Chapter 937: Chapter 938: Master and Mentor
"Master!" Lu Yaobing took the three silver needles and sweetly smiled.
Song Xiaodong nodded, then said sternly, "Yaobing, since youâve become my apprentice, what I teach you doesnât require blind obedience, but you must remember a few things."
"Master, please guide me!" Lu Yaobing immediately put away her smile, her face serious.
"First! Never use what Iâve taught you to oppress the innocent."
"Your apprentice can do that!"
"Second! Have a heart for serving humanity and loving the country!"
"Your apprentice can do that!"
"Alright!"
"Just these two rules?" Lu Yaobing looked at Song Xiaodong in surprise.
Song Xiaodong nodded and said, "Thatâs right. If you can stick to these two principles, I wonât be too concerned about some minor flaws."
Lu Yaoyao carefully pondered for a moment, then nodded firmly, saying, "Your apprentice has memorized them."
Then she blinked and teased, "Master, whatâs the name of our sect?"
"Sect... We donât really have one," Song Xiaodong said with a faint smile.
Lu Yaobing exclaimed excitedly, "Ah, then youâre like a grandmaster establishing your own sect, and Iâm your first disciple!"
"Ha... This isnât ancient times. Thereâs no need for sects or anything like that. Alright, hurry up and eat. When I come back, Iâll teach you some training methods."
The two continued eating, and Lu Yaobing suddenly realized her teacup was missing, while there were two teacups in front of Song Xiaodong. Her face blushed as she softly said, "Master, give me back one of my teacups."
"Oh..." Song Xiaodong was momentarily stunned, then smiled and said, "Earlier, when you served me tea, you used your teacup."
Lu Yaobing took her teacup back and noticed Song Xiaodong was calm and unbothered, but she still felt a little bashful. After all, she was still a girl, and sharing a teacup with a man seemed a bit suggestive.
However, Song Xiaodong didnât make much of it. If she fussed over it, it would come off as overly pretentious. Moreover, he was her master, so changing the teacup would be outright disrespectful.
After a few bites, Song Xiaodong said, "By the way, donât mention our relationship in class; it might affect my teaching. Just act as you usually do."
"Okay!" Lu Yaobing tilted her head and asked, "Can I not mention it in other places either?"
Song Xiaodong said, "Outside the school, itâs fine."
"Got it." Lu Yaobing nodded and said, "Master, Iâm really curious thoughâhow strong is your True Qi?"
Song Xiaodong chuckled and said, "You donât really know much about me, yet you decided to become my apprentice so quickly. Isnât that a bit rash?"
Song Xiaodongâs words reminded Lu Yaobing, and she was momentarily stunned before replying, "Now that youâve mentioned it, Master, I do feel a bit puzzled. Normally, Iâm very cautious when interacting with guys and donât easily trust people. But when Iâm around you, I feel completely at ease. Especially that day in classâyou left a deep impression on me. I just felt you were definitely someone extraordinary. Deciding to become your apprentice felt like I made a really right choice without thinking much."
"Your decision is quite emotional, but since you trust me so much, I will teach you well. If youâre diligent, even if you canât match my achievements in the future, youâll definitely surpass those famous Traditional Chinese Medicine professors in the hospital."
"Really?" Lu Yaobingâs eyes lit up with surprise.
"Of course. At our Minghe Second Hospital, there are some skilled Traditional Chinese Medicine practitionersânot top tier nationwide, but well-known. Theyâre only nominal disciples, though; youâre my personal disciple. Iâll definitely teach you more than I teach them."
"Well-known? Who are they?"
"In Traditional Chinese Medicine, thereâs He Wenbai and Fang Yiyuan. Besides them, there are two foreign experts: Xiang Te and Ellington. Theyâre not my disciples, but I often guide them."
"Oh my God!" Lu Yaobing exclaimed, "Xiang Te and Ellington are top experts in surgery abroad. Iâve found myself an amazing master!"
Song Xiaodong smiled faintly and said, "So you must work hard. Donât embarrass me. Also, if you need financial support, let me know; your master has some money."
"Thank you, Master. Iâm learning from you, and you havenât even asked for tuition fees. How could I ask for your money?"
"Being a master isnât just about teaching techniquesâitâs also about guiding you in life. I see you almost like a daughter, so caring for you in various ways is only natural."
"Pfft... Master, youâre only a few years older than me, and you already see me as a daughter? That feels so weird."
Song Xiaodong smiled and said, "Age-wise, I may not be much older, but in life experience, being your father is more than possible. Besides, Iâm about to become a dad myself."
"Oh my goodness, Master, youâre already married?" Lu Yaobing looked at him in shock.
"Not married yet, but I do have a girlfriend."
Lu Yaobing giggled and teased, "Master, youâre so badâgetting on the bus first, paying for the ticket later." Then she blinked and added, "Do you have a photo of your girlfriend? Can I see? She must be really pretty."
"Ha... Youâll see her for yourself in the future."
"Still keeping it a secret, huh?" Lu Yaobing pouted but stopped pressing the matter. After all, now that sheâd acknowledged him as her master, it was inevitable sheâd meet his girlfriend sooner or later.
After finishing their meal, as they were paying, Song Yaobing tried to take the initiative, but Song Xiaodong quickly said, "I canât let you treat me. Iâll handle the bill." He handed over a card as he spoke.
Lu Yaobingâs hands were slower, so she didnât keep insisting. She stuck out her tongue and muttered softly, "This is greatâsomeone takes me out for meals now."
Since the restaurant was close to the school, the pair walked straight back, immediately drawing a lot of attention. Many people whispered among themselves as they passed.
Song Xiaodong smiled and said, "You must be a campus belle or something. Walking with you will probably invite some gossip."
Lu Yaobing let out a light laugh and said, "Let them say what they want." But as soon as she said that, her expression turned slightly off.
"Whatâs wrong?" Song Xiaodong followed her gaze and saw a pudgy, arrogant-looking middle-aged man passing by.
"Itâs nothing... Letâs hurry up and go." Lu Yaobing promptly pulled on Song Xiaodongâs arm and walked briskly forward.
Out of the corner of his eye, Song Xiaodong clearly caught a flash of darkness in the middle-aged manâs gaze.