"I think we can skip straight to our sophomore year!"

Brother Nan sat on the stone platform by the river, hands propped on either side, swinging her feet as she looked down at Zhou Li. "Let me calculate... We had military training for half a month when we started, and it wasn't long before it was October. Then we'll have holidays in early January. That's only three months of classes!"

"Only three months in and we'll be sophomores!" she exclaimed.

"Isn't that good?" Zhou Li asked. "Then you'll truly be Sister Li."

"I haven't had enough fun yet. The main reason I went to college was to experience college life, not to take online classes and graduate."

"I wonder if the semester will even start," Zhou Li mused.

"Sigh..." Brother Nan sighed, looking towards the horizon. "The rainbow is gone now."

"But the sun has come out," Zhou Li said.

"Come up here," Brother Nan called.

"I won't."

"Come up and sit next to me."

"No."

"Why not?"

"Hmm..." Zhou Li glanced at the nearby pedestrians, then looked up at Brother Nan. The stone platform was more than a person's height and even had some words carved on it. He just couldn't bring himself to climb up and sit there with so many people watching.

Brother Nan urged him on, "Ignore them. If they want to look, let them look. It's not like you'll lose a piece of flesh! Hurry up!"

Five seconds later, Zhou Li sat down beside her, both gazing into the distance.

Brother Nan chuckled. "Doesn't the view feel different?"

Zhou Li nodded.

The stone platform wasn't actually that high. However, the landscaping in this area was well done, featuring many small, ornamental trees. From below, these trees mostly obscured the view. But sitting higher up, one's gaze could pass over their tops, looking straight at the winding river.

The dark clouds had dispersed, and the sunset made the river's surface glisten, reflecting a faint red.

The bridge bustled with traffic.

This was the trace of time flowing through this small city.

"What do you usually do to pass the time when you're bored at home?" Brother Nan asked, swinging her feet. "Do you watch shows or read books?"

"I've been learning carving recently."

"Why the sudden interest in carving?"

"Because I recently came across a Spell that requires a high level of carving ability." Zhou Li thought for a moment and explained carefully, "If you master it, you can carve a stone lion that comes to life."

"So, what can you carve now?"

"I've carved a few spoons recently," Zhou Li said, reaching into his pocket. "I brought one for you; it's the best one I've carved so far."

"Can it scoop rice by itself?"

"No."

"Then what can it do?"

"Scoop rice."

Zhou Li handed her the spoon he had carved.

The spoon was made of walnut wood. It was slender, with a curved handle and no carvings—he hadn't reached that skill level yet. But he had done his best to make its shape elegant.

Brother Nan examined it carefully, then happily slipped it into her pocket. "I'm going to enshrine this when I get home."

That sentence sounded familiar.

"Is carving fun?"

"It's fun."

"Where did you learn it?"

"I taught myself by watching tutorials."

"You can self-study it?"

"It's quite simple." Zhou Li thought for a moment. "Self-studying the basics isn't a problem, but to reach a very high level, you'd probably still need to find a suitable master to learn from."

"Then why don't you look for one?"

"I don't feel like looking..."

"You're just too timid..." Brother Nan paused. "There's an old master woodcarver in our courtyard complex who's very skilled. Besides wood carving, he also paints. A reporter from Yan City Public Online even interviewed him. Want to go check him out?"

"In your courtyard complex?"

"Yes, come and learn. If you come to learn, I'll join you when I have time." Brother Nan thought for a moment. "I'll even bring you meals."

"Hmm..." Bringing him meals was clearly just Brother Nan's fantasy.

Learning this wasn't that strict; it wasn't like studying in ancient times. Besides, you can find food anywhere these days.

Zhou Li thought for a moment and asked, "Is the teacher strict?"

"He has a good temper and speaks kindly. When I was a kid and caused trouble, I never saw him scold anyone." Brother Nan suddenly laughed. "Just last month, when I got back, I played chess with him. I copied some moves I saw on TikTok, using my phone while playing against him, haha! Later, he came looking for me again, but I was afraid he'd figured out my trick, so I refused. He seemed quite disappointed. Or maybe he just couldn't stand losing."

