Step by step, a gentle breeze leads to a smooth path

Song Tingnan's home is not far from the reservoir for adults, but it's quite a distance for a seven-year-old child to carry a load there. No wonder she is so strong and healthy.

Gao Haoran was quite curious about Song Tingnan. Why was he running a delivery business at such a young age? Shouldn't he be in school by now? Was his family poor? And why was he asking for tuition fees right away?

With these questions in mind, Gao Haoran prepared to inquire about Song Tingnan from various angles and indirect ways. Regardless of whether they could become master and disciple, he didn't want to cause any trouble for this young girl.

"That Song Tingnan, she's not Song Wanli's biological daughter." The news quickly spread without much inquiry.

“Tingnan is the daughter of Song Wanli’s sister’s second husband. Her sister’s husband died and they could no longer afford to raise her, so they asked Song Wanli to take her in as a foster child.”

"Xiao Tingnan is very capable. I heard she's excellent at mental arithmetic and has been running a delivery business for almost a year, right? Are you going to pick up your goods from her?"

“That’s right, no matter how capable she is, she can’t let a child carry the load on her back.” Gao Haoran couldn’t understand.

"If she doesn't run away, who will? Her family members are special. Her father has broken feet, her mother is mentally ill, her maternal grandmother has bound feet, and her two younger brothers are even younger."

"Yes, it was only with special permission from the brigade that her family was allowed to do some small business and pay a small amount of money each year. Originally, they only sold things at home, but business wasn't good, so Song Wanli sent Tingnan out to run errands."

"Xiao Tingnan is really nice. She greets me as soon as we meet. If I ask her to bring me some salt, she agrees without hesitation. If I give her some food, she'll give my child snacks next time."

"Yes, that child is always cheerful. She never refuses to carry small things for you. Sometimes when a child is crying, she patiently comforts them and even takes out candy from her pocket."

"Shh! Don't go around saying this, or Song Wanli will find out and start asking about Nan."

"That's right, she was preparing that to appease her second brother. That Song Mingfu is just a good-for-nothing."

“I understand. It’s heartbreaking to see such a good child. Song Wanli sometimes hits him with his cane. It’s outrageous.”

"You still need to use a cane to hit him?" Gao Haoran started to feel sorry for him at this moment.

"Yes, I've never heard of anyone being beaten for doing anything wrong." This aunt lived near Song Tingnan's house. "But, what country kid doesn't get beaten?"

"Hey, you guys don't know, it's mainly because when Song Wanli is in a bad mood, he likes to drink. When he drinks too much, he pees a little and then he likes to hit people."

"Will Song Tingnan resist?" Gao Haoran interjected.

"What's there to rebel against? Her maternal grandmother's family is very strict. Even before Song Tingnan started school, she had been reciting the 'Standards for Being a Good Student and Child' since she was little: 'When your parents call, answer them without delay. When your parents command you, do not be lazy. When your parents teach you, listen respectfully. When your parents reprimand you, accept it obediently.'"

"You're great, you've memorized them all, hahaha..."

"What? I've heard it all before." The aunt who lived near Song Tingnan's house continued, "Tingnan's only resistance is that she won't change how she addresses Song Wanli and his wife; she still calls them Uncle and Aunt."

"We all know that. He's so stubborn. He's taken so many beatings because of it."

"Yes, why is she being so stubborn? It's just a form of address. She was only two years old when she came here. I heard her father passed away before she was even a year old. How can she remember it so clearly?"

“This child is very clever. He looks pure and kind, but he has his own ideas.”

"You don't know yet, do you? Last summer, all the kids in our village learned to swim. I heard it was Nan who suggested it, because she almost drowned."

"Really? That girl is really bold. But it would be good for all the kids to learn to swim."

……

The villagers chattered amongst themselves, turning Song Tingnan's house upside down, leaving Gao Haoran with mixed feelings.

Song Tingnan is indeed in adversity, yet she doesn't give up on herself. She shines like a little sun every day, politely accepting and returning kindness from others. She doesn't utter a word when scolded or beaten; she truly is a good child.

She's so outstanding, adaptable, intelligent, and morally upright; I'm definitely taking her as my apprentice.