104

“Thank you, overseer, for your reprimand. Otherwise, I would have deeply regretted it,” Wang Bo said sincerely as he bowed respectfully to Zhang Guang.

Seeing the respect in Wang Bo’s eyes, Zhang Guang nodded with satisfaction and smiled. “The fact that you can admit your mistakes shows you have self-awareness. My scolding wasn’t in vain. So, do you still intend to continue learning the art of brewing from me?”

“Of course,” Wang Bo nodded. “As long as you don’t hold my attitude from a few days ago against me.”

“No worries. As the ancients said, ‘Recognizing and correcting one’s mistakes is the greatest virtue.’ Since you know your error, you’re always welcome back,” Zhang Guang said, firmly patting Wang Bo on the shoulder, to which Wang Bo could only smile sheepishly.

“All right, Xiao Bo, I’ll take over from here. You should go rest for a while,” a man approached, patting the busy Wang Bo on the shoulder.

Wang Bo let out a long breath, put down the wooden stick in his hand, and wiped the sweat from his brow. Turning back, he smiled at the man. “Brother Zheng, I’ll leave it to you then.”

“Go ahead, take a rest,” the man called Brother Zheng nodded.

Sitting aside and reflecting on the past month, Wang Bo felt he had gained much. It was no wonder Confucius said, “Among three people walking, there must be a teacher for me.” Wang Bo’s humble and earnest attitude had earned the favor of the older men in the workshop. Worried that Wang Bo’s small frame might be overworked, no matter what task Zhang Guang assigned, someone would take over after a short while. Wang Bo had tried to refuse, but to no avail, so he gradually accepted it. Looking at the sincere men before him, Wang Bo felt a warm sense of belonging.

After more than a month of relentless and diligent study, Wang Bo had nearly mastered the brewing skills. Zhang Guang’s recognition assured him deeply. Just as Wang Bo was lost in thought, Zhang Guang quietly approached from behind. After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly slapped Wang Bo’s shoulder hard.

The sharp pain brought Wang Bo back to reality immediately. Based on past experience, he knew it was Zhang Guang behind him. Hastily standing up, he turned and smiled awkwardly at Zhang Guang. “The overseer is here.”

“You’re slacking off again,” Zhang Guang feigned anger.

Knowing Zhang Guang was joking, Wang Bo didn’t react much. Laughing, he said, “No, it’s the brothers who care about me, letting me rest a bit first.”

“All right, I know them well enough,” Zhang Guang waved his hand and sat down, patting the spot beside him, motioning Wang Bo to sit.

Wang Bo didn’t hesitate and sat down beside him.

Seeing Wang Bo’s demeanor, Zhang Guang couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re not polite at all.”

“If I’m polite to you, overseer, it would be like keeping a distance,” Wang Bo teased with a grin.

Seeing Wang Bo’s cheeky expression, Zhang Guang was quite helpless. Suddenly, he turned serious and asked, “You’ve almost learned all the brewing techniques. When do you plan to leave?”

Hearing Zhang Guang’s serious tone, Wang Bo became anxious. Grabbing Zhang Guang’s arm, he asked urgently, “Did I offend you somehow? Why do you want me to leave?”

Seeing Wang Bo’s urgency, Zhang Guang smiled and gestured for him to calm down. “You haven’t offended me.”

“Then why send me away?” Wang Bo pressed before Zhang Guang finished.

“You should listen to me first before getting all worked up,” Zhang Guang scolded.

“Yes, yes,” Wang Bo lowered his head obediently when he saw Zhang Guang was annoyed.

Finding Wang Bo’s earnestness amusing, Zhang Guang laughed. “Alright, don’t act like a woman. Do you think I’d really let you go?”

“Then why?” Wang Bo was puzzled.

“It’s because of your shopkeeper,” Zhang Guang said helplessly. “He’s been pestering me every day for the past month, always asking about you. I’ve been avoiding him, but that guy is persistent. No matter how I try to dodge, he always finds me and sticks like glue. It’s driving me crazy.” Zhang Guang’s annoyance was evident as he recalled Zhang Bao’s constant nagging.

Hearing this, Wang Bo couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

“You can still laugh?” Zhang Guang said, hitting Wang Bo hard on the head. Wang Bo immediately stopped laughing, holding his head, gritting his teeth, and gasping.

