Manbao and Bai Shanbao hung their heads as the teacher chattered away, scolding them for a while, and by the way stuffed a bunch of things into their heads before finally starting to give them special lessons on the small stove.
Mr. Zhuang led them into the study.
The study was divided into an inner and outer room; the outer room had two rows of bookshelves, a large desk, and a chair.
The inner room was a tea room, as Mr. Zhuang was averse to the cold, and so was his elderly wife. When they had moved here, they had a heated brick bed installed in both the bedroom and the study.
The heated brick bed was quite low, covered with mats, and right in the middle there was a set of tea equipment. Mr. Zhuang knew children should not drink tea, so he didn't let them, and instead took the head seat, having the two kids sit across from him.
Bai Shanbao took off his shoes and crawled up, folding his legs and sitting neatly, with practiced ease.
