Chapter 75: Apprenticeship
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
He who teaches me for one day is a father for life. Wang Jian’s second disciple was Li Mei. It could be said that he had taught her like his own daughter.
Wang Jian chuckled. “I’m just here to see you and Jiang An. I’ll be back in a few days. That old Taoist priest on the mountain doesn’t have me to play chess and chat with him. He’s feeling suffocated. I’ve only left Jingdu City for half a day, but he’s asked me three times on WcChat when I’ll be back.”
Li Mei chuckled. “Taoist Yi Shan is still so talkative.”
Li Mei waved at Tan Ming, who quickly walked forward. Li Mei held her daughter’s hand and introduced, “An’an, this is Mom’s master. You have to call him Grandmaster.”
Tan Ming bowed respectfully to the older. “Greetings, Grandmaster.”
Wang Jian was happy that Li Mei had found her daughter. He smiled til his eyes narrowed into slits and joked, “Alright, alright, alright. I still remember that when you were young, because you were too fat, you always swayed around like a little penguin when you walked. In the blink of an eye, you’ve grown up.”
With that said, Wang Jian took out a piece of jade from his pocket. It was a warm light green color with a few emerald green flowers in the middle. He handed it to Tan Ming. “This is a greeting gift from your grandmaster. I specially found an old Taoist priest to bless it for you to be safe and healthy in the future and have a smooth life.”
When Tan Ming saw Li Mei nod slightly at her, she stretched out her hands to receive it respectfully. “Thank you, Grandmaster.”
Li Mei then introduced Zhu Cheng to Tan Ming. “An’an, I asked Senior Brother to take you in as his disciple. Today’s meal is also your apprenticeship banquet.”
As she had yet to formally pay respects, Tan Ming could not call him master yet. She could only bow to Zhu Cheng respectfully.
Zhu Cheng smiled and teased Li Mei, “I’ve already taught half of your four children.”
Li Mei pressed Zhu Cheng back to his chair and praised, “Senior Brother, you’re the most capable one!”
“Quick, sit down. I’ll get An’an to pay her respects to you.”
Zhu Cheng sat on a chair, and Jiang Huai placed the futon in front of him.
Acknowledging a master was a big deal. If it was in ancient times, the process would be very complicated and grand. Although the apprenticeship ceremony in modern society had been much simplified, some basic procedures could not be lacking.
Tan Ming took the prepared gift from her father and knelt on the futon to offer it with both hands. After Zhu Cheng received it, Tan Ming respectfully kowtowed three times and knelt upright. Then, she picked up a cup of tea from the tea tray beside her and offered it with both hands again.
Zhu Cheng took it and took a sip. He placed it on the table beside him and said to Tan Ming seriously, “Your brother has been my disciple since he was young. Today, you’re my disciple too. Originally, I didn’t plan to take in any more disciples, but you’re a special case. From now on, you’ll be my last disciple.”
“I’m teaching you martial arts so that you can strengthen your body and protect yourself. When you encounter injustice in your life, you can eliminate the strong and help the weak. However, remember not to bully the weak or innocent just because you know some martial arts. Otherwise, I won’t ever let you off the hook!”
Tan Ming lowered her head slightly and replied solemnly, “Yes, I understand.”
Zhu Cheng took out the gift he had prepared and handed it to Tan Ming. Tan Ming took it, and Zhu Cheng helped Tan Ming up. Only then was the ceremony considered completed.
At the same time, in the private room next door, the Si and Bai families were also having a meal in this restaurant.
Bai Ting was wearing a white mid-sleeve French dress today. Her slightly curled long hair hung naturally at her waist. Her facial features were exquisite, and her skin was fair and delicate. She had a proper smile on her face and exuded an elegant and calm aura.
Zheng Wen revealed a satisfied smile the moment she saw Bai Ting. Only such a woman was qualified to be the future mistress of the Si family.
Bai Ting stretched out her hand to Si Cheng generously and the corners of her lips curled up slightly. “Hello, it’s nice to meet you.”
Si Cheng reached out to shake her hand and nodded slightly. “Hello.”
Si Cheng’s attitude was a little cold, but it piqued Bai Ting’s interest. She was used to men flattering her, but she had never been treated like this. The novel feeling made her nod secretly when she looked at her mother.
Of course, the Bai couple could tell that Si Cheng was a little uncooperative. However, in a family like theirs, marriage was not something they could decide on themselves. The approval of the elders in the family was the most important. Seeing that their daughter had no objections, they were also happy to see this marriage happen. “Let’s not stand around. Sit down and talk!”
Zheng Wen smiled and agreed. “Yes, sit down and we’ll take our time to talk!”
The male masters of the two families sat at the head of the round table. Zheng Wen and Mi Li sat beside their husbands, while Si Cheng and Bai Ting sat at the end of the adjacent table..