It's another year of spring, and the flowers blooming all over the mountains are blooming wantonly, scrambling to vent the grievances that have accumulated all winter, stirring up the air without a trace of fresh smell, all mixed floral fragrance.

Zhang Yuanyi sat on the threshold with a letter in his hand, alone in a daze, his eyes glazed. The dappled sunlight shone on his stubble face, like a decadent waste.

That letter was written to him by Zhang Daoling, and now it can be regarded as a last word.

The letter reads:

"Apprentice Zhang Yuanyi, I'm sorry for the master's farewell, and please don't resent the master, the master has no choice, there are some things that must be dealt with, and the days to come may not be able to accompany you again.

You kid is growing up too fast, and in the blink of an eye, he's as tall as the master, and it's been three years since we thought about it, and it's really unforgiving.

Don't be sad because I'm gone, your days are still long and there is still a long way to go, you still see too few things, there are still many beautiful scenery that you haven't seen, and there are many beautiful people you haven't met, if life is missing these it would be a pity.

So forget the master, go down by yourself, go to see the real sword fairy style, see the spirit of the reader, and see the magnificent scene of the battlefield!

If you feel overwhelmed, then bring the map left by the master, and you will naturally know what the road ahead will be when you go to the academy.

The master often says that you don't grow up, in fact, your kid is growing up too fast, where is there a child like you, in just three years, he has grown into an adult, and he is mature and steady in doing things.

It's just that the master is not used to it, and seeing you rushing up under his nose, he thought in a trance that you were still the same child back then, and he couldn't change his mouth for a while.

I still remember the last time I wanted to touch your head, I still put down my hand, the last time I wanted to reward you with chestnuts, you slapped your hand away, I know that my apprentice has really grown up, and I don't have a chance to react at all.

But now that you have grown up, you have to take on the responsibilities that adults should shoulder.

The master apologized to you for the incident last time, you are not wrong, and it is not wrong to protect the people around you. But I still want to remind you, don't be too reckless in doing things, some things don't go to the point of taking people's lives, then sit down and talk about it, human life is a big thing, not as simple as a trip in a coffin.

Remember that you have to protect Su Su well and don't let her get hurt, this is your responsibility as an older brother.

I also have to have a good relationship with Mr. Zhang, I know you have always complained about him, but he is actually a very good person, if you have any problems with your cultivation, or if you encounter a difficult thing to solve, you can go to Mr. Zhang. I told him he would help.

You stay in the town for two years first, and when the two years are over, you can travel with the Qiankun bag left by the master.

I hope that my apprentice will become a man who stands up to the sky and the earth in the future, and live a chic and wonderful life without losing hope!"

The letter was not long, but Zhang Yuan flipped through it over and over again, afraid that he would miss a word of the master. But in fact, he has never forgotten it, so how could he miss something.

After reading the letter, he still sat on the threshold, took out a small knife, shaved all the stubble on his face, and said without looking back, "Su Su, I'm hungry and want to eat pastries." ”

Su Su, who was hiding behind the door, was overjoyed, and hurriedly ran to the kitchen, saying happily as he ran: "Okay!

He went back to his room, washed his face, changed into neat clothes, and was much more refreshed.

By the time they arrived at the main hall, Su Su had already brought all the food to the table, and all kinds of dishes were readily available, filling the entire table. The room is filled with the aroma of food.

It's been a long time since I've seen so many dishes, so Zhang Yuan picked up a bowl of fragrant white rice and began to eat it, and whispered as he ate: "It's delicious." It's been a long time since I've tasted Su Su's craftsmanship, and it seems that I've improved a lot. ”

Su Su was watching Zhang Yuanyi eat with his head full of food, and he didn't move his chopsticks, did she pour water for Zhang Yuanyi to prevent him from choking, her face was faintly happy.

As soon as Zhang Yuan finished eating a bowl, Su Su hurriedly added rice to him, bowl after bowl, but the table full of food was stunned and Zhang Yuan was wiped out.

After eating everything, Zhang Yuan touched his bulging stomach and burped contentedly.

"Do you want to eat it? There's still a lot of pastries in the kitchen, and there's not enough for me to pick them up. Su Su asked.

Zhang Yuan waved his hand to signal that he didn't need it, and Su Su gave up.

