Picking mulberries

Cui Dongxu came out of the study to rest his eyes for a while, and went downstairs to talk to Qiu Yang about plant pathology, but unexpectedly, it was quiet downstairs, not only Qiu Yang was gone, but even his father was gone up.

"Mama Su, where are they?" Cui Dongxu walked into the kitchen and asked Mama Su who was busy.

"Mr. Cui," Su Ma wiped her hands on her apron and said with a smile, "I took Xiao Qiu to the furniture market."

"Go to the furniture market? What are you doing?" Cui Dongxu asked wonderingly.

"I want to customize a big shrine. Didn't I say that I want to invite Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva to my family? It's more than one meter high. I'm afraid there is no ready-made shrine to buy. It is said that I have to go to the home improvement market on the way. Walls redecorated."

"What kind of trouble is this?" Cui Dongxu was speechless. "You know that brat will talk nonsense to promote superstition here, so I really shouldn't bring him here. Dad is really good, listening to his nonsense really makes me happy."

"Boss Cui said, I need Xiaoqiu to help me with this matter, tell him that he understands, and he won't make a mistake and offend the Bodhisattva." Mama Su laughed.

"What do you know, you are just a feudal superstitionist." Cui Dongxu snorted coldly.

"Young master's words are inappropriate. Xiao Qiu's beliefs are different from yours. Buddhism teaches people to be kind. From this point of view, Xiao Qiu has a kind nature and is a kind person." Su Ma said for Qiu Yang argued.

"Okay, even if my beliefs are different from that boy's, he believes in Buddhism and is kind-hearted, but you always mean that I am unkind and vicious?" Cui Dongxu said taking advantage of the loophole.

"Hey, look at what the young master said, you are all well."

"Mama Su looks so happy to offer a bodhisattva at home." Cui Dongxu laughed.

"That's that, I'm actually the same as Xiao Qiu, and I also devote myself to Buddha, but without his knowledge, I can't tell the truth. When I see the temple gate, I kneel down and worship the Bodhisattva. Xiao Qiu is different. He is knowledgeable and cultured, and he understands scriptures, the origins of Bodhisattvas, and so on." Mama Su couldn't hide the joy in her heart, with a smile on her face.

"Hey, do I have to ground that kid? If I come here often, I won't be able to turn my house into a temple." Cui Dongxu felt that the atmosphere at home was much different than before, so he said this deliberately.

"Master, you can't do it," Su's mother hurriedly said, "Xiaoqiu is such a sunny boy, it's much more lively with him at home, besides, Mr. Cui also likes to ask him about his cultivation in Buddhism."

"Tsk tsk tsk, I really can't stand you guys. I was led by the nose by that kid before I even had a meal." Cui Dongxu shook his head and went to the study, but he felt inexplicably lucky and excited, and he didn't know what to do. Know what makes you feel better.

What Cui Dongxu didn't expect was that his father would take Qiu Yang to chat with him after dinner, as if they were talking at night while holding candles, and he didn't know why the old man changed his temper and became a person with a quick temper.

Qiu Yang is a good guy, as if he had been injected with chicken blood, he was extremely excited, and he talked vividly. It may be that he never found anyone with the same beliefs in school, and he couldn't find someone with a common language to show off his rich knowledge. , People who can’t find common hobbies feel aggrieved and panic. Now they finally have an object to promote the Dharma. It’s impossible to miss it. Starting from the origin of Zen Buddhism, the ramblings are like countless treasures.

Cui Dongxu looked at the beaming guy. For the first time, he knew that this kid was a talkative master. He wasn't a college student majoring in applied biology at the Agricultural University.

Qiu Yang's mouth was like a lotus, like a Tang monk preaching scriptures, he popularized Buddhism-related knowledge in Cui's family. Cui Shicheng and Su's mother listened very attentively, and she was a full-fledged good man and believer.Cui Dongxu yawned and couldn't stand it anymore, so he ignored them and went upstairs to sleep alone.

When he woke up the next day, Cui Dongxu went downstairs after washing, and what surprised him was that his father was also nesting in the kitchen, helping to pass rice dumplings and paint grass to Su's mother Qiu Yang.

"Dad, don't you need to go to the factory today?" Although this kind of scene has never been encountered before, Cui Dongxu still feels quite warm, even when his mother was alive before.

"Isn't it a holiday, take a day off," Cui Shicheng turned around and said, "Your father is not young anymore, so you can't take a day or two off."

"It's best to be able to eat at home. Drinking alcohol every day is not good for your health. The young master wishes you could rest at home." Mama Su interjected.

