A life of clearness

Chapter 11 Gong Xiaolang

Rong Qing and Zhong Xiu sat opposite each other in silence for a while, then a man came in shouting.

"Gong Xiuniang, you still have the guts to come back? I will beat you to death today."

Rong Qing looked back and saw that the man should be the Gong Xiaolang they mentioned. She had only heard of him before, but now she saw him in the real person.

Gong Xiaolang broke in... Although this was originally his yard, he was so angry and murderous that the word "broke" had to be used to describe him.

He rushed forward in a few steps and pulled Zhong Xiu out with one hand. A man in his thirties was in the prime of his life, so his strength was not small.

Zhong Xiu was obviously in pain, his face wrinkled, but he didn't dare to say a word.

"Go back to your room and rest." Gong Xiaolang's tone suddenly softened. As his back was facing Rong Qing, he looked at Zhong Xiu with a fierce look.

Although he was angry, his many years of business experience meant he couldn't control his emotions, especially since there were outsiders in the mansion, he didn't want to lose face.

"Yes, I'll go back right away." Zhong Xiu didn't dare to refute him. She handed Jia Jia to Gong Xiaolang, knelt down to salute, and then slowly left.

Jia Jia called out "Dad". Gong Xiaolang suddenly smiled.

"Hey, sweetheart, you've worried your daddy to death." He rubbed Jiajia with his stubbled chin. "Your clothes are dirty, aren't they? I'll buy you a new one tomorrow."

Rong Qing held the branch in her hand and unconsciously turned the stem slightly, causing the few remaining petals to tremble.

She had been silent since Gong Xiaolang entered the house. There was a way of getting along with each other in the family. She could not guess many things by just guessing. Only by really seeing it, would she understand more.

"Come on, Gong Xiaolang, calm down." Rong Qing picked up the tea that Zhong Xiu had brought her earlier and poured a cup for Gong Xiaolang. "It's good that the child is found. Don't get angry about anything else, so as not to hurt your body."

"Oh, OK. OK, sir, that's right." Gong Xiaolang took the cup of tea with both hands, smiling. He didn't put Jiajia down, but sat back in his seat and put her on his lap.

"I have to thank you for finding my daughter today. Alas, I don't even know your name, so how can I be so successful?" Gong Xiaolang squinted his eyes and smiled, and he didn't look at all wretched. Fortunately, he had a regular facial features.

"My last name is Yu. I used to be a teacher in the academy. Now I follow the master to teach Her Royal Highness the Princess in the palace." Rong Qing deliberately raised herself a little here.

Gong Xiaolang didn't know the twists and turns, and his expression became more cautious. He had a small fortune, but he had come all the way to Suicheng. He had no foundation, so he naturally didn't dare to offend anyone easily. Maybe some plain-looking people could have some complicated relationship with the palace. What's more, Rong Qing's academy robe was enough for him to bow and scrape.

"So it's Mr. Yu! I've heard a lot about you, really a lot." Gong Xiaolang said hurriedly, "I'm grateful to you for your kindness today, but I'm really sorry for your neglect."

"It doesn't matter. It's not easy for everyone right now." Rong Qing waved her hand, "I don't know where your wife is?"

"Oh, my wife is watching over the shop now. I'm afraid the loss is not small this time." He was embarrassed when he said this. "Sir, is there something you want to talk to her about?"

"No, it's mainly about Xiuniang and Jiajia." Rong Qing continued in Gong Xiaolang's puzzled eyes, "Speaking of which, Jiajia and I have a good relationship. Last night, Xiuniang took her to eat wontons, and we happened to meet. Today, during the earthquake, I saw the child being separated by the crowd. Since I recognized her, I asked more questions and sent her back. The child was very well-behaved along the way. Seeing that she is old enough to start learning, I thought of letting her be my student."

"Okay." Gong Xiaolang agreed without hesitation. "Come on, Jiajia, quickly pay your respects to your master."

