The Mystery of the Winter Solstice

By Hardy Marsha

The last time this happened was when the boys dug up some mouse litter in the exercise equipment room. What are you doing this time? I don't know why boys and girls that age are so interested in the little animals that are in school. Sometimes a feral cat running outside the window can make her chirp for a long time.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hardy Marsha
• Release date: Sep 4, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215029206

Book preview

The Mystery of the Winter Solstice

Hardy Marsha

Published by Hardy Marsha, 2022.

Table of Contents

Title Page

The Mystery of the Winter Solstice

1 milk cat

Classes were over on the Lingdong Solstice. Before I left the classroom building I saw through the glass windows in the corridor a group of students outside around the flower bed, crowded and crowded and I don't know what they were doing and there was a roar of laughter. A few girls stood outside the circle and whispered, all with slightly excited looks on their faces.

The last time this happened was when the boys dug up some mouse litter in the exercise equipment room. What are you doing this time? I don't know why boys and girls that age are so interested in the little animals that are in school. Sometimes a feral cat running outside the window can make her chirp for a long time.

As Ling Dongzhi walked down the steps, he heard a few faint meows out of the noise of the crowd. The tail was very long, soft and waxy, with a faint vibrato as if begging for mercy. Ling Dongzhi found the sound a little familiar, so he pulled a group of half-grown children up and squeezed in to take a look. It turned out to be the children of the wildcat family who lived in the back of the school.

The brown fur cat had one paw tied with a shoelace to the railing at the edge of the flower bed, and it was wriggling and meowing. The Lingdong Solstice frowned slightly. About these few months old cats have better food and the litter of kittens just born are livelier than the previous ones, especially this little brown fur cat who loves to scurry around. It was fished out of the ditch behind the cafeteria by the Ling Dongzhi two days ago, and today I came back to the classroom building.

The little milk cat saw him too, stopped struggling, but the cry became more and more enchanting.

Ling Dongzhi shook his head, squeezed his hand in and reached out to untie the shoelace attached to the cat's leg, picked it up and shook the students around, Whose is that?

A tall boy took it with a grin: Ms. Ling, is that your cat?

No. But I know, and I'll send it back later. Ling Dongzhi pinched the milk cat's neck and slipped it into his palm. The little milk cat suffered a loss, honestly snuggled into his palm, bowed its head and licked the bound paw.

Ling Dongzhi waved to the students around him, Everybody go back to class, did you ring the class bell if you didn't hear it?

The students joked and ran away. Ling Dongzhi bowed his head and looked at the dangling little milk cat in his hand, which he held resignedly toward the back of the school. The little milk cat licked her fingers and lay down lazily. It seemed like he was exhausted from tossing around right now.

Ling Dongzhi touched his back twice and said quietly, I told you to avoid the children, why can't you remember?

The little milk cat buried her head in her paws and meowed pitifully.

Ling Dongzhi thought for a while and put it in the pocket of the windbreaker. Even though it was school time, there were still classes in the schoolyard taking physical education classes, so these half-old kids saw each other running around with a cat and they wanted to follow suit.

Nanshan Middle School is the earliest private middle school in Binhai City. The hardware and software facilities are top-notch in the city of Binhai and even across the country. The only downside is that the location is a bit isolated, near the hills on the outskirts of town. But the good thing is that the school has divided Mount Banla into their own territory. In recent years, it has successively established biological laboratories and student workplaces, which have won a good reputation for the comprehensive development of morality, intelligence, sports and arts. Walking up the steps from the edge of the playground to the mountain, there are test fields on either side of the path with signs for classes of all classes, red, green and green. They are very beautiful too.

Roughly directing the direction, Ling Dongzhi walked toward the high school group's orchard, took the little milk cat out of the bag, and put it in the grass nest under the apple tree.

The little milk cat rolled in the grass nest, lifted its head and meowed weakly.

Ling Dongzhi reached out and patted his head, turned and walked down the mountain. Just two steps away, I heard a rustling behind me. Ling Dongzhi turned and took a look. A shiny-furred brown civet came out of the grass and lowered its head to lick the little milk in the grass nest. Cat. As if sensing the sight of Ling Dongzhi, the civet looked in his direction and meowed.

