Old Ji, Look at My Good Father Now!

When a person is alive, they must prioritize what's important. For an artisan, learning the craft and producing work is paramount. Ji Shenyu was just like this. After school started, he didn't do morning readings. Instead, he got up early every day to throw pebbles, thereby strengthening his hands and improving his aim.

Ding Hanbai couldn't stand the disturbance. The tinkling, clanging noise startled him from his dreams. He opened the door to see a row of porcelain shards tied up under the eaves, like a set of chime bells. Looking closely, he saw they were from his pile of marine-salvaged artifact fragments.

He said, “Your strength is quite good now, you don’t need to practice anymore.”

Ji Shenyu confirmed, “Really?”

Ding Hanbai said, “The marks from your grip haven't faded in a week. It went bone-deep.”

They couldn't exchange a few sentences without it becoming improper. Ji Shenyu stopped responding. He was going to collaborate with Ding Yanshou on carving a top-grade piece of jade. Among the five martial brothers, even without Ding Hanbai, there were still the second, third, and fourth. His master trusted him, so he had to complete the task perfectly.

On the day they started, Ding Yanshou called all five of his apprentices to Jade Pavilion. The tools and materials were laid out, and he instructed Ji Shenyu to draw the design. The others sat in a row to watch, silent, their eyes fixed on every single line.

Ding Yanshou said, “Shenyu has studied with me for the shortest time, and he is also the youngest, but this time I’ve chosen him to carve this big order with me.” He paused, glanced at Ji Shenyu’s drawing, “To prevent any of you from feeling unconvinced, I’ve called you here to watch—from drawing the design, outlining, carving the rough form, all the way to the final polishing and grinding. See for yourselves if he is worthy.”

The pressure on Ji Shenyu doubled. He pursed his lips and furrowed his brow, all his focus gathered at the tip of his brush. His mind was blank except for the design of "The Champion's Prize." He put it to paper, gradually filling the white Xuan paper.

The four of them watched without blinking. Jiang Ting'en couldn't hold back and asked in a low voice, “Eldest Brother, why didn’t he ask you to carve it?”

Ding Hanbai said deliberately, “The new waves of the Yangtze River push the old. Where is there still a place for me?”

He glanced at Ding Yanshou. The big boss appreciated Ji Shenyu on one hand, and on the other, he was trying to provoke him. That round of family discipline had only hurt his body; this was meant to jolt his heart into alertness, to tell him that Jade Pavilion could do just fine without him, so he shouldn't be so reckless.

After finishing the drawing and outlining, the morning passed in a flash. Ji Shenyu put down his brush and looked around at the four of them, smiling sheepishly. No one said a word. They couldn't find a single fault, but they didn't offer praise either, as if praising him would seem insincere.

Ding Hanbai met Ding Yanshou's gaze and said provocatively, “Let’s go to a private room at Zhuifeng Tower. My treat.”

As everyone left one by one, he stepped forward to take Ji Shenyu's hand, kneading the pads of his fingers, flexing the joints, and then breathing a puff of warm air onto them. A tingling itch spread from Ji Shenyu's fingertips to the tip of his heart. He asked, “With Master acting like this, are you jealous?”

Ding Hanbai said, “It’s good for Jade Pavilion, it makes you happy, and I can slack off. I couldn’t wish for anything more.”

To think that Ding Yanshou, who had been upright for half his life, was forced into such a move by his unworthy son. This was his thinking: first, he would blatantly favor his younger son to provoke his biological son into striving harder. Unfortunately, though his plan was well-calculated, he had no idea that those two were already inseparable.

This public lesson on carving "The Champion's Prize" was watched daily by four young men. At first, Ji Shenyu was completely ill at ease, but later on, he held his head high and puffed out his chest, showing off all his unique and mastered skills.

