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

“That’s right, Jin Yue. Just tell everyone I’m your aunt, and we’ve just been reunited.” Qian Shuzhen was quite thoughtful; a girl’s reputation is very important.

Her family is a large one, so it's not surprising that she has a sister from another place.

"Okay, Auntie!" It was getting late, so after everyone agreed on the same thing, Ting Nan took Zuo Jinyue to wash up and go to bed.

Fortunately, after Ting Nan started school, Song Wanli took it very seriously and prepared a separate room for her to facilitate her studies.

Over the course of the night, Zuo Jinyue gained a general understanding of the Song family's situation. The eldest son, Song Wanxing, was a dutiful son who mostly listened to his maternal grandmother, Nan. Nan had been educated and had once been a young lady of high birth, served by maids. Although she had bound feet, she spoke with refined manners and seemed quite open-minded. The younger brother, Song Wanxing, was somewhat scholarly and had a certain air of aloofness. The two brothers had long since separated their households, with no major conflicts or in-law disputes. Song Wanxing's wife sometimes seemed a little mentally unstable, but she wouldn't hit anyone; she often worked alone and would smoke a few puffs. Song Wanxing's brother had a bit of a temper, but he was reasonable, straightforward, and easy to get along with.

When Zuo Jinyue got up in the morning, she found Ting Nan already practicing his martial arts. She watched him closely but couldn't find any style of boxing similar to Uncle Ah Huo's.

"Never mind, Chinese martial arts are profound and extensive," Zuo Jinyue shook her head and walked away.

She turned back, thinking: she would read English to Nan while he practiced his skills, so he could practice his language sense.

Suddenly remembering that when her father was practicing, Uncle Ah Huo had said that she should focus her mind on her dantian, eliminate distracting thoughts, and concentrate fully... Thinking of this, Zuo Jinyue quickly and quietly left.

Ting Nan had already noticed Teacher Zuo and knew she was observing the boxing techniques. She shook her head, left, then returned, and then quietly left again. She found Teacher Zuo quite amusing.

After breakfast—white rice porridge with homemade fried vegetables and a poached egg, made by Qian Shuzhen. Now, when I listen to Nan practice her exercises in the morning, Qian Shuzhen, being older and needing less sleep, gets up to make breakfast.

She ordered it as usual, adding a poached egg. Afraid that it would be too lavish and make Zuo Jinyue uncomfortable, she didn't dare stay long.

Sure enough, Zuo Jinyue ate this breakfast happily and at ease.

On the way to school, Ting Nan took the initiative to tell Zuo Jinyue about her martial arts: "Teacher Zuo, I practice Wing Chun. My master taught me this because I am a girl. It is different from the boxing style that my master practiced himself."

"Really? He knows a lot of boxing techniques?" Zuo Jinyue's hope was rekindled.

“Yes, the martial arts styles of the senior brothers I’ve met are all different.” Ting Nan nodded affirmatively. “Good, good, Brother Song said he’ll invite your master over this weekend, I knew it was him.” Zuo Jinyue felt that this time it might be the right one, and she couldn’t wait any longer.

“Teacher Zuo, you don’t need to worry about disturbing me when I practice. I’m not a beginner anymore, so I won’t have trouble concentrating or be easily disturbed,” Ting Nan said, changing the subject.

"Oh, so you can listen to foreign languages ​​while practicing your skills?" Zuo Jinyue asked earnestly.

"No, my master said that when practicing, you must eliminate distractions, concentrate fully, and focus your mind."

“It’s true, that’s what your master said, and Uncle Ah Huo said the same thing to my father.” Well, Zuo Jinyue got excited again.

Fortunately, tomorrow is Saturday, so we can see Gao Haoran this afternoon.

On the way, Zuo Jinyue taught Ting Nan the English alphabet and sang an English song, partly to calm herself down.

As soon as Zuo Jinyue entered the office, a teacher asked, "Teacher Zuo, why didn't you go back to your dormitory yesterday?"

"You don't live in the dorms, how did you know I didn't go back?" Seriously? Was she really being watched? Zuo Jinyue felt a chill run down her spine; she was truly grateful for Brother Song's invitation.

"Oh, well... I have a few points I don't understand about teaching, so I wanted to ask you about them." It was Ms. Zhou, who teaches fifth-grade Chinese.