Can You Bear It?

They entered the house. The teacher let them make themselves at home, and poured them tea.

During this time, Liu Duo looked around, examining her surroundings. It wasn't big, but it held a lot of books.

"I wonder, what is it that you'd like to ask?" The teacher poured them tea, and sat aside, looking at them wisely.

Liu Duo said politely, "It's like this, sir. I would like my brother to be enrolled here as a student. I'm wondering how much the fees are and whether there are other requirements."

The teacher brushed his beard, "How old is he? What name does he go by?"

Liu Ran was on the skinnier side, and lack of nourishment had taken a toll on him. He didn't look like a ten-year-old boy.

"Sir, I'm ten. My name's Liu Ran," he said politely, respectfully, and in all seriousness.

He admired scholars who had passed down a great deal of knowledge.