"Wait a minute." Rong Qing chuckled, "I haven't finished yet. Young Master Gong, do you think I can't see it?"

Gong Xiaolang paused for a moment, "Sir, what does this mean?"

"Jia Jia is very well behaved, but she doesn't talk. This problem...I want to teach her but I am powerless."

"This, must be able to talk." Gong Xiaolang smiled awkwardly, "Come on, Jia Jia, call 'Dad' and let us hear it." "Dad." Jia Jia spoke.

"Hey." Gong Xiaolang responded happily. "Sir, look."

"Besides calling 'Dad and Mom', is there anything else?"

"..." Gong Xiaolang was speechless for a moment.

Rong Qing's question hit the nail on the head.

At his age, he only has one girl, Jiajia, who is born to a concubine. He can't let the girl become a merchant when she grows up. Nowadays, female teachers are enviable in terms of status and the salary they earn. He has money on hand, so of course he wants to send Jiajia to a private school...

"It's true that every family has its own problems." Gong Xiaolang sighed, "The private school teachers refused to accept Jia Jia because she couldn't speak. They also said that there might be something wrong with her head, and asked me to see a doctor as soon as possible to prevent it from getting too serious and incurable. But she has taken a lot of medicine... As a father, I think Jia Jia is actually very smart. I'm not afraid that the teachers will laugh at me if I say this."

"Young Master Gong, there is no need to sigh." Rong Qing consoled him, "I came here specifically to ask, not to tease you. I also think Jia Jia is smart, and I am willing to spend some time to teach her. The key is to make it clear to you here: first, my time is limited, and I can only spare half an hour to an hour at night. Second, Jia Jia is not up to the standard of being my student yet, so I will not accept your family's tuition, but I hope that Young Master Gong, you can keep it a secret so that others don't know. It's hard for me to refuse you if you come to my house."

Gong Xiaolang nodded repeatedly, "Don't worry, sir, I understand this principle."

"One last thing. Just agree to this. If you don't agree, just pretend I never mentioned it today."

"Sir, you say."

When Gong Xiaolang heard this, he became nervous.

"Although I am willing to teach, I cannot guarantee that Jiajia will learn something. If, in the end, Jiajia still doesn't change, I will not teach her anymore, as it will be a waste of both of our time." Rong Qing said this ruthlessly, not afraid of making the listeners angry.

Gong Xiaolang can only try his best now, "Of course, my daughter is not as smart as the princess. Even if I can't become your student in the end, it is a blessing to be taught by you for a period of time."

"Okay. That's it. But I can't come here specially. If possible, let Xiuniang go to the bookstore next to the academy after 3 p.m. and take Jiajia to wait for me."

"Xiuniang she..." Gong Xiaolang frowned and was about to say something but was interrupted by Rong Qing.

"There aren't that many exceptions like today. The child is young and can't leave his mother."

She spoke too directly, so Gong Xiaolang had to shut up.

Anyway, no matter how you look at it, their family has already taken advantage of it. Gong Xiaolang is not stupid. He is not stupid enough to refute her at this time. Who told them that their family is rich, but not rich enough to buy a study companion whenever they want. They and their husband have to take care of the shop recently, so letting Xiuniang accompany them is the best solution.

"As for teaching, you should prepare your writing supplies early starting tomorrow night. You can buy them at any bookstore." Rong Qing stood up and left, while instructing Gong Xiaolang who was following her, "Don't buy them on your own. The pens used by children are different from those on the market. Take Jia Jia with you and ask the shopkeeper to help you choose."

"understand."

"Just send it here." Rong Qing stood at the gate of the courtyard and stopped Gong Xiaolang.

Gong Xiaolang had to stop when he met Rong Qing's resolute eyes. He had his own experience in dealing with scholars, and he would not stick to them like a dog-skin plaster, which would only annoy those arrogant people. If he was asked to please his peers, he would be so flattering that it was unbearable to watch.

But what does it matter? What you earn is yours. He bent over at the door and watched Rong Qing leave.

(End of this chapter)