"Yes, because it has nine rows and nine columns, so it's called the nine nine multiplication table. Little Amy already has some basic addition and subtraction, so learning this shouldn't be too difficult for you." Mai Ge looked at the neatly arranged, ladder-like multiplication table, its rows and columns perfectly aligned, the handwriting clear, and put down the pen with satisfaction, smiling as he spoke.
"Then what's that little cross in the middle?" Amy asked, pointing to the 'x' with some confusion.
"This is a multiplication sign, it means the same as multiplication, but it's more concise this way." Mai Ge explained with a smile, gesturing for Amy to sit down on the chair beside him and pushing the multiplication table closer. "Only your Daddy knows this multiplication table. You only need to memorize eighty one items, and then learn decimal system, and you can solve most of the arithmetic problems you need in daily life."
"Wow, Daddy is so amazing! Last time, Teacher Luna told me that if I wanted to memorize the multiplication table, I would need to memorize 1770 items, and Little Amy only memorized about 100." Amy looked at Mai Ge with admiration. She hadn't expected her father not only to have beautiful handwriting, but also to have a simpler arithmetic method than Teacher Luna. He was truly incredible.
Although it's a bit inappropriate to boast while standing on the shoulders of ancient Chinese sages, the feeling of being admired by her daughter like this made Mai Ge feel incredibly good. Smiling, he pointed to the first item on the top left corner and said, "Let's start by learning about the first column today. The numbers on either side of the multiplication sign are the multiplication sign itself, and the following number is the product, which is the result of the calculation..."
Mai Ge explained the structure of the multiplication table to Amy in detail. Under Luna's tutelage, Amy did have some basic mathematical foundation; she understood the meaning of each number and had a basic understanding of addition and subtraction. However, the mathematics in this world didn't have a number system, so he spent considerable time helping her understand the concept of number systems.
What pleased Mai Ge most was that Amy didn't doubt a thing he said, even when it completely contradicted what Luna had taught her. She unconditionally chose to listen to him and quickly accepted the concept of decimal multiplication.
"One times one equals one, one times two equals two..." Amy repeated after Mai Ge. The little girl's memory was quite good; after repeating it a dozen times, she memorized the first column.
Mai Ge seized the opportunity and led her through the entire multiplication table twice, giving her an overall feel for it.
"But Daddy, what's the use of memorizing this?" Amy asked, looking up at Mai Ge with some confusion after repeating it a few times on her own.
"Oh, this is really useful." Mai Ge smiled and pointed to the multiplication table. "Look, a serving of Yang Zhou Fried Rice now costs 600 copper coins, which is 6 gold coins. Just like Grandpa Mo Bai ate four servings, that's 4 x 6 = 24. You know the result directly without having to count on your fingers. Isn't that convenient?"
"It really is 24 gold coins!" Amy's eyes lit up. She had spent ages mentally calculating 2400 copper coins, but her father had gotten it so easily with this multiplication table. This multiplication table was incredibly useful! Full of enthusiasm, she said, "Daddy, I want to learn! I want to learn this multiplication table! If I learn it well, I can really help you!"
"Alright, we'll learn three columns today, and the rest tomorrow." Mai Ge smiled and nodded. The most important things in learning are initiative and enthusiasm, and Amy had both. He believed she would quickly master the multiplication table.
The afternoon passed by as Amy recited the multiplication table. Apart from Mo Bai, no other customers entered the restaurant, showing how deserted this corner of Aden Square was.
However, after selling four servings of fried rice, Mai Ge felt much more at ease. At least he didn't have to worry that the taste of Yang Zhou Fried Rice wouldn't suit the people of this world. Judging from Mo Bai's reaction, the fried rice's effect of relieving muscle fatigue was also effective for him; perhaps he'd become a regular customer—that was good news.
"Three times four is twelve, three times five is fifteen, three times six… three times six… three times six… three times six is too hard…" Amy looked up at Mai Ge with a slightly aggrieved expression. This was the fifth time she had failed to memorize it here, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Alright, let's stop at three times five is fifteen for today. Little Amy has done a great job; very few children can even finish the first column on their first try. We can do the rest tomorrow; gradual progress is best." Mai Ge reached out and put away the multiplication table, smiling as he ruffled Amy's hair. This reminded him of a short video he'd seen in his past life of a little girl crying while memorizing the multiplication table. Indeed, the same age, the same worries.
"Really?" Amy, who had expected a scolding, brightened up again upon hearing Mai Ge's words. Her father actually said she was better than the other children.
"Of course it's true. When has your father ever lied to you?" Mai Ge looked into Amy's eyes and nodded earnestly.
"Yes, Daddy wouldn't lie to Little Amy. Little Amy will definitely recite well the rest tomorrow." Amy nodded, a bright smile spreading across her face, radiating confidence.
Mai Ge placed the multiplication table behind the counter. Now that lunch time had passed, even fewer people would be coming to eat. Looking at Amy's slightly disheveled hair, he simply went to the door, flipped the "Open for Business" sign, locked the door from the inside, and then took Amy's little hand, saying, "Come on, Daddy will help you wash your hair and take a bath, so you can become a clean little fairy."
"Do we need to boil water first and get a wooden tub?" Amy looked up at Mai Ge and asked.
"No need. There's a hot water pipe upstairs, and a bathtub." Mai Ge smiled and shook his head.
"Like a kitchen faucet?" Amy asked in surprise. That thing her father called a faucet seemed so magical; just turning it produced clear, sweet water, like magic.
"Yes, that's right." Mai Ge nodded, taking her little hand and leading her upstairs. Amy's understanding of the world was just beginning, so she was only curious about the modern things in the house, without much concern.
Amy, seeing a bathtub for the first time, quickly adapted. Sitting in the tub, she splashed her legs, cupping the white foam in her hands and giggling, looking at Mai Ge happily, saying, "Daddy, this bathtub is so much fun! And these bubbles smell so good, so nice!"
"Yes, this is body shampoo for bathing. And this is hair shampoo, for washing your hair. It'll make your hair clean and smell nice." Mai Ge said with a smile, clumsily applying the hair shampoo to Amy's hair. He said softly, "Close your eyes, it'll feel uncomfortable if hair shampoo gets in them."
"Okay, I want to smell as nice as Daddy." Amy obediently closed her eyes.
Mai Ge gently massaged Amy's hair. His movements were a little clumsy, but meticulous, carefully separating the matted strands. Amy's hair was actually quite soft.
Bathing and washing a child's hair was indeed a skill. After washing the little one's hair, Mai Ge's own clothes were almost soaked. Looking at the little one wrapped in a towel and the little dress she had worn lying beside her, Mai Ge felt a little troubled. He tentatively asked, "System, do you still sell clothes?"