Ling Dongzhi shook his head, "Thank you no more, take good care of these little guys.

The old cat meowed again. Waving to mother and son, Ling Dongzhi turned and walked down the mountain. He knew the old cat's promise was useless, and maybe some of the little boys would rush out of their house as soon as he turned his head. Cat, who can expect to stay in the yard like a guard dog, only hopes the students won't find her again.

When passing the playground, the physical education lesson happened to be free. When the little boys saw Ling Dongzhi coming from the back mountain, they whispered to each other and all shared silent smiles.

The Lingdong Solstice was a bit helpless. He wasn't actually that patient and he wasn't that loving as they spoke privately, he just couldn't help it. Every time he was stopped by a small animal while blinking his watery eyes while pitifully waving the sign around his neck, he had a hard time pretending not to see it. What's particularly terrible is that they will follow him and call his name.

Ling Dongzhi sometimes felt like a teacher in a remote rural village before liberation because there was such a scholar in Shili and Baxiang that everyone knew.

That's right, in the Nanshan district of Binhai city, the Lingdong solstice is so famous that almost all cats and dogs can call it by its name. Even the mynah who just moved in behind his house knows about him. Every time he walks through his window on the Ling Dong Solstice, it will lengthen its tone and yell Winter Solstice old-fashioned. , Go to class?" But it was still a human voice, and Ling Dongzhi wanted to pretend not to be speaking to herself.

After graduating from the Academy of Fine Arts, Ling Dongzhi was hired as an art teacher at Nanshan Middle School. The house in the classroom was a social house shared by the school. Since he was single, he was only given a set of only 50 yuan. The house is not big, but one bachelor is enough for him. He was particularly pleased that the upper and lower floors of his unit were all the school's single teachers, who either prepared classes at home or corrected homework in the evenings. There was no sound from the television stereo, nor the sounds of husband and wife arguing or neighbors' children fighting. After hearing the noise of children and the nagging of cats, cats and dogs all day, Ling Dongzhi paid special attention to the rare calm after returning home. That's why he'd rather live in a one-room teaching studio than go home.

There are two Lao Ling brothers and there is an eldest brother at Winter Solstice who has lived with his parents since marriage. The couple and a three-year-old nephew make the house come alive like a pot. When Papa and Ma Ling were old, he liked to watch the children make noise, but the Ling Dong solstice was not good. It really wasn't good. During the day, he heard many more voices than ordinary people, so he couldn't stand the noise during the rest period.

Ling's family knew his problem, and Ling's father and mother did not force him to do it. The old couple had retired early and, when nothing was happening, would drop by occasionally during the day to help their son tidy up the room and prepare something tasty. Fortunately, Ling's family also lives in Nanshan District, and the two sides are not far from each other.

Ling Dongzhi put his hands in the pockets of his windbreaker and walked toward the office building with his head bowed. There's no class for him this afternoon, but the eighth grade interest group wants him to visit him after school, so he can't go earlier. Ling Dongzhi stood under the office building and thought for a while, then turned and went into the studio.

In addition to the several studios in the classroom building of Nanshan Middle School used by students for teaching, there are also several independent studios for art teachers in the library wing. The art teachers who teach here not only have to teach the students well, but also constantly introduce new works to the students to participate in various activities. Because it is a private high school, the school pays more attention to the teachers' reputation in the industry than ordinary public schools.

The library is in the northwest corner of the school, surrounded by heavy shadows and very quiet. As soon as Ling Dongzhi set foot on the steps, he heard laughter not far behind him. A slightly hoarse voice said cheerfully, Isn't that just what I deserve? The punches are lighter.

Ling Dongzhi paused and listened to another, slightly clearer voice, who snorted in dissatisfaction, Look at your virtue, people have been beaten, are you so happy?

The previous voice said loudly, Why not, the last time I was hit by the little devil with a slingshot, I almost got plucked and eaten by him!

The clear voice hesitated a little, I scared you?

I'm not afraid, I'm telling you, Xiao Jiu, Chu Ge's voice immediately became excited, "This little devil would even start a fire if he hadn't been seen on the winter solstice... hey, winter solstice, winter solstice, you came , to give me testimony, I'm not talking nonsense, am I?

