In the early days, the old blind man came to the teahouse in a thin brown cloak before the day turned cold. Dame Du saw the old blind man's figure, so she was busy waking up her little daughter Nancy.
"Nancy, Uncle Blind is here." said Dame Du.
Nancy came out of the house in a daze, and the old blind man began to teach her to recognise words and to read, the old blind man's tone of voice was soft and gentle, as if he was treating his own daughter, teaching her diligently, except that sometimes he seemed to remember something, and when he occasionally went off on a tangent, Nancy didn't mind, and obediently read the book herself.
Suddenly, a mouthful of other accent broke the silence: "Boss lady, serve tea". Only two men and women, dressed in fancy clothes and silk shoes, appeared at the entrance of the teahouse. The head of the person, dignified appearance, although not in the flowers of the face, but for the quality of bamboo. The face was not stunning on earth, but his eyebrows revealed sincerity and steadiness.
There was another girl dressed in red, with hair as black as night, casually tied up with a hairpin. The red dress was fluttering, embroidered with golden divine beasts and ornaments, obviously nothing out of the ordinary, revealing her extraordinary status. There was a hint of majesty in the red dress, as if it was a touch of absolute splendour in the red dust. And her face, as perfect as an ice sculpture, without any powder, as if it had experienced a thousand years of wind, frost, rain and snow without changing its beauty, the most stunning being her pair of blood-coloured eyes, as if she could take away people's hearts and souls.
The sword in her hand is even more extraordinary, the sword body is long and straight, the hilt is carved with a dragon and phoenix totem, flashing cold light, it seems to be a sharp and incomparable weapon. One can imagine that when she swung the sword, it must have been a bright scene in Jianghu.
Du Daniang was busy answering, while Old Blind Man's sense of hearing already knew that the identity of the person who came was extraordinary, and he hurriedly instructed Nancy, "You go play first, I have something to do.
Following the voice, Old Blindie arrived in front of the group, bowed and asked, "Several people, are they from the Starfall Pavilion?"
Not far away, Dame Du saw this and hurriedly told Nancy to find the stone.
The dignified man nodded his head and replied, "Yes, what can I do for you?"
The old blind man said eagerly, "I have a son who is gifted, but due to some minor delays he was unable to enrol yesterday, I wonder if he could be merciful and give him another chance?"
The dignified man frowned slightly, "Old man, you also know that the rules are like that..."
The old blind man seemed to anticipate the end of these words and said eagerly, "I only ask that the Duke give me another chance."
"I can mention this matter to the elders, but we still need the elders to decide on the details. If there really is someone of outstanding character, Starfall Pavilion is eager to hear about it." After a few words, it was obvious that this person was acting steadily and was not in a hurry.
"Your Excellency, how can I not know, I'm afraid that you're going to leave and come back when it's already next year, I don't want this child to waste a year. All I ask is a kind word from you, I am grateful. The old blind man said with tears in his eyes.
"All said rules are rules. Said the girl in red.
The old blind man's body was weak, and every time he coughed, it was as if he was trying to cough out the last breath of his life. Only to see him throw his cane aside and kneel stiffly. Under the gaze of the crowd, he was like rotting grass shaken by the wind, unbearable. "Please." Fear was written all over Du Daniang's face as she hurried over to help the old blind man up, but was unable to shake him.
"Hmph," the girl in red pursed her lips and said coldly, "Where is there so much mercy in this world? Rules are rules, why does someone always have to be special?"
The man beside him furrowed his brows as he calmly said, "Jade, don't forget that I'm in charge of this trip."
"Why Zhang Tian Ling, you defeated man, still want to come and control me?"
The teahouse early by the onlookers in three circles outside three circles watching the action, at this time coincided with the stone two people arrived, behind the Nancy where to see this kind of situation, ran crying to the arms of Du Daniang.
Gongzi saw this yesterday's acceptance of the little girl and an angry teenager came over, then reached out to help the old blind man.
"Eh, have pity on the parents of the world. All right, if you're really good, follow us to the capital and see if you can get in".
