cooking fresh food. Don't rush it. Eating hot tofu in a hurry will burn your mouth.
As he slowly integrated in, Qi Yu fell in love with this family more and more, and of course the people in this family. He also gradually adapted to his role as a son and a husband.
After several days and nights of burning the midnight oil, the first book was finally copied and ready for delivery.
Early that morning, Qi Yu ate breakfast in a hurry, then packed up the manuscripts and went to Shopkeeper You's bookstore.
Qi Yu couldn't help but chuckle inwardly when he thought about the two hundred cash he was about to receive.
Before going out, he specifically asked Liu Quan what she wanted to eat so that she could buy some when he came back, but she simply replied: Don't spend money carelessly.
Alas, who doesn’t want to spend money randomly? The problem is that money is tight!
After winter, if there is nothing important, people like to stay at home to keep warm, so the town is deserted and there are few people.
But today's Luming Bookstore is different. A large group of people have gathered at the entrance, which is very different from the last time we came here. Those people are all wearing long robes, and they look like scholars at first sight.
With so many people here, could it be that there is a big business of copying books?
Thinking of this, Qi Yu suddenly became energetic and his pace quickened a lot.