The ancient return was exposed by his sister's live stream.

"Oh, how come it's only been so late? Shouldn't older people have regular checkups?" Chen Siyao asked in confusion.

"Actually, the tests did find something, but Grandpa is in poor health and is already 93 years old, so we didn't dare to have surgery even after the tests were done."

"We've searched all over the country for the best brain cancer surgeons, but they have less than a 20% chance of success. I'm afraid Grandpa will never get up again," Yang Wanqing explained sadly.

Now Chen Siyao didn't know how to comfort her best friend. She could only take her out more often to cheer her up. "It's okay, Yaoyao. The old lady is getting old; aging, illness, and death are all part of life. Why don't you stay at my place? It'll be more convenient for us to go to school together."

"Thank you, Yao Yao, you're so kind. Actually, my family and I have already made preparations, after all, Grandpa is 93 years old, which is a very old age."

After a period of sadness, Yang Wanqing didn't want to continue the somber topic, so she noticed the fruit on the table. She picked it up and exclaimed dramatically, "Wow, Red Dust Fruit! Oh, Yao Yao, you're eating it all by yourself!"

Chen Siyao looked at her carefree best friend helplessly and said, "Then you should eat more."

My phone suddenly rang.

She glanced at the caller ID—Song Xinxue.

"Sister Xue?" Chen Siyao answered the phone.

"Yaoyao, we have a guest." Song Xinxue's voice came through the receiver. "It's Mr. Ye Chendong from the Ye family of Chancheng. He says he wants to visit Master Chen. Is this convenient for you?"

Chen Siyao paused for a moment and looked towards the study.

"Sister Xue, wait a moment, let me ask my brother."

She ran into the study: "Brother, Ye Chendong from the Ye family is here. He wants to see you. Will you see him?"

Chen Hao put down his book, thought for a moment, and nodded.

Chen Siyao ran back to the living room and hurriedly said into the phone, "Sister Xinxue, please invite them in quickly. They can wait in the living room."

Less than five minutes later, the doorbell rang.

Chen Siyao ran to open the door.

A young man stood outside the door, dressed in a well-tailored dark Zhongshan suit, with a refined demeanor, holding an exquisite brocade box in his hands.

He was followed by an attendant carrying large and small bags.

"Hello, Miss Chen." Ye Chendong bowed slightly, his attitude respectful. "I am Ye Chendong. I apologize for the intrusion."

Chen Siyao quickly stepped aside, saying, "Please come in, please come in!"

Ye Chendong walked into the living room and immediately saw Chen Hao coming out of the study.

He took a deep breath, stepped forward, and bowed respectfully.

"Greetings, Master Chen. Greetings, Miss Chen. I am Ye Chendong, a junior who has long admired your name and has come to pay you a visit today."

Chen Hao looked at him and nodded.

Chen Siyao was startled by his respectful manner and quickly waved her hand, "No need to be so polite, please sit down."

Ye Chendong straightened up, somewhat flattered, and carefully sat down on the sofa.

His entourage placed the items on the coffee table and tactfully withdrew outside the door.

Yang Wanqing curiously leaned closer to take a look—inside the brocade box was a fine old ginseng root, its whiskers intact and clearly defined, emitting a faint medicinal fragrance. Beside it were several boxes of high-quality tea and several bolts of exquisite silk.

"Master Chen, this is a small token of my appreciation, brought by my grandfather. Please accept it with a smile." Ye Chendong presented the brocade box with both hands.

Chen Hao took it, glanced at it, and nodded.

Ye Chendong was secretly delighted, but he didn't show it on his face.

He sat upright, his hands on his knees, his posture as respectful as a primary school student.

Chen Siyao poured him a cup of tea, which he took with both hands, sipped it, and then put it back on the coffee table.

"Master Chen, my grandfather said that he was amazed when he saw you restoring the silk manuscript in the live broadcast last time. He has been obsessed with cultural relics all his life and would like to invite you to visit the Ye family in Chancheng when you have time."

