Bab 80: Family Tutoring
"Indeed, we've known each other since we were in diapers. Don't be fooled by San Pao's seemingly refined exterior; this guy is quite the rascal, capable of leading one astray without remorse. Fang Yi has been a Taoist for over a decade—can you not see that?"
As he spoke of his two close friends, Fatty's initial shyness gradually faded, and he animatedly recounted tales from their childhood to Meng Shuangshuang. However, it was evident that Fatty was not cut out for the underground life, as he candidly divulged both the good and the bad without reservation.
"Let's have that; I really enjoy duck blood vermicelli soup..."
Jinling is renowned for its street food. After walking a short distance of about a hundred meters, Meng Shuangshuang halted in front of a small eatery. She sensed that Fatty and his friends, like herself, likely hailed from rural backgrounds, which was one of the reasons she was willing to dine with him.
"Alright, you sit tight; I'll go buy it..."
One admirable trait of Fatty was that, despite his ample physique, he was not one to put on airs. He instructed Meng Shuangshuang to wait while he went to pay for two bowls of duck blood vermicelli soup. He also stopped by a nearby stall to purchase a serving of salted duck, bringing it back to their table.
Even though he was drenched in sweat from running around on such a hot day, the smile on Fatty's face radiated genuine joy. In that moment, the sweetness of his smile was unparalleled, perhaps surpassing all the smiles he had ever worn in his life.
...
"Hey, Fang Yi, why are you back alone? Did those two go wild again?"
When Fang Yi returned home, he found Man Jun seated in the living room, enjoying a slice of watermelon. Upon seeing Fang Yi, he waved and said, "Sun Chao just left after having some watermelon; he said he had something to attend to at the studio. Come, have a piece; it helps with hangovers..."
"Man Ge, I haven't drunk much—what hangover are you talking about?" Fang Yi chuckled as he accepted the watermelon slice. "Did you two sleep in until now? I must say, it's better to drink less; too much alcohol is harmful to your health..."
"I know, but drinking with friends is far more enjoyable than dealing with social obligations outside. Getting drunk is worth it..."
Man Jun had initially hoped to forge a closer relationship with the old man through Sun Chao, but after a night of drinking, he realized that Sun Chao was indeed a friend worth having, and his earlier intentions faded away.
"By the way, where are Fatty and San Pao? What are they up to?"
Man Jun rubbed his temples and replied, "San Pao is from Jinling, so he knows the area well. Fatty, however, is new here; it's best not to let him roam too much. The security outside isn't great these days..."
Man Jun and Fatty had developed a bond through their shared experiences. When Fang Yi had his accident, Fatty had landed several heavy punches on him, leaving Man Jun with a lingering bruise. Thus, he understood that while Fatty appeared simple-hearted, he could also be a troublemaker when provoked.
"Don't worry, Fatty will be fine; that boy has found his springtime..."
At the mention of Fatty, Fang Yi couldn't help but smile. He could see that Meng Shuangshuang harbored feelings for Fatty. As long as Fatty didn't act foolishly, he might just embark on his first love.
"This foolish lad talks a big game, but in reality, he's quite inexperienced..." Man Jun scoffed, recognizing Fatty's naiveté, something that an old hand like him could easily discern.
"That girl is quite lovely; she works at the phone store across the street and has a charming smile..."
Fang Yi casually remarked, suspecting that someone like Man Jun, a seasoned player, would likely know the girl's background. He had noticed that both of Man Jun's phones bore the emblem resembling bat wings, suggesting he might also have frequented that store.
"I know the girl you're talking about; she works there to support herself while studying..." Sure enough, upon hearing Fang Yi's description, Man Jun confirmed, "Fatty has struck gold, hasn't he? That girl is quite a catch; it's surprising she would take an interest in him."
"Man Ge, what's wrong with my brother? Isn't it just a lack of money?"
Fatty's shortcomings irked Fang Yi, and he replied, "Man Ge, do you believe that within five years, we will definitely make a name for ourselves? At the very least, we'll have a house and a business in Jinling..."
While Fang Yi might not be offended by others criticizing him, he felt a sense of pride when his childhood friends were praised. Conversely, any disparagement directed at them would not sit well with him.
"Alright, I misspoke; I apologize, Fang Yi, that wasn't my intention..." Man Jun realized his error and shook his head. "Those two are lucky to have a brother like you..."
"Knowing them is also my fortune..." Fang Yi smiled in response. Throughout life, one encounters many individuals, but how many true friends do we retain for a lifetime?
"You're right..." Man Jun fell into contemplation, reflecting on how he had lost touch with childhood companions.
"Man Ge, please sit; I'll go prepare dinner. The teacher will be arriving soon..." During summer, it stays light late, and Sun Lianda had informed Fang Yi to expect him by six-thirty. However, it was already past six, making it the perfect time to start cooking.
"Hey, Fang Yi, when you return from studying with Old Sun tonight, I need to discuss something with you. Don't forget, okay?" Man Jun suddenly recalled something and called out to Fang Yi as he walked into the kitchen.
"Sure, I'll find you when I get back..."
Fang Yi replied, quickly opening the refrigerator to gather a few vegetables. Since the teacher preferred light fare and Man Jun had overindulged the night before, it was best not to serve anything heavy. Fang Yi planned to make a stir-fry of cucumbers with some greens, accompanied by a tomato and egg soup.
As he set the dishes on the table, Sun Lao entered just in time. However, the first thing Sun Lianda did upon entering was to reprimand Man Jun.
Yesterday, Sun Chao had drunk excessively and slept through the day. Several urgent calls had even reached the old man, which infuriated him. Had Sun Chao not escaped quickly, Sun Lao might have resorted to delivering a stern lecture.
Fortunately, Fang Yi was present, helping Man Jun navigate the situation. After dinner, he took Sun Lao for a walk back to his residence, leaving the perspiring Man Jun behind, feeling the pressure of confronting someone who had once held a high-ranking position.
"Today, I arranged for you to have a tutor to help you with your English studies..."
On the way, Sun Lao shared the day's plans with Fang Yi. About ten minutes after arriving home, a middle-aged man knocked on the door. After welcoming him inside, Sun Lao introduced him, saying, "Fang Yi, this is Mr. Li, an English lecturer at a university. He will be your tutor for the English portion of your graduate entrance exam..."
Sun Lao had truly invested effort in securing this tutor for Fang Yi. Mr. Li was not just any tutor; he was a genuine university lecturer, and it was not easy to hire someone of his caliber. Sun Lianda had leveraged his connections to persuade the head of the English department to send him.
"Thank you, Mr. Li..." Fang Yi respectfully bowed to the newcomer, influenced by the old Taoist's teachings, which instilled in him a deep respect for education.
Although Fang Yi had never formally attended school, he had listened to numerous English language tapes, giving him a decent vocabulary. After posing a few preliminary questions, Mr. Li focused the lesson on grammar.
"Sun Lao, Fang has a solid foundation; three months of review with me should suffice for the graduate English exam. If time permits, I'll also take him to some English salons to practice his speaking skills..."
As Mr. Li departed, he was quite satisfied. His greatest fear was being assigned a student who had languished in high school for three years; even with the department head's endorsement, he might not return if that were the case.
"Fang Yi, please escort Mr. Li downstairs, and then you can rest. Tomorrow, I'll start your specialized classes..." Hearing the praise from the school staff about Fang Yi filled Sun Lianda with pride as he cheerfully saw Mr. Li out the door.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone