After all, the mentor back then was indeed difficult to come by as a talent scout, and the mentor’s painting skills were already well-established. Moreover, as he grew older, there was hardly any breakthrough left for him, so he placed all his hopes on his student, but unexpected things happened.

Old Mr. Xiao not only disappointed the teacher’s hopes but also always devoted himself to the commerce that the teacher disliked the most. The teacher was particularly angry back then. However, when he met Old Mr. Xiao again later, he still expressed his comfort.

But the teacher still felt a bit regretful in his heart. After all, if Old Mr. Xiao hadn’t quit the Art and Calligraphy Industry, his future prospects would have been limitless. Even at that time, the mentor said Old Mr. Xiao’s current level of painting had already surpassed his own.

Back then, he was already gaining some fame locally, far more impressive than Li Lao now. Unexpectedly, after Old Mr. Xiao gave it up, he achieved a world in commerce instead.

"If you hadn’t given up, maybe I wouldn’t have had the chance now, and it was precisely because you gave up that I could become the number one in the domestic Art and Calligraphy Industry?"

Li Lao said jokingly, and Old Mr. Xiao regretfully shook his head, admitting that he indeed loved art and calligraphy back then. But many things have been left behind, and naturally, he couldn’t pick them up again.

"Alright, this is your strength. In fact, perseverance and persistence are part of strength. I just didn’t have that courage. All these achievements are what you deserve. How can you say they were snatched from my hands?"

When the two were joking, Xu Ke finally realized that the Li Lao sitting in front of him was the most famous Li Xiaoyao in the Art and Calligraphy Industry.

This Li Xiaoyao, it is said, could have inherited family wealth when he was young, yet he entered the Art and Calligraphy Industry, and his achievements over the years have been enormous. Even foreign artists in the field wished to become Li Xiaoyao’s students, but unexpectedly, Li Xiaoyao rejected them all.

Indeed, great figures were friends when they were young.

Xu Ke was deep in thought, not expecting Li Lao’s gaze to fall on him again: "It’s rare to hear you praise young people. I didn’t expect you praised him today. So, if I don’t give a little something, it’s really not reasonable. Well, I happened to bring a painting and calligraphy piece in the car. I’ll have my assistant bring it over for you."

After Li Lao finished speaking, he asked his assistant to fetch it, while Old Mr. Xiao was particularly jealous: "Oh, today you’re here to celebrate my birthday, but you’re giving this young man a gift right in front of me. Aren’t you overlooking me? Now I feel I’m not important to you at all."

Old Mr. Xiao behaved just like a child asking for candy, leaving Li Lao unsure of what to say, only able to smile helplessly.

He took out a small box from his pocket, and as soon as Old Mr. Xiao saw it, his breath instantly tightened.

"Great birthday star, I definitely prepared a gift for you. Furthermore, this little old man is now increasingly susceptible to jealousy, even from junior generations. I really don’t know what to say about you."

Old Mr. Xiao solemnly took the small box from Li Lao’s hand. At this moment, his eyes filled with tears, just like a child gazing earnestly at Li Lao’s hand, afraid of accidentally breaking it.

Seeing Old Mr. Xiao like this, Li Lao shook his head helplessly. This was their youthful memory.

"I know, given your current status, you surely lack nothing. So, I thought I’d give you something special. Not sure if it’s special enough, but I hope you’ll like it."

Old Mr. Xiao’s hands trembled at this point, his emotions particularly stirred. He carefully looked at the box as if it were a world treasure.

Opening the box, Xu Ke only saw a piece of paper inside with crooked writing, which turned out to be a child’s handwriting.

"This is an essay my teacher tore up back then. I didn’t expect you still had it now."

Li Lao nodded: "At that time, the teacher tore up your essay, and you were inherently proud, so you cried in hiding. I placed it in my diary and locked it up, only finding it a few days ago. It’s been many years; I thought you had forgotten."

Now the paper had already yellowed and was particularly fragile, showing that Li Lao had preserved it well over the years, at least for 60 years. It seems the relationship between the two was indeed good.

"Back then, Teacher Wang was indeed too harsh, directly saying in front of classmates, ’Even if it were me, my pride wouldn’t tolerate this,’ but don’t worry, Teacher Wang later apologized; you just didn’t hear."

The two reminisced about childhood times, naturally having much to talk about, and Xu Ke knew it was inconvenient to interrupt. He was about to step outside for some air when someone bumped into his arms, feeling the warmth on his clothes, and upon looking down, none other than Xiao Keyi. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Xiao Keyi had originally gone out to make tea for the two grandpas, but she unexpectedly bumped into someone just after brewing the tea, instantly flaring up.

"Don’t you watch where you’re going? What’s the rush? This is hot tea!"

After speaking, she recalled it was boiling tea, and her anger subsided a lot: "Are you okay? I should take you to treat the burn."

As she spoke, she was about to lift her head and pull Xu Ke away, only to look up directly at the face she’d been longing for, suddenly unsure how to confront him. If it were before, Xiao Keyi would have been forthright, but now they’ve reached this stage, with no retreat possible.

However, Xu Ke didn’t know what was happening with Xiao Keyi: "It’s fine, it’s just a little tea. I wouldn’t get burned."

Upon hearing Xu Ke’s words, Xiao Keyi felt a bit unhappy. Maybe he didn’t care about her, which is why he felt indifferent. Thinking of this, she became even more agitated, pushing Xu Ke away regardless of her burnt hand.

"Grandpa, are you two thirsty already? I’ve poured tea for you. Try it and see if it tastes like it used to."

Saying this, she quickly poured the tea while Xu Ke frowned, sitting aside.

After Xiao Keyi finished pouring the tea, she had no intention of pouring a cup for Xu Ke, instead pouring one for herself and sitting there silently drinking it, while Xu Ke noticed Xiao Keyi’s hand had already been burnt red.

Furthermore, Xiao Keyi kept cautiously touching the spot where she was burned.

Old Mr. Xiao had long noticed the two young people, thinking they were just quarreling and didn’t pay attention.

Since these two young people were quarreling, there was no need to tangle anymore, and he didn’t need to be the villain. Thinking of this, Old Mr. Xiao lightly coughed.