Kneeling in Gratitude and Seeking Discipleship

"Mr. Gu, just from the aroma, I can tell this is top-quality tea!"

"Giving it to an old man like me is truly a waste!"

Hu Laozhang looked at the steaming cup of fragrant Wishing Spring tea before him, feeling slightly uneasy.

Though he hadn't exactly lived a luxurious life, having lived this long, he had some skill in identifying good tea. Judging by the rich aroma and appearance, this tea could likely fetch several silver coins in the market!

Such a valuable drink made him hesitant to partake.

Gu Ning'an waved his hand with a smile. "No need to stand on ceremony, Old Master Hu. Tea is meant to be enjoyed. What waste is there in that?"

Seeing Gu Ning'an's generosity and genuine tone, free from any pretense, Hu Laozhang quietly decided to prepare a better gift in the future. Then, cautiously, he raised the teacup and took a sip.

The warm tea flowed smoothly, carrying a hint of sweetness, and as it slid down his throat, he felt his fatigue dissipate a little.

"Good tea! Truly excellent tea!" Hu Laozhang's eyes sparkled as he asked, "Does this tea have a refined name?"

Gu Ning'an replied with a smile, "Wishing Spring."

"What a wonderful name!"

"Drinking it really does feel like being transported back to a warm spring day," Hu Laozhang said, savoring the tea in small sips, his face gradually flushing from the heat.

Gu Ning'an chuckled and began chatting casually with Hu Laozhang about daily life and family matters.

As time passed, Gu Ning'an remained unhurried, but Hu Laozhang couldn't help glancing repeatedly toward the kitchen. He felt embarrassed that his grandson was taking so long to wash a few dishes, especially when they had already intruded on Mr. Gu's time.

"Don't worry, Old Master Hu," Gu Ning'an said, seeming to read his thoughts. "Your grandson is focused and meticulous, so naturally, he takes a little longer than others. That's perfectly normal."

He poured them both another cup of tea, but Hu Laozhang assumed Gu Ning'an was just being kind and didn't take his words about Hu Shi seriously. Instead, he started mentally calculating whether he should sell the family's two pigs to buy something valuable to give as thanks.

"Mr. Gu, I'm done!"

An excited voice suddenly called out from the kitchen.

Moments later, Hu Shi came running out, his steps quick and energetic.

"Hey, slow down! Don't trip!" Hu Laozhang shouted, his worry causing Hu Shi to falter.

Sure enough, his left foot slowed, and his right foot stumbled forward.

With a loud thud, Hu Shi fell flat on the ground, arms and legs splayed out.

Hu Laozhang, distressed, immediately tried to get up to help, but Gu Ning'an gestured for him to stay seated. "Let him be. Kids grow stronger from their falls."

"Hu Shi, get up on your own."

"Okay!" Hu Shi nodded firmly, and within three breaths, he had scrambled back to his feet.

This sight left Hu Laozhang utterly stunned.

After all, his grandson was the type to sit dazed for ages even after falling hard enough to bleed. Yet today, with just a single sentence from Mr. Gu, Hu Shi had gotten up so quickly!

Could it be that his grandson might truly shed the label of a "fool"?

Once Hu Shi approached Gu Ning'an, he glanced shyly at his grandfather and murmured, "I was wrong. I didn't mean to sneak out while Grandpa was sleeping."

He even apologized… Hu Laozhang's eyes brimmed with tears. He stretched out his arms, embracing Hu Shi tightly as he smiled and said, "It's natural for children to be playful. Grandpa won't stop you from going where you want, but you mustn't sneak out. Do you understand?"

Hu Shi nodded. "Understood!"

"Good boy!" Seeing how much sharper his grandson had become, Hu Laozhang knew this was all thanks to Gu Ning'an.

Putting Hu Shi down, he gave Gu Ning'an a deep bow. "Mr. Gu, thank you for guiding my grandson."

Gu Ning'an helped Hu Laozhang up and replied calmly, "I didn't do much. As I said, Hu Shi is just slow to react. If given time, being like any ordinary person is as natural for him as eating or drinking."

Thud!

Hu Shi suddenly dropped to his knees. His expression serious, he looked up at Gu Ning'an and declared, "Thank you, Teacher, for your guidance!"

Gu Ning'an chuckled. "Now do you understand?"

"Yes!" Hu Shi nodded vigorously.

Gu Ning'an raised his hand. "Then get up. It's not a holiday or festival, so why kneel?"

But Hu Shi remained kneeling, silent for a long moment before saying, "Hu Shi, as your student, kneels to thank you for your teaching!"

"Ridiculous! Mr. Gu hasn't agreed to take you as a student!" Hu Laozhang, shocked at his grandson's audacity, walked over and gave him a firm slap on the back, producing a loud smack.

Gu Ning'an waved it off with a smile. "Children speak without restraint. Hu Laozhang, take the boy home to rest."

After the slap, Hu Shi seemed to fall back into his slower tendencies. He stood there dazed as Hu Laozhang carried him away. It wasn't until they were leaving the courtyard that Hu Shi finally blurted out, "Mister didn't accept me, so I called him Teacher. But even if he doesn't accept me, since I've received his guidance, calling myself his student is just proper courtesy!"

Gu Ning'an, just closing the courtyard door, overheard this and couldn't help but laugh. As he turned to head inside and sleep, he felt a slight warmth in his palm. A wisp of red dust qi appeared, swirling around his fingertips.

Through this wisp of red dust qi, Gu Ning'an glimpsed the firm resolve in Hu Shi's heart.

"Who would have thought that upon returning to Lexiang County, the first trace of red dust qi I'd gain would come from a child I've only met twice."

Toying with the red dust qi in his palm for a moment, Gu Ning'an then willed it into his spiritual sea. He strode into his room, lay down on his bed, and fell into a deep sleep.

...

By late morning, Lexiang County was once again bustling with life. Only Gu Ning'an had just woken up, stretching lazily from his bed.

Outside his quiet Ansi Courtyard, no one was gossiping or seeking him out, allowing him to enjoy an untroubled rest.

A few beams of light shone through the broken roof, landing at Gu Ning'an's feet. They seemed to remind him: If you don't repair the roof soon, rain will start dripping in when the weather turns.

"Take advice, and you'll live well," Gu Ning'an said with a chuckle, touching the rays of light playfully.

After washing up outside, he returned to the kitchen to make himself a simple bowl of plain noodles.