The one asking for directions was naturally Xia Xiaolan.

She hadn’t rested since traveling from Yang City to Jianqiao Airport.

After getting off the plane, she immediately took a taxi straight to the Provincial Construction Institute’s staff quarters, carrying numerous packages. In such hot weather, Xia Xiaolan didn’t want to walk a single step.

Ge Jian paid the taxi fare and got out of the back seat.

There were so many items that they couldn’t all fit in the trunk, so many were placed on the back seat.

The taxi driver was quite helpful, assisting Ge Jian with the packages.

“Sixth floor? That must be difficult for you to carry. Let me help you take them up.”

Ge Jian immediately gave the driver a pack of cigarettes. “Thank you so much!”

Xia Xiaolan muttered, “What’s wrong with the Provincial Construction Institute? When allocating housing, didn’t they consider Teacher Mao’s age? Is it appropriate for an elderly person to live on the sixth floor?”

Though not yet officially his disciple, Xia Xiaolan was already being protective.

She complained without thinking but noticed the woman who had given directions suddenly blushing.

If she hadn’t been a stranger to Xia Xiaolan, she would have thought Xia Xiaolan was deliberately criticizing her for being unfilial to the elderly.

But Xia Xiaolan hadn’t noticed.

It wasn’t written on the woman’s face that she was Mao Kangshan’s daughter-in-law.

With Ge Jian, the taxi driver, and Xia Xiaolan herself, they had just enough people to carry everything upstairs.

As Xia Xiaolan led them up, those who heard the commotion couldn’t help but ask Mao Guosheng’s wife:

“Are these gifts for your father-in-law?”

Mao Guosheng’s wife was puzzled – given Mao Kangshan’s nasty temper, it was rare for anyone to bring gifts.

“Don’t talk nonsense. Even if they were gifts, wouldn’t the old man just throw them out?”

True enough – everyone in the staff quarters knew how bad Mao Kangshan’s temper was.

They heard the footsteps climbing up.

They heard the knock and greetings at the door.

Mao Kangshan let them in.

Strange – after waiting so long, why hadn’t he thrown the things out this time?

Mao Guosheng’s wife couldn’t stay put. That pile of gifts must be worth quite a lot, yet he hadn’t thrown them out!

The old man must have taken the wrong medicine today – she had to go home and tell Guosheng about this.

Mao Guosheng’s wife was extremely curious about Xia Xiaolan’s identity.

The entire staff quarters was equally curious!

On the sixth floor.

When the knock came, Xia Xiaolan stood at the door with a bright smile. Truthfully, Mao Kangshan felt relieved.

He had already asked his wife to prepare a meal. If Xia Xiaolan had changed her mind about becoming his disciple, he would have felt embarrassed.

Seeing Xia Xiaolan at the door, Mao Kangshan finally felt at ease.

But when he saw two people following behind her carrying numerous packages, he became a bit angry.

“What are you doing?”

Xia Xiaolan responded confidently, “Teacher Mao, how could I come empty-handed on my first visit? These include gifts for you as my master and meeting gifts for my master’s wife.”

How could he throw out gifts for accepting a disciple?

Xia Xiaolan mentioned there were also meeting gifts for Madam Song.

While Mao Kangshan was still stunned, Xia Xiaolan had already directed them to bring everything inside.

The partitioned living room was already small, and with her things piled up, it became even smaller.

Xia Xiaolan frowned. Ning Yanfan had such a large studio, yet Mao Kangshan, who was equally renowned, lived in such a small place. Not only had the Provincial Construction Institute assigned Mao Kangshan a sixth-floor apartment, but it was also very modest… Looking at the Mao family’s simple home, Xia Xiaolan felt uncomfortable.

Of course, being her first visit, she didn’t say anything.

Madam Song was cooking in the kitchen and came out when she heard the commotion after Xia Xiaolan had finished bringing everything in.

Madam Song hadn’t encountered anything like this before.

