The moment Shen Wancai uttered those words, the entire third floor of the Immortal Pavilion fell silent; every eye was fixed on Li Yundong, waiting to see how he would choose.
Shen Wancai, too, watched Li Yundong intently, a confident smile playing on his lips, his eyes alight with assurance.
In his dictionary, the words "impossible" simply did not exist. When Shen Wancai set his mind on something, success was always immediate. Especially in this current situation, Li Yundong had absolutely no choice but to agree.
Besides, he had already given Li Yundong considerable face and favor; out of obligation, Li Yundong surely would concede.
But Shen Wancai hadn't anticipated that Shen Hui would suddenly nudge Shen You’s shoe with her toe, then discreetly slip a crumpled piece of paper into his palm.
Shen You glanced at Shen Hui, secretly unfolding the note. His expression immediately twisted. Scrawled on the paper were the words: If you want to call this fellow your master later, I won't interfere, but do you also intend to call your dream girl his mistress?
Shen You felt as if a knife had plunged violently into his heart. He leaped up, shouting, “I will not accept him as my master!”
In the profound stillness of the tea house, Shen You’s voice resonated deafeningly. A sudden clamor erupted among the crowd, heads turning and hushed conversations breaking out everywhere.
Shen Wancai narrowed his eyes slightly, but his smile remained fixed. He chuckled, "What nonsense is this, brat?"
Shen You straightened his neck and roared, “Who’s talking nonsense!” He pointed sharply at Li Yundong. “What merit or virtue does he possess to be my teacher? To teach Qi cultivation? Bah! What era is this? Learning this old stuff—what use is it now? Dad, you’ve gone senile!”
Shen Wancai’s body trembled almost imperceptibly. The smile slowly drained from his face, and his voice dropped to an icy tone. “What did you say? Say that again, if you dare?”
Shen Wancai wielded immense authority at home. The sudden darkening of his expression sent a tremor through Shen You, silencing the rest of the words he intended to speak. Nevertheless, his face was flushed crimson, and he defiantly turned his head away, breathing heavily, refusing to bow.
Witnessing such an acutely awkward scene unfold, the crowd ceased their chatter once more, their gazes fixed on the unfolding drama.
Shen Wancai fiercely suppressed his anger and stated sternly, “I have decided your matter. It is settled!”
Shen You sprang up again, bellowing, “No! I won’t accept him as my master even if I die!”
Shen Wancai shuddered through his entire frame, his fists clenching violently. If not for his formidable self-control and deep reserves of composure, he might have exploded right then and there.
Shen Hui’s eyes darted around. She quickly interjected, “Father, let me try to persuade him.” Without waiting for Shen Wancai’s permission, she grabbed Shen You’s arm and whispered urgently, “Stop talking nonsense, let’s go! Do you want to die?”
Shen You wasn't a fool; he understood immediately. He roughly shoved Shen Hui away, enraged. “Stop your fake concern! I don’t need you two meddling!” With that, he spun around and bolted.
The retainers who had accompanied Shen Wancai instinctively moved to give chase when they saw the situation devolve, but Shen Wancai’s sharp command stopped them: “Don’t follow. Let him go. See if he dares step inside our door!”
The retainers stood frozen in awkward positions, glancing from Shen You’s rapidly receding back to Shen Wancai, as still as statues.
Shen Wancai’s face was ashen. He cast a meaningful glance at Shen Hui and remarked faintly, “A fine attempt at persuasion, my dear!”
Though Shen Hui managed a flimsy smile, an icy dread gripped her heart. It’s over, she thought. Grandfather will surely punish me for this again! Hmph, it’s all because of this Li Yundong. Every time I run into him, nothing good happens. Damnable, truly damnable!
Shen Wancai was taken aback that a matter he had been so confident about had unraveled so spectacularly. Though he felt his reputation severely tarnished, he managed a strained smile toward Li Yundong. “Young Master Li, please forgive my son’s poor upbringing; I apologize for this embarrassment.”