On the final day, the polished ornament was dazzling. A single touch of the jade could make one’s heart, liver, spleen, and kidneys melt. It was moved to the front hall and set down. Before long, it was crowded with people who came to see it, creating a lively scene. Ji Shenyu stayed in the back room to clean up, gathering the leftover jade scraps in one place. The material was so good that losing even a single fragment was heartbreaking.

He suddenly had a flash of inspiration. He collected the scraps and took them with him instead of throwing them away. After returning home, he went straight to the study and rummaged for an old book he had brought from Yangzhou, one that taught how to make jewelry. Jade Pavilion had numerous carvings—large and medium-sized pieces that were majestic, and at the very least, ring pendants and seals, each one substantial. But there were very few beaded items; bracelets and necklaces were few and far between. When customers placed an order, they also had to be scheduled after the larger pieces.

The idea sprouted in Ji Shenyu's mind, and he immediately put it into action, holing up in the South Room and busying himself for half the night. From that handful of jade scraps, he produced three oval cloud-patterned beads, seven or eight small, perfectly round ruyi beads, and even smaller ones to be set in rings.

He ran into a problem. Clutching a handful of beads, he rushed into the study, startling Ding Hanbai, who was wiping a vase. Ding Hanbai had several damaged pieces laid out and said with a beaming smile, “Come have a look.”

Ji Shenyu had no time for that. He walked closer and held out his hand. “Are they pretty?”

Ding Hanbai, full of wishful thinking, said, “A gift for me?”

Ji Shenyu laughed, “I’m here to ask for your advice.” There were few beads. Should he string them with gold or silver? How should the rings be set? A pile of small problems. His wrist was grabbed and gently pulled, and then the back of his knees were bumped.

Ding Hanbai’s movements were swift and fluid. In the blink of an eye, Ji Shenyu had fallen into his lap. With his arms full, he said, “Making jewelry isn’t that simple. If you want to make a necklace, you have to compare countless styles before you make it, and then choose the best one.”

Ji Shenyu was quick on the uptake. He pouted and gave his good senior brother a kiss, asking, “Will you help me?”

Ding Hanbai was powerless to resist. The honey trap had been sprung; he would have to help even if it meant making a phoenix crown with tassels. He agreed to take care of the gold and silver materials, then held him and explained a lot more, finally asking, “Do you understand everything? If you do, then take a look at my things.”

There were five or six items on the table. The others were whatever, but at the very back sat a pitch-black vase. With a hand on his waist, Ji Shenyu reached out to take it and examine it carefully. He wiped it back and forth and scraped off the caked-on mud, then examined the porcelain’s original color under the light.

“Tea-dust Glaze?” He was slightly surprised. “Is it real?”

Ding Hanbai said, “It’s real. I’m asking you to repair it.”

A sharp pain seized Ji Shenyu's heart. Tea-dust Glaze was precious and expensive; seeing it ruined to this state truly pained him. “I need iron. This color requires iron as a coloring agent.” He put the piece down, then grabbed a pen and paper. Nestled in Ding Hanbai's arms, he noted things down as he spoke, “The glaze on the base of the foot is serrated, the mark is incised, and there are floating green specks inside... the glaze formula will have to be modified.”

Ding Hanbai listened quietly—to the parts he understood and the parts he didn't—letting the soft whispers fill his ears. He said in a low voice, “Truly a treasure.”

Ji Shenyu muttered, “Yes, at this size, it would be worth at least four hundred thousand if it were intact.”

Ding Hanbai shook his head. “I was talking about you.”

The broken jade beaded chain indeed took a lot of effort. During this time, Ji Shenyu didn't even rest after class. A winter break passed. Other students visited relatives, returned to their hometowns, and went here and there. When they asked him, he was carving, restoring, and making antiques, and had also started making jewelry—extremely unsociable.

But he was vain too. He had been to the grasslands and ridden a fiery steed; he embellished the story to show off.

