Chen Yuanshu had never experienced such turmoil, a woman who grew up in the provincial capital's mansion, interacting with people from a young age, and at 14 or 15 years old, she was sent to study alone in the United States under her family's arrangement, eventually becoming a business elite. In her world, excellent men came and went like fish swimming upstream, and those who caught her eye wouldn't exceed a handful. There were many things that could surprise her, but the protagonist of each storm was always a well-known figure. But today, a young man from a small village in Northeast China, without a university degree or background, unexpectedly piqued her interest.

  Chen Ergou didn't understand the profound meaning of Wei Gonggong's words, nor did he understand Wei Gonggong's true energy in Nanjing City. Chen Yuanshu could still understand and accept it, but when she saw Chen Ergou listening to Zhuge Lao Ren's words with a serious expression, her heart felt a bit strange. To say nothing of him, even if an old man over 60 years old heard these words, he couldn't help but be overjoyed and behave wildly.

  Indeed, who isn't a junior in front of 96-year-old Mr. Zhuge?

  She forced herself to remind Chen Ergou to reveal a hint of excitement, which would make the matter more serious, and not pretend to be stupid. However, Chen Ergou remained expressionless, and the old man sitting on the small stool didn't seem to think that this young man's attitude was disrespectful to him. He took the erhu from Zhang Sanqian, glanced at it roughly, and didn't find anything unusual about it. It should be a cheap erhu that didn't cost much money. He casually played a segment of "Reflections of the Moon".

  After the performance, Chen Yuanshu, who was standing outside the door, applauded lightly. However, Chen Ergou and Zhang Sanqian were stunned. Chen Ergou thought the song was wonderful but played poorly, yet he didn't want to pretend to praise it, nor did he dare to comment randomly, so he remained silent. Zhang Sanqian wasn't as cautious and secretly curled his lip in disdain. Chen Ergou caught this expression and gave him a light glare. The wronged child didn't dare scold Chen Ergou, so he instinctively shifted his target and glared at the old man who had started it all, startling Chen Yuanshu, who was standing behind the old man observing the scene.

  When Chen Yuanshu applauded, the old man frowned and seemed to appreciate Zhang Sanqian even more. He returned the erhu to him and said with a smile: "This piece is called 'Reflections of the Moon on Two Springs', it was played by a blind person, and the melody is exquisite, saying that it's like 'The Goddess of Luo River' wouldn't be an exaggeration. However, I play it poorly, and I'm aware of this myself, I know my own limitations. You're Sanqian, right? If you can play 'Reflections of the Moon on Two Springs' once, I'll give you the best erhu."

  Zhang Sanqian was about to talk back, but when he caught a glimpse of his uncle's face out of the corner of his eye, he immediately took over the erhu and played a tune he had never heard before, "Reflections in the Second Spring". Zhang Sanqian's talent shone through at that moment, and even Chen Yuanshu was able to discern the subtleties within. Her eyes widened in surprise, as if she had seen a rare and elusive man. Old Man Zhuge nodded repeatedly, lost in rapture from start to finish. To him, technique was secondary; it was the mood that came first. Just like when he evaluated people, Chen Yuanshu was intelligent, but ultimately tainted by too much worldly dust, just as the graffiti on the wall said "dragging mud and water" too much. On the other hand, Zhang Sanqian was like an unpolished jade, full of the promise of returning to simplicity and authenticity. The two words "returning to simplicity" were the rare treasure that Old Man Zhuge had been pursuing single-mindedly for over a decade.

  The old man Zhuge felt a sense of emotion and couldn't help but think that it was no wonder Ah Duo wanted to take in three thousand as his adopted son. He smiled slightly on the surface, saying: "A person without credibility is not worth dying for. Although I've lived for many years and have reached the age where I should be entering my coffin, I still want to find a closed-door disciple to inherit my legacy. Therefore, what I say has always been counted, so I'll send you a treasured Tianyuanzhai erhu that's been stored away for many years. That erhu with some history, if I were to mention the old guys I've played with one by one, would make those current dogshit Confucian scholars feel ashamed and want to dig a hole in the ground to hide."