Seeing Wang Bo’s pained yet humorous expression, Zhang Guang felt much better. “I was worried about you, and here you are laughing.”

“Getting carried away—that’s the trouble with getting carried away. Knowing you’re upset, I still joked. If I don’t die, who will?” Wang Bo secretly regretted.

Ignoring Wang Bo’s inner regret, Zhang Guang continued, “Just now, your shopkeeper came to discuss things with me again. It lasted half an hour, and I couldn’t take it anymore, so I agreed.”

“I didn’t consider things well and caused trouble for you,” Wang Bo stood and bowed sincerely.

“No problem,” Zhang Guang waved his hand. “Your shopkeeper isn’t wrong. It’s nearly the New Year, and he’s probably overwhelmed. Since you’ve learned brewing, it’s only right you move on.”

Wang Bo was momentarily stunned. “Yes, the New Year’s almost here. I wonder how my parents are...” His expression grew sad, the faint loneliness in his eyes quietly revealing his inner pain.

Zhang Guang noticed but said nothing, patting Wang Bo on the shoulder.

Wang Bo snapped back to reality, looking into Zhang Guang’s hopeful eyes, then thinking of his shopkeeper Zhang Bao nearby, his parents in the village, Duor, his teacher, Brother Feng, and Brother Yun. All these connections rekindled his dimmed spirit. “Since I’m here, I’ll make the best of it. So many care about me. It’s been almost a month since I went home. I wonder how my parents and Duor are.”

“Looks like you’ve recovered,” Zhang Guang nodded, seeing the brightness in Wang Bo’s eyes.

“Yes,” Wang Bo nodded.

“Good,” Zhang Guang said heartily, patting Wang Bo’s shoulder again. Wang Bo glanced at Zhang Guang’s broader, sturdier shoulder, feeling the marks of those pats.

Noticing Wang Bo’s curious look, Zhang Guang withdrew his hand. “Heh, I’m used to it,” he said with a goofy smile, winking at Wang Bo.

Wang Bo smiled wryly. That was no habit; it was deliberate.

“All right, I won’t keep you. Go find your shopkeeper. Just remember to come back and see me often,” Zhang Guang said, patting Wang Bo’s shoulder lightly this time.

“You say that like we’re in different worlds. Living under the same roof, meeting isn’t hard. You sound like we’re bidding farewell forever, which isn’t like you at all,” Wang Bo teased, winking.

“You’re getting cheekier by the day. If I didn’t get angry, I wouldn’t be able to control you,” Zhang Guang said, rolling up his sleeves to show his strong arms. Just as he reached out to grab Wang Bo, Wang Bo kicked off and ran, shouting, “Don’t worry, overseer! I’ll come back often!”

“That kid,” Zhang Guang sighed, shaking his head. He turned to leave but remembered Zhang Bao was still waiting at the gate. So, quietly, he followed Wang Bo.

Before leaving the courtyard, they saw Zhang Bao’s plump figure pacing anxiously.

“Shopkeeper, you look worried. Has the lady gone into labor?” Zhang Bo asked, smiling.

Zhang Bao looked up and saw Wang Bo standing beside him with a playful grin. His face instantly darkened with anger.

He stormed over, grabbing Wang Bo’s ear fiercely. “You brat, daring to come out.”

Caught off guard, Wang Bo winced and said repeatedly, “Ouch, ouch, shopkeeper, please be gentle.”

“You know it hurts, yet you disappeared for over a month without so much as a visit. How could you agree to this?” Though still angry, Zhang Bao loosened his grip slightly.

Feeling relief, Wang Bo continued to plead, “I wanted to learn as soon as possible so I could repay you properly.”

“Is that true?” Zhang Bao asked skeptically, softening as he looked at the pitiful Wang Bo.

“Of course,” Wang Bo nodded, careful not to tug too hard since one ear was still in Zhang Bao’s hand.

“Then I’ll assume it’s true,” Zhang Bao said, letting go but still with some lingering anger—whether genuine or feigned was unclear.

Rubbing his sore ear, Wang Bo continued his pitiful act. “Shopkeeper, please don’t be angry. Today, I’ve already resigned to the overseer. At first, he didn’t allow it, but after much persuasion, he finally agreed. From today on, I won’t have to come to the workshop.”