Stone, however, mistakenly thought that this noble gentleman was bullying the old blind man, immediately made a red-eyed grimace, immediately took two steps, and quickly took a step towards the middle of the two. He shouted, "If there's something coming at me, don't bully an old man.
The scythe in the stone's hand flashed with a cold light as it stood between the old blind man and the Gongzi with a full sense of vigilance.
The man in the Chinese dress smiled faintly, "This is your son?"
The old blind man hurriedly said, "Stone, these are all high-ranking people.
Du Daniang hurried over to Stone and quietly explained what had happened. After hearing this, Stone's heart was like a knife. In the three years he had spent with Old Blindie, he knew that the old man was a man of few words, but a man with a backbone. He hadn't expected that the old blind man would kneel down for him in front of the public, that resentment, how could he not remember it?
Seeing this scene, the red-robed girl laughed coldly, ''This old man is really willing to give up, just for such a child. It would be better to keep this child in front of his body and have more people take care of him before he dies.
When Stone heard the mean words of this red-robed girl, he was instantly enraged. He turned to look at her, only to see that her eyebrows revealed an innate coldness and arrogance, and her blood-coloured eyes seemed to be able to see into people's hearts.
"What does our family's business have to do with you?"
He turned his head to the old blind man and said, "I'm not going to that nag's Starfall Pavilion, I have yet to repay your favour, how could I leave you?"
The old blind man sighed softly, his eyes filled with tenderness and expectation, "Child, I know your heart is much bigger than this land. This flock of sheep that you have raised to be stronger and more fertile than others must be a talent and a gift unique to you. I've decided to take care of this teahouse with Madam Du, so don't worry, you don't need to be distracted by me anymore. Besides, Nancy is also about to leave for Starfall Pavilion, she is not comfortable with me and your Madam Du alone, and you can take care of each other.
Stone said in a deep voice, "Who will take care of you after I leave?"
The Chinese-robed man's eyes were sharp, and he replied blandly, "You just need to go to the Starfall Pavilion with peace of mind, and if you really get through its door, your family and this place will be under the protection of the Starfall Pavilion's power. No one will dare underestimate it." As the words fell, he glanced around, and the crowd was either surprised or in awe, but they all avoided his front and retreated.
The stone took a deep breath, stepped forward and knelt, bowing to the old blind man and making a thumping sound to express his resolve and gratitude.
The girl in red sneered softly, "It really is a great show of deep love between father and son. As she said this, her skirt turned, leaving a red shadow as it fluttered away.
The man smiled bitterly and said to the stone, "If you want to understand, I will see you in the south of the city early tomorrow morning." Saying this, he also chased after the red-dressed girl.
At the old blind man's request, Stone moved his family's belongings to Du Damiang's inn. There are not many things to move, the old blind man urged, taking the rusty copper bell with him. The stone did not understand, but dragged it over anyway, and Du Daniang took advantage of the effort to give the old blind man a haircut and change his clothes.
After removing the greasy tufts of hair, the old blind man's originally dishevelled hair was smoothed by Du Daniang's skilful hands and no longer looked unkempt. The originally dishevelled beard has also been neatly combed, revealing the slight vicissitudes of his life. Although the silver hair is mottled, with the marks of the years, the old blind man before him seems to have changed from a disorganised vagabond to a man of elegance. Looking at the newly dressed old blind man in front of her, this kind of serenity and charisma from within, she could not help but be moved. At this thought, Du Daniang's cheeks unconsciously flushed with a faint blush, a hint of shyness and joy in a woman's heart.
It was already dusk when Shi returned to Du Daniang's inn.
