"Sir, would you like to try it?"
Seeing that Gu Ning'an remained silent, Jin Xingwang cautiously asked.
Gu Ning'an smiled and shook his head. "No, I'm not used to this wine. When you leave, take it back home."
Hearing this, Jin Xingwang immediately looked as though he had done something wrong. "Sir, did I say something inappropriate? Please, you must accept this wine! Otherwise, my grandfather and great-grandmother will think I've offended you, and they'll blame me!"
Gu Ning'an shook his head and said meaningfully, "Don't worry. At the very least, your great-grandmother wouldn't blame you…"
After all, Jin Xingwang was only ten years old. Unlike Jin Wan, he lacked the ability to navigate the subtleties of social etiquette.
Realizing his usual approach wasn't working, Jin Xingwang didn't know how to respond. He could only mumble an acknowledgment and slump back into his seat.
With that, no one disturbed Gu Ning'an while he finished his meal. He soon cleared the bowl of congee and the small plate of pickled vegetables in front of him.
Watching Gu Ning'an eat plain congee and pickles with such satisfaction, Jin Xingwang couldn't help but feel a flicker of disdain in his heart.
Before coming here, he had imagined that the "residence of an immortal" would be grand and otherworldly. Immortals, after all, shouldn't need to eat—or if they did, surely they would dine on "exquisite delicacies."
But ever since stepping into this humble courtyard, he had seen nothing that fit his expectations. He wouldn't call it barren, but there were no antiques, treasures, or famous calligraphy and paintings to be found.
Take the main hall, for instance. Apart from the tables, chairs, and a few teacups, there was nothing else. Not even a decorative vase!
How could someone claiming to be an "immortal" live so plainly?
For a moment, Jin Xingwang even questioned whether he should continue seeking instruction from Gu Ning'an. He began to suspect that if this man were truly capable, he wouldn't be living so modestly.
"Sir, I heard you bought this house over twenty years ago... Where have you been during all that time?" Jin Xingwang asked tentatively, testing the waters.
Gu Ning'an glanced at him and replied flatly, "I was contemplating something."
Hah! Contemplating something for over twenty years? Ridiculous!
If you don't want to answer, just say so. Do you really think I'm that gullible?
Jin Xingwang gave a perfunctory "oh," sensing he had hit a dead end, and kept quiet.
Just then, a light, quick series of footsteps sounded outside the courtyard.
Looking through the open door, they saw a round-faced Hu Shi, carrying a dull yellow wine jar in one hand, hurrying toward the main hall.
"This fool…" Jin Xingwang instinctively covered his mouth, his gaze darting toward Gu Ning'an.
Realizing the man wasn't paying attention to him, Jin Xingwang sighed in relief. He had almost blurted out "fool" aloud but managed to catch himself in time!
"Sir! I brought you some wine! It's from my grandfather's brewery!" Hu Shi exclaimed as he entered, barely sparing a glance at Jin Xingwang before completely ignoring him.
While addressing Gu Ning'an, Hu Shi placed two dusty, rough-looking jars of wine on the floor.
The jars had a dull yellow body, coarse clay seals, and dark red cloth stoppers—these clearly looked like they came from a homemade batch.
Watching the scene unfold, Jin Xingwang couldn't help but laugh internally: What kind of lousy wine is this? Bringing it once wasn't enough, now he's bringing it a second time.
Gu Ning'an wouldn't even accept two-tael-per-jar Fenjiu, so how could he possibly want this obviously worthless wine brought by that fool?
"Move it to the corner of the wall, and thank Old Hu for me when you go back," Gu Ning'an said, pointing to a spot by the wall with a smile.
"Okay!" Hu Shi immediately obeyed and moved the wine jars as instructed.
Seeing Gu Ning'an accept the "cheap wine" brought by the fool Hu Shi while refusing his own "fine wine," Jin Xingwang's expression turned sour.
"Jin... Xingwang, you're here too? Morning, good morning!" After finishing with the wine, Hu Shi finally greeted Jin Xingwang, whom he had previously ignored.
Old Hu had always taught him to be polite. Since he and Jin Xingwang had resolved their differences during their last meeting, it was only natural to say hello when they met again.
However, in Jin Xingwang's eyes, this gesture came off as blatant mockery.
He let out a cold snort and turned to Gu Ning'an with a sharp tone. "Sir, have you ever tasted the wine he brought?"
Gu Ning'an shook his head. "No, I haven't."
Hearing this, Jin Xingwang's tone grew even more confrontational. "So, you haven't tasted either of our wines, yet you refuse mine and accept his?"
"And you claim you don't like my wine—how would you even know if you haven't tried it?"
Thud!
"Don't be rude to the teacher!" Hu Shi stomped his foot firmly, producing a loud sound. Rolling up his sleeves, he looked as though he was ready to fight.
At just five years old, Hu Shi was round-faced and round-bodied, with chubby, lotus root-like arms. His height barely reached Jin Xingwang's stomach.
Despite the stark difference in size, Hu Shi's attempt to stand up for Gu Ning'an amused the latter.
"Little Hu Shi, your arms are thinner than his thighs. Stop trying to act tough," Gu Ning'an said with a smile, waving his hand. Then he turned to Jin Xingwang and asked, "Is your wine really homemade?"
Jin Xingwang froze for a moment, feeling guilty, but quickly replied stubbornly, "Of course it is! My grandfather has always loved brewing wine, and his skills are far better than some people's!"
Gu Ning'an casually pointed at the wine jar next to him and said indifferently, "Then why do I see a merchant's seal still faintly visible on this jar?"
"That's impossible! I already scraped the seal off completely!" Jin Xingwang retorted without thinking, even pointing to a specific spot on the jar. "Look, where can you see any trace of a seal?"
Gu Ning'an nodded. "Hmm, you did a very thorough job cleaning it."
"Then why—" Jin Xingwang abruptly stopped mid-sentence. It was only then that he realized he had just exposed himself.
Standing frozen like a statue, he met Gu Ning'an's calm gaze, and his ears burned with embarrassment.
"If it's homemade, why would you need to remove the seal?"
It was Hu Shi who innocently asked the question, having not fully understood the situation.
But to Jin Xingwang, it sounded like biting mockery.
Unable to bear staying any longer, he grabbed the jar of Fenjiu from the table and stormed out.
In his haste, he completely forgot about his grandfather, who was still in the kitchen preparing mutton stew, and the elaborate effort the two of them had gone through to arrange this meeting—all to help him become Gu Ning'an's disciple.