AWB Chapter 337: Falling without a Shadow
Chapter 337: Falling without a Shadow
Chapter 337: Falling without a Shadow
Professor Qian probably saw that he had earned a lot of elm seeds for him, so he returned the favor.
This little bit of knowledge can earn me a personal teaching from the old gentleman, which would be a huge profit.
Qiu Huoming saw him off respectfully.
Seeing Professor Qian leave, Cheng Ping finally breathed a sigh of relief. Qiu Huoming asked curiously, "Why are you so afraid of him?"
Cheng Ping curled his lips, "You don't understand, he has a good relationship with my grandfather, he has looked down on me since I was a child..."
The two of them continued walking forward. They must have talked about Cheng Ping's sad past. He suddenly opened up and said, "He tested me with a few questions, but I couldn't answer any of them. After that, he didn't like me anymore..."
"Oh, that shouldn't be the case. I don't think Professor Qian is that kind of person..."
"My grandfather has been mean to me since then..." Cheng Ping said angrily, "I don't care, this matter must be related to him."
This guy is not just a little bit stupid. After Qiu Huoming got to know him, his hostility towards him turned into sympathy. This guy is not smart, so it is understandable that he could do those things.
Who can call a fool?
Qiu Huoming reached out and patted his shoulder. "Well, you are right. Work hard and surpass Gu Xiaoran in the final exam. Let them look at you with new eyes. Remember, be proud during this period of time and ignore her..."
Cheng Ping raised the corner of his mouth, "Okay."
When we arrived at their class, they were already having morning classes and two people slipped in from the back.
Everyone was reading and no one noticed them for a while.
Gu Xiaoran's seat was at the back, right next to the window. She had liked this kind of window seat since middle school.
He side-glanced at her. She was writing something at the desk with her head lowered and her hair hanging down. The short hair did not lower her appearance, but made her look even more playful.
Cheng Ping poked him and said, "I won't look at it, and you shouldn't look at it either."
Qiu Huoming withdrew his gaze and responded.
He was too lazy to bother with fools.
The morning class was almost over, and the bell for the end of get out of class rang soon after.
Gu Xiaoran put down his pen, rubbed his eyebrows and looked out the window.
Suddenly a familiar voice sounded beside me, "What are you looking at?"
Gu Xiaoran turned around and asked in surprise: "When did you come?"
She pointed at Cheng Ping and asked, "Why are you two together?"
Cheng Ping glanced away and, for the first time, ignored her question.
Qiu Huoming said: "Cheng Ping said that unless he can surpass you in the final exam, he will no longer care about you."
Cheng Ping nodded, his face solemn.
Gu Xiaoran thought there was such a good thing, and smiled, "Okay, I agree. You haven't said it yet, why did you come here today?"
"I'm saying goodbye to you. I'm going back to Uncle Zhou today. The inspection team will leave at the beginning of the month..."
Gu Xiaoran was startled, "Then..."
"Don't worry, we'll still come to the capital on our way back..." Qiu Huoming said with a smile, "Let's have lunch together at noon and get together?"
"Well, okay..." Gu Xiaoran lowered his head, with a hint of loss in his eyes.
But, it was fleeting.
She looked up again and became the cheerful girl who came to the county town alone from Shenhai to take a desperate measure.
Her eyes curved, "Then we have to call Tang Xiaotang!"
"She's here too?"
"I'm in a cram school, right outside the school gate. I've been attending classes for a week..."
"Don't even tell me."
There are some retired professors in the school who have nothing to do. In addition, more and more people want to go to college in recent years, so a few of them teamed up to set up training classes outside the school, specifically for training a group of young people who have some basic skills but are not in school.
"I'm telling you, you can't study for her. She's been working hard lately."
The two chatted for a while, and not long after, the class bell rang...
Qiu Huoming attended their class for the entire morning. He didn't learn anything else, but he did remember the names of all the students present.
The morning class finally ended.
Gu Xiaoran walked to Qiu Huoming with his schoolbag on his back, "Let's go and find Xiaotang first."
Cheng Ping glanced at them secretly, then turned away. It was rare for him to attend class seriously today, and he felt pretty good about himself.
Qiu Huoming followed Gu Xiaoran out of the school gate, turned a corner and found a training institution located in a private house.
It is called a training institution, but in fact it is just a small class organized by a private individual, with about twenty people in it, and the room is arranged like a classroom.
It was just after school here, and Tang Xiaotang was walking out with her bag on her back when a few people bumped into her at the door.
"Huozi is leaving, let's have a farewell dinner together today." Gu Xiaoran first explained the purpose of his visit.
Tang Xiaotang came over, held Gu Xiaoran's arm, turned her head and looked at Qiu Huoming, "Qiu Huoming, you came and went in a hurry..."