"Does he take apprentices?"

"I don't know, but if you want to learn from him, I can ask around for you. Then I'll help smooth things over."

"Hmm..." Zhou Li thought for another moment. "Then I'll have to trouble you."

"Aren't you going to check him out first?"

"No need."

"If you're too embarrassed, I'll go 'beat' him again tomorrow morning and send you some pictures of his work."

"No need. I've just started learning; I can't even be considered a novice." Zhou Li felt that any woodcarver would be able to teach him.

"Then just wait for my news!"

"Okay."

"I get really bored at home, so I might actually come and learn with you," Brother Nan said, then suddenly remembered, "Oh! In about a month, I have to go back to my hometown to help with work. By the way, have you ever fished for crayfish?"

"Fished. Once. I don't think so."

"Then I'll take you back to my hometown to fish for crayfish! My family has a field back in my hometown, and it's teeming with crayfish. We never manage to catch them all each year!"

"This..." Zhou Li hesitated. "Is that... a good idea?"

"What's not okay about it? I'll bring Jiang Han with us, and Huai Xu, and a couple of classmates. Then it'll be perfectly normal!" Brother Nan playfully punched Zhou Li's arm again. "You're just too thin-skinned!"

"Oh."

"So, it's settled!"

"Okay."

"I'm off!"

Brother Nan pushed hard with both hands and leaped down from the stone platform. After landing, she turned to look at Zhou Li. "Want me to catch you?"

Zhou Li: ...

The two of them then leisurely strolled back along the riverbank.

Twilight had already fallen over Yan City.

「Early the next morning.」

Zhou Li received the pictures Brother Nan had sent.

It was clear the old man possessed profound skill, honed over a lifetime of dedication, but Zhou Li couldn't discern its exact depth.

Actually, the other carvings were fine, merely inspiring admiration. But there was one sculpture of a woman that astounded Zhou Li. The carving depicted a graceful, elegant woman. How to describe it? The sculpture was not only exquisitely beautiful but also incredibly realistic and detailed. At first glance, it was so lifelike she seemed poised to move. Once painted, if there were no other objects for comparison, you might even mistake her for a real person standing there.

The only unrealistic thing about her was her extreme beauty.

Li Daimao: How is it?

Zhou Li: It's amazing.

Zhou Li: Maybe I shouldn't try?

Zhou Li: I feel I'm not worthy.

Studying under such a master would be immense pressure! He'd be too ashamed if he didn't learn well.

Li Daimao: Hahaha...

Li Daimao: It's not like he's eager to take you on.

Li Daimao: He said he doesn't take formal apprentices, but you can learn from him informally, like a hobby. He'll guide you, and he won't charge tuition.

Zhou Li: I'll think about it...

Li Daimao: What's there to think about? This is a great opportunity.

Li Daimao: If you really feel awkward about it, just give him some generous gifts to make up for the tuition. You've got plenty of money, anyway.

Zhou Li: Alright then.

Li Daimao: Don't be hasty. I'll put in a few good words for you over the next couple of days, pave the way a bit.

Zhou Li: Oh, okay.

After typing his reply, he scratched his head. Finding a master had been such a struggle, a dilemma he'd agonized over before finally deciding to give up. And now, Brother Nan had solved it all so haphazardly.

Li Daimao: Oh yeah.

Li Daimao: [Picture]

Zhou Li clicked on the picture to see—

At Brother Nan's home, a Guan Gong statue was on display. It was complete with electric candles and fake apples—apparently a common setup in many homes.

Guan Gong, with his red face and long beard, held the wooden spoon. His bulging eyes glared fiercely; he looked truly imposing.

Zhou Li was utterly speechless.

Zhou Li: You'd better take that down before your dad gets back.

It was a sincere suggestion.

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