Chapter 13: What Can Be Done in a Semester (I)

  Ever since my parents opened the noodle shop, they've been out early in the morning and only come back to rest for a bit in the afternoon. At night, they still go out to do business at the night market. As my mom says, "they don't even have time to catch their breath". It's really true that hard work pays off. Last night, I heard my parents discussing whether to buy the rented house or expand the business and find a new place, everything is still under discussion.

  I, of course, focused on my studies after the new semester started. I can handle primary school knowledge easily. What requires effort is piano and Latin dance. For piano, when playing with both hands, slightly more difficult pieces aren't very familiar to me, which needs repeated practice, a matter of time and effort. As for Latin dance, after learning the basics for a year, I've got some style now, and I'm basically in sync with my partner Li Rui Feng. Every time we step onto the floor, the sound of our footsteps excites us to dance. Although I've only danced with him for half a year, we're both beginners, each other's first partner, with passionate hearts, coordinating with each other, and from the mirror, we can see each other's tall and beautiful figures, eyes shining with confidence, exaggerated and wild dance moves, splashing colorful youth, we both fell in love with this charming dance.

  I was so busy that I forgot about the grandfather I met during the Spring Festival, and I don't even know his name. As for the address, I vaguely remember it being on Fenghuang East Street, what can be done about this?

  It's double week again, and on Wednesday afternoon, the third class is an elective interest class. In fact, we are all voluntarily staying in school. I miss the good old days when we were dismissed after two classes on Wednesdays. Many classmates, especially those like me with terrible handwriting, really hate it.

  The teacher is a man in his thirties who speaks very directly. People say that male teachers don't dare to scold female students much, but during the first class, some girls got criticized already. Although I wasn't one of them, after two classes, the teacher started implementing a system of praise and criticism. I was doomed.

  I hoped that the teacher wouldn't mention my name, but unfortunately, I was the last person to be criticized. Lin Lilili gave me a disdainful sneer, which made me so angry that I lost face in front of the whole class. Alas, having ugly handwriting is indeed a hindrance to going far in life.

  After class, I hung my head and slowly packed up my things. Wang Xiao Xiao said I was a turtle, how could I be so slow? I weakly said to her: "Xiao Xiao, are you stabbing a knife into my heart? My heart shattered into pieces." After saying that, I even made a gesture of clutching at my heart.

  Wang Xiaoxiao laughed and said: "Don't pretend, I don't know you yet. The teacher's words can hurt you? You didn't say you were Xiaoqiang, your heart is made of copper walls and iron walls, how could it be stimulated by just a few sentences? However, I've seen your writing, and honestly, it's really not worthy of admiration. Can't you practice a bit?"

  I stormed over to Wang Xiaoxiao, clenching my fists: "You're the one who's kicking me while I'm down! Can't you see that I've been practicing? Every time it has no effect and my hands shake. I really want to strangle you, standing there talking without any shame. Just because Teacher praised your handwriting once, you think you're so great?" Wang Xiaoxiao laughed and said: "Friends are for what? For selling out? I won't stab you in the back, but I'll give you two stabs, hehe. By the way, let me give you some advice - go find Class Monitor! People say she's studying law, her handwriting is so much better than yours, it's like heaven and earth apart. You should also be a silly bird that flies early!"

  I pretended to hit Wang Xiaoxiao, and my mouth kept saying she was a dead girl. At this time, Wu Hanwen came back after washing his hair, and Wang Xiaoxiao said to Wu Hanwen: "Class leader, I heard that you are going to study law on the weekend, and also take Nan Xiuxiu, this silly bird, with you. She has been sighing for a long time, and it's almost as if she's lost her youth. You'd better show great mercy and save her, saving one life is better than building a seven-story pagoda."

  I got anxious and said, "Wang Xiaoxiao, let you nonsense, I'll definitely tell your mom about the martial arts stuff today if you don't behave, otherwise my surname is not Nan." Wu Hanwen said seriously, "Nan Xiaoxiao, you can actually learn too. I've seen your writing, it's not that hopeless. And I didn't specially study, just a hobby with my grandfather. He's also an eccentric old man, not everyone can teach him. I can take you to see him, whether you learn or not depends on the fate between you and my grandfather."

  I was a bit hesitant, my handwriting is so bad that even Wang Xiaoxiao would despise it, and I'd definitely get discouraged if I went. Wang Xiaoxiao and Wu Hanwen both noticed my hesitation, and Wang Xiaoxiao said: "Class leader, you're really being subtle with your words, but your handwriting can still be saved! Don't say that sisters don't support you, I'll go with you to take a look, how about it? Even if it's a dragon's lair or a tiger's den, I'll go first. But when the time comes, don't get too full of yourself and hate me to death, okay?" I gave Xiaoxiao a white eye, is this really necessary to be so discouraging?