"That's right. Why not? According to me, you can retire, and my son will take care of you." Cui Dongxu laughed.

"Okay, I'll think about it." Cui Shicheng also laughed.

"This is the zongzi you made." Cui Dongxu picked up a zongzi wrapped by Qiu Yang with disdain and said.

"Well, not bad." Qiu Yang felt good about himself.

"This is too simple, why is it different from the ones made by Su's mother?" Su's mother's wrapped dumplings are hexagonal with two leaves, while Qiu Yang's wrapped dumplings are single-leaf conical. One process is more complicated and the other is simpler.

"Hehe, I've only been able to do this since I was a child." Qiu Yang smiled shyly.

"That's great. Now even some married women can't learn how to make zongzi. Xiaoqiu is really versatile. He has done a lot of housework at home." Su Ma said.

"That's right, he's in the field at home. He's done everything." Qiu Yang said immodestly.

"Xiaoqiu is pretty good, isn't the bag so small and exquisite and cute, you want to eat it just looking at it. If you have the ability, come and try the bag," Cui Shicheng said to his son, "Seeing this reminds me of my childhood. It’s like yesterday, a person’s life is really fast, more than 50 years have passed in a blink of an eye. I remember when I was young, the zongzi your aunt taught me to make was also pointed like this.”

"Why don't I take some time to visit my hometown and see if there is any news from my aunt." Seeing that his father was a little sad, Cui Dongxu comforted him.

"Uncle Cui, have you lost contact with your siblings?" Qiu Yang asked curiously.

"I left my hometown when I was very young. I haven't seen each other for almost half a century, and I don't know if I'm still alive." Cui Shicheng shook his head with a wry smile.

"Where is Uncle Cui's hometown, have you never been back?" Qiu Yang wondered, now that the transportation is so convenient, and he is rich and powerful, it can be said that he is a glorious ancestor, so how could he not go back to his hometown.

"Xianliu Township, Hebu County."

"Xianliu, it turns out that Uncle Cui is from Xianliu." Qiu Yang exclaimed in surprise.

"What's the matter with Xianliu? It's not on the moon, so it's worth all the fuss." Cui Dongxu rolled his eyes.

"Is Xiao Qiu familiar with Xianliu?" Cui Shicheng was also very surprised by Qiu Yang's reaction.

"Familiar, almost familiar, I often go there." Qiu Yang laughed.

"Didn't you say you belonged to Shuangqiao Longgong? How could you go to Xianliu? Although Shuangqiao and Hebu are neighboring counties, the two townships are far apart." Cui Dongxu said.

"Uncle Cui probably hasn't been back for a long time, so he definitely doesn't know what Xianliu is most famous for?" Qiu Yang said.

"What?" The three obedient people asked in unison.

"Liukong Temple is located on Ruijin Mountain in Xianliu. There is an endless stream of believers going up the mountain to worship, no matter the wind or rain."

"Really? In my impression, Ruijin Mountain is not famous except that it is a bit high and dangerous." Cui Shicheng said in disbelief.

"The incense in Liukong Temple has flourished in recent years. Since the arrival of the Great Monk Mingzheng, Liukong Temple has gradually become famous," Qiu Yang asked Cui Shicheng again, "Which village of Xianliu is Uncle Cui from?"

"Jiepai Shancui's house."

"Cui's house in Jiepai Mountain," Qiu Yang exclaimed again, "My God, if I go to Xianliu from my home, I have to go through Jiepai Mountain."

"Then next time I'm going, brat will lead me the way." Cui Dongxu said angrily.

"No problem." Qiu Yang said cheerfully.

"There are no relatives in the family, so it doesn't matter if you go or not." Cui Shicheng said to his son.

"After all, it's our hometown, maybe my aunt is still alive." Cui Dongxu vaguely knew the reason why his father had no affection for his hometown. He didn't leave any good memories of his hometown when he was a child. When his family was poor, he had no relatives to help him. No one helped to collect it, so there was not a single tomb. People would go home to worship their ancestors during Qingming or July and a half. Dad wanted to burn some paper money for grandparents, but he couldn't find a place to burn it.

"Xiaoqiu, did the great monk you mentioned just now have some great skills? How could he attract so many pilgrims." Cui Shicheng was noncommittal to his son's words, and turned to Qiu Yang and said.