Li Yundong inwardly breathed a sigh of relief and smiled back. “Young men are naturally proud and spirited; such temperament is entirely normal.”
Shen Wancai sighed, looking suddenly aged. “Young Master Li’s magnanimity is something I, Shen Wancai, have never witnessed in my life. Having been fortunate enough to witness your divine skill just now was truly awe-inspiring. It’s a pity the setting is inappropriate, or I would certainly insist on sharing a few cups of tea with you instead of wine. I must take my leave today. Young Master Li, I wish you booming business and prosperity in all directions!”
With that, Shen Wancai ignored his surroundings, offered a formal, aged salute to Li Yuanbo upstairs, and announced, “Secretary Li, I bid you farewell!”
Li Yuanbo, a smile playing on his lips, raised his teacup in return, acknowledging the gesture.
Feng Na, who had been watching the entire spectacle unfold, watched the old man depart with his daughter. He had only exchanged courtesies with Secretary Li, pointedly ignoring everyone else present among the dignitaries. She stuck her tongue out slightly and murmured, “What presence. He didn’t even bother acknowledging the Mayor!”
Cheng Cheng chuckled softly. “What good is presence if he still has to beg Li Yundong?”
Feng Na sighed softly, looking at Li Yundong with undisguised admiration. “The first time I saw him at school, I knew he wasn't ordinary. But now, barely half a year later, he’s become someone I hardly dare to recognize. I wonder what he’ll be like in another six months?”
Cheng Cheng laughed. “What else could he be? Even if he became the President of the United States, would he stop being our classmate, our friend? Li Yundong isn't the type to become aloof just because he’s attained wealth and status.”
Feng Na nodded, smiling gently. “That’s precisely his charm. Look at the company he keeps now; it shows his realm is far beyond our reach, yet he remains completely approachable, cracking jokes as usual.”
As the two women spoke quietly, Li Yuanbo upstairs glanced at his watch, then rose with a smile. “It’s getting late! Witnessing such a great show today was certainly worthwhile. I shall depart now.”
As he moved, the guests upstairs rose in unison to see him off.
Li Yuanbo descended, shook Li Yundong’s hand, and chuckled, “Little Li, your mastery of martial arts is truly astonishing! How did you learn it?”
Li Yundong laughed softly. “Just messing around, practicing idly.”
Seeing Li Yundong’s unwillingness to elaborate, Li Yuanbo simply smiled. “Very well, I shall mess around with some practice when I get back, perhaps I can figure out what secrets it holds.”
Li Yundong chuckled. “Secretary Li, you jest.”
Li Yuanbo laughed heartily, releasing Li Yundong’s hand. He then turned to Zhou Qin beside him and said, “Qinqin, would you escort me out?”
Although surprised, Zhou Qin quickly replied with a smile, “Of course, Uncle Li!”
Li Yuanbo nodded, turning to walk away alone, not heading for his waiting car, but instead strolling slowly along the pedestrian street with his hands clasped behind his back.
His driver, seeing that he wasn't getting into the vehicle, had no choice but to follow slowly behind in the car.
After a while, Li Yuanbo suddenly stopped. He was turning over the nail file he had managed to get from Li Yundong. He gave a slight, meaningful smile to Zhou Qin. “Qinqin, tell me honestly, what exactly are you learning from Li Yundong?”
Zhou Qin faltered. Though sharp-tongued and quick-witted, she was momentarily at a loss for how to respond.
Li Yuanbo stared intently at her. “You won’t tell me? Very well, I shall speak!”
Li Yuanbo looked up and said slowly, “He is a cultivator, isn't he?”
Zhou Qin gasped, startled. “Uncle Li, are you spying on him?”
Li Yuanbo chuckled wryly. “This audacious fellow—trying to play games right in front of me! Does he think I can’t see?”