People had come seeking favors from Mao Kangshan before, but no one had ever brought so many things.

“Old Mao, what’s going on?”

Mao Kangshan himself hadn’t yet recovered from his surprise.

Xia Xiaolan was naturally friendly, addressing them warmly: “Master’s Wife, I’m Xiaolan, Teacher Mao’s new disciple. Since it’s my first visit, I brought some local specialties for you and Teacher Mao.”

What?

This pile of things in the living room was a local specialty.

Madam Song could read a few characters – there were two boxes on the ground, one labeled Maotai Special Edition and one Chinese cigarette.

The other boxes and bags were tightly wrapped, making it impossible to see what was inside.

Madam Song had a keen nose though. Although she couldn’t see inside, she could smell the sweet fruit fragrance and the scent of dried seafood. Setting aside the fruits and dried goods, Maotai was from Guizhou Province, and Chinese cigarettes were from Shanghai – neither could be considered local specialties.

Whose hometown spanned both Guizhou and Shanghai?

Xia Xiaolan smiled brightly, “Master’s Wife, what delicious dishes have you prepared? Thank you for your trouble, cooking in such hot weather.”

The aroma wafted from the kitchen, and Madam Song suddenly remembered she had fish frying!

“Xiaolan, right? Please sit down, you must be hungry from your journey. Dinner will be ready soon.”

Madam Song shifted her attention.

But Mao Kangshan wasn’t so easily distracted.

With neighbors from the same work unit all around, Mao Kangshan lowered his voice:

“Xia Xiaolan, did you do this deliberately?”

Xia Xiaolan nodded, “You’re truly perceptive. I did do it on purpose. By making such a grand display of bringing these discipleship gifts, you have no room to change your mind. Everyone now knows I’m your disciple.”

Mao Kangshan looked at Xia Xiaolan for a while before sighing:

“Not being able to regret it is your loss. Do you know how many people I’ve offended? As my disciple, you’ll in the future…”

Never mind. Whether she was talented or wealthy, Mao Kangshan momentarily lost interest.

If he valued Xia Xiaolan, he shouldn’t harm her.

Xia Xiaolan had already weighed the consequences of becoming his disciple.

Since Ning Xue’s mother looked down on her, Xia Xiaolan would rather die than become Ning Yanfan’s disciple.

“Ning in the North, Mao in the South” – Mao Kangshan and Ning Yanfan were equally renowned and truly skilled. It’s just that his temper wasn’t as diplomatic as Ning Yanfan’s, and his sharp tongue had offended many people, but Xia Xiaolan didn’t mind.

Becoming Mao Kangshan’s disciple would get her guidance from a master.

Becoming Mao Kangshan’s disciple would solve her current troubles.

Xia Xiaolan believed it was only fair to face corresponding troubles for the benefits received:

“Teacher Mao, I’ve thought it all through. No one can gain benefits without paying a price. You can help me now when I need it most, like timely rain or charcoal in snowy weather. Whatever troubles you face in the future, I’ll shoulder them all!”

Xia Xiaolan spoke so directly and bluntly.

Mao Kangshan didn’t know whether to be happy or angry.

She hadn’t claimed to admire him greatly.

She hadn’t put on a show of sincerity… no, her display of sincerity was the pile of gifts in the living room.

She was just such a materialistic person, and what Mao Kangshan appreciated was precisely this unmasked authenticity!

Because he had been hurt badly by hypocrites with honey-coated words.

Even if Xia Xiaolan was openly opportunistic, at least she didn’t pretend, allowing Mao Kangshan to see her.

This time, surely he hadn’t misjudged someone?

Mao Kangshan sat down heavily in his chair:

“Fine! If you’re not afraid, I, Old Mao, won’t hesitate either. I’ll fulfill what I promised you. There aren’t many rules for being my disciple. Now, kowtow and serve tea. Once you drink the master’s tea, our master-disciple relationship will be established!”