"Master Mingzheng is a very wise man with good cultivation, but he is not as miraculous as the rumors in the countryside. His practice method is a form of returning to the basics of the Buddhist tradition. He cultivates land for self-sufficiency, recites scriptures and recites Buddha. There are stipulated time and requirements. There is no merit box in the temple, and the donations received from believers are nothing more than some oil, salt, sauce, vinegar, rough clothing and soiled shoes. If the rich master wants to donate, the temple will ask him to donate merit. It is used to repair temples or make statues of Bodhisattvas. Whether it is laymen practicing or monks in the temple, they have to work hard for half a day every day. Unlike the current temples that rely on tourism or do some sensationalism, leave The power of empty temples to attract believers lies in their own penance and adherence to the original Buddhist teachings."

"It's very rewarding to study the theory of birth. If you put this energy into study, you can become a professor." Cui Dongxu choked.

"Teacher, my beloved Teacher Cui, it seems that my grades in the courses I have taken are pretty good." Qiu Yang said unconvinced.

"The most taboo in our business is half-heartedness. Can someone as distracted as you be able to be smart? You can either go to Buddhism or go to work to make money. What's the use of feeling good about yourself after three melons and two dates in your major?" Cui Dongxu put on a pair of Come with the appearance of a strict teacher.

After hearing his son's words, Cui Shicheng suddenly asked Qiu Yang, "Xiao Qiu is in his third year of junior high right now."

"Not yet, I will be a junior in the second half of the year."

"Do you often work outside?" Cui Shicheng asked again.

"That's not true. Teacher, he is deliberately burying me. Occasionally, I go to the Academy of Fine Arts to get a job as a sketch model, and sometimes I go to the mall to help promote sales. How can I often go to work." Qiu Yang said a little embarrassed .

"How much is the salary for the modeling service?"

"We're not professional either. People think that my appearance is more in line with their requirements. Those who play guest roles are not paid very much. Some are generous and give two thousand at a time." Pulled the road.

"The highest and the biggest is only two thousand." Cui Shicheng said without expression.

"He doesn't take money so seriously. The main reason is that his hobbies are a bit different, and he likes to make troubles." Cui Dongxu commented.

"Don't say my old lady is talkative, it's okay for young people to make a fuss. Now that you graduate from college, you don't get paid. If you get in touch with more industries and have more connections, you will find employment in the future. That's what I think." Su Ma said with a smile.

"I think so too. In order to increase my practical experience, I take on some jobs from time to time to prepare for future employment." Qiu Yang said.

"Xiaoqiu is right. It is not realistic to find a professional job after graduation. We still have to learn to adapt to the social environment." Cui Dongcheng nodded.

"Didn't you say that you would go home after graduation to serve your hometown, and now you want to stay in the city and be a model for a youthful meal." Cui Dongxu sneered.

"It's okay to be a model, but it will be a big deal if you become popular." Cui Shicheng laughed.

"Uncle Cui also laughed at me." Qiu Yang said shyly.

"I know I'm sorry, so don't look for that kind of job next time. What does a boy look like in public? If you want to work and study, there is no other work to do." For some reason, Cui Dongxu was very disgusted. Qiu Yang acts as a model or something, especially as a mannequin for the students of the Academy of Fine Arts.

"I also want to find a relaxed job that doesn't make a vase for others, but it's not that I haven't graduated yet. Summer vacation, winter vacation and holidays are short. Who would find someone who will run away after a few days to do things? Only Find some temporary work." Qiu Yang said aggrievedly.

"You also know that you are serving as a vase for someone else, how about some ambition?" Cui Dongxu snorted.

"The teacher taught you well." Qiu Yang raised his arm and scratched his nose with his sleeve, with an air of swearing, "It is difficult to find a job corresponding to the major after graduation, but in the future, I will try my best to work in the direction of what I have learned. , look up to the teacher."

"Yes, I have ambition." Cui Dongxu smiled lightly.

"Occupation has no distinction, even if Xiaoqiu likes to be a model, there is nothing wrong with it." Cui Shicheng didn't understand his son's reaction. Why did he insist on Xiaoqiu being a model for others? Others don't have the capital to do it Woolen cloth.

"That's right, those actors and models on TV are so out of control, they look like celebrities." Su's mother said unfairly.

"Xiaoqiu," Cui Shicheng said to Qiu Yang suddenly, "how about this? Anyway, when you go out to work for others during the summer vacation, it's also a part-time job. Why don't you come to our factory for an internship? How about the salary? Naturally speaking."

"Oh, I can't ask for it, I can't ask for it, thank you, Uncle Cui." Qiu Yang said sweetly.