Chen Hao said calmly, "We'll talk about it another time."

Ye Chengdong nodded repeatedly: "Yes, yes, no rush, no rush."

He sat for a while longer, during which he hesitated to speak several times.

Chen Siyao was getting anxious for him—he clearly wanted to become an apprentice, but didn't dare to ask.

Yang Wanqing suppressed a laugh and texted Chen Siyao on her phone:

[Late Qing Dynasty: Look at him, he wants to become an apprentice but doesn't dare to say so, it's hilarious!]

[Yaoyao: They've come all this way, don't laugh at them.]

[Late Qing Dynasty: I just thought it was funny. Look how straight he's sitting, like a primary school student meeting the principal.]

[Yaoyao: Hahaha, that's true]

Ye Chendong sat for a few more minutes before finally standing up.

"Master Chen, I apologize for disturbing you. I will take my leave now and visit you another day."

Chen Hao nodded.

Ye Chendong turned to leave, then turned back, hesitated for a moment, and took something out of his pocket.

"Master Chen, this... I made it myself, it's not worth much, I just wanted to ask you for some pointers."

It was a small wooden carving, about the size of a palm, depicting a galloping horse with smooth lines and lifelike detail.

Chen Hao took it, glanced at it, then picked up the carving knife on the table and made a few light cuts on the wood carving.

Ye Chendong's eyes widened.

The already lifelike horse seemed to come alive after Chen Hao's few strikes. Its mane fluttered, its hooves leaped into the air, and even its eyes became lively.

"Take it back and study it carefully." Chen Hao handed the wood carving back to him.

Ye Chendong accepted it with both hands, his hands trembling with excitement.

"Thank you, Master Chen! Thank you, Master Chen!"

He bowed deeply and turned to leave.

Chen Siyao escorted him to the elevator, and then collapsed onto the sofa after returning.

"Brother, this Ye Chengdong is a really nice guy, very respectful, not at all like those scions of wealthy families."

Chen Hao said calmly, "The Ye family has good upbringing."

Yang Wanqing leaned closer: "Brother Chen Hao, does he want to become your apprentice?"

Chen Hao nodded: "I can see that."

So, are you going to accept it or not?

Chen Hao glanced at her, a slight smile playing on his lips: "He's not ready yet."

Yang Wanqing nodded knowingly.

Ye Chendong's mind was in turmoil from the moment he saw Chen Hao's live stream of restoring the silk scroll and admitting that he was Qin Shi Huang's teacher.

He knew that Chen Hao was a true reclusive master, and that it was a blessing the Ye family had accumulated over generations to become his disciple.

He wished he could kneel down and become a disciple on the spot, but he also knew that masters dislike being impatient. If he spoke rashly, he would only annoy the other party. It would be better to leave a good impression first and then proceed slowly.

Ye Chendong had only been gone for less than an hour when the doorbell rang again. Chen Siyao ran to open the door.

Song Xinxue walked in again, her face showing a hint of helplessness: "Sister Yaoyao, someone else has arrived. It's Mr. Ying Wenjie from the Ying family in the capital. He said he came specifically to visit Mr. Chen Hao and brought a gift. It seems he's here for Mr. Chen Hao as well."

A young man in his early twenties stood outside the door, dressed in a casual suit, with delicate features, holding an exquisite wooden box in his hands.

Behind him were two middle-aged men in suits, carrying large and small bags.

"Hello!" the young man greeted with a smile. "My name is Ying Wenjie, which means 'I am Ying Zheng'!"

Chen Siyao was stunned for a moment, then realized: "You're Ying Wenjie? The one in the live stream?"

Ying Wenjie nodded, smiling somewhat apologetically, "Yes, it's me. I apologize for the intrusion."

Chen Siyao quickly stepped aside: "Please come in!"

Ying Wenjie walked into the living room, but the two bodyguards were blocked at the door.