"You wanted to see me?" Elder Yan looked at the two juniors with a kind smile.
His gaze lingered intentionally on Wen Tingxue.
Song You stepped forward and introduced himself, "Hello, Teacher Yan, I am..."
Before Song You could finish, Elder Yan smiled and raised his hand, "Don't tell me your purpose yet, can you accompany me for a hike?"
As if certain they wouldn't refuse, Elder Yan turned and continued up the mountain.
At the summit.
Wen Tingxue sat down, panting and leaning against a rock.
She hadn't engaged in such strenuous exercise since military training, and her body was struggling.
Song You, accustomed to regular fitness, could handle the intensity but was also breathing heavily.
In contrast, Elder Yan, in his eighties, ascended the mountain like a young man. Apart from slight breathlessness, he was in good condition. "Is the dew yours?"
Elder Yan took a dry towel from his assistant and wiped the sweat from his head and neck.
Song You respectfully replied, "Yes, Xiaoxue and I collected it from the lotus pond together."
Elder Yan looked at Wen Tingxue again, "Thank you. I haven't had tea brewed with dew in a long time."
A reminiscent expression crossed his face.
But he quickly composed himself and asked, "Now, tell me, why did you go to such lengths to find me?"
At his age, having experienced too much of life's entanglements, he no longer appreciated roundabout flattery.
Song You stated directly, "We wish to become your disciples."
Elder Yan raised an eyebrow, "Oh?"
Wen Tingxue's mind was filled with questions. When had she agreed to become a disciple?
She had only come to ask two questions.
Sensing her desire to explain, Song You subtly shook his head, signaling her to remain silent.
Worried about disrupting his plan, Wen Tingxue reluctantly played along.
Elder Yan observed their subtle exchange, "As they say, 'a gifted hand is met with a grateful heart.' Since I've drunk your dew, I have no reason to refuse outright."
"However, I don't take disciples lightly. How about this: you both paint a picture for me now, and I'll decide whether to accept you based on your work."
"Now?" Song You was slightly taken aback.
Elder Yan sat on a smooth boulder, holding a thermos in one hand and pointing to the ground beside him with the other.
"Yes, right there. Use a branch as a brush, within half an hour. Can you do it?"
He looked up slightly, and amidst the intensifying sunlight, his eyes remained clear.
Wen Tingxue's mind was instantly filled with inspiration and an image.
In less than twenty minutes, a small portrait appeared on the dirt ground.
"This is...?" Elder Yan stood behind Wen Tingxue, tilting his head to observe.
"Uh," Wen Tingxue awkwardly touched her nose, "My boyfriend."
She genuinely had no intention of becoming a disciple, nor did she want to steal Song Xuechang's thunder.
So, she just drew something casually.
Mainly, in that moment, she truly thought of Yu Wenli.
His eyes were just as bright and clear.
She hadn't seen him in over half a month and missed him quite a bit.
"Hmm," Elder Yan nodded with a smile, "The young man is very handsome. You make a good match."
The young girl lowered her head shyly, her ear tips turning red.
She regretted not drawing something else. This was too embarrassing, and now there was even commentary!
As they spoke, Song You finished his drawing, and Wen Tingxue immediately looked over.
"..."
She couldn't quite understand it. https:/
The lines were numerous and dense. With her skill, she could only discern the image of waves crashing against the shore.
Rendered on the brownish-yellow dirt, it had the feel of waves sweeping over rocks.
Wen Tingxue thought, with such skill, Elder Yan would surely accept him as a disciple.
However, after examining it for a moment, Elder Yan asked, "Did you see my work?"
Song You nodded, "Yes."
This drawing was an imitation of Elder Yan's past award-winning piece.
It was also a sign of his sincerity in seeking discipleship.
Elder Yan studied the two works for a long time, lost in thought.
Finally, he looked up at Wen Tingxue and said, "Girl, prepare the disciple acceptance tea."
Wen Tingxue: "???"
What was going on?
She was just here to accompany him! How did it turn into this? "Thank Teacher Yan quickly!" Song You immediately urged.
Wen Tingxue turned her head, met his gratified gaze, paused for a moment, then looked directly at Elder Yan and explained, "Teacher Yan, actually I..."
"She's just a bit too excited and needs a moment to calm down," Song You blocked her, interrupting her words.
Elder Yan seemed to sense something, raising an eyebrow, "It's fine. My words stand until we descend the mountain."
With that, Elder Yan turned and began walking down the mountain.
After they had moved a considerable distance, Song You turned back to her and said, "This is such a great opportunity, something others can only dream of. Why would you refuse?"
He looked at her with helplessness, envy, and happiness in his eyes, but no jealousy.
Wen Tingxue gazed at him steadily and explained, "Xuechang, I know this opportunity is rare, but I feel you need it more than I do."
