boyutpedia Chapter 61 Nursing Home
Chapter 61 Nursing Home
Song Tingnan thanked the classmates with snacks. The news came just in time and tripped up the person, leaving Hu Tingting and Principal Wang empty-handed.
Then she threw herself into her studies, knowing that Teacher Zuo was leaving and that she had to work hard. She visited Gao Haoran less often, squeezing out all her other time to study with Zuo Jinyue.
It was the weekend again, and Gao Haoran returned home. He learned about Tingnan's studies from Song Wanli and, worried that the child was under too much pressure, decided to take her to the county town for a visit, and also to see if Old Liu would approve.
Gao Haoran asked Tingnan to cook some of his signature dishes and took her to a nursing home in the county town to visit an old comrade-in-arms.
His comrade-in-arms, Liu Dayong, was about the same age as him and was also unmarried. He had been active behind enemy lines for a long time, and after losing a leg and becoming unable to move around easily, he was semi-retired. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he retired completely. After returning to his hometown, he was not well received by his elder brother, sister-in-law, and nephew, so he voluntarily moved to a nursing home.
Liu Dayong was delighted by Gao Haoran's arrival and enjoyed a good drink with the dishes Ting Nan had prepared.
The two old comrades-in-arms talked animatedly, from the War of Resistance against Japan to the Chinese Civil War, and now to peace and happiness. Their eyes welled with tears when they spoke of their fallen comrades; but when they talked of the country's development to this day, their faces lit up with joy.
Most of the day had passed, and Ting Nan had been listening quietly the whole time, occasionally helping to pour wine and tea, being very well-behaved.
Liu Dayong envied Gao Haoran for having someone to rely on in his old age. Upon hearing this, Gao Haoran immediately said, "Tingnan, come quickly, pour some tea, and kneel down to pay respects to your master."
Master? Ting Nan was puzzled. Was Master drunk? But she had to give him face in public.
Fine, I'll kneel then. He's an elder after all. Practice makes perfect.
Ting Nan deftly poured tea, then knelt before Liu Dayong: "Master, please have some tea!"
"Old Gao, you... never mind, never mind!" Liu Dayong picked up his teacup and drank it all in one gulp. "Here, this little mirror is for you."
"Old Liu, this mirror has been with you for many years, it's time to replace it," Gao Haoran stopped him from the side.
“This is it. When you take on an apprentice, you have to take him on completely. This old buddy of mine is just a dead object. Giving it to a child will give it a purpose.”
Song Tingnan, listening from the side, was completely bewildered. Were they all drunk? It didn't seem like it. Tingnan saw Gao Haoran nod before taking the mirror. It had a handle, so smooth it shone, showing that its owner used it frequently. The mirror wasn't large, but it was very clean and reflected the image clearly.
What's going on? Soon, Gao Haoran explained to her, "Ting Nan, Old Liu was originally a folk artist skilled in lip reading and ventriloquism. By chance, he joined the army. He used his skills to thwart many of the enemy's conspiracies. His leg was broken in retaliation by a traitor. He didn't want his lineage to end, so he's been looking for a successor, but hasn't found a suitable one yet. That's why I brought you here to give it a try."
“Tingnan, I’ve observed that you are very composed. Your master also said that you are not afraid of hardship and have great endurance. In learning our craft, perseverance is more important than ability. Can you persevere in learning until you master the essence?” Liu Dayong asked Tingnan.
Liu Dayong is a very decisive person. He knew that Gao Haoran was being forced into this situation, but he also understood Gao's character—appointing people based on merit. It would be good if he could get rid of this burden.
Liu Dayong and Gao Haoran became friends because they shared similar temperaments. Although they both came from the old society, they didn't have the outdated custom of favoring sons over daughters. Their skill was even more valuable because of its surprise attack, allowing them to suppress the enemy at crucial moments, regardless of gender.