He said, "We'll reopen the shop in a few days, and you can prepare the ingredients and some pastries in the next few days." I'm going to build a new house. ”

Su Su is very happy, these days she has been studying new pastries in the house every day, in order to wait for Zhang Yuanyi to come out so that Zhang Yuanyi can feel better, and now that the shop is reopened, these pastries have a place to use.

Zhang Yuanyi really wanted to leave the town immediately and investigate the cause of the master's death. Zhang Yuanyi asked Zhang Shi about this matter countless times, but Zhang Shi was silent and did not answer.

The master wrote that he would stay in the town for two years before he could leave, and the last thing the master asked him was that he had to fulfill.

The reopening of Cheongshin Jae was in full swing and took only two days to complete.

On the first day of opening, regular customers from the town flocked to the business.

"Why did your dim sum shop close after only a few months? More than a year has passed, and my little treasure has been clamoring for pastries, which is really bad. ”

"It's not going to be closed for no reason this time, let's say in advance next time it's closed, I'll buy more and prepare it." ”

"Other people's pastries can't make your home taste, and they are not as conscientious as yours, the price is cheap and fair, and you really don't know what to buy. ”

......

Most of them are polite words from some neighbors, and Zhang Yuanyi is smiling and coping with them one by one, but there are also a few people who don't come for pastries.

Some young girls pinched Zhang Yuanyi's arm and said something inexplicable like I want you to die, or some bachelors kept looking into the back room and asked Miss Su.

made Zhang Yuan's head two bigger, and he couldn't take care of it at all.

However, it is understandable, Zhang Yuanyi was originally a handsome and handsome guy, and he may only be inferior in terms of appearance in front of Taoist priest Chen Daoxuan and white-faced Er Wu Xuenian, but other men have really never seen anyone who can compare with Chen Daoxuan.

As for Su Su, needless to say, the natural beauty embryo is not only as simple as appearance, but also unique in the world.

Especially the people in the town know that the two are brother and sister, so it is even more unscrupulous, the woman looks for Zhang Yuan to throw a flattering eye, and the man whistles to Su Su, it's just not messy.

Most of the people who pass by the shop every day are young people who don't want to get into the wrong way, but there are a few who really want to buy pastries, but these people don't always come to join in the fun without buying anything, and they will leave with a little heart from time to time, which has also driven the business of the dim sum shop to a certain extent.

Zhang Yuan doesn't care, the wronged boss who sent it to the door is happy to see it, as for Su Su, he was instructed by Zhang Yuanyi early on, don't come out, he is dealing with guests outside, Su Su is doing what she wants to do inside, occasionally there are no guests to chat a few words, anyway, it is separated by a wooden wall, and anyone can hear a word.

The booming situation at the beginning did not last for a few days and finally stopped, and Zhang Yuanyi's heart finally quieted down for a while.

Now he is still the same as before, after practicing, he takes the books left by the master to read, he has already finished reading the twenty-four histories, and now he reads some books about the three religions.

On this day, Zhang Yuanyi was still reading, and a young man came to the front of the shop, "Come and have two Poria sandwich cakes." ”

"Okay!" Zhang Yuanyi put down the book and replied, but when he looked up, he stopped, and he said suspiciously, "Zhou Yuan?"

The young man had the temperament of a scholar, nodded and said, "Brother Zhang, I haven't seen you for a long time." ”

used to be called Brother Yuan's child Zhou Yuan, but now he has become Zhou Yuan, a scholar who has changed his name to Brother Zhang.

It turns out that under the lapse of time, everyone is growing up.

Zhang Yuan walked out of the shop, gestured Zhou Yuan's head, and said, "Good boy, I'm about to catch up with your eldest brother." ”

Zhou Yuan said with a smile: "It's still early, isn't there still more than half a head." ”

That is also a very amazing growth speed, Zhang Yuanyi rubbed Zhou Yuan's head, and said with a smile, "Let's go in and sit, I haven't seen you for so long, we have to have a good chat." ”

Zhang Yuan gave up his position to Zhou Yuan just now, and shouted towards the inner room: "Su Su, take another stool and come out!"

Su Su came out with a stool, and seeing that Zhou Yuan also had a surprised expression on her face, she put down the stool and hurriedly went back and said, "I'll bring some more pastries, you guys wait!"

Coming out again, Su Su slowly served a plate of pastries in his hand, all kinds of things, and a pot of tea.

If Zhou Yuan had been in the past, he might have said something like "my daughter-in-law is really capable" at this time.

But now he is quiet and more disciplined, not only helping to serve tea, but also saying "thank you" when the pastry is made!"

