We had no idea you had such a close relationship with Zhang Shibo.” After saying that, they noticed their master smiling slightly, without saying anything, seeming to acknowledge it. “Alright, come to the study. Since you’re here, I’ll talk to you about the work,” Qi Shejiang said, seeing the joy on Mo Sheng and Qi Leyang’s faces. During the festive season, they had a few days off, yet they weren’t lazy; they were quite happy to be called to class on the first day of the new year. In the study, Qi Shejiang carefully explained a segment to the two disciples, then said, “Your skills in willow work still need a bit of improvement.” Qi Leyang felt embarrassed, “We agree, we feel we’ve embarrassed you too much in this regard.” “By the way, Master, speaking of willow work, can you teach us the disciples’ forms?” Mo Sheng inquired. “Do you also want to learn two styles?” Qi Shejiang smiled, “If you are willing to learn and can grasp it, I will teach.” Why wouldn’t they want to learn?
Receiving Qi Shejiang’s approval, the two felt immensely happy. “By the way, Master, can we talk about our master-disciple relationship to others?” Mo Sheng asked a bit shyly. “Why the sudden question?” Qi Shejiang asked. The two exchanged glances. To be honest, right after becoming disciples, they felt uncomfortable discussing it with outsiders, not due to any cliques but because Qi Shejiang was currently popular, and they were afraid of being accused of riding on his coattails. When Qi Shejiang appeared on television, their classmates were buzzing in the group, saying he might have gained entry into the Quyi Association due to intangible cultural heritage, but the xiangsheng sub-association wouldn’t take him, ‘Haiqing Tui’ stands as ‘Haiqing Tui’. Mo Sheng and Qi Leyang started arguing with them, “What are you grumbling about? That person is still being referred to as ‘Master Meng’ in family terms, while you guys are here trying to act like grandkids.”
