The world of film and television begins with Hikaru no Go

After a while, footsteps could be heard outside.

Hearing the noise, Zhang Rui instinctively turned his head and looked towards the door.

Seeing Di Chun enter carrying a tray, he silently stepped aside.

Di Chun was stunned as soon as he entered the door.

The dishes on the table were already stacked neatly, and the leftover food scraps were gathered together.

He had followed Di Renjie for over a decade and knew the master's usual habits.

Although he wouldn't call himself lazy, he's not particularly active either. He usually leaves these chores to the servants. Why is he doing them himself today?

Thinking about it carefully, it seems like it was the same last night.

Di Chun suppressed his doubts, quickened his pace, and placed the bowls and plates onto the tray.

While tidying up, his eyes subtly swept across the table.

Why are there two sets of bowls and chopsticks on the table, and both of them have been used?

The rice in the rice bowl was almost gone, the fish dish was almost empty, and the soup bowl was also empty.

Has your appetite been so good lately, sir?

He remembered clearly that the adults usually ate very little, sometimes not even finishing a bowl of rice, and he would inevitably have to say a few words of advice to them.

At least 70-80% of the food on this table has been used up.

Di Chun arranged the bowls and plates one by one, and couldn't help but look up at Di Renjie.

Di Renjie was leaning back in his chair, his expression normal, showing no sign of anything amiss.

"My lord," Di Chun hesitated for a moment, "was the food to your liking today?"

"fine."

"Well... you have a good appetite today, sir."

Di Renjie glanced at him and asked in a calm tone, "Is there a problem?"

"No, no," Di Chun quickly lowered his head. "I'm just happy. Please eat more, adults."

After saying that, he picked up the tray and walked out, but when he got to the door, he couldn't help but look back one last time.

There was indeed only one adult inside.

Di Chun frowned, but ultimately remained silent and withdrew.

-----------------

"It's still early, let's rest for a while." Di Renjie stood up. "Come with me."

Zhang Rui followed them deeper into the back hall, passed through a screen, and entered the inner room.

The room was not large; there was a bed against the wall, a desk by the window, and a chair by the window.

Next to the bed, a new low couch was laid out, with the bedding neatly folded.

Zhang Rui stared at the low couch, slightly taken aback.

If I remember correctly, when I left home this morning, the space next to my bed was empty.

Suddenly, a low couch appeared. Considering that Di Renjie said Di Chun had gone out on business this morning, it was probably to get this.

"Sleep here." Di Renjie sat down on the edge of the bed. "There are so many people coming and going in the county office. It's inconvenient for you to be out there alone. Nobody can see you, and if something happens, nobody will know."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Rui felt as if something had gently touched his heart.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but then felt that nothing he said would be quite right, so he just stood there in silence.

"Is there something wrong?"

"No, it's just... I didn't expect Judge Dee to have made such thoughtful arrangements."

Di Renjie glanced at him and said in a normal tone, "You're unfamiliar with this place, I can't just leave you out there alone."

Zhang Rui lowered his head and hummed in agreement.

He sat down on the low couch, looking at the neat creases on the bedding, and a feeling he couldn't quite describe welled up inside him.

Whether it was out of gratitude or relief, Di Renjie truly kept him on.

It wasn't a temporary arrangement, nor was it just a casual remark; it was about reserving a place for him right beside me.

"Go to sleep, you have things to do this afternoon."

"Um."

Zhang Rui lay down and stared at the beam above his head.

A breeze was blowing outside, causing the window paper to rustle slightly.

Di Renjie's side quickly went silent.

He turned to the side and glanced in the direction of the bed.

Di Renjie's face was not visible; only his outline could be seen.

Even with my eyes closed, Judge Di's words still echoed in my mind—

"You're unfamiliar with this place, I can't just leave you out there alone."

When Judge Di speaks, he never seems to use flowery words.

These seemingly ordinary "inconveniences" and "cannot be left outside" are more reassuring than any words.

The wind outside was blowing gently, rustling against the window paper.

As I listened, my consciousness gradually sank away.

-----------------

Zhang Rui was awakened by a series of voices. He opened his eyes, his mind still a little numb, as if he had been in a deep sleep.

The room was much darker now, and the light on the window paper was much dimmer than before I went to bed.

A figure was reflected in the window paper; judging from the figure, it was the same bailiff I had seen that morning.

The sound came from outside the door, very low, but still audible.

"...Sir, the investigation into the chicken theft has been completed."

"explain."

"The adults made the right decision by having me follow that farmer; he's the one who stole the chicken."

Where are they?

"He was detained in jail, and at first he denied everything. But when he was caught red-handed, he couldn't hold out any longer and finally told the truth. His child had been sick for several days, and they had no money for medicine, so he had the idea to do this."

Di Renjie was silent for a moment: "Make him return the chicken, and then take one string of cash from the county government's account for him."

The constable hesitated for a moment: "Sir, this... he stole something, should we still give him money?"

"He deserves to be punished for stealing, but his child is sick, and we can't let the child go without money for treatment. The money was borrowed from him, and he will pay it back when he has it." Di Renjie paused, "As for him—according to the law, he should be caned, but considering it's his first offense and it was for his child, the caning will be waived. He will be made to go to the village to apologize, and then he will be fined half a month working at the county office to make up for the chicken theft."

"Yes," Old Sun replied, then said, "Sir, there's one more thing..."

"explain."

"Someone just reported that Zhou Er's wife, Zhao, was found hanged at home."

Both the person inside and the person outside the door remained silent for a while.

Zhang Rui sat up from the low couch. The figure outside the window moved; it must have been Di Renjie who stood up.

"When did this happen?"

"The person who reported the incident said that the husband returned home from the fields to prepare lunch, only to find his wife hanged in the house. Zhao usually had a good relationship with the neighbors, so everyone was a little..." The bailiff paused, "...She was working in the fields on Tuesday, and Zhao was home alone."

"Got it. Go home and get ready for lunch... That's probably around noon? When did you report the incident?"

"Well... I saw that you were still taking a nap, and I didn't want to disturb you, so..."

Di Renjie sighed, "You shouldn't do that again. It's a matter of life and death. Go and prepare, and bring two people with you to the scene."

Old Sun quickly replied, "Yes, sir, I'll go and prepare it right away."

The footsteps gradually faded into the distance.

When Zhang Rui came out of the inner room, Di Renjie had already changed into his official robes and was bowing his head to straighten his sleeves.

Hearing the noise, she looked up at Zhang Rui and asked, "Awake?"

"Hmm." Zhang Rui glanced out the window. "Something happened?"

"Hmm." Di Renjie straightened his sleeves and strode out. "A woman hanged herself in her home. You shouldn't go; the scene might not be pleasant."