Jealousy

"Look all you want, I'm not afraid of anyone," Baishanbao declared confidently. Despite his composed expression, he trembled slightly as he opened the box, unwilling to show any weakness in front of Manbao. He glanced at it and turned away, saying stubbornly, "I'm not afraid of it; it's just too ugly." I don't like looking at it.

Manbao agreed with him, nodding repeatedly. "Yes, it's too ugly." "It hurts the eyes to look at it for too long."

The two children exchanged a glance, both acknowledging each other's words. Then they turned to look at the bug in the box, turned away, looked again, and turned away...

Baishanbao's father watched this scene from outside the window. He glanced at his son, who was pretending to be honest with his head down. He moved his foot, but upon seeing Mr. Zhuang in front of him, he resisted the urge to kick him out.

Although Mr. Zhuang also used to discipline students, he did not approve of parents disciplining their children, especially not in the way Baishanbao's father did. Seeing his increasingly hostile gaze towards Baierlang, Mr. Zhuang signaled for the parents to leave as he was about to start the class.

Baishanbao's father glared at his son, whispered a warning, and then asked Mrs. Liu and Mrs. Zheng to leave with him.

Although Qili Village was difficult to access in the mountain hollow, the scenery was excellent.

Baishanbao's father was also a scholar. When he built the school, he deliberately chose this location for its excellent scenery, overlooking the water and mountains, which was very beautiful.

Although the autumn scenery was desolate, the trees were still lush, and many wildflowers were blooming on the roadside, creating a beautiful sight.

Mrs. Liu walked slowly towards the Baishanbao mansion along the riverbank, looking quite pleased. She turned to Baishanbao's father and said, "This place is truly blessed with talented people and beautiful scenery."

Baishanbao's father knew that his wife was referring to Manbao and chuckled, "A poor mountain valley it may seem, but it's actually full of good things and good people." "You'll see for yourself in the future."

Mrs. Liu nodded. "That child knows how to face difficulties at such a young age." Clearly fearful, yet still knows how to overcome it. "I just hope Baishanbao can learn from her."

Mrs. Liu felt a bit regretful. "It's a pity she's a girl." By the way, with so many nephews and nieces in her family, why hasn't Mr. Zhuang taken a liking to any of them?

Although Baishanbao's father rarely visited the village, he still stayed informed about the village affairs. He smiled and said, "The talent of the Zhou family is probably all in this child."

Mrs. Liu recalled the Zhou family she had met the day before and nodded, saying, "Yesterday, I met Mrs. Zhou, who seemed like a virtuous person."

Baishanbao's father recalled the butler's mention of the Zhou family and said uncertainly, "Perhaps." "It's said that their eldest and third sons are diligent, and the second son is quite clever, often engaging in small businesses at the market."

The two of them continued their conversation as they headed home.

Meanwhile, at the school, Manbao and Baishanbao had put away the bugs and started reading their own books with the teacher.

Baishanbao wanted to outshine the others, so he began reciting loudly from the beginning. Although there was a hint of childishness in his tone, he was the loudest in the class.

Manbao loved to join in the fun. As she noticed her desk mate reading aloud, she too raised her voice and joined in. Their playful and lively actions were particularly endearing.

At least Mr. Zhuang, standing at the front, was very satisfied. His eyes were full of smiles as he patted his beard and read along contentedly.

The other students in the class, influenced by the two, read more earnestly than before. Even the university students who had already studied the Analects couldn't help but turn back and follow along with Manbao and Baishanbao.

Baierlang stood outside the classroom, unable to resist glancing at the two children inside. He snorted loudly, resembling a bull with its nostrils flaring.

The two classmates, who were also punished to stand outside, curiously looked inside and said to Baierlang, "Brother Erlang, why is your cousin also reading the Analects?" "Didn't he just start school?"

Baierlang muttered, "That's why I hate him the most." He started studying at the age of two. My grandmother said that he not only memorized three hundred poems but also the Thousand Character Classic and the Analects. When he arrived, my grandmother served him my favorite braised pork to eat. In short, he's just as annoying as Manbao. "Hmph, is being able to read really that great?"

"Yeah, we're better at fighting than he is." Otherwise, after school this afternoon, we will intercept him on the way and physically harm him to alleviate your frustration.

Baierlang hesitated, "If my dad finds out, he'll definitely beat me."

"We'll do it secretly." I heard my older brother say, "If you don't want the person you beat to know who did it, just use a sack."

Baierlang's eyes turned, and he whispered, "Where can we find a sack?"

"I have one at home, but I can't run back to get it." "Your house is closer than mine."

"Then tomorrow," the other person said, "we'll bring the sack over. It's best to catch Manbao as well."

"This isn't good," Baierlang frowned. "She's a girl." Scaring her with bugs is enough. How can a man truly protect a woman?

The other person also felt that beating up a girl was too shameful, so they didn't agree with the proposal, and it was shelved.

Baishanbao and Manbao competed in volume, each trying to outdo the other with their recitations.

Mr. Zhuang smiled and watched for a while before tapping their desks and reminding them, "Lower your voices, there's a technique to reading." "Otherwise, you won't be able to speak tomorrow."

Mr. Zhuang signaled for everyone to stop and asked the elementary students to take out their books, starting to teach a new text. He wanted them to read it first and then discuss its meaning in the next class.

After instructing the elementary students, Mr. Zhuang went to check on the university students.

In fact, there were only five slightly older students.

Baishanbao glanced at Manbao and silently read on the side.

Manbao also read attentively. She had a good memory and could recall the text after reading it two or three times, but she didn't comprehend its meaning, so she looked around.

In the past, she would have asked Keke directly, but now there was someone sitting next to her, and she felt it was better to speak out loud to someone rather than talk to Keke in her mind.

Speaking out loud with a rhythm was especially pleasant.

So, she pushed her hand-copied textbook in front of Baishanbao and asked, "Do you know what this sentence means?"

Baishanbao had learned it with his grandmother before and proudly said, "Of course I do." "Don't you know?"

"I don't know, the teacher hasn't had a chance to explain it yet," Manbao said matter-of-factly. "But I want to know now." Can you tell me?

Baishanbao turned to look at her, feeling comfortable under her gaze. Reluctantly, he told her, "It's a conversation between two of Confucius' disciples, Ziqin and Zigong." Whenever the teacher arrives in a new place, he will hear about the affairs of that country. Is it because he asks someone to tell him, or do people tell him voluntarily?

This was a passage from the "Doctrine of the Mean," which Baishanbao had memorized long ago, and his grandmother had explained its meaning to him, so he remembered it well.

Manbao listened with great interest and said, "I've never heard this story before. It's really interesting." "I wish I could travel to different countries like Confucius and have people voluntarily share their stories with me."