CHAPTER 193: CHAPTER 185: STAYING BEHIND

When Tian Sisi finally completed the eggplant dish involving forty-eight meticulous steps, their return date had also arrived. Time truly flew by quickly; before they knew it, it was already the end of August. The Yang Family’s two brothers were grounded by their mother to refocus at home and no longer came to play at Yun Mansion.

Although Tian Sisi still wanted to play more, she missed Tian Liu Jin and Tian Manjin. Tian Manjin had written several letters urging her to return. According to a letter from Tian Qinghua, the fourth uncle was practically turning into a "waiting daughter" stone, going to the village entrance to look for her before and after work every day, each time returning home with deep sighs.

Tian Sisi found it both amusing and bitter, feeling somewhat guilty as well. She had been so thoughtless, only caring about her own joy without considering how her family was missing her.

Tian Xinhua had been looking for an opportunity to tell Tian Sisi that he planned to stay, but every time he was about to speak, he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He was worried that Tian Sisi would cry and make a scene, and so he kept delaying it until the time to leave.

Mr. Yun had already discussed this matter with He Xuewen. Since he couldn’t decide for Tian Xinhua, he specifically wrote a letter back, emphasizing Mr. Yun’s background. It’s likely that Tian Liu Jin had heard of Mr. Yun’s great reputation.

In his view, Tian Xinhua being favored by Mr. Yun was truly a stroke of good fortune. With Mr. Yun’s profound and unfathomable skills, if Xinhua could learn even a fraction of that, he would be a dragon among men.

Of course, He Xuewen was not yet privy to the joke between Mr. Yun and Tian Xinhua. If he knew that Mr. Yun was preparing to match his precious daughter with this youngster Tian Xinhua, he probably wouldn’t think the same way.

Any father, except for those worthless ones, would naturally find it hard to bear the thought of marrying off his daughter, whom he had raised through hardships, to another man, no matter how excellent that man might be.

Especially for a father like He Xuewen who was so protective of his daughter. In his mind, it would be best if Ah Nan could stay with him forever and never marry off!

The men of the Tian Family had no objections to this, but Li Yuedi and Jin Wanming were somewhat reluctant to part with their grandson (son). They were chided by Tian Bajin and Tian Manmu, accusing them of having narrow-minded women’s views, without considering Xinhua’s future.

Tian Bajin and Tian Manmu were, of course, excited. They had never expected Xinhua’s trip to Beijing to yield such an opportunity. They had heard about Mr. Yun’s abilities from Tian Liu Jin. It was said that Mr. Yun was even more formidable than Zhuge Liang, and for Xinhua to be appreciated by such a figure was like their ancestors blessing the Tian Family from their graves.

They were naturally also reluctant to part with their grandson (son), but when compared to Tian Xinhua’s future prospects, this didn’t count for much. A temporary separation was for a longer reunion in the future, which was what Tian Manmu used to comfort his mother and wife.

Tian Bajin and Tian Manmu had even thought about making a trip to Beijing just to visit Mr. Yun and bring some gifts for taking on an apprentice. It was a matter of propriety for the elders to be present, solemnly observing the rites of apprenticeship, as a master for a day is a father for life, and the Tian Family was not one to disregard traditions.

Mr. Yun, upon reading the letter from the Tian Family, felt greatly pleased. Indeed, they were a family that knew the proper etiquette. However, having enjoyed his peace for so many years, he preferred not to be troubled too much, and so he instructed He Xuewen to decline politely in his reply. They could make it up another time.

As for He Chengsi, it was easier to handle. As long as he wished to stay, He Xuewen would be very happy. However, He Chengsi was somewhat unwilling; he felt that He Xuewen did not want him anymore. He stubbornly shut himself in his room, not willing to come out, and was extremely upset.

He Xuewen didn’t expect this silly boy to think this way. He felt both amused and sad. After all these years of depending on each other, he had long regarded Chengsi as his own child. How could he bear to let go?

Chengsi now has such a good opportunity, receiving favor from General Luo and Mr. Yun, how could he hold the child back!

Of course, in the end, Chengsi agreed to stay. It wasn’t his own decision, but rather a whisper from Xinhua, "If you don’t stay and learn your skills well, you’ll always be defeated by me!"

With Xinhua’s provocative words, Chengsi agreed to stay. Ironically, it was Er Niu who was the happiest. Ever since she learned Chengsi was staying, she was cheerful every day, anyone who didn’t know might think Chengsi was her own grandson!

By the time Sisi knew about this, it was time to leave. Xue Wen hadn’t told her, thinking the two boys, Xinhua and Chengsi, would do so, but Xinhua and Chengsi thought Xue Wen would. In truth, they all feared Sisi’s tears.

So it went until Sisi was packing her bags that she learned she and Xue Wen would be the only ones going home, while Xinhua and Chengsi would stay in Beijing to learn their crafts.

No wonder Xinhua and Chengsi looked like they had something to say but stopped when they saw her these past few days. Although Sisi felt bad, she had mature thoughts and wouldn’t cry and fuss like her original self. She certainly knew that by staying, Xinhua and Chengsi would have better futures.

"Brother Xinhua, Brother He, you guys must learn your skills well here. Once you’re even more skillful than Mr. Yun, nobody will dare to bully me!" Sisi said softly, comforting the somewhat bewildered boys.

"Sister Sisi, don’t worry, I’ll definitely be awesome. In the future, you can strut around and no one will dare to bother you!" Chengsi assured her loudly, thumping his chest.

Sisi chuckled, "I’m not a crab, why would I need to walk sideways!"

Xinhua rolled his eyes at Chengsi. If he wasn’t worried about this silly boy being around Ah Nan every day, he wouldn’t want to deal with this idiot.

"Ah Nan, I’m sorry Brother Xinhua can’t brew wine with you anymore. You’ll have to ask Uncle He to help you brew at home alone, don’t work too hard. Earning money is Brother Xinhua’s job!"

Xinhua’s biggest concern was the mysterious things Sisi had. After thinking it over, he pulled Sisi to a secluded corner and glared at Chengsi, who wanted to follow. Chengsi stopped, huffed, and didn’t follow.

"Ah Nan, Brother Xinhua won’t be by your side, so you have to be careful. Don’t take out those things casually, understand?"

Sisi stood still, blankly staring at Xinhua. How did he know? Xinhua smiled indulgently, what a silly Ah Nan.

"You! You really make people worry to death. Why do you think the villagers haven’t been suspicious about the extra food in our family? It’s all thanks to great-grandpa and Uncle He covering for you! You can’t be so careless in the future, hear me?"

Sisi was still in a daze and didn’t come back to her senses. Xinhua couldn’t help but pinch her nose, making her react. After Xinhua repeated himself, she nodded in agreement, promising to take things out less often and, if needed, only do so in the presence of Liu Jin.