Saying this without blushing or gasping, Wang Bo had artfully betrayed Zhang Guang.

“Is that so?” Zhang Bao looked at him strangely.

“It is. You don’t know how fierce the overseer was when he found out I was leaving,” Wang Bo wanted to say more but was cut off by a voice from behind.

Sure enough, Zhang Guang stood behind Wang Bo, calmly saying, “I was fierce indeed.”

“Hahaha.” Hearing Zhang Guang’s voice, Wang Bo felt like he was plunged into an ice cellar, shivering involuntarily. Slowly turning, he saw Zhang Guang’s forced smile, eyes sharp and predatory like a tiger stalking prey.

“Speak! What’s left unsaid? Tell your shopkeeper how fierce I am,” Zhang Guang said, lips curling slightly, then touched his nose.

Seeing this gesture, Wang Bo’s fear deepened. It was only done when Zhang Guang was extremely angry—a rare but ominous sign.

“What bad luck I’ve fallen into,” Wang Bo thought, his mind racing for a way out, but nothing seemed to appease Zhang Guang.

“Um, well…” Wang Bo stammered, trying to buy time.

Suddenly, Zhang Bao shifted his bulky frame to stand protectively in front of Wang Bo like a mother hen, glaring at Zhang Guang. “I think you’re fierce, all right. In just a month, look what you’ve done to my little Bo.” Then he turned to Wang Bo, “Don’t be afraid, little Bo. With your shopkeeper here, no one can harm you.”

Hearing Zhang Bao’s defense, Wang Bo felt deeply touched. “Such a simple and honest shopkeeper,” he thought gratefully.

Facing Zhang Bao’s glare, Zhang Guang found himself unable to vent his anger. He hadn’t been truly angry—just wanted to scare Wang Bo, but Zhang Bao had interrupted.

“All right, stop glaring at each other. I was just trying to scare the kid behind you. Do you really think I’d do anything to him?” Zhang Guang retorted.

Zhang Bao was taken aback but then realized that despite his annoyance, Zhang Guang had not returned Wang Bo to him. Clearly, Zhang Guang liked Wang Bo a lot. If he liked him, he wouldn’t make things hard for him.

“Fine, move aside. Let me say goodbye to little Bo. After all, he’s been learning from me a long time—half my apprentice,” Zhang Guang said, hands on his hips, calm but with an unsettling aura. Wang Bo tugged at Zhang Bao’s sleeve, silently begging him not to leave.

Seeing the pitiful Zhang Bao and the calm Zhang Guang, Zhang Bao felt trapped. Thinking Zhang Guang wouldn’t harm Wang Bo, he gritted his teeth and stepped aside.

With Zhang Bao gone, Wang Bo faced Zhang Guang alone, feeling extremely uncertain.

Zhang Guang grinned, placing both large hands on Wang Bo’s shoulders, laughing heartily.

“Hahaha, you’re quick to run off without even saying goodbye after all this time learning from me. Overseer is truly heartbroken,” Zhang Guang said, his smile widening.

But Wang Bo felt the pressure on his shoulders intensify—Zhang Guang was squeezing harder.

“Kid, you know your mistake. I hope you’ll forgive me this once. I promise I won’t do it again,” Wang Bo apologized sincerely, knowing he had to be earnest with Zhang Guang’s hands still pressing down.

“How could I not forgive you?” Zhang Guang said, though his hands remained firm.

Wang Bo’s heart twisted with regret. Sighing softly, he continued to plead, “If you spare me this time, I’ll personally brew a fine batch of wine for you next time.”

“That’s your promise, not my demand,” Zhang Guang laughed.

“Of course,” Wang Bo nodded eagerly.

“Good,” Zhang Guang said, withdrawing his hands and smiling at Wang Bo. Wang Bo exhaled deeply, wiping the sweat from his brow. “I managed to get through this somehow. Otherwise, I really wouldn’t have known what to do.”

“All right, since your shopkeeper is so anxious, I won’t keep you any longer,” Zhang Guang said, turning to leave. As he disappeared, he called out softly, “Don’t forget your wine.”

[Read the latest chapters of “My Great Transformation of the Three Kingdoms” first and free at Claw Book House.]