Spring Breeze Twenty Years

Chapter 738 Reverence for Inheritance

Xiao Wei's eyes lit up, and he said to Bo Zi, "Did you hear that? Brother Mi has pointed you in the right direction. I think it will work. You don't need to go to Fengtian anymore. Just stay here and serve this old man all day long, keep him happy, and get him to show off all his skills. You'll be set for life. I can't guarantee anything else, but surpassing your fifth uncle will be a piece of cake."

Bozi's eyes lit up, and he looked at Master Wang and said, "I'm afraid you'll think I'm too stupid and won't take me on. To be honest, I've had this thought for a while, but I didn't dare to say anything."

Master Wang chuckled and said, "What era are we living in? Those old ways aren't popular anymore. Anyway, you can learn from me here. I won't hold back. Just say what you want to say and ask me anything."

Xiao Wei said, "That won't do. If I learn your skills, I have to respect you as my master. What kind of person would I be if I just watched and learned from the sidelines? I'd learn the skills but still have no reputation or recognition. We can't do that. If we're going to learn, we should properly become your apprentices. That would make us your second son. We'll always have to respect you, and even if we become famous in the future, you'll still be the one who comes first."

Master Zhai said, "That's right, we have to do things legitimately and not let others talk behind our backs. Master Wang, how about letting Bozi follow you for a few days? You can see for yourself. If you think he's good enough, we can shamelessly ask him to be our apprentice. If he can learn 20% or 30% of it, that's his luck. If you don't think he's good enough, just say something, and that will make him give up."

Master Wang said, "That's too harsh. I'm not qualified. Xiao Zhai, you should take the exam now and get a top-tier grade. You'll be just as good as me. Maybe I'm even worse than you in some dishes. This kid is smart. With you guiding him, he'll be fine."

Miler said, "Master Wang, you should take him on. Bozi will learn from you, and with Master Zhai's guidance, plus the family tradition, he'll have the best of everyone's skills. It'll be hard for him not to succeed in the future. Everyone will be proud of him then, right? That's the level you've reached, the level that others can't even see in the shadows."

Xiao Wei kicked Bo Zi under the table: "Why are you being so stupid right now?"

Bozi winced in pain and almost jumped up. Xiaowei hadn't held back with his kick. But Bozi wasn't stupid; he reacted quickly, stood up, picked up his teacup, and knelt down next to Master Wang with a thud: "Master."

Master Wang hurriedly reached out to help him up, saying, "Don't kneel, don't kneel. This isn't customary anymore. Just say it in your mind."

Bozi looked up and asked, "So, Master, you're taking me in?"

Master Wang said, "That's all, that's all. Get up quickly, the ground is cold. Oh dear, this mess, get up quickly."

Xiao Wei said, "That won't do, Bozi. You can't miss any of the three heads. Once you kowtow to the ground, Master Wang will be your master, your father, and your third father after your father-in-law, understand? You have to respect him, obey his orders and scoldings, and be filial. This is a lifelong commitment. You have to take care of your master in his old age and see him off when he dies."

Master Wang waved his hand and said, "No, no, this is a new era. There's no need for so many formalities. Just call me Master. Get up."

Master Zhai said, "Master Wang, sit tight. Bozi, you have to kowtow. Xiaowei is right, a master is like a father. Only by kowtowing can you show your sincerity. You've learned someone's craft, so you have to see it through to the end. You have to keep your master in your heart for the rest of your life. You have to be there for him on holidays, birthdays, big events, and small events. You are another son of your master, understand?"

Master Wang said, "No, good boy, get up quickly, don't listen to them, we're not talking about this now."

Xiao Wei said, "Master Wang, please sit down and let Bozi kowtow. There's no need to follow any formalities when I kowtow to you now. It's a sign of respect for the craft, gratitude to our ancestors, and thanks to God. There are no free gifts; people should always know how to be in awe."

Master Zhai stubbed out his cigarette, stood up, walked to the side of Bozi and Master Wang, and said, "I'll sing, Master Wang, please sit down."

Master Wang glanced at Master Zhai, then gave up, sighed, straightened his clothes, and sat up straight.

Master Zhai reached out and took the teacup from Bozi's hand, and sang: "Today, An Hongbo formally becomes Master Wang's disciple. Heaven and earth bear witness, and friends are our witnesses. Today, we perform the discipleship ceremony. From now on, you must uphold the heart of a son, respect your teacher and value the Way, be filial to your teacher as if he were your father, study diligently, and bring glory to your master's school. An Hongbo, kowtow."

Bozi's knees were aching from kneeling, but upon hearing this, he bent down without a word and slapped his head three times. Master Zhai's face twitched, and he handed the teacup in his hand to Bozi: "Serve tea to your master."

Bozi took the teacup with both hands and handed it to Master Wang, saying, "Master, please have some tea."

Master Wang took a breath, suddenly feeling a bit disheartened. He took the teacup from Bozi, took a sip, and said, "Since you want to become my disciple, I will teach you wholeheartedly. I don't ask for anything else. I don't have much to give you, but I'll give you eight words: 'Skill comes from practice; perseverance will bring results.' Get up."

Bozi let out a cheerful "Ah!" and jumped up from the ground like a little monkey. However, after kneeling for a long time, his knees ached and he couldn't stand up. He fell onto Master Wang's legs again. Chen Hui said, "What are you doing? This is too blatant."

Master Wang reached out and helped Bozi up, saying, "Please excuse my poor appearance. This bow brought back so many memories. Ah, well, it's all in the past, let's not dwell on it. I never expected to take on a young apprentice in my old age; I wonder if I can still teach him. Come, let's eat. I've taken up so much of your time."

Chen Hui said, "Master Wang, today I'm accepting your apprentice. I toast you and wish you good health and many successful students."

Everyone raised their glasses in response and clinked them together.

Then Chef Zhai asked everyone to comment on the dishes, and everyone shared their opinions, thus concluding the meal.

While the others went about their business, Chen Hui, Xiao Wei, and a few others accompanied Liu Sui and her husband to a nearby spot to drink tea, digest their food, and chat.

"The environment and food are both better than in Fengtian. To be honest, I don't know if it's because I haven't eaten here in a long time, but I feel like Bozi's bone-cutting is a bit better than theirs. Okay, how should we do it? Shall we have a ceremony?" Liu Sui asked Xiaowei.

Xiao Wei said, "Let's do it. You'll have to be the one to invite the people. I'll prepare the food and drinks and hire an emcee company to unveil the curtain."

Liu Sui thought for a moment and said, "How about setting up a small stage at the entrance? Like a ribbon-cutting ceremony, and then you and the leaders unveil the plaque together, right? I think we should get some big balloons to float around, cannons, colorful flags, and flower baskets. You've brought your own ceremonial staff; they're better quality than what you can get outside."

Chen Hui said, "I think you should first talk to the leaders who can come, in case they don't like these things and it's easy to offend them."

Liu Sui said, "The key is that you guys are throwing money around everywhere, why is Anton so stingy? Couldn't you throw away a few million? Would you lose money? If you want a piece of land, I'll get it for you, okay? I can approach them with a clear conscience. Once the houses are built, that's your money, right? Are you not going to open any shops afterward?"

Xiao Wei said, "We have the intention to invest, but it will have to be next year at the earliest. It's definitely not possible this year; we can't handle it."

(End of this chapter)