She remembered hearing someone say that the standard for kneading dough was "three shines": the dough shines, the basin shines, the hands shine. Lian Shouxin had completely met this standard, and his kneading movements were very professional: he would knead a large piece of dough a few times 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 comes 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 some land because of your uncle’s affairs. Your grandpa wasn’t at home, 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 exclaimed 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 some 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 time, your dad was still young. Because of your uncle’s matter, we had just sold some land. Your granddad was not at home, and when your grandma heard that someone 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 immediately remembered the social environment of that time, with "scholars, peasants, artisans, and merchants," 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 same 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 home," 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 something 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 some garlic," Lady Zhang turned and headed outside.

There was definitely something in all this that they were reluctant to say.

"Mother," Lian Manman said immediately in a cool voice, "if you and Dad don’t tell me, I’ll ask Grandpa and Grandma later."

"For heaven’s sake, don’t!" Lady Zhang immediately stopped in her tracks, and Lian Shouxin also looked up; the two of them said almost at the same time.

"If you tell me, 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. 𝕗𝗿𝕖𝐞𝐰𝗲𝕓𝐧𝕠𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝐨𝚖

"Your grandpa went out and didn’t come back until half a year later. At that time, I was in the Pastry Shop, working hard, and they didn’t want to let me go. Your grandpa spent some money and also called in a few favors to get me back," Lian Shouxin said, speaking faster than usual.

Lian Manman didn’t try to hide the skepticism in her eyes.

"Dad, by that time, 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 moment.

"The reason Grandpa took half a year to come get you back was that Grandma told him she’d sent you to live at a relative’s house. Somehow, Grandpa found out later, and by that time, 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 some matters. If put bluntly, Old Master Lian was away from home, during which time Lady Zhou had sold Lian Shouxin to be an apprentice. When Old Master Lian returned home and found his fourth son missing, he asked Lady Zhou. She claimed 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 meant well for me," Lian Shouxin said with a smile, "This matter is over; don’t ever bring it up in front of your grandpa and grandma. Come, let me show you two the unique skill of rolling dough that dad has mastered."

Lian Shouxin laughed heartily, as if those experiences truly were beautiful memories for him.

***

There will be two Chapters today; seeking pink encouragement.

******

Ruoyan’s completed farming novel recommendation:

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, welcome to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)