Qiu Huoming put his hands in his pockets and said, "A good man should have great ambitions. Let's go. Can you recommend us what we should eat?"
Tang Xiaotang smiled and said, "That's right. My dad always says that moving brings life. Are you treating me to this meal?"
"I'll treat."
"Okay, then let's go to a restaurant." Tang Xiaotang changed from being polite to being like Gu Xiaoran, willing to eat as much as possible.
The reason she could take tutoring classes here was also thanks to Qiu Huoming. The amount of books he bought was not cheap and gave her confidence for her future life.
Gu Xiaoran leaned on Tang Xiaotang's elbow with a smile, and the two walked forward intimately.
Qiu Huoming followed behind.
Tang Xiaotang took them into a small restaurant. Qiu Huoming glanced at the sign at the door: 'Noodles with Soy Sauce'.
Everyone ordered a bowl of noodles and sat down.
"That's it?" Qiu Huoming looked around.
"I'm saving you some money. Don't underestimate this restaurant. It tastes really good. If you don't believe me, ask Xiaoran. She's tried it too." Tang Xiaotang explained.
Gu Xiaoran nodded, "It really tastes delicious, second only to our Shenhai pork ribs and rice cakes..."
Qiu Huoming smiled. This pork ribs and rice cake was exactly what Gu Xiaoran had in mind as a delicacy. He could tell that this girl was probably missing home.
"Will you go back to Shencheng during the summer vacation?" Qiu Huoming asked.
"Yes, my mother is back too..." Gu Xiaoran suddenly turned his head and looked at Qiu Huoming, "Hey, when you go to Beautiful Country, will you be able to meet my mother..."
Qiu Huoming smiled and said, "The Beautiful Country is very big, it's not such a coincidence, but I can bring you some gifts."
"Forget it, you'll have to spend money during this period, and I don't lack anything." Gu Xiaoran took out three pairs of chopsticks from the chopstick holder on the table and said, "Besides, my mother will definitely bring something when she comes back this time..."
She shared the chopsticks between the two of them. "I don't really have any desire for these material things... If you really want to, find me some books about cars. Also, when we get to the United States, help me look at cars and see how advanced their cars are..."
Tang Xiaotang interrupted: "Stop, stop, let's not talk about studying while eating, my mind is full of numbers now..."
She held the chopsticks in one hand and supported her chin with the other hand, looking a little sad. "What a sin! Can't I just be an idle bookstore owner? Why do I have to squeeze in and compete with thousands of people to get into college..."
Gu Xiaoran smiled sweetly, "Good little sugar."
She reached out and squeezed Tang Xiaotang's wrist, "Just hold on a little longer, and victory will be just around the corner."
Qiu Huoming also encouraged: "Entering university is a platform. With your intelligence, you will definitely stand out. This wave of hard work will definitely not be in vain..."
As a few people were chatting and laughing, their faces came to light.
The noodles, side dishes and fried sauce were all served separately. Tang Xiaotang poured them together skillfully and started stirring with chopsticks.
Qiu Huoming followed suit.
He looked at the noodles that had been mixed and were shiny. He picked them up with chopsticks and put them into his mouth. He ate a full mouthful of noodles with a "slurp". After chewing for a few times, he found that the noodles were chewy, the fried sauce was salty and fragrant, and the side dishes were delicious. After taking a bite, Qiu Huoming praised, "It's authentic. It's true that the old things are still delicious..."
"Before?" Tang Xiaotang glanced at him. "You mean it's a time-honored brand? This shop has indeed been open for more than a year. It can't be considered a time-honored brand, but the boss said that this craftsmanship was passed down from ancestors, mainly the recipe of this fried sauce..."
Qiu Huoming was embarrassed. He almost let the cat out of the bag just now. But even if he told the truth, no one would believe him. At most, they would think he was crazy...
After the farewell dinner, everyone went home.
In the afternoon, Qiu Huoming arrived at the classroom early.
This close contact with Professor Qian was a pleasant surprise for Qiu Huoming. As a cultural person, everyone knew Professor Qian. Even the Nobel Prize had wanted to find him, but he was rejected because he questioned the unfairness of the Nobel Prize...
This man's character is beyond reproach.
Not only that, he also had a profound knowledge of classical Chinese and published several works, but his novels were the most popular.
It didn't take long for the classroom to be packed with people. Fortunately, Qiu Huoming arrived early and he chose a good seat, next to the aisle of the second row.
Professor Qian walked in from the door on time.
He is in his seventies and still looks energetic, but the buttons of his shirt are buttoned in the wrong places, which looks quite strange.
Some students were discussing in low voices nearby.
Professor Qian turned around and wrote a few beautiful characters on the blackboard: "Classical Literature Research in Modern China".
This is the main content of today's class.
