She rembered hearing soone say that the standard for kneading dough was "three shines": the dough shines, the basin shines, the hands shine. Lian Shouxin had completely t this standard, and his kneading movents were very professional: he would knead a large piece of dough a few tis on the workbench, then throw and slap it down, the dough seemingly still elastic.
"Kneading dough, you see, requires quite a bit of strength," Lian Shouxin said with a smile, "But it’s not just about using brute force, or you’ll kill the dough. You have to use a skilled touch, so that the noodles you roll out are strong and delicious."
"Dad, you really know a lot," Lian Manman said, looking at Lian Shouxin with an admiring gaze, "Did you learn this from Mom?"
Lian Shouxin chuckled, neither confirming nor denying.
"You’re underestimating your dad," Lady Zhang said, "When it cos to kneading, rolling noodles, making buns, making dumplings, your mom still has to learn from your dad."
"Then did Dad learn from Grandma?" Lian Manman asked.
Lady Zhang glanced at Lian Shouxin, who wore a smile on his face.
"I might as well tell you," Lady Zhang began, "When your dad was young, the family had just sold so land because of your uncle’s affairs. Your grandpa wasn’t at ho, and when your grandma heard that an apprentice was being sought, she had your dad follow them. The place where your dad apprenticed was a pastry shop."
"Dad was an apprentice?" Lian Manman exclaid in surprise. When did this happen? Lian Shouxin was so diligent and honest; since he had been an apprentice, why hadn’t he continued in the craft?
Lian Shouxin divided a large dough into several small, even pieces, picked up the rolling pin, and began to roll them out with care.
Seeing that Lian Shouxin said nothing and that Lian Manman asked so curiously, Lady Zhang thought that so things the children would eventually learn, so she might as well take advantage of Lian Shouxin’s good mood today and speak out.
"At that ti, your dad was still young. Because of your uncle’s matter, we had just sold so land. Your granddad was not at ho, and when your grandma heard that soone was seeking an apprentice, she sent your dad to learn there. The place where your dad served as an apprentice was a pastry shop," Lady Zhang said, seeming reluctant to continue.
"Being an apprentice was..." Lian Manman was going to say that being an apprentice wasn’t bad, as one could learn a trade, which she thought was very good. But she imdiately rembered the social environnt of that ti, with "scholars, peasants, artisans, and rchants," cooks didn’t rank at all, which made an apprentice’s status even lower;
Moreover, apprentices had to sign a contract with the master, who provided food and housing (the quality was totally dependent on the master’s character). The master could beat and scold the apprentice at will, and the contract would include a clause stating that if the apprentice died during the period of the contract, it would be in vain. Generally, no wages were paid to apprentices. Many who sought apprentices only wanted cheap labor, almost the sa as being sold into slavery with a life contract.
Looking at the expressions on Lian Shouxin and Lady Zhang’s faces, this was probably not a good story.
"What happened afterward?" Lian Manman asked softly.
"Your dad studied there for over half a year, then your granddad took him back ho," Lady Zhang said, apparently intending to leave the matter there.
Lian Manman propped her chin with her hand, pondering.
"Was Granddad unwilling to let Dad be an apprentice? Why didn’t he bring Dad back sooner instead of waiting for half a year?"
Lady Zhang’s gaze flickered.
"Mom, is there sothing going on here?" Lian Manman asked curiously.
"Nothing at all, it’s all in the past, no point talking about it. Manman, if you’re not busy, help Mom peel so garlic," Lady Zhang turned and headed outside.
There was definitely sothing in all this that they were reluctant to say.
"Mother," Lian Manman said imdiately in a cool voice, "if you and Dad don’t tell , I’ll ask Grandpa and Grandma later."
"For heaven’s sake, don’t!" Lady Zhang imdiately stopped in her tracks, and Lian Shouxin also looked up; the two of them said almost at the sa ti.
"If you tell , then I won’t go," Lian Manman said, her tone clearly carrying a threat.
Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin exchanged a glance, the husband and wife both feeling a bit helpless. Having a smart child also had its downsides: they were not easily fooled.
"Your grandpa went out and didn’t co back until half a year later. At that ti, I was in the Pastry Shop, working hard, and they didn’t want to let go. Your grandpa spent so money and also called in a few favors to get back," Lian Shouxin said, speaking faster than usual.
Lian Manman didn’t try to hide the skepticism in her eyes.
"Dad, by that ti, hadn’t Grandpa returned to the village to farm? How could he be gone for half a year? If it took money and favors just to get you back, could it be that Grandma collected money when she sent you to be an Apprentice?" she asked.
Lian Shouxin was at a loss for words.
"Enough, let’s not hide it anymore," Lady Zhang said resignedly.
"It’s all in the past now. I actually quite liked that work," Lian Shouxin said after pausing for a mont.
"The reason Grandpa took half a year to co get you back was that Grandma told him she’d sent you to live at a relative’s house. Sohow, Grandpa found out later, and by that ti, it had already been half a year... Your grandpa had started out as an apprentice himself and hoped that your eldest uncle would succeed, not wanting your dad to be an apprentice again."
"Right," Lian Shouxin concurred.
"I think I know roughly what happened," Lian Manman said softly.
Lady Zhang and Lian Shouxin were honest people; out of respect for their elders, they would gloss over and beautify so matters. If put bluntly, Old Master Lian was away from ho, during which ti Lady Zhou had sold Lian Shouxin to be an apprentice. When Old Master Lian returned ho and found his fourth son missing, he asked Lady Zhou. She claid she had sent Lian Shouxin to live with relatives. Half a year later, when Old Master Lian discovered the truth, he had to spend money and pull strings to buy back Lian Shouxin.
"Dad, you must have suffered a lot," Lian Manman looked sympathetically at Lian Shouxin.
"...We were too poor, and to find a way to live, many were sold to serve as servants in wealthy households. Being an apprentice was just for ten or eight years, and I could learn a skill from it. Your grandma also ant well for ," Lian Shouxin said with a smile, "This matter is over; don’t ever bring it up in front of your grandpa and grandma. Co, let show you two the unique skill of rolling dough that dad has mastered."
Lian Shouxin laughed heartily, as if those experiences truly were beautiful mories for him.
***
There will be two Chapters today; seeking pink encouragent.
******
Ruoyan’s completed farming novel recomndation:
Title: "Rebirth: When Flowers Bloom and the Moon is Full" (Main text and extras are complete) (The link below will take you directly there; just click to arrive)
Introduction: Transported into the life of a woman unfairly accused of losing her virtue, pregnant with a little bundle, and living a sweet life with a frugal man. (To be continued. If you like this work, welco to Qidian (qidian) to cast your recomndation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)
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