The world of film and television begins with Hikaru no Go

Chapter 51 On the Road

"It's fast, but there's still a long way to go."

There is ample time.

Zhang Rui's lips unconsciously curved into a smile.

Yes.

There is ample time.

"Go to sleep, we still have a long journey ahead tomorrow."

"Um."

Zhang Rui closed his eyes.

There was a wind outside, making the window paper rustle.

He was thinking about the road ahead, about the capital, and about the old man beside him.

Gradually, her breathing became steady.

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

Di Renjie listened to the child's breathing on the low couch, realizing he was still awake.

By the moonlight, he glanced sideways in Zhang Rui's direction.

A huddled silhouette, thin and small.

The events of the past two days resurfaced in my mind.

The child served him porridge with a steady hand, not as if he were trying to please him, nor as if he were testing him, but simply doing it naturally.

There was also the question that wasn't finished; although only half the question was asked, Di Renjie understood it.

Over the years, very few people have asked him if he's tired.

Others were used to looking up to him and relying on him, and he was used to it too.

I just sometimes forget that I will get old too.

There was a sound of someone turning over on the low couch, and Zhang Rui mumbled something indistinctly.

Di Renjie looked in that direction.

This child was unlike anyone he had ever met before.

He doesn't seek fame or fortune, doesn't climb the social ladder, and doesn't even seem like someone who lives in this world.

But he just happened to be here.

"There is ample time."

Di Renjie closed his eyes and repeated it in a low voice, as if he were talking to himself.

Moonlight streamed in through the window, illuminating the figures of an old man and a young boy.

One was on the bed, the other on the couch.

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

Before dawn, the county government office was already bustling with activity.

The bailiffs, carrying lanterns, went in and out, their footsteps and whispers filling the air.

Di Chun stood in the courtyard, directing everyone to move the luggage and checking each box one by one.

The carriage was parked outside the yamen, with two black horses harnessed to it.

Zhang Rui stood under the eaves, watching all of this.

Last night, Judge Di tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep soundly.

He didn't ask any more questions, but just listened quietly to the sound of the wind outside.

"Connecting to the secluded place".

Zhang Rui turned around and saw that Di Renjie was already dressed neatly in casual clothes, with a dark gray cloak over his head and a soft-brimmed turban. He looked energetic and showed no signs of fatigue.

The county government's bailiffs, runners, and gatekeepers all came to see him off, standing in the courtyard and bowing respectfully.

"Take care, my lord."

"Have a safe journey, sir."

……

Di Renjie nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over each face, his voice gentle: "I'll leave the county to you all. If anything happens, write to me in the capital."

An older bailiff's eyes reddened: "My lord—"

Di Renjie waved his hand and turned to walk towards the carriage.

Zhang Rui followed behind.

Di Chun was already waiting beside the carriage, one foot on the shaft and the reins in his hand.

Seeing Judge Di approach, he jumped down and lifted the carriage curtain: "Master, please."

Di Renjie got into the car, and Zhang Rui followed him in, sitting in a corner.

"Walk."

"yes."

Di Chun responded, cracked his whip, and the carriage slowly drove out of the yamen.

Zhang Rui leaned out of the carriage curtain and glanced back.

The county government gate gradually receded into the distance, and the plaque above the gate gleamed faintly in the dawn light, the words on it illegible.

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

The carriage bumped along the official road, kicking up a trail of dust.

Di Renjie leaned against the carriage wall, half-closing his eyes to rest.

The carriage was more sturdy than Zhang Rui had imagined. The wooden body was covered with a layer of iron, and the axles were wrapped with oil-soaked cloth, making a slight creaking sound.

The carriage was lined with a thick layer of cotton padding, so the bumpy ride wasn't too uncomfortable.

Zhang Rui sat opposite Di Renjie. The swaying of the carriage didn't affect him much, and he could even occasionally lean out to look.

The morning light bathed the fields, and the distant mountains were draped in a faint golden hue.

On both sides of the official road were vast fields, the autumn harvest over, leaving only bare stubble. Occasionally, a few crows would land on the field ridges, and when a carriage passed by, they would flap their wings and fly away.

On the road, you can see several early-rising farmers carrying hoes and heading to the fields, as well as those driving oxcarts with a tall stack of firewood piled in the back.

"What are you looking at?"

Di Renjie suddenly spoke, his eyes still closed.

The main thing is that Zhang Rui's appearance with half of his body hanging outside the carriage was really a bit scary.

"It's nothing," Zhang Rui said, shrinking back. "I just think...it's quite interesting."

Di Renjie opened his eyes: "Never seen this before?"

Zhang Rui thought for a moment: "I've seen it before, but it's different."

Farmers get up early.

Zhang Rui turned around and saw that Di Renjie had already sat up straight and was looking out the window.

"The adults also get up early."

"I'm an old man, I can't sleep for more than a few hours, once I wake up I can't fall back asleep."

Zhang Rui looked at him and suddenly thought, "If only the carriage could be a little more stable."

The carriage continued forward, passing through a grove of trees and climbing a hill, where the view gradually opened up.

In the distance are rolling mountains, and at their foot are a few scattered houses with wisps of smoke rising from their chimneys.

Zhang Rui looked out the window and didn't say anything more.

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

At noon, the carriage stopped to rest at an inn by the roadside.

Di Chun led the horse away to feed it hay, and then went inside to prepare the food.

Di Renjie sat under the shade of a tree outside the post station, ordered a pot of tea, and slowly drank it.

Zhang Rui floated to the side, watching the passersby.

There were messengers riding by on horseback, farmers driving oxcarts slowly, and groups of merchants carrying large and small bags, their faces full of fatigue.

The inn was noisy; some people were talking loudly, some were drinking and playing drinking games, and some were arguing over seats.

"Won't you come in and sit down, sir?"

"It's noisy." Di Renjie shook his head. "It's not as quiet as outside."

Zhang Rui nodded and continued looking around.

The late autumn sun no longer felt warm on my skin, and the wind carried the smells of cooking smoke and withered grass.

Children were chasing and playing in the distance, their laughter drifting faintly over.

"Connecting to the secluded place."

Zhang Rui turned his head: "Hmm?"

Di Renjie looked at him, his gaze gentle: "I've known you for a few days, but I haven't had a chance to ask you in detail if there's anything you're not used to?"

Zhang Rui was stunned for a moment: "What?"

"I'm just an old man, my life is pretty dull," Di Renjie said, taking a sip of tea. "You'd probably find it very boring following me."

"The adults treat me very well."

Di Renjie didn't ask any more questions.

The two sat and ate lunch as the sun gradually began to set.

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

As evening fell, the carriage entered the territory of Jiangzhang County.

The sunset glow on the horizon was ablaze with red, dyeing the entire sky orange-red.

The trees lining the official road cast long shadows, and occasionally one could see farmers carrying hoes home, their faces weary.

Zhang Rui was staring out the window in a daze when the carriage slowed down.

"Whoa—"

Di Chun's voice came from outside, and the sound of horses' hooves stopped.