  Wu Hanwen smiled and said, "It's not that scary, my home isn't that terrifying. Then let Nang Xinxin follow me." Wang Xiaoxiao winked at me and said, "Class leader, you're being too partial, calling her Nang Xinxin but calling me Wang Xiaoxiao."

  Wu Hanwen's face turned red, and he didn't say a word before leaving. Wang Xiaoxiao stared at me, asking if I had some unspeakable secret with the class monitor. I rolled my eyes at her, saying she was afraid that the world wouldn't be chaotic enough. The three of us walked for over ten minutes before arriving at Wu Hanwen's house. I looked up to see the doorplate reading "Fenghuang East Street 111". It seemed familiar, but I didn't think much of it. As we entered, the first thing that caught my eye was a pond with various goldfish swimming inside. Further ahead, there were grape trellises and potted flowers, including water lilies, aloe vera, chrysanthemums in different colors, and some other unidentifiable plants.

  After entering the main room, Wu Hanwen said to an old man with white hair who was reading a newspaper with a pair of reading glasses on his forehead, "Grandpa, I'm back."

  The old man looked up, took a glance and then continued reading the newspaper, saying: "Little Burnt Bun, you're back. Oh, and you've brought two little girls with you, now the old man has an extra granddaughter-in-law..."

  Xiao Xiao and I couldn't help but laugh at this, the old man was so humorous. Wu Hanwen quickly interjected, saying: "Grandpa, I've told you many times not to call me Little Burnt Bun, I'm all grown up now. And it's my classmate who wants to learn from you, and another one is accompanying her. Don't talk nonsense, the girl will be embarrassed."

  The old man raised his head again and said, "Hehe, it won't work, I think these two girls are quite generous, maybe they were teased by the old man. I don't know which one, is it Xiaobao or Sun's daughter?" Wang Xiao immediately replied that it was Xiaobao and asked why he broke the sand pot. The old man said that Wu Hanwen grabbed Zhou at the time, except for grabbing the brush on the table, he pointed to his uncle's hand holding the bun, insisting on scooping it up. From then on, his nickname became Xiaobao. The old man asked Wu Hanwen which one wanted to learn, and Wu Hanwen pointed to me, saying that it was this girl named Nan Xixi. When I met eyes with the old man, I found out that he was the old man who wrote couplets, no wonder Phoenix East Street 111 was familiar. The old man smiled and said, "It's you, little girl, why didn't you come to find me? I'm still waiting for you, but it's my grandson who brought you here."

  I rubbed my head in embarrassment and said, "Grandpa Wu, I only remembered it was Fenghuang East Street, but I couldn't find your house. I regretted it for a long time, now it's all good." Thinking to myself that it's really true that one can't find something no matter how hard they try, but when they least expect it, everything falls into place.

  The old man smiled and said, "Little girl, you're listening carefully, but it seems you're also a bit muddled. Following me to learn the art of calligraphy isn't impossible, but my requirements are very strict, and you must be able to persevere. Firstly, when practicing the strokes, you must do so correctly. One key point is that your arms should naturally open up, with an angle of 90 degrees or more between them, allowing your fingers, wrists, elbows, and shoulders to work together harmoniously, and the power of your body can flow smoothly to the tip of the pen. Secondly, you must sit upright, sitting as straight as possible. The distance between your chest and the edge of the desk should be about 3 inches (adjusting the distance according to the size of the characters). You cannot stick too close to the desk or hunch over; thirdly, keep your head straight, slightly leaning forward. Don't tilt it, to ensure a suitable viewing angle, with your eyes and paper at a distance of about 30-40 centimeters. Use your left hand to press down on the paper and adjust its position, so that the characters you're writing are always within the best range for your eyes and hands. Fourthly, keep your feet stable, with both feet naturally flat on the ground, knees slightly bent. Your legs should be parallel or slightly angled, but not crossed. These are the basic points. Little Burnt Bun handed over a note with these four key points to the little girl, telling her to go back and practice for two days under her parents' supervision before coming back on Saturday to attend her first lesson with him."

  Considering the time conflict, I was hesitant to speak, but Grandpa Wu asked me to be straightforward, so I said: "Grandpa Wu, I have piano and Latin dance classes on Saturday, can we make it Sunday instead?"

  Grandpa Wu smiled and said: "Of course, I thought there was something going on. Originally, I wanted you to come learn on Saturday and rest at home on Sunday. Since that's the case, it's not a problem either. However, little girl learns a lot, can't eat too much, can do as much as she can handle. The key is still learning, learning helps calm your mind."

  I nodded, and at this time Xiao Xiao was also excited, ran over and said: "Grandpa Wu, my name is Wang Xiao Xiao, I also want to learn law from you."

  Grandpa Wu smiled and said: "This is also a straightforward little girl, today the old man is happy, you come together next time too. Little Burnt Bun, also give Xiaoxiao a share of attention."

  I and Xiao Xiao happily said goodbye to Grandpa Wu, hand in hand, and walked back, stepping on the remaining sunset glow, I thought that our words would change from now on, and we both burst out laughing.