Qiu Huo knew that Professor Qian's life ability was terrible except for academics. Now that he saw it with his own eyes, he couldn't help but smile. Not only did this man's image not decline in his mind, but his image became more vivid.
There is also a hint of intimacy.
His lectures are excellent. As a talented graduate from Tsinghua University, Professor Qian is delighted to return to his alma mater to give lectures.
At first, some students were still paying attention to his clothes, but when he started lecturing, everyone became so absorbed in listening that they gradually forgot to pay attention to his buttons.
Qiu Huoming thought, this is personal charm.
Some people may dress beautifully but after a few words, they are actually fools. No matter how good-looking they are, they are still boring.
Speaking for a whole class was not an easy task for an old man. When he was almost finished, he walked to Qiu Huoming's side and smiled at him.
I heard that he had a photographic memory when he was in school, so he also remembered me, someone he only met once.
Qiu Huoming responded with a smile of admiration.
Professor Qian came closer to Qiu Huoming, not caring that he was in class at the moment. He lowered his voice and said, "The elm seed egg pancake is so delicious. Come over after class. I still have some time..."
Qiu Huoming grinned and held back his laughter, he nodded repeatedly.
Professor Qian turned around and returned to the podium, and continued talking about the course almost without pause.
After the lecture, there was thunderous applause from the audience. Some students shouted, "Professor, I haven't heard enough. Can you tell me more?"
Professor Qian stroked his silver hair and said, "Look at my age, is your request reasonable?"
The class suddenly broke out into laughter, and Qiu Huoming quickly followed.
After walking out of the classroom, he caught up with Professor Qian.
"Wow, you're quite quick." Professor Qian looked up at him and said, "The weather is nice today, let's go for a walk outside and I'll chat with you..."
"Okay." Qiu Huoming was full of joy at this moment. It didn't matter what they talked about. Being able to hear the other party's thoughts with his own ears, even if it was just a few words, was so precious.
The two walked through the corridor and came outdoors.
The sunshine at the end of April is just right, just like a lady from a noble family, neither arrogant nor impatient.
On several benches not far away, people were sitting down and leaving one after another.
"Have you read the book I'm talking about in lecture today?" Professor Qian took small steps and Qiu Huoming followed his pace, both of them walking very slowly.
"I haven't read it, but I have read "The Fortress Besieged". I have read it three times, and the other time was..." Qiu Huoming suddenly stopped talking. At that time, it had not yet been made into a TV series.
He changed the subject, "There was another one that I didn't quite understand."
"It's just a novel. What's there to not understand? Everyone has their own understanding. Even if I'm the author, I can't force you to follow my lead..." Professor Qian pointed to an empty bench in front of him, "Sit here and bask in the sun..."
"Okay." Qiu Huoming took a few quick steps and brushed a few petals on the bench to the ground.
Professor Qian sat down and looked up at the long branches above him.
The sunlight shone through the gaps, exposing his legs almost completely to the light, and he stretched out his legs, letting the uppers of his shoes bathe in the sunlight.
"It's still better here." Professor Qian looked comfortable, even the wrinkles on his forehead were smoothed out.
"Your name is Qiu Huoming, right? I don't have any other advantages except for my excellent memory. This is a talent given to me by God, and it's also because I..." He sighed, "I can't forget anything I want to forget..."
He sighed and then laughed, "Maybe the weather is so nice today, I remembered some old things, it has nothing to do with you, please don't mind."
Professor Qian turned to look at Qiu Huoming, "Come, let me talk to you in detail. When I wrote this book... why did I write this book? You and I were both young people..."
Qiu Huoming listened respectfully to the old man's conversation as if he was just chatting.
What he said was like finding a treasure for someone like Qiu Huoming who already had some literary attainments. Professor Qian did not keep anything to himself and told him everything from the time he conceived the novel to the time he started writing it, and even told him some anecdotes that happened during the writing process.
Time passed quietly...the sunlight was gradually blocked by clouds.
Professor Qian retracted his shoes and glanced at his watch. "Oh, what time is it? Qiu Huoming, I have to go back first. My cat has been out for several days. I have to find it..."
Qiu Huoming stood up with a smile and bowed to him solemnly, "Professor Qian, I have benefited a lot today. I am very sorry for delaying you for so long..."
Professor Qian stood up and stamped his feet, then looked at Qiu Huoming. He reached out and patted his arm, "Okay, don't be polite. I just want to talk to someone."
He turned around, waved, and walked forward without looking back.
Qiu Huoming watched his back until his figure disappeared around the corner.
The wind blew, and a few petals fell from the tree. One of them fell on his shoulder. He looked down and saw the white petal, but before he could take a closer look, the wind blew it up again, and it fell on the grass next to him and disappeared without a trace.