Delighted
Bai Shanbao proudly declared, "I am eight years old!"
Man Bao chimed in, "That's in lunar years!"
Bai Shanbao responded, "But you're only six!"
Man Bao retorted, "I'll be taller than you soon; girls usually grow faster than boys."
Wei Zhi burst into laughter and asked, "Who told you that?"
Man Bao proudly replied, "My friend!"
Of course, the friend was Keke.
The soil in Qili Village seemed to be very suitable for Bai Shanbao, as he had grown quickly since last year. He had only been half a head taller than Man Bao, but now he was almost a full head taller.
The last time they had a fight, Man Bao had a hard time taking him down. Science comforted her by saying that she would grow faster than Bai Shanbao in two years. Generally, girls develop earlier than boys.
Man Bao had been waiting for that moment to arrive.
Wei Zhi was curious about who had comforted the child, but he didn't dwell on it. He changed the subject to their studies, saying, "I checked Bai Shan's homework yesterday." Despite being only eight years old, he performed exceptionally well. "I wonder how well you are doing in your studies?"
Man Bao replied, "I won't be worse than him." Test me.
Wei Zhi looked at Mr. Zhuang.
Mr. Zhuang was happy to show off his younger student and gestured for her to proceed with the test.
Wei Zhi then tested her. He had already inquired with Bai Shanbao about his studies and learned that he had completed reading the "Classic of Poetry" and was currently studying "The Great Learning." Nevertheless, he began assessing Man Bao with the "Thousand Character Classic" and, in contrast to "The Great Learning," he chose to discuss "The Analects" with Man Bao.
Man Bao was very familiar with this book, even more so than Bai Shanbao. Ever since she could write legibly, she made two copies of "The Analects" for Mr. Zhuang to use. Her first set of textbooks was all copied by Mr. Zhuang. ###
After she finished reading the text, she would make a few more copies for him so that he could use them to teach other students. This was much cheaper than buying books in the county.
Mr. Zhuang accepted the books brought by his younger students, and Man Bao's act of transcribing these books was also a way for her to review. Now, since she was also teaching her older brothers and nephews "The Analects," she was naturally more familiar with it than Bai Shanbao.
Confucius once said, "Reviewing what one has learned and learning anew often, one is fit to be a teacher." Even though she might not gain new insights every time she reads "The Analects," she still benefits from reviewing it.
Therefore, her comprehension of the text was even more profound than Bai Shanbao's.
Wei Zhi listened more attentively as Man Bao spoke, revealing her talkative nature and posing questions that even Mr. Zhuang and Keke couldn't answer.
Wei Zhi: Children have a unique way of looking at problems, which results in their questions being equally unique and challenging to answer.
However, this big shot was, after all, the Minister of Secretaries and had the ability to manage them.
Even though he was surprised, he earnestly answered Man Bao's questions.
Despite being a book, "The Analects" is a work that can be revisited throughout one's lifetime. Even Mr. Zhuang himself listened with great interest and benefited immensely from Wei Zhi's insights.
As a result, Mr. Zhuang couldn't help but join in, bringing forth some questions he had been saving for Wei Zhi to answer.
As the day progressed, they were so engrossed that they hadn't realized the time until Lufeng came running to remind Mr. Zhuang that it was time for afternoon classes.
Mr. Zhuang got up and went to Wei Zhi, saying, "A conversation with Mr. Wei is better than ten years of reading." It's a pity that we're short on time today. "Would Mr. Wei mind coming to my humble abode for a drink later?"
Wei Zhi eagerly agreed.
Mr. Zhuang joyfully escorted Wei Zhi out and then led the two children back home to study.
It was only when they sat at their desks that Man Bao realized belatedly, "We forgot to take a nap."
Bai Shanbao groaned, "You're just realizing that now?" "I was already feeling a bit sleepy earlier."
But sleeping in class was not an option because they were sitting in the first row.
Wei Zhi had been out for most of the day and leisurely made his way back to the Bai family, where his every move was observed by Mrs. Liu.
Daji stood to the side and asked, "Madam, can we trust him?"