Ling Dongzhi glanced at the pair of grey-feathered doves on the plane tree. Though he didn't want to talk, his instinct as a teacher prompted him to put out the delicate word: Who did you say was beaten? Yes. Didn't the students fight again? Where?

2. Little eight little nine

Xiao Bayuan's eyes showed condemnation and he was obviously very dissatisfied that he didn't get the gist of what he was saying. Xiao Jiu, who was next to him, immediately leaned over and rubbed his head, turned his head and said, "Winter solstice, go and see it. It's in the bamboo forest behind the library.

Ling Dongzhi's heart leaped and he turned and ran to the back of the library. Although school discipline is not in his control, he is a teacher and within the framework of the school. Can he pretend not to know when a student is arguing? Especially the one who fought was the one who almost tore Xiao Ba. Not only did he know him, he was also the representative of his art class.

After we bypassed a group of stones, a faint sound of battle emanated from the bamboo forest. Ling Dongzhi was a little worried in his heart and screamed in his throat before someone rushed over, Who is where? What are you doing?

The fight seemed to pause for a moment, then two more screams of pain were heard, followed by a flurry of footsteps. In Ling Dongzhi's heart, he ran over three steps and two steps to see that the fighting gang had already run away. Only one boy was covered in mud and hit himself there. Ling Dongzhi walked over and grabbed the man by the collar. Just as he was about to ask what was going on, he saw the young man rubbing his face with mud and there was a bruise on his cheek.

The words that rushed into his mouth slowed down and Ling Dongzhi asked in a warm voice, What's the problem? Huashan Lunjian?

The boy burst out laughing, and his smile caused another crack in his teeth and mouth.

Ling Dongzhi shook his head, "Have you been beaten? how many hit you

Unhappy with his wording, the boy stared at himself to defend himself: I wasn't careful, you really thought I couldn't hit you. By the way... How did you know we were here, Teacher Ling?

Ling Dongzhi ignored his questions and slipped all the way to his studio. He's a meticulous person. There are small medicine boxes in his studio or office. There are no high-end gadgets, but iodine and baiyao patches are standing items. The child was taken to the infirmary this way, and the school administration knew in less than ten minutes. The school has always been strict in terms of school spirit and discipline, and there is a real need to pierce them. I fear some boys cannot avoid punishment.

Let's talk about it. Ling Dongzhi gestured for him to raise his arm, exposing the cracked skin, and as he smeared iodine on it, slowly made fun of him. What is this time for? Zhuang Lin, it's not like I told you. This is just the beginning of school, so your hands are so itchy?

Zhuang Lin rubbed his nose and showed a rare embarrassment: It's nothing.

Ling Dongzhi looked at him.

Zhuang Lin hurriedly said, I'm recruiting, I'm recruiting. I'm recruiting. Actually, it's the sixth grader's blackhead. During the holidays, I asked Wang Yajing to eat Pizza Hut and he saw it, so he held back his energy and wanted to hit me..."

Ling Dongzhi felt he understood a little, Oh, is Wang Yajing his girlfriend?

Fart! Zhuang Lin was angry: I asked Wang Yajing, it was the blackhead that was unrequited love there, but Wang Yajing did not agree at all!

Ling Dongzhi suddenly had a headache: Wang Yajing's first class?

middle school. Zhuang Lin scratched his head and laughed, That's the one who danced the Dai dance at the New Year's party last year.

Ling Dongzhi didn't remember any Dai dance, but when he heard about junior high school, he got a headache again. These little kids have a richer relationship history than his teacher, and they also have a love triangle... How can he be so embarrassed?

A fight is over? Ling Dongzhi is more concerned about this: They will harass you in the future?

No, Zhuang Lin honestly shook his head. We said we must carry on the spirit of chivalry. Whether we win or lose, our grievances will be erased.

Ling Dongzhi felt like he was about to vomit blood. Who TM told him what chivalry means? And how does this tone, this formulation, resemble those taught in a noble school? Obviously it's a young and dangerous boy who came from the underworld.

The window flapped loudly and two gray-feathered doves fell down. Ling Dongzhi wanted to close the window and lock the two noisy little guys outside. He hesitated and held himself back.