His deskmate leaned over and whispered that so-and-so had gotten engaged back in their hometown and would be going back for the wedding banquet after the spring exams. He was stunned for a moment, then immediately thought of himself, and his face flushed red. He couldn't get married, but he had done everything an affectionate couple would do over this winter break.

That lover of his was truly reliable. He took the set of jade jewelry he had made to the Third Shop—the cloud-patterned beads on a fine platinum chain, paired with two platinum rings inlaid with jade. This set of jewelry was particularly eye-catching among a hall full of ornaments and was sold before closing time.

Ding Hanbai felt a pang of regret. He had gone to the Third Shop only to avoid Ding Yanshou. If he had known the response would be so good, he should have taken it to the First Shop to show off. When Ji Shenyu found out that evening, he happily called Jiang Ting'en to persuade him to make jewelry with him.

“But our shop rarely makes them. Is that appropriate?” Jiang Ting'en hesitated.

Ji Shenyu said, “As long as the items are good, they will naturally be popular. Besides, jewelry design is troublesome, but making them is simpler than ornaments.” He covered the mouthpiece and talked his head off, finally coaxing Jiang Ting'en into agreeing, then went to find Ding Yanshou.

Ding Yanshou and Jiang Shuliu had just bathed the stray cat in the courtyard and were now on the bed playing with it. Ji Shenyu paused as he entered the door and immediately started to back out. He rarely saw such everyday scenes of marital affection and cherished it on behalf of his master and madam.

Jiang Shuliu called out to him, so he had no choice but to enter again, smiling foolishly. “Madam, I need to talk to Master about something.” He sat at the foot of the bed. A family of three plus a big tabby cat. Footsteps approached, and Ding Hanbai arrived to make it a family of four.

These two juniors had both come on business. Following the first-come, first-served rule, Ji Shenyu spoke first. “Master, I want to use the leftover materials from carving to make jewelry, to avoid waste and generate income. Furthermore, the smallest items in Jade Pavilion are things like seals and jade pendants. Jewelry is comparable in price, but there is a large gap in the market.”

Ding Yanshou said with surprise, “You even understand business?”

Ji Shenyu answered honestly, “Senior Brother analyzed it.” He restrained his gaze, only daring to peek at the other with his peripheral vision. “There aren't many specialty stores for jade jewelry. There are some counters in department stores. I want to make a few pieces first to see the market's reaction. If it’s not ideal, then we’ll drop it... and not waste any more time.”

Ding Yanshou asked, “And if it is ideal, what are your plans?”

Ji Shenyu said, “If it is ideal, I hope we can open a jewelry display case.” The Third Shop's business had always been poor. Rather than occupying the space with insufficient profit, it was better to give it over to something that made money. A display case. If demand exceeded supply, it could take over the entire front hall, or even turn the whole shop into a specialty jewelry store.

“Jade Pavilion’s craftsmanship is the best, so our jade jewelry will gradually become the best too,” Ji Shenyu envisioned. “Or, after we’ve made a name for ourselves, we could also cooperate with department store counters, taking orders and supplying them.”

After he finished speaking, the room fell silent. His master and madam looked at each other, then at him. His senior brother was holding the cat and chuckling softly. He felt extremely awkward. “I’ve thought too far ahead... It’s a bit fanciful.”

Ding Yanshou asked, “Hanbai, what’s your opinion?”

Ding Hanbai said, “The Third Shop is half-dead. Rather than letting it stay that way, it’s better to use it as a testing ground.” He was as dashing as ever. “If the results are good, the credit goes to him. If the results are bad, put the losses on my tab.”

He had been waiting for a while. Now, he presented a stack of design albums. It was time to start on the orders he had taken earlier; for a single order, he had drawn four or five different designs. He produced the most designs the fastest, and his carving was the most precise and powerful. Ding Yanshou’s anger from the past few days completely dissipated, and he comfortably settled on a design.

After the two promising sons finished their reports, they stood up to leave together. Jiang Shuliu called out, “Hey, why are you taking the cat?”

