Hearing Lin Zhan's words, Wang Xianxian's interest was piqued.
"What path?"
Lin Zhan slowly stood up, walked over to the wine jars on the counter, and patted one.
"Your mother owned this tavern, so you must know quite a bit about wine, right?"
"Well…" Wang Xianxian felt a bit embarrassed. "Director, I don't know much about the wine business. I just know a little more than the average person…"
Hearing this, Lin Zhan gave Wang Xianxian an odd look. "Aren't you the one running this tavern?"
Wang Xianxian quickly explained.
"This tavern's always been managed by my mother's old staff. I haven't been involved in the business side of things. I just come here to stay for a few days during breaks."
"Besides, wine brings up a lot of sad memories for me. Ever since my mother passed, I stopped learning about it."
"All I know about wine now is from what she taught me when I was little."
Lin Zhan nodded thoughtfully.
"I see. In that case, let me give you a simple introduction."
"There are two types of wine: regular wine and spirit wine."
"Regular wine is just a drink, so let's put that aside. I'll focus on spirit wine."
"For martial artists like us, training relies heavily on various resources, and spirit wine is one of the most vital."
"Apart from a few rare resources like energy crystals, the top training resources consist of five types, known as the 'Five Absolutes.'"
"The Five Absolutes are spirit wine, spirit tea, spirit pills, spirit herbs, and spirit food."
"These five resources cover nearly ninety percent of what martial artists use for training."
"They don't just enhance strength and build endurance; they have unique effects, too."
"In short, every martial artist depends on these resources."
"With your destiny as a brewer, you could definitely consider learning how to craft spirit wine."
"Brewers are also considered rare talent in the spirit wine industry."
"After all, not many people awaken as brewers. And as humanity's demand for training resources grows, so does the demand for skilled brewers in the spirit wine field."
"I wouldn't recommend you apply to a martial arts high school. The martial exam, for you…"
Pausing, as if recalling something, Lin Zhan hesitated.
"Of course, I don't mean to underestimate you, just making an assessment based on the current situation."
"If you have your own ideas, feel free to tell me. I'll do anything I can to help."
Wang Xianxian paused, feeling touched by the care and understanding in Lin Zhan's tone.
"Director, I'm not that fragile, and I think your suggestion is actually really good."
"It's just, I'm not familiar with vocational high schools, and with my talent…"
Hearing Wang Xianxian's willingness to attend vocational school, Lin Zhan brightened up.
"That's no problem! I've got some connections in the education sector."
"Have you ever heard of Baishui Academy?"
"Baishui Academy?"
Wang Xianxian searched his memory but came up blank.
Lin Zhan chuckled and explained, "Baishui Academy is a vocational high school, so it's normal if you haven't heard of it."
"Let me put it this way, though—you've heard of Wine Saint Academy, right?"
"Of course!" Wang Xianxian chuckled. "Wine Saint Academy is a top ten national university. Who hasn't heard of it?"
Lin Zhan gave a mysterious smile. "Well, Baishui Academy is actually a vocational high school that Wine Saint Academy established three years ago. The principal of Baishui Academy is even the vice principal of Wine Saint."
Wang Xianxian's expression was one of disbelief.
*In Tianjiu City? Just like that?*
Watching his surprise, Lin Zhan couldn't help but enjoy the moment.
"Not only that, but many retired professors from Wine Saint Academy have gone over to Baishui Academy."
*Retired university professors in a vocational school?*
The more Wang Xianxian heard, the more far-fetched it sounded, like Director Lin was pulling his leg.
Noticing his disbelief, Lin Zhan continued.
"Those professors from Wine Saint Academy are all old wine connoisseurs. Their biggest hobby is, well, drinking."
"However, they've already tasted most of the fine wines in the world."
"The older they get, the pickier they become. So, they put their hopes on young brewers."
"Young people bring fresh ideas and creativity. Sometimes, they come up with unusual, unique-tasting wines."
"That's why, after retiring, many of these old codgers went to Baishui Academy."
"Their daily routine is to work together guiding students, tasting the wines they make, and playing mahjong…"
Lin Zhan's voice grew softer, trailing off. He seemed slightly annoyed by the end.
"And my mentor happens to be one of them…"
"…"
Both fell into a long silence.
Finally, Wang Xianxian broke it.
"Director… are they really reliable?"
Lin Zhan coughed uncomfortably.
"Well, there shouldn't be any problems. It's a new school, sure, but with the Wine Saint Academy name…"
"Go try it out. If it doesn't work out, I'll find another way for you."
"You always scored near-perfect in cultural subjects anyway, so no vocational school should be off-limits for you."
"You don't even have to take the martial exam in two weeks. Take my referral letter, go check it out, and if you're satisfied, enroll."
After he finished speaking, Lin Zhan pulled out an envelope and a bank card from his pocket.
"This is my referral letter. When you arrive at Baishui Academy, look for my mentor, Mo Yizui. He'll take care of you once he sees it."
"And there's a million in this card—don't refuse."
Lin Zhan didn't give Wang Xianxian a chance to speak.
"As a high-salaried person, this amount is nothing to me."
"Baishui Academy is in Tianjiu City, quite a ways from here. You'll be on your own over there, and materials don't come cheap."
Staring at the bank card on the table, Wang Xianxian's emotions started to surge.
"Director, I really can't take this. I still have my mother's savings, more than enough for me…"
He hadn't even finished before Lin Zhan interrupted him.
"Why so polite? Your mother is your mother; I am me."
"Living alone will cost you more than you expect. A kid like you wouldn't understand. Just keep it."
"Alright, I can't stay here all day. Today is Martial Exam registration day."
"I've got endless meetings to attend. I'll head back to school."
"Come back if you want, or don't if you don't feel like it. Exams are already done, anyway."
"No need to see me out. Pack your things, get away from this painful place."
Grumbling, Lin Zhan headed for the door. Just as he reached it, he stopped, turned back, and gave the boy a gentle smile.
"Kid, I've always believed you'll become strong. No matter what field you choose, I'll always believe that."
With that, Lin Zhan walked out of Drunken Immortal Pavilion without looking back.
Only the tearful boy remained, standing there, dazed.
Wang Xianxian picked up the letter, eyeing the strong, powerful characters on the envelope. He couldn't help but bite his lip.
Baishui Academy was just an excuse; Director Lin's real intention was to ensure his mentor would look out for him.
The boy slowly walked to the doorway, watching Lin Zhan drive away.
Back upstairs, he gazed at himself in the mirror.
Tears began to fall uncontrollably.
The mysterious benefactor yesterday, Director Lin today…
Maybe his life wasn't as bleak as he'd thought.
"Mom, other than you, no one likes me. Everyone avoids me; no one wants to be my friend."
"Xianxian, one day, you'll meet people who want to be with you. You'll find family."
"Mom, you lied."
"Xianxian, remember, when someone genuinely accepts you from the heart, that person is family to you."
At that moment, a soft smile finally crept onto his lips.
"Mom, I found them…"