In fact, Xiao Ba immediately started complaining, "Look, I said he's unreliable. This villain wanted to pluck my hair last time and baked me as a snack.

Ling Dongzhi pretended not to hear. Zhuang Lin took one look at the two little guys on the window sill and didn't pay any attention. Behind the school are mountains and closest are trees and there are so many magpies and sparrows. It was a little fresh at first and I got tired of reading it for a few years.

Xiao Jiu tilted his neck and looked into the studio while comforting Xiao Ba, Look, this student's face is purple and his arm is broken. Tsk, it's pretty miserable, so don't be angry Xiao Ba.

Little Eight Haw complained lopsidedly, saying, If he goes out, I'm definitely going to turn him upside down and give him a little tug.

Ling Dongzhi's face twitched, his hands were shaking, and Zhuang Lin cried out in pain, Teacher Ling, please be gentle.

Xiao Ba jumped onto the windowsill, That's the way it has to be! Hard, the harder the better!

Ling Dongzhi could not bear it, got up and walked over and closed the window. The two doves flew up and whispered in the direction of the forest.

Zhuang Lin watched his actions curiously and did not understand why he closed the window properly. The weather in September is still a bit hot and it will inevitably be a bit stuffy with the window closed.

Ling Dongzhi packed up the medicine box and glanced at the clock on the wall. Class is over, where are you going back to now? Lessons or dorm? Are you still living on campus this semester?

Zhuang Lin shook his head, My brother said that I can't live in the school this semester. He said with a pathetic expression on his face, Teacher Ling, can you please send me away? If my brother sees me like this, I must be hit again.

Ling Dongzhi looked at his blue-purple face, he was really angry and funny in his heart: You promise that there will be no fights this semester, and I won't tell you about it to the principal...

Zhuang Lin immediately put on a terrible expression, I have already agreed with the blackheads, and this fight will be over. I will never fight again.

Keep your word?

Zhuang Lin straightened his back and took the oath, It must be counted!

In fact, Ling Dongzhi didn't think it was a great thing for boys, especially boys Zhuang Lin's age, to fight. Regardless of how he looks like a gentleman, he also went through a very rebellious phase as a teenager. In addition to the confusion about life during puberty, the gradual clarification of sexual orientation and unusual personality traits have become a source of stress. At that time, his older brother was also very worried and he wished he would tie this Nao-teng-ren's younger brother to his belt and watch him 24 hours a day. On the contrary, his father did not take it seriously and calmly comforted his mother: If there is no boy who does not fight, now he will be naughty, and he would be better.

It really stopped after he went to college. After getting through the most confusing phase of the growth phase, he has begun to slowly learn to accept his unique life. Although my own example is somewhat specific, according to Ling Dongzhi, it is inevitable that different situations will arise during the transition from a young boy to a mature man, no matter who it is. Experts have said it long ago: everyone's attitude to life is structured by their own experience.

Who can make an exception?

Ling Dongzhi patted Zhuang Lin's head, Let's go knight, take you back to the castle for your teacher.

3. Brown sugar snacks

Ling Dongzhi had a used Ford Maverick SUV that he bought after graduating from college. At that time, a group of seniors in the department wanted to organize a group to go to Dunhuang to sketch from life. When Ling Dongzhi's brain got hot, they used the money they had saved for several years to sell paintings and bought this used car. Although he was so criticized by his brother at the time, it turns out that for a person who often has to go into the wilderness to draw, having your own car is not even a bit convenient.

I went to Xi'an this summer during the winter solstice and came back when school started. The car had not had time to be serviced. Seen from a distance, a jeep so dusty, lying in a shiny car, is as uncoordinated as a dirty stray in a fancy herd of pheasants.

Zhuang Lin murmured, Ms. Ling, your car... is so cool.

Ling Dongzhi has always understood the meaning of other people's words according to his own understanding. Hearing him say that, he immediately showed a sense of beauty: It's okay. By the way, where do you live?

Zhuang Lin gave him a silent look, Teacher, I've told you before.

Er, isn't it? Ling Dongzhi thought for a while while holding the car door. He had no recollection of that aspect at all, so he shook his head and said, I don't remember. Oh, I'm old, old, I love to forget things.