Ding Hanbai said, “Lend it to me for a night. Don’t be so stingy.”

Ever since that stray cat had been to the small courtyard, tasted good food and drink, and wasn't punished for clawing up a silk pillowcase, it had made up its mind, settled down, and refused to leave. It would probably only go back to the Front Courtyard to visit during holidays.

Half a month later, the Third Shop officially set up a jewelry display case. The various jade jewelry pieces inside were all made by Ji Shenyu and Jiang Ting'en. The two of them were like shadows, following others around all day to collect scraps, wishing they could place a dustpan under the drilling machine.

Not a single day was free. After finishing work on one end, they spent their weekends at the porcelain kiln. Ji Shenyu mixed glazes and replicated damaged porcelain fragments, getting a lot done all at once. Ding Hanbai and Tong Peifan supervised the work, occasionally glancing at the unique techniques. They couldn't understand the methods, but just watching the people was satisfying enough.

In the afternoon, at the same old place, Ding Hanbai taught Ji Shenyu to drive again. This time he didn't hit a tree; he nearly plunged into the river. The two of them sat side by side in the back seat, watching a sunset through the windshield. It was past eight by the time they returned to the city.

The living room was brightly lit, and everyone was present.

The tea was light; it was already the fourth steep. They were clearly waiting for them.

Not knowing if it was good news or bad, he was inevitably anxious. Ji Shenyu tugged on Ding Hanbai's sleeve and asked in a low voice, “Senior Brother, did Master find out about you dealing in antiques?”

Ding Hanbai said, “I’ve been working at the shop every day recently. I only went to the porcelain kiln today.”

Ji Shenyu prepared for the worst. “Quick, pretend you have a stomachache. Slip away first. What if Master hits you again?” The other man’s tough body could take it, but his own fragile heart could not.

This whispering prompted Ding Yanshou to urge them into the room. Inside, the sofa was full, and the chairs were full too. Such a grand formation was rather intimidating. Ji Shenyu noticed Jiang Ting'en giving him a look—a cheerful, joyous one. It didn't seem like bad news.

Ding Yanshou said, “The account book from the Third Shop has been delivered.”

Ding Hanbai suddenly understood—it was about the jewelry! He strode over, took the ledger, and flipped through it. Growth, profit. He said delightedly, “We’ve made a profit! Who are you trying to scare by gathering so many people? The kid doesn’t even dare to ask for credit anymore!”

Ji Shenyu walked to the sofa and was hugged and shaken by Jiang Ting'en. Ding Yanshou said, “Shenyu, the jewelry display case you two set up is very good. Whether to expand it, and by how much, you can decide for yourself.”

After a slight pause, the head of the family downed his cup of weak tea, then casually dropped a bombshell: “Effective immediately, Shenyu is appointed the grandmaster of Jade Pavilion’s Third Shop. He can make his own decisions on all matters in the shop, big or small. Besides me, no one else has the right to interfere.”

A dead silence fell instantly. Ding Houkang was so stunned he didn't even react, and Ding Hanbai was also truly taken aback. Grandmaster... This meant Ji Shenyu was instantly separated from his other martial brothers, gaining authority and officially starting to receive a share of the profits.

Ji Shenyu's body was stiff. He couldn't spare a glance for anyone else, his eyes fixed only on Ding Yanshou. Was he looking forward to this? He had been since the moment he touched the copper key. Was he happy? He wished he could rush into the street to burn joss paper and shout the news to Ji Fangxu. But he was also flustered and scared. He had been given too much; he felt he couldn't bear the weight of it.

Several gazes were fixed on him. He was shaken and anxious.

Ji Shenyu considered for a long time before finally responding, “Master, I will manage the Third Shop conscientiously. The shop's interests will come first in everything.” This meant he accepted. He wanted to be the grandmaster; he was going to do it. He didn't refuse on account of his age or seniority. He had confidence and couldn't be bothered with false modesty.

