Chapter 47 Some Joy, Some Sorrow

Chapter 47: Some Happy, Some Not

After having a good laugh, the old man stopped refusing them, whether openly or subtly. Instead, he asked Wen Yuchen, "If you want to learn, how many days will you stay?"

Wen Yuchen answered truthfully, "Probably just four or five days."

The old man slapped the arm of his pearwood chair and said, "Alright! This morning, let Ran Ran take you to your room to get settled and eat.

At two in the afternoon, come here to see me and choose which one you most want to learn.

Four or five days to learn that one skill—it’s not that I won’t teach more, but it’s about quality over quantity.

My surname is Huang, first name Yusheng. You can just call me Master."

Huang Yusheng’s words indicated he was interested. Wen Yuchen quickly bowed slightly to the old man: "Thank you, Master. My surname is Wen, first name Yuchen, and this is my son Wen Mingzheng."

"Mmhmm!" Zheng Zheng, hearing his father mention him, nodded with super pride.

Mimicking his father’s gesture, he bent his chubby little body and said in a baby voice, "Thank you, Grandpa."

"Wen Mingzheng." Master Huang repeated the name thoughtfully and praised, "Good name! Come, Zheng Zheng, come to Grandpa."

Zheng Zheng waddled over, offering his chubby cheeks for Grandpa to pinch.

The old man happily held Zheng Zheng’s hand and said, "Ran Ran, take your junior brother to his room."

"Alright!" Ran Ran, mischievous and clever, said, "Follow me, little junior brother."

Wen Yuchen hadn’t expected Master Huang to be won over this easily by Zheng Zheng. As he followed with the suitcase, he still felt a bit hesitant about Zheng Zheng.

But the crew was even more hesitant than them—should they follow Wen Yuchen or Zheng Zheng?

The old man said, "What’s interesting about a grown man cleaning up a room? Your Kids' Variety Show should, of course, film the kids!

Hey, Zheng Zheng doesn’t have any allergies, does he?"

"You're right." Brother Sun was the first to change his mind. The camera turned, and he followed Master Huang and Zheng Zheng.

Wen Yuchen followed Ran Ran and sighed, "I didn’t expect Zheng Zheng to be this effective."

Ran Ran led the way ahead, chattering excitedly, "You have no idea—when the crew first approached this old man, as soon as he heard there were kids, he was overjoyed.

Master’s son and daughter-in-law have settled in Shanghai. They only come back during holidays each year, so it’s really hard for him to see his grandchildren."

"Don’t they come back to inherit the Master’s legacy?" Wen Yuchen asked. The old man’s craft is nationally recognized Intangible Cultural Heritage.

"Can’t be helped—everyone has their own aspirations!" Ran Ran sighed helplessly.

Wen Yuchen fell silent and could only nod.

The room faced the sun, clearly prepared with care by Master Huang.

The walls were snow-white, with a large double bed draped in a gauze canopy. The summer comforter on the bed was still unopened.

Children’s toys were also placed on the table.

After seeing them to the room, Ran Ran went back to mind the store.

Wen Yuchen quickly started unpacking his things.

Master Huang held Zheng Zheng’s hand and led him to the kitchen in the back.

In the kitchen, a few young betas were chatting and laughing.

Master Huang walked over, put on disposable gloves, and picked out the best-looking piece of osmanthus strip cake for Zheng Zheng.

He held the cake up to Zheng Zheng’s mouth. The little one opened his mouth wide but took only a tiny bite.

"Yummy," Zheng Zheng nodded.

It made Master Huang beam happily.

Perhaps because they were both betas and both feline types, Zheng Zheng really liked this kind and amiable old man.

For Wen Yuchen, the first step of the task was perfectly completed.

But it might not be the same for the other families.

Especially for Tang Zhixiao and Xi Xi, who were looking for the wood carving master.

The master was a proud and stubborn Alpha old man named Jiang Yinian.

But this old man wouldn't budge no matter what they tried.

Tang Zhixiao took a deep breath and tried again.

The old man waved his hand impatiently: "I said I won’t teach! I, an old man, simply won’t teach! It’s useless no matter how many times you come!"

With that, he kicked them out.

Tang Zhixiao stood under the streetlight, questioning his life choices. This was the first time he had ever been blown off like this. Did he really have to participate in this variety show?

Xi Xi plopped down right on the ground: "Uncle, are we going to have to sleep on the streets tonight?"

"Don’t talk nonsense," Tang Zhixiao gave a light kick to Xi Xi’s bottom.

Uncle and nephew, both wondering what they were doing there.

"Xiao Xiao is really going through it!"

"This master is so stubborn!"

"Didn’t the crew work things out with the master when they selected him?"

"Xiao Xiao, just go home. This show is too much."

"Feel bad for Xiao Xiao, covered in sweat."

"Looking at this, I really envy Wen Yuchen and Meng Feihang. They succeeded in getting accepted as apprentices with almost no difficulty."

"Actually, both families relied on their kids using their cuteness to get through. So, Xi Xi baby, why don’t you try to turn on the charm?"

"Xi Xi, getting defensive: (｀Δ´)! I’m a cool guy."

Tang Zhixiao swallowed and stared vacantly at the swirl of hair on Xi Xi’s head.

After a long while, as if an idea struck him, he gave Xi Xi’s little bottom another gentle kick: "Tang Luoxi, how about you go and try?"

Xi Xi pointed at himself: "Huh? Me?"

Tang Zhixiao nodded.

Xi Xi scrambled up swiftly, looking hesitant: "Alright, I’ll try my best!"

"Uh-oh, this kid’s definitely scheming something."

"Hahaha, I thought he wouldn’t want to go."

"Looking forward to seeing Xi Xi’s spectacular fails."

Xi Xi strutted forward chest out, ready to work his charm.

As soon as he stepped into Jiang Yinian’s woodcarving shop, an impatient voice rang out: "I already said I won’t teach—just go back!"

"Why won’t you teach us?" Xi Xi asked.

Jiang Yinian poked his head out: "Oh, they sent a kid this time?"

"Grandpa, why won’t you teach us?"

The old man was stubborn: "I’ll teach if I want, and not if I don’t!"

Xi Xi adopted an earnest tone, walked over, and patted the master’s shoulder: "I get it."

The old man was baffled: "What’s that you get?"

Xi Xi sighed and shrugged helplessly: "It’s okay, Grandpa. My brother taught me—I understand you."

"What do you understand about me?" the old man asked, both annoyed and amused.

Xi Xi patted Master Jiang’s shoulder again: "My brother said it’s like dumplings in a teapot—can’t get the goods out! Grandpa, you’re really skilled, but you’re worried you’ll teach Little Uncle and me wrong, so you keep refusing. Grandpa, you’re actually a good person!"

Despite his young age, the kid sure had a way with words.

The old man’s finger trembled, pointing at him with a mix of anger and laughter: "You little rascal, such a smooth-talker at such a young age, trying to trick me with reverse psychology!"

On his delicate little face, Xi Xi wore an expression of pure innocence: "Not at all!"

The live comments went crazy.

"That’s so Xi Xi!"

"This is hilarious. Even though Xi Xi can be a little mischievous sometimes, he acts when needed and speaks honestly."

"Noted: first, bait them with nonsense, then do this and that. Buddy, are you sure this won’t make Grandpa even angrier?"

"It sure will—Grandpa is already angrier."

"(x_x;)"