Zhuang Lin opened his mouth and closed it again. He said he still dares to say he's old? ! He really didn't know that the top ten schools of Nanshan Middle School had ranked first two years in a row? True, no one can clearly say why the group of girls who criticized the school had to count him as a teacher, but there was him on the throne, but no one dared to disagree. The handsome guy who is so sunny, handsome, handsome and...whatever only ranks 7th.

The two got into the car and, following Zhuang Lin's instructions, Ling Dongzhi walked halfway through Binhai City and turned into Fuxing Garden next to Donghu Park. This area is the top high-end residential area in Binhai city. Although Ling Dongzhi knows that it will not be ordinary people who can send children to Nanshan Middle School, she is still secretly stunned to see the merchant living here.

I also used to visit Donghu Park when I was a child during the winter solstice. It was built at the foot of Lianhua Mountain. Spring water rushed from the mountain. Three lakes of different sizes formed at the foot of the mountain. The landscape is very beautiful. There is probably some detail about feng shui, fortune or something. Rich people like places with mountains and rivers in their homes. The air is fresh, there is no pollution from exhaust fumes and noise, which also benefits the body from the point of view of maintaining health. Fuxingyuan's location is halfway up the mountain. Standing in front of the Merchant's Iron Gate you can see most of East Lake Park.

Ling Dongzhi couldn't help but secretly sigh in his heart at the benefits of having money.

The car stopped in front of the iron gate and a middle-aged man with white sideburns greeted him. He was very polite in his gestures. When he met Zhuang Lin, he looked like a housekeeper and called him Three Young Masters. A husky with a black and white mixed coat followed at his feet, and when he saw Zhuang Lin, he made a gesture to jump up.

Zhuang Lin quickly squeezed it with his hands, rubbed his head, and eagerly asked the man, Uncle Qi, is my second brother back?

Uncle Qi shook his head. The Second Young Master asked someone to call and said he would work overtime and come back later. ask Zhang to come by?"

When Zhuang Lin heard that his second brother wasn't home, he was immediately relieved. Turning around, he couldn't hide the delight between his brows and eyes, "Mr. Ling, come in and sit for a while. I just have a few problems in class.

Qi uncle heard him calling this handsome man Teacher and seemed a little surprised, but his speech and demeanor were still not chaotic: This gentleman, please come in.

Although Ling Dongzhi was also a little curious about what the rich man's deep house compound looked like, he reluctantly gave up this opportunity to satisfy his curiosity after gazing at the sky. The drive from here to the city takes at least half an hour. The sky is already overcast, and he doesn't want to be caught in a heavy downpour halfway.

No, Ling Dongzhi waved him off, since his parents aren't here, I'll tell you the same thing.

Uncle Qi hastily said he didn't dare.

Ling Dongzhi spoke about Zhuang Lin's fight in the afternoon, focusing on Zhuang Lin's passive counterattack and his promise to never tie. Finally, he earnestly asked him to forward the request to Zhuang Lin's parents: As a teacher, I still hope that parents will focus on persuasion and education in dealing with students.

In fact, Ling Dongzhi isn't very good at arguing with students, and his facial expression really isn't deterrent, so he always has a very dogmatic tone when speaking to students. But it was his accent that immediately convinced Qi Uncle of his identity and quickly understood what he meant.

I will pass on Teacher's words to the second young master, Qi Uncle's old face showed a satisfied and touched expression, thank you very much for your hard work.

Ling Dongzhi waved him off: Let the children rest and pay more attention to nutrition.

The housekeeper agreed one by one, when Ling Dongzhi was about to get on the bus, he heard the husky bark twice next to Zhuang Lin's legs.

After Ling Dongzhi's steps, he turned and faced the big dog.

Zhuang Lin said busy, This is my second brother's dog named Brown Sugar.

Ling Dongzhi walked over, touched Brown Sugar's head and squatted in front of it. Brown Sugar looked a little impatient and turned his head to the side. Ling Dongzhi said in his heart that he was really in bad shape and called him a bad teacher...who did you learn that from?

