Mei Da looked about sixty-some years old, with a face full of wrinkles and his hair and beard all white. He had somewhat cloudy glasses, but was still very amiable looking. He wore loose casual clothes, rather far from the formal dress of Zuo Tingyi's kind.
"It's Tingyi, how have you been lately?" Mei Da laughingly said toward Zuo Tingyi, "Your father really wanted me to come here for a while, so how could I refuse." Mei Da and Zuo Tianlin had known one another for over twenty years, and their relationship had gone far beyond ordinary friendship. Mei Da was very fond of Zuo Tingyi, and had emptied his pockets to teach him, and never kept anything from him.
"Wonderful! Then I can once again hear your expansive instruction!" His joy was palpable in his words.
Mei Da smiled brightly, and then asked with concern, "How have your studies been lately? Have you run into any difficulties?"