  Zhang Sanqian took the flower and went to Chen Ergou's house, where he sat down beside his respected Third Uncle. He said seriously: "I don't want your erhu. I play 'Er Quan Ying Yue' because it's what Third Uncle wants me to do. Whatever Third Uncle tells me to do, I'll do it. But Third Uncle says that if you don't work for something, you shouldn't receive the benefits, and if someone does a good deed for you, you should repay them with even greater kindness. Your erhu is so good, even if you didn't want anything in return, I wouldn't want to owe you one either. But Third Uncle is a kind person, he'll definitely keep it in mind. I don't want you to give me the erhu, but instead let Third Uncle repay you for me."

  Mr. Zhuge was taken aback and fell into deep thought.

  At sixty, one's ears are attuned; at seventy, one knows the heavenly decree. Having reached an advanced age of nearly a hundred years, even the most obtuse mind would have more or less seen through the world. How much more so for Zhuge Qingming, who came from a noble family and had twice secluded himself to read scriptures? Perhaps just a few careless words from others could make him comprehend the eight extremes and roam freely in the vast expanse, and his life might be fulfilled unintentionally.

  Chen Yuanshu couldn't help but sigh, it seems that this newborn calf not only has a bold temperament, but also has a lot of thoughts, at such a young age, he already has the potential to be a cunning and clever person, if he grows up with one more trick up his sleeve, wouldn't he be a perfect little rascal?

  Zhuge's slender yet not emaciated hand stretched out to touch Zhang Sanqian's head, and he sighed: "Four generations of accumulated virtue, child, you should often go sit at your mother's and ancestors' graves. The principle that previous generations plant trees for later ones to enjoy is understood by all, but those who truly do it are few and far between."

  This time, Zhang Sanqian nodded obediently and didn't argue with Zhuge Lao like a stubborn little calf. Perhaps it was the old man's words that he couldn't quite understand and his heavy tone that brought up sad memories, his eyes slightly reddened, but there was no sign of him crying. In Zhangjiashan Village, Big Fool Chen Fugui and Little White-eyed Wolf Zhang Sanqian were considered by the villagers to be the two people who wouldn't cry.

  "Come on in." Old Zhuge said with a smile, standing at the door was a man who had been hesitating for half a day and didn't dare to come in. He wore a shiny traitor's head, bare feet in a pair of brightly polished leather shoes, a sweaty T-shirt that couldn't be washed clean paired with security uniform pants, looking out of place and awkward, only Wang Hu's General could pull off this outfit and still swagger around the Shan Shui Hua Gate.

  Wang Huzi slipped in through the door and crouched down at a corner of the wall, whereupon Old Zhuge spoke kindly: "Unless I'm mistaken, you're Little Master Wang Huzi?"

  Wang Hu nodded slightly, not knowing what kind of person this old man was, and didn't dare to be presumptuous. This old man didn't seem like those hypocritical old men from before, but rather had a dignified and solemn aura between his eyebrows, just like seeing a living Bodhisattva. Wang Hu wasn't Zhang Sanqian, nor was he Chen Ergou who didn't understand Feng Shui divination, so he added a bit more reverence.

  "My surname is Zhuge, my name is Qingming, and I'm known as Mr. Yangding. I'm not a big shot, just an old Taoist priest from the Yuquan Mountain in Qinghai. I happened to hear that you've handled a Tang Sancai Tianwang statue before, so I'd like to ask about its whereabouts. If it's inconvenient to tell me, a rough description would be fine. I won't put on airs or make things difficult for you."

  "Mr. Yang Ding?"

  Wang Hu's facial muscles twitched and his two eyes suddenly burst forth with a light that Chen Er Gou had never seen before.

  "What's wrong?" asked the old man with a smile.

  Wang Hu sat on the ground with a thud, his eyes wide with shock and his tongue tied. Chen Er Gou and Chen Yuan Shu were at a loss for what to do, while Zhang San Qian rolled her eyes in exasperation. Finally, this young master, who had been so calm and composed in the face of danger, slowly got up from the ground, trembling with fear. He bowed deeply to Zhuge Old Man, his movements humble and solemn, a sight that would have been unfamiliar even to Wang Jie. "This bow is on behalf of my blind master," he said. "He spent his whole life searching for a legendary figure, and you, sir, were one of them. I remember clearly how my master took me to climb the Qinghai Yu Xuan Peak and Yu Zhu Peak, but we failed to find you. We wore out two layers of skin on our feet, but still couldn't find you...

