bayedsolid Chapter 127: Hands off the shopkeeper
Chapter 127: Hands off the shopkeeper
"So what if you're getting into junior high? With your grades, you're one in a million. What's wrong with me throwing a few tables of food?" Song Wanli said, displeased.
"Uncle, Uncle..." Ting Nan was at a loss with her increasingly open-minded uncle, thinking to herself: Uncle, it costs money to hold a banquet now.
Qian Shuzhen, who had been cautious her whole life, spoke up: "Wanli, Nan is right. Keep a low profile and wait until she gets into university before making any moves!"
"Mom, you're drawing such a far-fetched picture. Let me do the math: three years of junior high, three years of senior high, that's six years! Tingnan, can you skip a grade?" Song Wanli calculated seriously, then asked seriously.
Ting Nan panicked, "Uncle, I...I'm not a genius."
"Hahaha... Big brother, there are so many subjects in junior high, seven already. Tingnan probably won't have time to skip grades." Jiang Qianqian quickly spoke up for Tingnan; her brother's earnest expression was truly amusing. She was also very touched; how much faith did he have in his child? Skipping grades in junior high and high school?
“Wanli, I doubt Master Nan would agree to a grand celebration,” Qian Shuzhen said.
Song Wanli glared, "How could he disagree? His apprentice is amazing, skilled in both literature and martial arts, doesn't he want to enjoy it?"
Qian Shuzhen glanced at her son and said, "Happy, who isn't happy? We're all happy that Tingnan did well on the exam, but don't be too ostentatious! Just look at Tingnan's face, and you'll understand her master's intention."
That's true. Ting Nan only revealed her true colors on the day of the exam, and she plans to gradually recover afterward. Just consider it a case of "a girl's appearance changing drastically as she grows up," but she'll still have to portray herself as less attractive when she's out selling goods. It was only after her two masters discovered that the two different "Ting Nans" inside and outside of school were more deceptive.
Of course, this was exactly what Ting Nan wanted, not simply because she loved beauty, but mainly because going to school without makeup would save her so much trouble!
"Alright, let's invite our own people over for a meal then. Teacher Jiang, when is a convenient day for Director Mu to bring his whole family for a meal and celebrate together?" Song Wanli was easy to persuade; he compromised, and Zhao Xiaojuan had no objections either, prioritizing Nan's safety.
Jiang Qianqian said any day was fine with her; she was a teacher on summer vacation, so she had flexible hours, and Lao Mu could also visit his own factory. She could also stay in Songjia Village with Yuan'er for an extended period, and also help Tingnan, as well as Song Mingxiang and Song Mingli, who were about to start first grade, with some advance preparation.
Qian Shuzhen was overjoyed about Jiang Qianqian's summer vacation plans. This summer she could finally "rest"; those kids were full of energy, and her old bones couldn't withstand the strain.
Zhao Xiaojuan welcomed her with open arms; Jiang Qianqian was her mentor and close friend.
This was just a family gathering, so Zhao Xiaojuan was in charge of arranging the dishes, Song Wanli was in charge of purchasing, and Ting Nan was in charge of notifying the two masters. Liu Dayong was also unsure if he would come, as he had never been to the house before, and Song Wanli had only visited Gao Haoran once during the Spring Festival last year.
Liu Dayong was even more cautious than Qian Shuzhen. He was always worried that others would find out that Tingnan was his apprentice, which would be detrimental to Tingnan. He didn't want this promising talent to be ruined before it even had a chance to grow up properly...
He had his leg broken by a traitor and the Japanese soldiers back then because of his carelessness, which revealed his whereabouts. These people who can read lips are like a sword hanging over the heads of those with secrets and ulterior motives; it feels like no secret can be hidden, a deadly weapon. How could they not be afraid?
As expected, Liu Dayong refused. He was used to staying in the nursing home and didn't want to move. Ting Nan didn't force him; both of her masters were true homebodies. Master Gao even said he wanted to open a martial arts school. He had no problem teaching students, but she didn't know how he would manage it, and there were so many miscellaneous tasks involved.
The answer came quickly: on the day of the dinner party, Li Yang, the grocery store owner, came with Gao Haoran.
“Tingnan, come here, this is your senior brother Li Yang. We’ve decided to open a martial arts school in the county town. We’ve already chosen a location, it’s very close to your school, so you can practice there morning and evening. If you need anything in the future, you can always ask your senior brother Li Yang for help.” Gao Haoran reintroduced him, but it felt like he was trying to shift the blame.
"Greetings, Senior Brother!" Ting Nan clasped his hands in greeting again, having previously addressed him as Boss Li.
"Hello, junior sister! You are our youngest junior sister. I wish you a bright future and a promising future!" Li Yang had the shrewdness of a businessman and the straightforwardness of a martial artist.
Song Wanli also came over to greet him: "Senior Brother Li, I'll be counting on you to take good care of my Tingnan from now on."
"Don't worry, she's my junior sister, it's only right. Besides, having my junior sister around can also keep my Master Gao's feet tied a bit," Li Yang joked.
Ting Nan hurriedly asked, "What do you mean? Master, are you going to be running around again?"
Before Gao Haoran could answer, Li Yang complained directly: "Junior sister, you be the judge. It was Master who said he wanted to open a martial arts school. He said I could handle all the management and affairs of the school. A disciple should respect his master as much as his father."
But Master doesn't agree to let the martial arts school use his name. Tell me, without the Gao family's reputation, how can anyone come to learn? And Master says he'll only teach a few talented students. Little junior sister, can you give me some advice? Try to persuade Master; a few students can't keep a martial arts school afloat."
After hearing Li Yang's complaints, Ting Nan was both amused and exasperated. Her feeling was right; her master didn't want to care about anything else and only wanted to focus on martial arts.
Gao Haoran disregarded worldly affairs. Originally a wealthy young man, he had no worries about food or clothing. It is said that the Gao family had a large number of servants back then.
After learning martial arts, he joined an organization and went to the battlefield to receive stipends, but he never bothered with money or worldly possessions. After returning home, he lived alone in a secluded corner, interacting with people in a straightforward manner. He really had no desire for material things; if it weren't for meeting Ting Nan, who added some popularity to his life, he would have become an immortal.
It's already quite remarkable that he's willing to come out of seclusion and teach a few disciples in order to promote the Gao family's martial arts.
But what Senior Brother Li Yang said is true. If a martial arts school wants to stay in business for a long time, it needs popularity and students and apprentices!