Zhou Qin asked anxiously, “Uncle Li, actually, Li Yundong isn't what you think, he’s…”
Li Yuanbo raised a hand, cutting her off before she could finish. “Don’t be nervous. I hold no prejudice against cultivators. Furthermore, the damage inflicted on the cultivation world during the campaign to Destroy the Four Olds and the Cultural Revolution was immense; our generation carries a heavy guilt about that. That’s why, in recent years, we have largely turned a blind eye to the development of cultivation circles. But you must tell him—he absolutely must not play with fire and cross the line. Incidents like Young He’s are strictly forbidden; otherwise, no one can protect him.”
Zhou Qin finally relaxed, smiling. “Uncle Li, don't worry, he won't.”
Seeing that Li Yundong, despite his youth, acted with considerable caution and composure, and believing that Zhou Qin would relay his subtle warning, Li Yuanbo nodded, his expression softening into a smile. “How long have you been with him?”
The question carried a double meaning, and Zhou Qin’s cheeks flushed slightly. She murmured quietly, “About a month, I think.”
Li Yuanbo looked at her and sighed softly. “A month to achieve such rapid progress and such a huge transformation?”
Zhou Qin looked at herself somewhat blankly. “Have I changed that much?”
Li Yuanbo shook his head, laughing. “Oh, you! You truly cannot see the true landscape because you are trapped within the mountain itself! Compared to your former self, you are practically reborn! I wonder what school of practice Li Yundong follows; how is the advancement so fast? I’ve seen some of my older comrades…”
Li Yuanbo stopped abruptly here, realizing his slip, and quickly changed the subject. “Hey, you must not be practicing any unorthodox or crooked arts with him, or I won’t be able to explain myself to your father!”
Zhou Qin, initially confused, quickly grasped the implication. Her face flushed crimson, and she scolded playfully, “Uncle Li, how can you be so disrespectful in your old age! What kind of talk is that!”
Li Yuanbo burst into laughter. “Alright, alright, go on with you, go walk your own path! Alas, you rejected a stable career in politics for such a perilous road.”
Zhou Qin smiled sweetly. “Uncle Li, as the saying goes, the most magnificent scenery lies only at the perilous peak! Moreover, cultivation is the most inspiring pursuit under heaven—it comes without the tedious struggles of scheming and deceit, and it offers a chance to transcend the mortal world, escaping the cycle of birth, old age, sickness, and death. What could be better?”
Li Yuanbo felt a profound wave of emotion. Yes, to escape the mortal dust and transcend the cycle of life and death—what could be better?
Noticing the silver streaks at Li Yuanbo’s temples, a clear sign of years spent laboring under mental strain, Zhou Qin ventured tentatively, “Uncle Li, perhaps I could secretly pass some cultivation techniques on to you in the future?”
Li Yuanbo immediately waved his hands vehemently. “No, no, absolutely not! There are strict regulations within the system. We are atheists! You cannot implicate me! Anyone associated with these things will be dismissed. Those who touch even slightly upon cultivation are relegated to nominal positions. For someone in my place to get involved—that would be a dead end.”
Zhou Qin sighed. “What kind of situation is this? You’d be better off not being an official at all!”
Li Yuanbo laughed lightly, sighing. “It’s easy to climb a mountain, but hard to descend. Once you’ve climbed to a certain height, deciding to step down is no longer entirely up to you! Enough talk. It’s getting late; I need to head back.” With that, he turned toward his waiting official car.
Zhou Qin watched his aging silhouette and suddenly asked, “Uncle Li, if you had the choice from the very beginning, which path would you have taken?”
Li Yuanbo stopped walking. After a moment of silence, he turned back and smiled. “Worldly affairs are tumultuous and exhausting; where is the peace? I envy the shepherd leading horses, setting them free in the southern mountains.”
Saying this, Li Yuanbo turned and walked away, laughing heartily.
Zhou Qin stood rooted to the spot, chewing over the phrase, I envy the shepherd leading horses, setting them free in the southern mountains, for a long time, momentarily lost in thought. So, even a high-ranking official like Uncle Li secretly envies the freedom I have?
====================================== Happy New Year, everyone!! D