Mrs. Liu remained silent for a while before saying, "We'll see." After all, the gentleman isn't in a hurry to leave, is he?
"What about Miss Man Bao?"
Since learning that Man Bao's parents were Zhou Yin, and Zhou Yin was once part of the couple, Daji's attitude towards Man Bao had changed.
Mrs. Liu remained silent for an even longer period this time. "Let's see how it goes." If Shabao brings Man Bao back today, let them play in the garden some more. "They're always cooped up in the study."
Initially, she had not decided whether to disclose the truth about Wei Zhi to the entire family, so she preferred not to introduce him to Man Bao just yet. This was for the benefit of the Zhou family and also for Man Bao's well-being. She didn't want to involve the Zhou family in an uncertain situation.
However, now that he had already seen the person, it was better to let him have a clearer view of Man Bao.
Unaware of this, the carefree Man Bao invited Bai Shanbao to do homework at his house after school.
Because they had been careless, Mr. Zhuang had given them an extra-large pile of homework for the day. Even if they started working on it as soon as they got home, they probably wouldn't be able to finish it before dinner.
This made Bai Shanbao a little sad, and he said to Man Bao, "This is all your fault. If you hadn't stumbled over your words, Mr. Zhuang wouldn't have asked me such difficult questions."
Man Bao was indignant. "It's evident that your lack of understanding led to your inability to answer Mr. Zhuang's questions and then shift the blame onto me."
Bai Shanbao didn't want to argue with her, as they still had to do their homework together later, so he said, "Fine. We'll have a new lesson tomorrow, and once we're done with our homework and revisions, we need to prepare for that." "Why don't you eat dinner at my house, and then we can continue being together after that?"
"I'll eat at my own house." Once I'm full, I'll come over.
"Why not eat at my house?"
"Because my sister-in-law is cooking tonight, and my brothers surely brought back some meat from the countryside today." Tomorrow, it will be my other sister-in-law's turn to cook. "You can invite me to your house for dinner then."
Bai Shanbao: "...Alright."
Upon returning home, they were instructed to go and play in the garden before starting their homework. Bai Shanbao became even more troubled. "Grandma, can't we play in the garden after we finish our homework?"
Mrs. Liu was unaware that they had additional homework for the day. She thought they just wanted to sneak a peek at some books in the study again, so she replied sternly, "No."
Man Bao tugged on Bai Shanbao's sleeve, and Bai Shanbao reluctantly agreed.
Text: ### Once they were outside, Man Bao said to him, "You're such a fool." ### Why did you want to anger Grandma? We can bring our homework to the garden to work on it. Why did you have to do this?
Unaware of the situation, the carefree Man Bao invited Bai Shanbao to do homework at his house after school. Due to their carelessness, Mr. Zhuang assigned them an unusually large amount of homework for the day. Even if they started working on it as soon as they got home, they probably wouldn't be able to finish it before dinner. This made Bai Shanbao feel a little downtrodden, and he said to Man Bao, "This is all your fault." "If it weren't for you stumbling over your words, Mr. Zhuang wouldn't have asked me such difficult questions," Man Bao said indignantly. "It's clearly your own lack of understanding that caused you to be unable to answer Mr. Zhuang's questions and then blame it on me," Bai Shanbao didn't want to argue with her, as they still had to do their homework together later, so he said, "Fine." We'll have a new lesson tomorrow, and once we're done with our homework and revisions, we need to prepare for it. "Why don't you come over for dinner at my house, and then we can spend more time together afterwards?" "I'll eat at my own house." Once I'm full, I'll come over." "Why not eat at my house?" "Because my sister-in-law is cooking tonight, and my brothers surely brought back some meat from the county today. Tomorrow, it will be my other sister-in-law's turn to cook. "You can invite me to your house for dinner then," Bai Shanbao said. Bai Shanbao became even more troubled. "Grandma, can we play in the garden after we finish our homework?" Mrs. Liu didn't know that they had extra homework for the day and thought they just wanted to sneak a peek at some books in the study again, so she replied sternly, "No." Man Bao tugged on Bai Shanbao's sleeve, and Bai Shanbao begrudgingly agreed.