Ji Shenyu knelt down, placing his hands on Ding Yanshou's knees. “But I won’t take a share or dividends. I’ll only take a salary.”

Ding Yanshou said, “You’re still young. You can save the money you don’t spend.”

Ji Shenyu shook his head. “I don’t want it in the future, either. I will never take a share of the profits in my life. I just want a salary.” This sentence was the second bombshell, stunning everyone. He said, “The family took me in and raised me. It’s what I should do.”

The apprentice's gaze was sincere. He made such a statement to put his other brothers at ease. Ding Yanshou understood and tentatively agreed. They could discuss the future later; he would never treat his son unfairly.

The meeting ended late at night. Ji Shenyu felt light as a feather. If Ding Hanbai hadn't been holding him, he might have stepped into the flowerbeds.

Lying in bed with his eyes closed, he hoped for Ji Fangxu to appear in his dream. The first thing he would say was—Old Ji, look at my good father now!

Ji Shenyu giggled, rolling around and burying his face in the pillow. The stray cat on the windowsill meowed at his laughter, scolding him for his lack of manners, scolding him for disturbing its sleep.

At sunrise, Ding Hanbai got up early for once. Wearing a pair of white sneakers, he ran to the screen wall to feed the fish. After scattering a small handful of fish food, he waited for Ding Yanshou to come out of his room and greeted him, “Why are these few so ugly?”

Ding Yanshou said, “They’re cheap and not valuable, so you won’t feed them to death again.”

Ding Hanbai accompanied his dad out for morning exercises. Walking along the street, he kicked a pebble, plucked a leaf, like he had ADHD. “Dad,” he said, “The older the ginger, the spicier it is. You're truly shrewd.”

Ding Yanshou glared at him, then grunted twice smugly.

“You had Shenyu collaborate with you on the carving. I thought it was to provoke me, to give me a sense of crisis,” Ding Hanbai said. “But when you made him a grandmaster, I suddenly understood. You weren't provoking me at all; you were trying to steal him from me.”

Ding Yanshou said, “Shenyu has carving skills and business ideas. I can't let him be wronged. Besides, if I can't count on you, can't I count on my younger son?”

The words were choking, but Ding Hanbai seemed to have been waiting for them. He stood still and said, “I’m not someone who gives people peace of mind. I might make a big mistake in the future. Dad, I beg you to remember, Ji Shenyu is sincere towards you and dedicated to Jade Pavilion. No matter what happens, aim it at me. Don’t hold it against him.”

He had never adopted such a posture before, his eyes filled with earnest pleading.

Ding Yanshou gave him a strange look. “What does you making a big mistake have to do with Shenyu? Why would I hold it against him?”

Ding Hanbai, of course, didn't explain. He ran off. When he was a child, he always chased after Ding Yanshou, but now Ding Yanshou couldn't catch up to him. He suddenly felt sad. But how could there be so many perfect solutions in the world? Many things were destined to disappoint someone; it only mattered whether it was worth it.

After finishing his morning exercise and returning home, he pushed open the door and called for Ji Shenyu to get up. He walked to the bedside just as Ji Shenyu opened his eyes.

“I dreamed of my dad,” Ji Shenyu said softly.

Ding Hanbai sat on the edge of the bed. He figured the other had surely poured out his heart in the dream—carving the top-grade jade, not letting his forgery skills go to waste, becoming a grandmaster... The other man scrambled up and hugged him, his body very warm.

But Ji Shenyu murmured, “I told him I’ve fallen in love with Ding Hanbai.”

He had told Ji Fangxu, by full name, and even gave a vivid account. He didn't mention leaving Yangzhou, how well he was doing, or the countless blessings he had received. He singled out this one matter for a solemn announcement—he had fallen in love with Ding Hanbai.

Ding Hanbai's mind roared. It was all worth it.

Author's Note: Ji Fangxu decides to send Ding Yanshou a dream message: Old Ding, you'd better wise up