Uncle Qu taught with focus until Director Huang came over to let everyone rest. Only then did he look up and see his daughter standing at the doorway.
Tianmei subconsciously avoided his gaze, biting her lip and tightly clutching her boyfriend's hand.
Uncle Qu's mouth opened, wanting to call out to his daughter, but ultimately couldn't.
Since his ex-wife left, his daughter would occasionally visit. The last time they met, she was still in her third year of high school. He hadn't expected that in the blink of an eye, she would be in college and have a boyfriend.
While Uncle Qu was happy, he also felt a pang of guilt. It was his inadequacy that he couldn't provide a better life for his daughter.
Little Zheng quickly stepped forward and bowed to Uncle Qu, saying, "Hello, Uncle."
Tianmei softly introduced, "This is Little Zheng."
"Ah, good, good..."
Uncle Qu was flustered for the first time meeting his daughter's boyfriend.
Mrs. Zheng also hurried forward to greet him, making Uncle Qu even more nervous, unsure of what to say.
"Master!"
Xia Wei Liang approached with a smile.
"Master?"
Little Zheng looked at them in shock.
Xia Wei Liang smiled, "Uncle Qu is my master, whom I genuinely bowed to."
Not only Little Zheng, but even Tianmei looked at her father in astonishment.
Uncle Qu was a straightforward person, nodding, "She is sincere."
"Mr. Qu, it seems you must have some special skills, otherwise, why would so many celebrities come to learn from you!" Mrs. Zheng was in a good mood and no longer found the village run-down. She found everyone around her endearing.
Uncle Qu was embarrassed by the praise, but Xia Wei Liang invited the three of them inside.
"I haven't been with Master for long, but I am truly moved by his noble character! How fortunate I am to be accepted as his disciple!"
If there was any skill that could be learned without a teacher, it was flattery.
Moreover, she spoke from the heart, making her words exceptionally sincere and convincing.
"Don't underestimate this small oil-paper umbrella. As the sole inheritor in the country, Master will eventually be recorded in history. His name will become part of cultural heritage."
Mrs. Zheng and her son were greatly impressed, nodding repeatedly.
Tianmei glanced at her father, then quickly shifted her gaze.
Xia Wei Liang suddenly stopped and turned back to ask Tianmei, "Little sister, what do you understand wealth to be?"
"I..."
Tianmei's face instantly flushed.
Seeing her silence, they assumed she was shy and didn't think much of it.
Xia Wei Liang didn't press her, answering her own question, "Besides money, wealth is also about possession. What parents give, what one strives for, what can be held in one's hand, that is wealth."
Tianmei bit her lip and lowered her head, her expression quite troubled.
Xia Wei Liang knew when to stop, smiling and inviting the three to sit in the courtyard, then personally went to brew some mint tea.
"Oh my! Oh my, how could we impose! Thank you, Miss Xia!" Mrs. Zheng stood up to accept, her face beaming with joy.
Having a popular female star pour her tea was enough for her to boast about for a long time!
Uncle Qu was not good with words and had been sitting there silently.
Xia Wei Liang glanced behind her. With just a look, the people behind her understood.
"Uncle, how do you think I've applied the oil?" Wai Shao asked earnestly, holding a brush in one hand and an umbrella in the other.
"Oh, let me see."
When it came to professional matters, Uncle Qu was always meticulous.
"Your technique is a little unpolished, but with a bit more practice, it will be better."
"Don't worry, I'll buy a few buckets of paint to practice at home today!" After saying this, Wai Shao bowed respectfully to him.
Mrs. Zheng whispered to her son, "Tianmei's father seems quite capable."
Little Zheng nodded in agreement.
Soon, Situ also approached with some bamboo skewers, "Uncle Qu, could you check if I've whittled these skewers well?"
"Good."
Uncle Qu took them and examined them carefully. "Not bad, the thickness is uniform, and there are no burrs."
Situ was delighted to receive the compliment, "Thank you, Uncle!"
Then came A Ning, "Uncle, Uncle! Quickly, take a look, have I buried the wire correctly?"
"Uh, it's buried a bit loosely. It should be tighter, but be careful not to make it too taut."
Seeing these celebrities come to him humbly for advice, Mrs. Zheng's admiration for Uncle Qu grew.
Once a person is viewed through a filter, they immediately begin to shine.
She held Tianmei's hand and said, "Tianmei, your father is truly amazing! Little Zheng's father has been in business for so long, but he's not as illustrious as your father!"
As she spoke, she took out a few signed photos given to her by Xia Wei Liang, saying joyfully, "I never expected this! It has been a great help! It makes me look so good in front of Little Zheng's father!"
Tianmei was overwhelmed, "Auntie, please don't say that. My father... he's actually very ordinary."
"You child, you're just low-key and modest. That's what I like about you!"
Director Huang arranged for lunch, with Lang Yue bringing over village uncles who were good cooks to help.
The meal was lively and happy. It was Mrs. Zheng's first time dining with so many celebrities, and Little Zheng was also very excited, especially seeing his long-time idol!
Tianmei sat beside Uncle Qu, biting her lip, and whispered, "I... I'm sorry, Dad."
Uncle Qu was startled and quickly said, "It's not your fault, not your fault. It's my inadequacy..."
"It's not like that," Tianmei hurriedly explained, "I, I didn't mean what I said last time. I just... I've never had family around, and I've always been alone in everything. So when things were tough, I would... resent you, resent Mom."
As she finished speaking, tears streamed down Tianmei's face.
This was the first time Tianmei had truly spoken her heart in so many years.
"Mom and I have always had a hard time. I studied desperately and finally got into my dream school. I thought I could finally relax... but when I got to school, I realized my endpoint was just others' starting point."
"They easily obtained what I longed for. Life is just so unfair."
Uncle Qu lowered his head, listening to his daughter's words, his heart aching.
"Little Zheng is like a ray of light that suddenly entered my world. I don't want to lose him. I want to fight for myself! I... on an impulse, I fabricated a life story."
Uncle Qu choked back, "It's not your fault, truly not your fault."
Tianmei looked up, "Dad has stuck to one belief his whole life. I can be proud to have a father like you."
Uncle Qu's eyes reddened, and he silently picked up his chopsticks, placing a piece of fish on her plate. "Eat more, this is what you loved most as a child."
"Mmm..."
Tianmei put the fish in her mouth, her eyes turning red again. "It still tastes exactly the same."
The three of them had a flight that afternoon, and after lunch, they prepared to leave.
Uncle Qu looked at his daughter, still as stoic as ever, and silently saw them off to the village entrance without saying a word.
"If, if he bullies you, you come back. Dad will support you, support you your whole life."
Tianmei could no longer hold back her emotions and threw herself into his arms, "Dad..."