Chapter 55 Was that considered a master-induction banquet just now?

Duan Chengliang was still wondering just a moment ago. He had only stared at the little hen's rear end for a brief while, but when he stepped back outside, the sky had turned pitch black. He clearly hadn't felt like much time had passed. Pondering it now, it seemed that the time speed within that small courtyard must be much faster.

What did this imply?

Damn it, did that even need to be said? Things grew quickly there! Duan Chengliang imitated the mannerisms of fortune-tellers, squinting his eyes and掐fingers to calculate for a long time.

In the end, he roughly estimated that the flow of time inside that courtyard was probably at least half as fast again compared to the normal world. Although it wasn't quite double, being faster by about a half was already pretty awesome. Besides, who said it wouldn't accelerate even further in the future? Perhaps as it continuously evolved, it might even allow for free adjustment.

Right, weren't there options for upgrading the blacksmith's shop space within that small selection box?

Did that mean as long as the blacksmith's shop space was gradually upgraded, all its functions might continuously evolve? It definitely had to be the case.

The more Duan Chengliang thought about it, the more excited and happy he became. He made up his mind in his heart that once he laid a solid foundation for his livelihood, lived comfortably, and stabilized his life, he would definitely experiment with upgrading the blacksmith's shop as well as upgrading his own body and skills as soon as possible. After all, development was the absolute principle, and technology was productive force!

Lying on the warm brick bed and listening to the howling northwest wind outside, Duan Chengliang could feel that the warmth and peace in his heart were truly the greatest happiness in life.

If only there could be an enthusiastic Teacher Qin at this moment, soft, tender, and considerate, passionately and patiently explaining to him how to better plant potatoes and sweet potatoes while he enjoyed it!

Unfortunately, despite eagerly hoping through the entire night, he never waited for the knock on the door he longed for most. Instead, Duan Chengliang spent the night tangled in a mix of excitement and disappointment, failing to get a wink of sleep. When he woke up the next morning, he felt even more exhausted than if he had worked hard all night without resting, looking listless all over.

Today was Duan Chengliang's day off, and since it was Sunday, he didn't need to bother asking for leave. He had already made up his plans: starting tomorrow, Monday, he would officially return to the coal yard to resume his happy working life. He actually missed the familiar smell of flying coal dust after not smelling it for a few days.

To tell the truth, he quite liked and was satisfied with the working environment at the coal yard. Mainly because the fellow workers were all pretty great; they usually chatted and joked, nobody ever lost their temper with anyone else, and they helped each other out. It was full of human warmth, allowing one to fully appreciate the affectionate camaraderie encapsulated in the saying, "Righteousness is often found among humble butchers."

Because of the warmth of the collective, he could often find some pleasure even within heavy physical labor.

***

Today, the little hen and the little fish were in for a treat. Duan Chengliang had fermented a basin of sourdough mantou, so for the time being, they shared the same standard of living as their master, getting to eat corn-and-wheat mixed flour steamed buns together.

The family of eight had a happy and satisfying breakfast. Duan Chengliang even fetched a basin of water in the courtyard of his space and took a bath. Not bad at all, another new function had been unlocked. Look at this basin of water poured straight down over his head, landing at the soles of his feet and vanishing without a trace in the blink of an eye. Moreover, the water from the hand-pump well was lukewarm—neither too cold nor too hot. Duan Chengliang felt that taking a bath in this courtyard was truly comfortable. If he really wanted a hot bath, he could always boil some water; it would just cost a little extra coal.

Once Duan Chengliang was thoroughly refreshed, the chickens and fish were all fed, and he stepped out of the space with a feeling of deep satisfaction, he discovered that the sun was already three poles high.

And right at that moment, the long-awaited Teacher Qin had finally arrived.

Holding a cornmeal bun and half a bowl of pickles in her hand, Qin Huairu just stepped through the door and closed it behind her. Raising her head, she happened to catch Duan Chengliang's burning, eager gaze and was startled so badly that she shuddered all over.

"You, what are you trying to do? Don't go pulling any funny business in broad daylight."

Duan Chengliang strode forward and, regardless of anything else, pulled her into his arms and planted a kiss on her first. Just as Qin Huairu went weak all over from a mix of tension and excitement, her legs barely able to support her, Duan Chengliang abruptly let go of her and dashed toward the southern room.

Qin Huairu almost fell flat on her behind. Fortunately, she managed to steady herself by grabbing the nearby wall just in time, barely managing to stay upright. Fortunately too, her ingrained habit of never dropping her food bowl meant she had kept the bowl steady throughout.

As soon as she steadied her posture, she couldn't help rolling her eyes, complaining inwardly: "This Duan Chengliang, this bad egg, he only knows how to tease people recklessly and then runs off the moment he lets go. What on earth is he up to?"

However, the moment she saw the steaming hot dishes and food Duan Chengliang brought out from the room, all her dissatisfaction and complaints melted away into sweetness.

Watching Qin Huairu devour her food almost like a wolfing beast, Duan Chengliang couldn't help wondering silently: weren't those steamed buns sour? But Qin Huairu clearly didn't care about that at all; she was eating so voraciously she looked like she might bite off her own tongue.

Two large sourdough mixed-flour steamed buns, alongside a bowl of stewed ribbon fish and braised pork slices with Chinese cabbage, were swept away by Qin Huairu like a whirlwind until not a single scrap was left. In the end, she even used a piece of mantou to wipe up every last drop of sauce in the bowl.

Duan Chengliang smiled and said, "Looks like we won't even need to wash the bowl this time."

***

Qin Huairu let out a burp, her face instantly turning red, and she raised her fist to lightly punch Duan Chengliang on the chest.

Then she sighed and said, "Ah, if only I could pack some of this back for棒梗 (Banggen) so he could have a taste too, how wonderful that would be."

Duan Chengliang acted as if he hadn't heard a thing, completely ignoring her conversational lead, and instead said with a smile, "You've eaten my food and mantou, and now I have a favor to ask of you. You're not allowed to refuse."

Qin Huairu's eyes widened in sudden alarm, and she even grew nervous, crossing her hands defensively over her chest as she took half a step back. "No way, I'm not doing any of those shaming things. I'm scared."

Duan Chengliang was momentarily stunned by her reaction. Seeing her panicked expression and the way she shook her head repeatedly, he couldn't help laughing out loud. Still, the little expression she wore just then was really quite alluring.

After a good while, Duan Chengliang finally finished laughing. Seeing that Qin Huairu was starting to feel a mix of embarrassment and annoyance, he waved his hand and said, "You woman, your mind is full of messy junk. I'm talking about something serious. I gave you good food and drink just now because I want to take you as my teacher."

Qin Huairu was just about to dish out a sharp retort when she suddenly heard Duan Chengliang claim he wanted to take her as his master. Curiosity instantly peaked, and she asked, "What do you mean by that? Are you saying that meal just now was supposed to be some kind of apprenticeship banquet?"

Duan Chengliang nodded. "I want you to teach me how to plant potatoes and grow sweet potato vines."

Such a request completely caught Qin Huairu off guard. No matter how hard she tried, she never expected Duan Chengliang to consult her about such matters.

Yet, looking at Duan Chengliang's serious expression and listening to his earnest, repeated assurances that he was genuinely sincere about seeking her guidance, she finally believed that this fellow really did want to learn how to farm potatoes and sweet potato shoots.