  Zhuge Old Man sighed and said, "I didn't expect that there would still be this kind of fate between you and me."

  Wang Hu smiled wryly and said, "It really fits the saying 'when fate is not on your side, don't force it'. My master's fate was indeed bad. But today I indirectly helped him fulfill a wish, next time I go to his grave, I'll tell him about it, that old blind fool can finally rest in peace."

  Zhuge Old Man said: "If you don't mind a sudden word, let's have another cup together."

  Wang Hu nodded vigorously and said, "This way, my master won't scold me for being a heartless beast either."

  Without waiting for Old Man Zhuge to speak, Wang Hu smiled and said: "Old Man Zhuge, you're a god, I knew there was something big when I first dug up that Tang Sancai Tianwang statue from a tomb in Xi'an. So I kept an eye on it. Give me half a year's time and I'll definitely help you get it back intact. Don't ask me what method I'll use, just wait for the time to come and I'll have Er Gou deliver it to you. You can't refuse, if this doesn't happen, Old Master Shi in the underworld will curse me to death."

  Wang Huzi abruptly said, "I'm leaving!" and quickly turned around to retreat, not giving Zhuge Old Man any chance to explain or refuse. The old man was quite helpless. Chen Yuanshu and others watched as Wang Huzi retreated out of the small room. Looking at Chen Fusheng, who was estimated to be nicknamed "Second Dog", they became even more playful. Later, let Second Dog send it, this sentence has a great mystery, which means that Wang Huzi, regardless of his motivation, has built a bridge between Fusheng and Zhuge Old Man, also meaning that the credit for bringing back Tang Sancai's Tianwang image was given to Chen Fusheng.

  "Life is fleeting, I have an idea, but I don't know if it's worth mentioning." The old man Zhuge hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up.

  "As you say." Chen Ergou hastily said, he didn't know the old man's status in front of him, but he could get a hint from Wang Hu's tone.

  "Ah Man, also known as Duan Gong, had wanted to adopt San Qian as his son before he was born. Although that didn't happen, I think San Qian has a good foundation, so I've been thinking of having him follow me for five or six years and learn some basic skills. Once I'm gone, I'll return the child to you. As for whether San Qian is willing to become my disciple, we can set that aside for now. After all, I'm not dead yet, it's not time to nail down the coffin lid." said Old Man Zhuge seriously.

  Chen Yuanshu felt that her heart couldn't take it anymore today, one wave had not yet subsided when another rose up, it was truly a rollercoaster ride, she didn't even breathe smoothly.

  Zhuge's closed-door disciple is a great honor, in Chen Yuanshu's view, ordinary people like Chen Fusheng would not understand. Being the closed-door disciple of an elder who holds important positions in the China Taoist Association, China Yi Study Association and World Fengshui Association means something.

  This old man is not a pure official, but how many high-ranking officials are so devout that they cannot be more devout in wanting to know a little about the heavenly machine from his old godly mouth?

  Zhang San's big mouth was wide open, staring straight at Third Uncle, seemingly unwilling to show any excitement.

  "Success."

  Chen Ergou smiled and said, without any hesitation, this one word was enough to decide Zhang Sanqian's future.

  Zhang San lowered his head and didn't say anything.

  "I'll take those three thousand with me today, and tonight I have to fly to Beijing to see an old friend. It's also a good opportunity for him to envy my newly found disciple." Old man Zhuge said with a hearty laugh.

  "No problem." Chen Ergou nodded, his smile was calm and natural, without any pretence, which made Chen Yuanshu feel a bit uncomfortable. As a fox who had been mixing in the official and business circles for many years, she felt that at this moment, one should show some reluctance to part with Zhang Sanqian, which was only human.

