The old man paused at the doorway, patted his head with a feigned air of forgetfulness, and said, "Oh, look at my memory! Almost forgot something important."
He fished a worn money pouch from his pocket and tossed it to Huzi.
"Plenty in there. Spend it wisely."
With a final enigmatic smile, he strode out, then abruptly broke into a sprint, disappearing down the lane with an almost inhuman speed that made me wonder if something was amiss.
As soon as the old man was out of sight, I turned to Huzi,.
"How much did Master leave us?"
Huzi sighed, carefully counting the meager contents of the pouch.
"Young Master, this won't last long. I fear we might starve this year."
"Just how much is it?" I pressed, a knot of worry forming in my stomach.
"Eight hundred and sixty-seven yuan and thirty-five mao," he replied, his voice laced with despair.
"Eight hundred? What is he, a beggar? And he expects a million from me in a year?"
I exclaimed, throwing my hands up in exasperation.
"He leaves us with a pittance, forbids me from earning a living any other way - he's trying to starve me!"
Over the years, our courtyard had seen a steady stream of supplicants, most of them hailing from Yanbei, a testament to my master's reputation and the city's affluence.
However, he had always been selective, often turning away more than he accepted, leaving us with a relatively quiet existence.
Earning a million in a year, in such a climate, felt like an impossible dream.
Yet, as fate would have it, a mere three days after my master's departure, a sleek Rolls Royce pulled up outside our usually quiet abode.
Huzi informed me it was a father and daughter, oozing wealth and desperation in equal measure.
This, I realized, could be my first big break.
"Quickly, usher them in!" I instructed, feeling a surge of hope.
I had, in my time as an apprentice, become quite adept at deciphering the subtler cues of fortune and misfortune.
As they entered the living room, a quick glance at the father told me all I needed to know.
A dark cloud hung over him, his brow etched with worry, and a palpable aura of misfortune emanated from him.
This man was in dire straits.
Remembering my master's theatrics, I maintained a calm facade, a silent reminder that I, despite my youth, was the master of this domain now.
They were here to request my services, and I wouldn't let my desperation show.
Huzi ushered them in with a respectful, "Young Master, this gentleman is here to see you."
I nodded, my gaze settling on the father and daughter.
I was taken aback by the girl's familiar face, as if I'd known her from somewhere, though the memory remained frustratingly out of reach.
She was my age, perhaps, with delicate features, flawless skin, and a captivating beauty that held my gaze for a moment longer than necessary.
She stood beside her father, her demeanour demure and respectful, her simple floral dress and neatly tied ponytail lending her an air of innocence.
The man offered a polite bow.
"Greetings, Young Master. I am Zhang Yuchen, Chairman of the Julong Group in Yanbei. A mutual friend spoke highly of Master Li's abilities, hence my visit. Is he available?"
"Apologies, Mr. Zhang," I replied, "My master is away on a journey. He won't return for a year."
Huzi, ever the dutiful assistant, interjected, "This is our young master, Wu Jie, Master Li's sole disciple. Before his departure, Master Li instructed that any inquiries be directed to Young Master Wu."
Zhang Yuchen's disappointment was palpable, but he quickly recovered, a hopeful smile returning to his face.
"Ah, as they say, the student of a skilled master is a master in the making. Young Master Wu, I find myself facing certain… difficulties. I'm hoping you might be able to offer your assistance."
He had barely finished his sentence when I inquired, "Mr. Zhang, you are from Yanbei? All your business is conducted there?"
A hint of pride colored his reply.
"Yes, a Yanbei native through and through. I've been in business here for quite some time, built my fortune in this city. Achieved a modest level of success, one might say."
I nodded slowly, then delivered the blow, "In that case, Mr. Zhang, I'm afraid I cannot help you. Uncle Huzi, please see our guests out."
The declaration hung in the air, leaving both Zhang Yuchen and Huzi speechless.
Even the beautiful girl beside him looked up, her brow furrowed in confusion.
Huzi, meanwhile, resorted to frantic eye contact, his silent pleas for sanity almost comical.
Zhang Yuchen, his initial shock wearing off, was quick to recover.
"No, wait… Young Master Wu, please! Name your price. Money is no object as long as the matter is resolved."
I held his gaze, my voice firm despite the turmoil raging inside me.
"It's not about the money, Mr. Zhang. I cannot, in good conscience, involve myself in your affairs. Please, I must insist you leave."
I shot another pointed look at Huzi, who, after a moment of hesitation, gestured towards the door.
Desperation tinged Zhang Yuchen's voice.
"Young Master Wu, please reconsider! My daughter, Yao Yao, is your schoolmate! You both attended Yanbei No. 1 High School. Surely for a fellow classmate…"
His words struck a chord.
I looked at the girl.
Yanbei No. 1 High School… It was the most prestigious school in the city, and she had an air of quiet intelligence about her.
She was undeniably a school beauty, someone who would have turned heads, but my years under my master's strict tutelage had left little room for such distractions.
"Which class were you in?" I asked, curiosity overriding my initial refusal.
She spoke softly, her cheeks tinged with a delicate blush.
"I… I was in Class 6, Grade 3."
Class 6, Grade 3. The top class.
Those students were destined for greatness, Ivy League colleges, and glittering futures.
Not like me, barely scraping by, dodging expulsion by the skin of my teeth.
I couldn't help but feel a pang of envy.
Zhang Yuchen was clearly banking on this shared history to sway my decision.
He was wrong.
I merely nodded, then stated, "Uncle Huzi, show them out."
"Mr. Zhang, this way please," Huzi urged, gently steering them towards the door.
But Zhang Yuchen lingered, a deep sigh escaping his lips.
He shot me one last, pleading look before allowing himself to be ushered out, his daughter trailing behind him, her gaze lingering on me for a fleeting moment before the door closed behind them.
The moment they were gone, Huzi rounded on me, his voice a mixture of bewilderment and panic.
"Are you mad, Young Master? Turning away business when we're practically begging for it? Do you want us to starve?"
"Uncle Huzi," I said, my voice regaining some of its usual confidence, "Remember Master's parting words? My first commission… it cannot be in Yanbei."