Chang Geng was a little uncomfortable inside; he felt as if he was being looked down upon. He thought with irritation: Spending each day loitering around like you, then who will be there to support this family in the future? Who will clothe you and feed you? It truly is easier said than done!

Avoiding Shiliu's hand, he replied just for the sake of it: "Don't move. Be mindful not to burn yourself with the hot porridge."

The Shen family did not pay attention to the rule 'be quiet at the table, be quiet at bedtime'*. While eating, Teacher Shen gave Chang Geng a lecture about 'the Great Learning'**, though after a while, he started to lose the point and ended up mixing 'how to maintain steel armor in the winter' into his lecture.

*食不言寝不语; idiom; Don't talk while eating, don't speak after lying down for sleep

**Daxue 大學 "The Great Learning" is a Confucian Classic. It is part of the canon of the Sishu 四書 "Four Books," to which it was added as integral Confucian writing on the order and harmony of society.

He was a man of extensive knowledge - whatever subjects came to his mind, he would talk about. On one occasion, he even enthusiastically explained to Chang Geng the methods to prevent and control horse-related diseases, which even a deaf man like Lord Shiliu could not listen to anymore, and had to force him to shut up.

After finishing his lecture, as Teacher Shen was cleaning the tableware with dissatisfaction as he hadn't had the chance to talk more, he said to Chang Geng:

"Today, I have to finish fixing up all these Iron Armors. Those people did not give them proper maintenance, causing the joints to get all rusted. I may have to go out to pick some herbs in the afternoon. Ge Pang Xiao and the others have all asked for a day off. Do you have any plans?

Chang Geng: "I will go to the Generals Slope to practice my..."

The word 'sword' had not yet even left his mouth; when he turned back, Shen Shiliu had already hung up his iron sword on the wall and declared: "My son, come, the Giant Kite will probably return to the city today, let's go join in on the fun."

Chang Geng was powerless: "Yifu, I just said to Teacher Shen..."

Shen Shiliu: "What? Speak louder."

Great. Here we go again.

The Giant Kite came and went; every year was the same. Chang Geng couldn't think of anything refreshing and new about it, but before he could protest, Shiliu had already half-dragged, half-pulled him out the door.

The summer heat had not subsided; people were still dressed in thin garments. Shiliu was clinging onto Chang Geng's back with his whole body, the scent of bitter medicine encircling him.

Just like in the dream...

Chang Geng suddenly felt strangely unnatural. He bowed his head to avoid his yifu, covering his nose and pretending to sneeze.