I can't tell that it's the demon king of the mixed world back then.

Zhang Yuanyi said very happily: "Hurry up and try the cloud cake made by your sister Su Su, I have never eaten the new pastry!"

Zhou Yuan tasted a piece, and praised it with endless aftertaste: "It's delicious, it's true that I haven't tasted Sister Su's pastries for a few days, and it's still delicious!"

"That's a must! You can lose anything, but you can't lose your cooking skills!" Zhang Yuanyi said.

Zhou Yuan took another bite of the cloud cake, and said with a smile: "Reasonable!"

Zhang Yuanyi still couldn't help but ask, "How are you doing in the academy lately?"

When he heard Su Su say that Zhou Yuan had admitted his mistake, he wanted to know Zhou Yuan's current situation, and now he finally has a chance.

Zhou Yuan smiled and said: "I have a good life, I study well every day, and I listen to my husband's words." ”

Su Su interjected at this time: "Brother, don't you know that Zhou Yuan is a celebrity now, and the imperial examination of Xuanling is shining brightly, although he has not won much fame, but several examiners have bluntly said that he will become a great weapon in the future." Now it's like the treasure of our town, and the mayor of the town visits every once in a while, just to get a good touch of this future talent!"

These words are true, Zhou Yuan is actually just making a scene, originally thinking of adapting to the imperial examination in advance, fortunately, he will not be too nervous in the future, who knows that the content of this exam is just in line with his appetite, so he wrote some ingenious content. After being seen by the examiner, he appreciated it very much, and told him many times that he would continue to work hard, and he would have a place in the literary world in the future next year.

It is really a dragon and a phoenix, Zhou Yuan's father Zhou Niangu was also a blockbuster in the imperial examination, from a mud-legged, poor student to a scholar, and was honored in Tianzitang, and now after returning to the capital, the official position has risen again and again, and there is already a faint momentum to become a third-party force.

Now Zhou Yuan is also a future talent who has been admired by the examiner.

Who would have thought that just by relying on that yellow-faced old woman, she would really cultivate such two children and grandchildren who are the envy of countless people, and the people in the town are sighing that it is really the ancestral tomb that is smoking.

Zhang Yuanyi patted Zhou Yuan's shoulder and said, "Okay, you kid, you're getting more and more promising!"

He actually wanted to say don't be impetuous, and try again after two years, but the words still didn't come out of his mouth.

Zhou Yuan touched the back of his head shyly, a little embarrassed.

He took another sip of water, was silent for a while, and said, "Brother Zhang, I was wrong about what happened back then, and I have corrected it......"

Zhang Yuan waved his hand and interrupted him, "Let it pass in the past, don't talk about this today." ”

He was able to answer Zhou Yuan's words and invite Zhou Yuan in, which was in itself a statement, and he was relieved of what happened back then.

But in fact, there is another reason, he will never teach anyone any more truth, he is not qualified.

On the one hand, I am afraid that I can't speak well, and on the other hand, I am afraid that I can't do it, and once I can't do it, I will become a hypocrite who is completely inconsistent in words and deeds.

He also doesn't want to stand on the moral high ground to judge a certain person, just be yourself.

The two of them chatted happily without saying a word, and didn't say goodbye to each other until it was dark.

——

Now Zhang Shi also comes to patronize Qingxinzhai's business from time to time, and since the master left, Zhang Yuan has not had any prejudice against Zhang Shi as before, and the relationship has eased a lot.

Zhang Shi came to Qingxinzhai from a distance and said, "Let's have a copy of the old way." ”

Every day, Zhang Shi would come here on the way to the academy to teach and after school to buy a little pastry, one to eat when the academy was tired of teaching, and another to eat as a snack at home.

The style is the same every day, a little jujube paste crisp and pea yellow in the morning, and two shredded meat cakes in the evening.

Most of the pastries made by Su Su are those made by ordinary people, but there are also some that she tasted when she was in Su's house, and they belong to ordinary people who can't taste them.

In addition to jujube paste cake, pea yellow and poria cocos sandwich cake are known as the "three unique hearts", there are also yokan, a bite of crisp, dragon whisker cake, swallow cake, crispy cake, Qingtuan, osmanthus cake, mung bean cake, shredded meat cake and bee sugar cake, although it is not as good as the pastry shop in the county, but in this jewelry town is enough to flourish, and it is more than enough to supply the appetite of the people in the town.

