School.
After Mr. Meng announced the dismissal and left the classroom, the students rushed out one after another.
At that time it was only 3 p.m., and the day was still young. The children living close to the village were in no hurry to go home, so they would pull along their close friends and play around the school area for awhile before heading home.
Therefore, once dismissed, many children rushed out of the school gate.
Sun Daji was the oldest and tallest, standing at the front, staring unblinkingly at the gate while reminding the other little radish heads: "You all better not blink, keep your eyes wide open, don't let little cousin run away!"
This heroic statement, for those unaware, might make them think they were intercepting some villain.
The little radish heads answered in unison: "Big brother don't worry, we won't blink!"
Two little cousin sisters even used their fingers to prop open their eyes, staring unblinkingly at the school gate.
"Ah, ah, ah, I see little cousin!"
As soon as Zhao Zhitong's little figure appeared at the school gate, many little radish heads shouted and swarmed forward.
...
Zhao Zhitong was bewildered.
She was bragging with Qiao Muchen, saying she practiced once yesterday and could already write the characters taught by the teacher.
The boast was still flying in the sky when suddenly she was surrounded by a group of little radish heads.
"Little cousin!"
"Little cousin!"
...
Her ears were filled with the calls of the little radish heads.
After her initial bewilderment, Zhao Zhitong was delighted: "Cousins, how did you get here?"
"We came to take you home, grandpa and grandma are here too!"
Several little radish heads expressed excitedly.
Zhao Zhitong excitedly shouted: "Wow, grandpa and grandma are here too, let's hurry back!"
Saying that, she was ready to go back with the group of little radish heads.
And because of the appearance of the little radish heads, Qiao Muchen, who was squeezed out, was dazed for a long time.
Upon hearing Zhao Zhitong say she wanted to go back, he immediately went over to hold her: "Are you going back now?"
Zhao Zhitong then remembered Qiao Muchen.
She immediately pulled Qiao Muchen over to the cousins and began introducing him: "Cousins, this is my good friend, his name is Qiao Muchen."
She then introduced her cousins to Qiao Muchen one by one: "This is my oldest cousin Sun Daji, second cousin Sun Daqing, third cousin Sun Daxiang, fourth cousin Sun Duru, fifth cousin Sun Dahuo, oldest cousin sister Sun Xiaoxue, and youngest cousin sister Sun Xiaoyu."
Qiao Muchen instantly was stunned by the array of names from Zhao Zhitong's mouth, widening his eyes in shock, dryly saying: "Your family is really bustling."
Zhao Zhitong was very proud, extremely pleased: "Hehe, that's right, no one has more brothers and sisters than I do."
Then she turned to the cousins: "Cousins, I promised earlier to teach Qiao Muchen climbing trees after school today. The teacher said people should keep their promises, so I will go home a little later."
Since he found he couldn't beat Zhao Zhitong in climbing trees, Qiao Muchen decided to challenge Zhao Zhitong to a contest of recognizing characters.
He began studying at the age of three, although due to weak health it was on and off.
But when it comes to recognizing characters, he surely knew more than Zhao Zhitong.
At the time, Zhao Zhitong didn't want to compete in climbing trees every day either, so she agreed.
As expected, Qiao Muchen won. Thus, they agreed that Qiao Muchen would teach Zhao Zhitong to recognize characters, and Zhao Zhitong would teach Qiao Muchen climbing trees.
Though a few cousins didn't really plan on going home immediately, upon hearing Zhao Zhitong say she would return later, they all agreed to stay with her.
Thus, a mighty group of little kids marched toward the old locust tree at the village head.
Standing at the gate, Zhao Yue watched their departing backs, snorting coldly.
At this moment, three playmates who often played together with Zhao Yue in the same village walked over.
One of them spoke up: "Today the teacher praised them both a lot, they're so proud and mighty now."
Zhao Yue snorted coldly without speaking.
Another kid proposed a sneaky idea: "Hey, I have a method to drive away that annoying girl."
Zhao Yue was stunned, hesitantly asking: "What method?"
The child leaned over and whispered: "She didn't formally apprentice, so she's not the teacher's student and cannot attend lessons, which is sneaky learning. We tell our parents at home, she'll never be able to appear in school again."
Another child agreed: "Wow, that's a great idea!"
Zhao Yue was momentarily stunned: "This, this isn't quite right."
The child who proposed the idea nonchalantly said: "What's wrong with it? She didn't apprentice, didn't pay the fee, why should she study with us and the teacher?"
Another child echoed: "It's true, it's true, Zhao Yue, don't hesitate. We'll go home and tell the adults that Zhao Zhitong will disrupt our studies outside the classroom, then the teacher surely will expel her."
Zhao Yue hesitated for a moment, thinking about how his father was amiable towards Zhao Zhitong and also the teacher's praise for her, then determinedly nodded.
But as soon as he nodded, he felt a brief moment of regret.
...
The group of little radish heads played outside for a long time, until they returned to find Sun Mei and two aunts preparing to call out for them.
Seeing the little ones running back from afar, the second aunt laughed: "See, I guessed it. If we let them fetch someone, surely they'll play outside."
"Auntie, Second Auntie!"
Spotting the people standing at the door from afar, Zhao Zhitong dashed forward and sweetly called out.
"Where did you play? You're all sweaty, hurry home for a wash."
The adults quickly brought the play-crazy children into the house.
Just as they entered the courtyard, Zhao Zhitong's nose caught the smell of meat, and her eyes sparkled: "Mom, braised pork!"
Sun Mei smiled helplessly: "You, are like a dog, your nose is so sharp, quick, go wash your hands."
Today was their first day in the clan, and they made money. Coincidentally, the newly arrived Sun Mei crowd hadn't eaten meat yet.
Therefore, Zhao Dong went to Butcher Zhao's home to buy pork, at that moment, the kitchen was cooking braised pork.
Grandpa and Grandma hadn't left yet.
Grandma was in the kitchen helping with the cooking, while Grandpa was in the yard chatting with Zhao Dong.
"Girl, come over."
After Zhao Zhitong washed her hands, Sun Kang gestured for her to come over.
Zhao Zhitong ran over, sweetly calling: "Grandpa, did you come to tell Tongtong a story?"
"Hahaha." Sun Kang chuckled heartily, pulling the little girl to his side, seriously asking: "Girl, do you want to learn medicine from Grandpa?"
Zhao Zhitong was puzzled: "Learn medicine?"
Sun Kang nodded: "Yes, it's about learning herbs, treating illnesses and saving people with Grandpa. Would you like to?"
Zhao Zhitong's big round eyes blinked innocently as she asked: "Will I be able to heal Dad's leg if I learn?"
Sun Kang nodded: "As long as you study hard, it's possible."
Zhao Zhitong asked again: "Will there be nice stories to hear?"
Sun Kang laughed heartily: "Absolutely, more than you can finish. Plus, in the future, you'll have your own story too."
Zhao Zhitong's eyes sparkled brightly, nodding heavily: "Then Tongtong wants to, wants to learn medicine from Grandpa."