Ling Dongzhi smiled and said to the housekeeper, I attended a doctor's lecture on weight and longevity a few days ago. Whether it's a human or a pet, obesity affects its lifespan. I think your brown sugar is a bit too heavy .NS.

The butler said quickly, "The Second Young Master found it too heavy last time, so I'll put his snacks away.

Brown Sugar's beautiful blue eyes stared at him for a while.

The butler was still polite to Ling Dongzhi: Ms. Ling knows so much.

Ling Dongzhi smiled and said, Are you a bad teacher? I don't have any other skills, so I know more about books.

Brown Sugar seemed to understand something and there was an incredible look in his eyes.

Ling Dongzhi looked at Brown Sugar's exhausted expression with a smile and returned to his car satisfied. When the car started, Brown Sugar appeared to recover, chasing the car and barking several times.

They come back to me and speak clearly! Lao Tzu's molar bones, beef tendon balls, beef biscuits... This old man is really going to put them away for me...

Ling Dongzhi smiled and barked his teeth at him from the rearview mirror.

Zhuang Lin was inexplicable: Brown Sugar seems reluctant to wear Teacher Ling.

The butler also felt inexplicable: He probably thinks your teacher looks good too.

Brown Sugar sped on to where the tree-lined street in front of the mansion and the winding road intersected, then stopped breathing heavily. Following the wind, Zhuang Lin and Guan Jia's words floated in his ears without falling to the ground, and he almost vomited blood when angry.

Who is so reluctant to give it up? Who thinks he looks so good? That ruthless bastard is so despicable that I mumbled something to him... Oh, Lao Tzu's snacks...

Before the raindrops began to fall, Ling Dongzhi happily returned to the living quarters of Nanshan Middle School. The mynah in the back stairs was hanging out on the balcony and saw his car run over the cage and slam into the cage twice and yelled, Winter Solstice, Winter Solstice! I'm going to tell you a secret...

Ling Dongzhi ignored this croaking guy, quickly turned around, raced against the clock to park the car in the parking lot in front of the building, and jogged up the steps. He's just pulled the key card out of his pocket and the raindrops have been pelting down behind him. Ling Dongzhi shouted happiness, and he returned to the fourth floor dormitory. He was speechless when the door opened.

Fuck, how did you all get in?!

Four or five big cats and kittens were lined up on his sofa and raised their heads at the same time when they heard the doorbell ring. Yellow, brown, blue and green, with large watery eyes that looked at him with pity.

The winter solstice is full of black lines.

Because of his good reputation, some cats and dogs often come up to him and tell him the stories he and his owner have to tell. Sometimes when Ling Dongzhi is not at home, they come in from the balcony and wait for him inside the house. Ling Dongzhi has no interest whatsoever in being an intimate brother, so he has to close the doors and windows when he leaves the house. Of course, when the weather is bad, the little fellows asking for shelter from the rain won't be too relentless. Whenever the balcony windows leave a seam. But he has a rule that rain shelters are only allowed on the balcony and are not allowed to enter the house. He doesn't have the American time to clean the house several times a day.

Winter... winter solstice, the tabby cat with the emerald green eyes stammered, We didn't mean it like that. Outside... it was thundering outside!

Crouching beside her, the gray shorthair cat with its tail half cut off hastily added, It's still lightning, it's scary!

Several cats nodded together.

Ling Dongzhi watched them confused for a while and reluctantly agreed, Well, let's not take it as an example. when did you sneak in Did you eat?

Several cats huddled together, lowered their heads and began licking their paws, nobody made a sound.

Ling Dongzhi suddenly gave birth to a not-so-good premonition. The next second he saw a torn grocery wrap bag under the sofa.

My...memory... Ling Dongzhi immediately got angry, I fight with you!

4. rehearsal

After a while the big cats and kittens of the winter solstice were all herded onto the balcony.

The balcony is enclosed, with multiple rows of shelves lining the walls on either side, and the tops are filled with plants of all sizes. Although Ling Dongzhi did not know how to grow flowers, he was diligent. As soon as he found a flower pot that had dried up, he immediately bought new ones and replaced them and then put the old ones in the flower garden on the ground floor. It is strange to say that the half-dead seedling raised by him, once brought down, will be radiant within a few days. Neighbors upstairs and downstairs