  "Old man, I won't see you off any further. After this, please take good care of him. Don't be afraid to scold or beat him when necessary. He's a country boy and is too rough, so he needs to be beaten and scolded more often, otherwise he won't remember things." Chen Ergou said softly as he stood up, but Zhang Sanqian didn't get up. Chen Ergou pulled him, but surprisingly couldn't budge him, and finally had to use a lot of strength to lift up this usually gentle and obedient child. At this moment, everyone saw a young face covered in tears, seemingly afraid that Uncle San would be angry, and was holding back from crying out loud, sniffling and snuffling, with his thin shoulders shaking slightly under his cheap vest. Finally, one small hand covered his mouth, the other hand wiped away tears, and he hung his head, looking like a child who had done something wrong and was being scolded by his father.

  Zhuge's old man, who was used to life and death separations, couldn't help but feel a little reluctant. He looked at Chen Erdog and asked, "Do you want me to come back for the three thousand after some time?"

  Chen Ergou shook his head and said, "No need."

  Chen Yuanshu, although in the business world she was known for being ruthless and cunning, but when she saw Zhang Sanqian's face, her maternal instincts were thoroughly aroused. She became increasingly dissatisfied with Chen Ergou's heart of stone and said: "Old Master Zhuge, if you don't have time later on, I'll personally help you bring Sanqian over."

  Chen Ergou still shook his head and said, "No need."

  Zhuge Old Man sighed and finally gave up. Chen Yuanshu had a slight anger, but her excellent city government still told her not to show it at this moment.

  "Go." Chen Ergou patted Zhang Sanqian's head and said softly.

  Zhang Sanqian raised his head, wailed loudly and sobbed heartbreakingly: "Third Uncle, I'm not leaving! Who will cook for you? Who will shoo away the mosquitoes? I don't want anyone else to teach me how to play the erhu or write calligraphy. You only told me half of 'The Water Margin', I won't leave! Even if you beat me to death, I won't go! I know, Third Uncle, you don't want me anymore, so I won't go!"

  The child cried heart-wrenchingly, who would have thought that this was a biological father who had never shed a single tear at his own father's grave.

  "Three thousand, your third uncle's wife doesn't listen to me, she just leaves whenever she wants. Your rich and noble uncle also doesn't like listening to me, he always likes to give me good things without even asking if I want them. And don't even mention those other bastards who would love for me to die early and reincarnate quickly, except for you, Three thousand, there actually isn't a single person in this world who listens to me. Are you also going to not listen to your third uncle's words?" Chen Er Gou squatted down, wiping away Zhang San Qian's tears, speaking in a light and airy tone that made Chen Yuan Xiu feel an inexplicable pang of sadness.

  Zhang Sanqian hugged Chen Erdou's neck and cried miserably.

  The two most unwelcome sons of the Zhang family, yet they are like a pair of father and son who have poured their hearts out to each other. This is undoubtedly a huge irony for the Zhang family.

  The old man Zhuge looked up at the forever silent old pipe, and let out a deep breath. The worldly emotions and worldly affairs that ordinary people cannot escape, even if it's oneself, are just laughing at others for taking fifty steps while having taken a hundred steps oneself.

  Zhang Sanqian finally left, holding the erhu, walking in the corridor and turning his head three times to take a last look at San Shu standing at the door.

  The little kid who had been with him for almost half a year left, starting his own life. Chen Ergou closed the door, sat on a small stool, and stared blankly at the wall in a daze. Chen Yuanshu was not Chen Ergou; she couldn't understand the difference between Chen Fusheng and Chen Ergou, who were actually the same person. That kind of high-and-mighty person would never comprehend Chen Ergou's good intentions and way of thinking. Poor people, when they find a steamed bun, will gobble it down without hesitation; their minds won't consider worries about choking to death. Rich people, on the other hand, savor each bite of Western food or Japanese cuisine, emphasizing atmosphere and taste. Chen Ergou, who faced the dark earth and turned his back on the sky, didn't understand any of this. All he knew was that a few people he cared about deeply had the chance to live a good life, and even if it meant throwing away all his dignity, it was worth it.

  Zhangjiashan forced the church to cheat Chen Ergou into being a merchant.

  But his mother taught him one thing in her lifetime: people who care about you need to be repaid with double the kindness.

  Chen Ergou wiped his face hard, and his eyes were also a little moist. He muttered to himself: "Sanqian, you have a good life from now on. This heartless and ruthless San Shu who has no interest in being a good person will be at peace." (To know what happens next, please log in. More chapters are available. Support the author, support the official version!)