The Blessed Farm Girl Has a Spatial Storage
Chapter 42: Childhood Talks about Dreams

Chapter 42: Chapter 42: Childhood Talks about Dreams

"Come over here and take a look." Qiao Muchen called Zhao Zhitong over to show her the row of books in front of him, proudly saying, "These, these, and these are all the books my dad left for me."

Zhao Zhitong said in amazement, "Wow, there are so many! Have you read them all?"

Qiao Muchen shook his head. "Not yet. These books are too profound for me to understand right now. But when I grow up, I will definitely finish reading them all."

Little Qiao Muchen stood under the bookshelf, full of ambition.

Zhao Zhitong was filled with envy. An idea struck her. Her eyes sparkling, she grabbed Qiao Muchen and whispered in his ear, "Qiao Muchen, if I give you lots of delicious candies, can I read your books too?"

Actually, Qiao Muchen didn’t really like candies, but he happily agreed to Zhao Zhitong’s request because he felt that he and Zhao Zhitong shared common interests. He enjoyed reading books with her.

"Deal. You give me endless candies, and I’ll let you read endless books."

「...」

After the two children formed a secret alliance, they each hugged a book and lay on the desk in the outer study, reading.

Qiao Muchen was reading a copy of the Analects. The Teacher said that after learning the Thousand Character Classic, he should study the Analects, so he wanted to study it in advance.

And Zhao Zhitong was naturally reading the "Essence of Medicinal Properties" her grandfather had given her.

Both of them were reading with great effort, as if in a competition. Their loud reading could be heard in the courtyard.

After a while, their voices gradually quieted down, and eventually, there was no sound at all.

Guessing they were tired from reading, Mother Qiao had already prepared tea and snacks for the two little ones. Noticing they had become silent, she brought the refreshments in.

Entering the study, she found the two children were not at the desk but were squatting in front of a bookshelf, searching for books.

「This all started a few minutes ago.」

Just as the two of them were growing tired from reading and had decided to take a break before continuing, Qiao Muchen curiously went over to look at Zhao Zhitong’s book.

"All medicines have their natures; this class is the coldest. Rhinoceros horn clears heart-fire; antelope horn clears lung and liver..."

After reading a passage in a low voice, he asked doubtfully, "What kind of book is this? It seems like it’s about healing."

Zhao Zhitong said proudly, "It is a book about healing! Grandpa said I have to memorize all of it, and he will quiz me later. I can already recite two lines."

Qiao Muchen was surprised. "Why are you reading these books about healing?"

Zhao Zhitong asked back, "Well, why are you reading these books?"

For a moment, Qiao Muchen was at a loss for words.

Why was he reading books?

When he reached the right age, his mother sent him to the Teacher for enlightenment, and then he started reading books.

At first, his mother sent him to school. Later, she didn’t force him anymore, and he began to read books on his own initiative. However, he had never thought about *why* he should read them.

Unable to figure it out, he tossed the question back to Zhao Zhitong. "I asked you first, so you answer first."

Zhao Zhitong shrugged. "Of course, it’s because I like it! Aren’t you silly? Don’t you like reading books?"

Qiao Muchen shook his head repeatedly, indicating he did love to read books.

But he still couldn’t figure out why he should read. Was it just because he liked it?

He liked so many other things too, like climbing trees, playing musical instruments, and many, many more.

Still unable to figure it out, Qiao Muchen felt a bit dispirited.

The two little ones sat at the desk, looking at each other, silent for a moment.

Zhao Zhitong cupped her small face in her hands, her mind racing. Suddenly, she remembered something the Teacher had said. "The Teacher said, ’Read books and... and...’"

Zhao Zhitong suddenly faltered; she had forgotten what the Teacher said.

Just then, Grandpa Bai reminded her from the space, "Reading books allows you to understand the principles of governance from past sages, learn the reasons for the rise and fall of dynasties, and grasp the essentials of personal cultivation."

Yes, that’s what he said!

Then Zhao Zhitong repeated what Grandpa Bai had said. "Although I’m a girl, and the Teacher says I can’t be an official or govern when I grow up, I can still read and write, understand principles, and cultivate my character. Then I can do whatever I want."

Qiao Muchen looked puzzled. "Do whatever you want?"

Zhao Zhitong nodded eagerly. "Yes, yes! For example, if I learn to read, I can understand many, many medical books. One day, I’ll become the physician who has read the most books, and then I can cure Dad’s leg illness!"

At that moment, Qiao Muchen felt as if Zhao Zhitong was glowing. He said in awe, "You’re amazing!"

Praised by her rival for the first time, Zhao Zhitong immediately puffed out her chest, a proud look on her small face.

She felt that since Qiao Jiaojiao praised her, she should also help him solve his confusion.

So she asked, "Well, is there anything you want to do in the future?"

Once again, he was at a loss. The future seemed so far away, and he hadn’t thought about such things.

Seeing Qiao Muchen had no answer, Zhao Zhitong suddenly felt she understood the root cause. "I’ve got it, I’ve got it! Grandpa Bai said that before doing anything, you must have a goal. Without a goal, you’ll feel lost and have no direction. You’re confused because you don’t have a goal!"

Qiao Muchen asked, half-convinced, "Really?"

Zhao Zhitong nodded confidently. "Of course! Grandpa Bai is a very capable, very capable friend of mine. He’s never wrong."

Grandpa Bai, hearing himself praised as capable... Why am I suddenly a little happy?

Zhao Zhitong said with an air of profound wisdom, "So, first you need to set a goal for yourself. For example, what kind of person do you want to become, or what do you want to do?"

Qiao Muchen seriously pondered Zhao Zhitong’s words. After a short while, his eyes lit up. "I know what I want to do now! I want to become a great person like my dad!"

Since she had never seen Qiao Muchen’s father and this was the first time she heard him mentioned, Zhao Zhitong’s interest was piqued. "How great is your dad? Is he greater than my dad?"

Qiao Muchen replied, "I don’t know, but I love my dad so much! He has solved so many big cases and caught lots and lots of bad guys!"

Zhao Zhitong exclaimed, "Wow! So your dad is like a police officer! Then your dad is greater than mine. But my dad is also very great! His hands have superpowers, and he planted a huge orchard. The fruits are so delicious!"

Qiao Muchen looked puzzled. "Police officer? What’s that? Superpowers? What are those?"

Grandpa Bai, in the space, hurriedly reminded Zhao Zhitong, "This young girl! Once she gets excited, she can’t keep her mouth shut."

Hearing Grandpa Bai, Zhao Zhitong just giggled and quickly covered her slip-up. "Police officers are very great people! Your dad is just as great as a police officer!"

Qiao Muchen smiled shyly, but his face was full of pride. "My dad even personally wrote books for me, filled with stories of him catching bad guys throughout his life! So, when I grow up and finish reading all the books my dad left me, I’m going to catch bad guys just like him!"