Zhang Yuanyi wrapped a generation of jujube paste crisp and pea yellow for Zhang Shi according to the old way, and handed it to Zhang Shi.

Zhang Shi didn't say much, took it and walked to the academy.

Zhang Yuanyi shouted softly from behind: "Sir, go slowly!"

Zhang Shi smiled lightly, "I really look like a buddy." ”

At noon, when Zhang Shi took out the bag of pastries, he found that there was an inexplicable piece of Qingtuan in it, and then he remembered that today was the Qingming Festival.

It is a long-standing custom to eat Qingtuanzi during the Qingming Festival, Qingtuanzi is as green as jade, glutinous and soft, fragrant, sweet but not greasy, fat but not fat.

Many counties don't pay much attention to these customs now, but small towns like Jewel Town still retain this custom.

When I got home, it started to drizzle.

Zhang Yuanyi and Su Su hurriedly ran home, but fortunately they didn't get too drenched.

"Su Su, you prepare dinner first, and I'll go out for a while. After he finished speaking, he ran out with his umbrella.

When he came back again, he carried a bundle of yellow paper in his hand, which was for Zhang Daoling.

During the Qingming Festival, paper was originally to be burned on the grave, but Zhang Daoling did not have a grave, so he could only burn paper at the door. Burning paper at the door also means that the deceased can look at the light and find their way home, so that they will not become ghosts and wild ghosts.

"Su Su, you come out and burn paper for the master. Zhang Yuanyi shouted while disassembling the paper.

"Oh! Su Su came out of it.

At this moment, a gust of wind blew all the yellow paper that had just been opened, and the yellow paper flew all over the sky for a while.

Zhang Yuanyi and Su Su hurriedly went to grab the yellow paper flying in the sky, but this ghost weather seemed to be intentionally against them, the wind blew stronger and stronger, the yellow paper flew higher and higher, and they couldn't catch it, and after a while, both of them were drenched in the heavy rain like two lost dogs, embarrassed.

Su Su is a girl with a weak temperament, so she was so anxious that she shed tears, Zhang Yuan put one hand on Su Su's shoulder and comforted, "Forget it, I'll buy some more." ”

"But ......"

But this is for the master, and even if you buy another bundle, this bundle is also supposed to be burned for the master.

Just when the two of them were about to despair, Zhang Shi came.

He stood in the rain, without an umbrella, but not a trace of rain fell on him, and the wind and rain dissipated on its own. With a slight touch of his fingers, the yellow paper that flew into the sky just now was gathered back again, and not only did it come back, but even the rain on it was separated, and it was a new pile of yellow paper.

Zhang Shi took the pile of yellow paper, walked to the gate and said, "It's so careless to burn a piece of paper." ”

With another finger, the rain-soaked clothes of the two of them dried instantly, "Clean up!"

The two hurriedly tidied up their clothes, and when Zhang Yuanyi was tidied up, Zhang Shi handed the yellow paper to Zhang Yuanyi's hand, "You are his apprentice, you burn it first." ”

Zhang Yuanyi took out the fire fold, picked up a few pieces of yellow paper, squatted down, lit the first piece of yellow paper, and whispered: "Master, apprentice Zhang Yuanyi has come to burn paper for you." ”

When burning paper, it is necessary to have a neat and solemn appearance, to burn the first copy by the closest person, and to recite the name of the worshipper on the mouth, these are all rules.

Zhang Shi and Su Su also picked up a pile of yellow paper and put it in the fire.

"Zhang Daoling, my friend Zhang Shi has come to see you. ”

"Master, apprentice Su Su has burned paper for you, let's go. ”

Piles of yellow paper, like moths, were burned to pieces in the fire, struggling in the air to emit dazzling firelight, and finally turned into black dust and disappeared.

When all the yellow paper was sent into the fire, the flames had not been extinguished, Zhang Shi and Su Su had entered the house, and Zhang Yuanyi stood on the threshold and looked out of the door alone, unwilling to leave for a long time.

It wasn't until Su Su called Zhang Yuanyi inside, and the last bit of fire disappeared in the night, that he raised his sleeves and wiped it and returned to the house.

They all said that the purpose of burning paper in front of the house was to show the way to the dead person, so that they could find their way home by the light of the fire, and they would not become a lonely ghost, and the person who burned the paper could also see the soul of the dead.

But master, I looked outside the door for a long, long time, and I didn't see you.