Finding a master painter is even more difficult. Artists often rely on a rapport when accepting apprentices. Song Anxin took Lin Fengyao to visit several masters, but they were all politely declined.
On this day, the mother and son went to Heyang County again to search for a teacher, but to no avail. To cheer themselves up, they went to Dafengweixuan and decided to eat a bowl of iced milk pastry to relieve their worries.
On a hot summer day, the creamy ice mixed with goat milk makes you feel incredibly refreshed with every sip.
Song Anxin and Lin Fengyao both sighed in unison, "Ah!..."
The mother and son looked at each other and burst out laughing.
Lin Fengyao said, "Mother, it's alright. I know that finding a master can't be rushed. I believe that my talent will be recognized by a discerning eye."
“Yes, Feng Yao is right. Talented people are common, but discerning judges are rare. Let’s take it slow,” Song Anxin nodded and smiled in response.
The mother and son are quite alike; neither of them is easily discouraged by temporary setbacks.
Suddenly, a head popped out of the doorway of the private room.
"Hehe, Second Aunt, Feng Yao, I knew you were here as soon as I saw your carriage."
Ah Si walked in with a grin.
When Song Anxin saw that it was A Si, she smiled and said, "A Si, what brings you here? Come and sit down. Didn't you check on the shop today?"
"Well, I'm off today. Uncle Lin is keeping an eye on things." Ah Si plopped down and said mysteriously, "I'm here to talk to you guys about something, and it's good news."
"Brother Si, what good news is it? Are you getting married too?" Lin Fengyao asked.
Ah Si looked a little embarrassed: "What are you thinking, kid? It's about something good for you."
Song Anxin and Lin Fengyao looked completely bewildered.
Ah Si stopped keeping her in suspense and said, "Second Aunt, haven't you been looking for a painter for Feng Yao recently? My master has a friend who came today. This person is no ordinary person." He looked admiring and said, "This person is a top-notch painter. If Feng Yao becomes his apprentice, you will be very successful."
Song Anxin and Lin Fengyao stopped eating their ice cream with their spoons, exchanged a glance, got up from their seats, and quickly left with A Si.
"Hey, Auntie, Feng Yao, slow down, I still want to eat ice cream pastry."
Ah Si was pulled onto the carriage by Song Anxin and her son without any understanding of what was happening.
Song Anxin smiled at A Si and said, "A Si, come here and tell me what that top-notch painter's name is, what his personality is like, and what his hobbies are?"
Ah Si felt that his second aunt's smile was a little creepy, but he still honestly said, "This person is called Fellow Daoist Wu. He's alright, his hobby is painting."
Song Anxin: "......."
"Brother Si, do you know what kind of disciples Master Wu takes in?" Lin Fengyao asked.
Ah Si touched his nose: "This person hasn't been an apprentice."
Song Anxin, Lin Fengyao: "......"
Ah Si quickly said, "It's precisely because he's never taken on any disciples that it's so rare. Feng Yao, I think you can do it. You should give it a try. You might just get a great deal. Let me tell you, this Wu family has quite a background."
He had an inscrutable air about him.
Song Anxin thought to herself, "Of course! He's a close friend of Bo Bo and a top-tier painter. How could he be anything but important? I'm determined to help Lin Fengyao capture this master."
He stroked his chin: "Since you've never taken on a disciple before, finding a master will be even more difficult. Feng Yao, are you ready?"
Lin Fengyao's eyes were firm: "Mother, I will do everything in my power to get Master Wu to accept me."
The mother and son were full of fighting spirit. Song Anxin then said to A Si, "A Si, thank you for telling us this news. Da Feng Wei Xuan has booked all the iced milk pastries for you this year."
Ah Si's eyes lit up, and he chuckled, "Thank you, Second Aunt. I'll talk to my master about it later and ask him to mediate. Although I can't guarantee that Feng Yao will be taken in immediately, maybe I can give Feng Yao a chance."
Song Anxin thought Ah Si was really loyal and said, "If this really works out, Ah Si, you and Uncle Bai won't have to pay when you come to Dafeng Weixuan in the future. You can eat whenever you want!"
Ah Si laughed even more heartily.
The carriage soon arrived at Uncle Bai's house at the end of the village. Uncle Bai's house had been rebuilt and was now a large brick and tile house.
As soon as Song Anxin entered Uncle Bai's house, she saw an old man talking to Uncle Bai. He must be the Wu family man. He was thin, had a long beard, and exuded an artistic aura.
Upon seeing the newcomer, Uncle Bai stood up to greet him, saying, "What brings Lady Hui here today?"
Upon hearing that it was Lady Hui, Old Wu immediately stood up and bowed, saying, "This is Lady Hui. I've heard so much about you."
Song Anxin looked at the old man in front of her with shining eyes and a smile on her face: "You must be Master Wu. I've heard so much about you."
"You don't need to be so polite, everyone calls me Old Wu, you can just call me Old Wu," Old Wu said humbly.
At this moment, Ah Si pulled Bo Bo aside and whispered something in his ear.
After listening, Uncle Bai chuckled helplessly at Ah Si and scolded, "You, you..."
Ah Si chuckled.
After exchanging pleasantries with Old Wu for a while, Song Anxin took the opportunity to introduce her son: "Old Wu, this is my youngest son, Lin Fengyao."
Lin Fengyao said respectfully, "Hello, Uncle Wu."
Old Wu smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.
Ah Si winked at Song Anxin and Lin Fengyao, and the mother and son understood and prepared to use all their skills.
Uncle Bai walked up to Old Wu and casually said, "Old friend, Lady Hui's son is also very fond of painting. You're so old, why don't you take on a disciple? Don't let your painting skills go to waste."
Song Anxin and Lin Fengyao, who were all ready to fight, suddenly widened their eyes and froze in embarrassment.
Bertie! Did you come straight here?!
Song Anxin quickly gave Lin Fengyao a look, indicating that since things had come to this, they should just go for it.
Lin Fengyao immediately understood and knelt down before Master Wu with a thud: "I, Lin Fengyao, hope that Master Wu will accept me as your disciple. I will definitely study diligently and will not let you down."
Old Wu was completely bewildered by his friend's sudden move. After a moment, he burst into laughter: "Old Bai, you know I never take on apprentices. You're just making me hurt people's feelings for nothing." He said to Lin Fengyao: "Student Lin, I'm sorry, I can't accept you."
Bo Bo shook his head with a helpless smile: "I know that, but I didn't expect you to be so stubborn. It's a real pity that you have such great painting skills and no one has inherited your mantle."
Song Anxin and Lin Fengyao knew that becoming an apprentice wouldn't be easy, so they were disappointed for a short while.
"Mr. Wu, if I may ask, why don't you accept any apprentices?" Song Anxin asked.
Old Wu stroked his beard and replied with a smile, "It's not that I don't want to accept it, it's just that I believe no one can fully inherit a person's painting skills. This kind of thing requires one's own understanding and perception."
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