"And if you hadn't brought me here, I wouldn't have had this good fortune, so..." Song You's eyes trembled, and he then interrupted, "I understand your intentions, but Xiaoxue, you might not know Elder Yan's temper. Once he's decided something, no one can change it. So, please do it for me."
"Okay?" he asked, his gaze as gentle as water.
As they neared the foot of the mountain, Elder Yan wiped his brow and said, "Tea brewed with lotus leaf dew is exceptionally fragrant. Shall we try some?"
Since there was no refusal at this point, it meant the matter was settled.
Everyone understood, and Song You and Wen Tingxue nodded.
The group drove back to the bamboo building.
After offering the disciple acceptance tea, the three sat by the veranda, drinking tea.
Elder Yan poured tea and asked, "If there's anything you need my help with, just say so." He could tell Song You wasn't genuinely seeking discipleship.
But after all, he had drunk the dew they had meticulously collected.
Song You's eyebrows lit up, and he concisely explained his current predicament.
Upon hearing it, Elder Yan made a phone call and resolved the issue.
Wen Tingxue watched, stunned.
She had always known that having power and influence made things easier, but she hadn't realized it could be this easy.
The problem that had troubled Song You for a long time was effortlessly solved by Elder Yan with a single sentence.
Now, thinking back to the words—"With the stepping stone of being Elder Yan's disciple, whether you're looking for a job or opening a studio in the future, it will be much easier than for others."
Indeed, it wasn't an exaggeration at all.
No wonder so many people were eager to meet him.
Wen Tingxue sensed the rarity of the opportunity and naturally wouldn't miss this chance to ask her questions.
After they finished their conversation, she presented the small paintings saved on her phone with both hands, seeking guidance.
Perhaps it was fate as teacher and disciple, but Wen Tingxue felt Elder Yan was particularly kind to her, speaking with more patience and gentleness.
It wasn't until late at night that the three finally concluded their conversation.
Elder Yan cheerfully instructed his assistant, "See them down the mountain."
Once the courtyard returned to silence, with only the sound of wind chimes from the eaves, the man asked, "Elder Yan, why did you accept her as a disciple? Didn't you say you wouldn't take any more?"
With a slightly complaining tone, Elder Yan frowned, "Since when do my affairs require your reporting?"
The man pursed his lips, not daring to retort.
Elder Yan gazed at the wind chimes swaying in the breeze for a long while before saying, "From now on, be polite to her."
The man: "!!!"
What kind of treatment was this?
At the Beijing Airport.
Wen Tingxue's eyes immediately landed on Yu Wenli waiting at the exit.
Ignoring the stares of those around her, the young girl rushed forward and hugged him tightly.
Ahhh!
Haven't seen him in so long, finally got to hug the real person!
Wen Tingxue was outwardly excited.
Internally, she was even more thrilled!
Her little volcano was erupting!
"You seem to have lost quite a bit of weight?"
Realizing the feel was off, Wen Tingxue immediately pushed him away and scrutinized him.
"What's going on? Weren't you home researching cooking every day? How could you have lost weight? That food you were eating, can you only look at it but not..."
"I can eat, don't worry," Yu Wenli interrupted her with a wry smile, "but..."
"Hmm?" The young girl tilted her head up to look at him, her expression obedient.
Her dark, lustrous eyes were like glass marbles, shimmering in the sunlight.
Yu Wenli couldn't resist leaning down to kiss her, then pulled away with effort, his voice slightly hoarse, "If you hadn't come back soon, you would have been greeted by a pile of bones."
He had truly tasted the bitterness of pining away for someone.
And he'd had enough.
"..." The young girl was speechless, "I never told you not to eat."
Yu Wenli nuzzled her forehead and chuckled, "True, but I missed you so much I couldn't eat, what should we do? - Shouldn't I compensate myself well tonight?"
"........."
Danger.
Quick retreat!
Wen Tingxue swiftly pulled her suitcase and walked towards the exit. Yu Wenli caught up to her in a few steps.
He snatched her suitcase with one hand, slung an arm around her waist with the other, and placed her on the suitcase, dragging both the person and the luggage away.
Wen Tingxue: "......"
His legs are too long! She wasn't walking slowly!
Too much!
Hmph!
When she was lifted into the passenger seat, Wen Tingxue suddenly realized.
"What's going on? Did you drive here yourself?" she asked, pointing to the empty driver's seat.
Buckling her seatbelt, Yu Wenli straightened slightly, leaning on the car door with one hand.
Raising an eyebrow, "What? Can't your brother come to pick you up?"
"You got your license?!" Wen Tingxue was shocked.
Yu Wenli pulled out a brand-new booklet from his pocket and smiled, waving it in front of her, "Just got it recently. It happened to be in time for picking you up today."
If it weren't for this damn license, he would have gone to Xing'an Village to find her long ago.
How could he have endured the pain of longing in Beijing?
After putting away the suitcase, Yu Wenli opened the driver's door, sat down, and started the engine.