“Thank you, Teacher!” Yao Ran scrambled back to her feet in earnest, thinking that her master was finally relenting.
It should be fine for her to push her luck, right?
But Teacher Zhang’s next words fell like heavy bricks on her shoulders.
“You shouldn’t address me like that anymore. I’ve made arrangements, and I will soon be based in Beijing for good. If nothing unexpected happens, we shall never cross paths again. Do take care of yourself.”
He had been cooped up in the Music Associationhere inCity Afor decades. It was high time to broaden his horizons, just as he had always wanted. And what better place to do it than the capital city?
Now that things had turned out like this, he just needed to draw a clear line for Yao Ran, and nothing would be holding him back.
Teacher Zhang had already endorsed the rest of his apprentices to other music teachers. He was headed for Beijing no matter what. Regardless of whether he forgaveYao Ranor not, he was permanently severing their ties.
Unexpectedly, Qin Man’s eyes lit up when she heard that he was going to Beijing. She exchanged a furtive glance with her daughter.
Yao Ran was initially planning to go to Beijing to take part in the assessment. It was also why they had come, to try and askTeacher Zhangfor a pass to the Beijing Association.
It was fate that the man was going to the capital as well.
Things were finally looking up for them!
Yao Ran felt her heart skip a beat. Maybe the heavens hadn’t abandoned her yet, after all.
She intended to participate in the Beijing Association’s assessment, while Teacher Zhangwas thinking of settling down in the capital. What an unbelievable coincidence that was!
No, she was convinced that the deities were making up for her misfortunes in the past few days.
Yao Ran limped over toTeacher Zhang’s side and knelt before him again.
Caught off-guard by her unwarranted action, the man was quite startled. It didn’t help that she looked much paler than before, either. He felt a twinge of regret in his heart.
The talented Yao Ran, who used to be as proud as an elegant white swan, had been reduced to this pitiful state. She was crippled and frail, and she seemed to be crying constantly.
“Teacher, I’m really grateful that you have taken me under your wing all these years.” she said, sniffling and wiping her tears.
“Please, I beg you, allow me one last favor.”
She looked up at him with wide, pleading eyes.
Teacher Zhang’s chest was aching, but he continued to mask his emotions with a straight face. “What is it that you want?”
He was about to leave this place, for goodness’ sake! Still, he wanted to know what she was up to this time.
Yao Ran choked on a sob. “Mom’s health has been well recently, and Dad is always busy with work. My surgery appointment in Beijing is just around the corner, but I’m afraid to go on my own. Teacher, please take me with you. Please have mercy on this stupid pupil and grant my only wish.”
Teacher Zhang’s brows furrowed. This matter involved the young girl’s legs and her future well-being, yet her family didn’t seem to care.
So, this was the kind of treatment Yao Ranwas enduring at home.
It was the winning blow, and Teacher Zhanglet down his walls. He sighed and nodded in agreement.
“Just this once, and this will be the last! Don’t expect any more favors from me after this.”
With that settled, Yao RanandQin Mandashed back home to prepare for her trip to Beijing.
There was no time to waste. The decision was made at the last minute, and they were supposed to meet up at the airport tonight.
To Yao Ran’s horror, all the flights to the capital were fully-booked.
She didn’t think they would encounter a hiccup this early. She hadn’t even left the city yet!
“Mom, hurry and think of something. Teacher Zhanghas already agreed to take me with him. We can waste this opportunity just because there are no tickets available.”
Yao Ran was sobbing hysterically at this point. She had already made half a dozen calls to different airlines, but there were no more tickets bound for Beijing.
Qin Man looked at the girl and curled her lips in disdain.
‘What a useless brat! Maybe you’re jinxed, and that’s why you can’t get a ticket. I worked so hard to pave the way for you, but you keep messing up each time. You can’t even manage this one simple thing!’
Since the time Yao Ran’s leg got severely injured, and later at the sudden earthquake at Lingyun Peak,Qin Manhad begun thinking thatYao Ranpossessed bad luck.
“Forget it. I’ll give your teacher a call and see if he has any ideas to remedy this.”
“Thank you, Mom!”
Although Yao Ranappeared obedient on the surface, her hands were balled into fists at her sides, and her nails were digging into her palms.
Teacher Zhang was understandably irritated byQin Man’s call, but he couldn’t renege on his word.
Shortly after, he called them back.
“Everything is taken care of. Someone has bought the seats for the entire plane, but after some negotiation with the airline management, they agreed to sell us some tickets.”
Qin Man chuckled lightly. “I am sorry,Teacher Zhang. I will have to trouble you withRanran’s affairs for a little while more. I’ll be sure to treat you to a meal once things have settled down.”
Teacher Zhang could tell that she was insincere, so he didn’t bother with a response and just hung up the phone.
Qin Man looked at her phone screen as the dial tone beeped. She sat back on the sofa, her expression turning sharp and devious.