Du Daniang was exceptionally happy today and opened a table full of good food. When she thought about the time she gave birth to Nancy, her husband did not like her because she was a girl, and she was either beaten or scolded all day long. Among a group of onlookers, only the old blind man was righteous. The old blind man was the only one who stood up for what was right and what was wrong, and in the end, when her husband was drunk and out walking at night, he stepped on a wooden bridge that was fine for everyone else but him, and he died, leaving her with a fatherless Nancy, and it wasn't easy for her to run a teahouse as a widow. It is also the old blind man who stands up for himself, but every argument and conflict has aggravated the old blind man's physical injuries, he never just smiles, but Du Daniang knows that well. Besides, the old blind man never dared to say anything vulgar like her own husband. He was a warm sunshine in Du Daniang's life, helping her through those dark days. His wisdom and patience allowed Nancy to grow from a shy little girl into a thoughtful and understanding young woman. The old blind man used to say, "The word is the mind of man, and reading is the process of self-discovery. To make matters worse, Nancy was also chosen to be in the Starfall Pavilion.
It was Old Blindie who had been by Nancy's side when he was just able to recognise things. Old Blindie had been very good to Miao Miao, even a little spoiled, because even though he was blind, he wasn't bad to Miao Miao. After all, there are two families, it is not good to have too much contact, so Nancy has been living in the lack of father's love in the living environment, so his nature is already a little weak, but the good thing is that there is the old blind man's companion. At the dinner table, the corner of Nancy's eye and the stains of tears left behind during the day, a hopeful face looked at the old blind man and asked in a whisper: "May I call you father?
The old blind man froze and for a moment wept with joy: "Well, well, from now on I will be your father". Trembling, he pulled out a jade pendant from his chest and gave it to Nancy. On the jade pendant was engraved a lifelike phoenix, proud posture, feathers of magnificent splendour. After sending the jade pendant, the old blind man seemed to fall into memories, the side of Du Daniang perceived the old blind man's look and knew that he had something in his heart, and for a moment, he was also a little sad.
"I will be your brother from now on," the stone said, patting his chest. Usually obedient Nancy uncharacteristically lowered the jade neck and looked at the jade pendant, silent and did not respond, stone a moment some embarrassment, had to bury his head to eat.
The daughter's mind is indeed difficult to guess.
Stone looked at this simple peasant woman in front of Du Daniang, and then looked at the old blind man for a while with mixed feelings. If the old blind man had not brought himself back, and if Du Daniang and the old blind man had not taken care of him for more than a year, he would have died in that corner. Such family warmth made him feel strange yet familiar. When he thought about saying goodbye to them tomorrow, his heart couldn't help but be filled with bitterness.
The old blind man said: "Tomorrow you will go out, the road is long, a person outside is not like at home, be careful. This is the money from selling sheep these years, you and take it with you, at least you can answer an emergency outside".
Stone took it respectfully. Outside the house the autumn wind was getting cooler, but inside it was as warm as ever. Of all the lights in the sky, there was one for him.
The next day, Du Daniang and the old blind man saw him off, but the old blind man was weak and sickly. Before he could walk a few steps, he started to cough. Seeing this, the stone would not allow them to say goodbye to each other. As they parted, Du Daniang handed Shi a parcel. It contained steamed buns and dried mutton that Danniang had marinated for them to eat on the road. Du Da Niang was in tears and hugged Nancy tightly, telling her to be good when she was out there alone. The old blind man stood silently by, and several times he wanted to say something to the stone, but he held himself back, just to the side, watching them silently. At that moment, the stone suddenly felt that the old blind man did not seem to be completely blind, in his gaze even seemed to see a touch of familiar system of the colour of blood.
Came to the south of the city, not a moment later. Only saw the noble gentleman and the girl in red, and a few scattered mountain village teenagers walking this way. Although the day before yesterday to see a lot of teenagers, but to leave their hometown to go to a strange city is still a little timid, coupled with the adults at home are not willing to leave such a workforce, so only a trip to recruit only so few people.
This noble gentleman, saw the stone up to say "yesterday. Leaving in a hurry has not yet exchanged names, my name is Zhang Tianling is this recruitment of students in charge".
The stone hurriedly announced his name.
"Next to him is a student from Starfall Pavilion named Jade."
The red-robed girl walked straight ahead without even looking at Stone.
"Hurry up and leave as soon as you've finished talking."
It was a long way to this place, so the crowd didn't talk nonsense and hurried on.