"You flatter me, sir."
Wang Shan, head of the Wang Family, studied Li Ping'an, then cupped his hands. "May I ask your surname, sir, and where you practice your distinguished calling?"
"Nothing distinguished about it. I just sing on the streets."
"Sing... on the streets?"
Wang Shan could not help feeling somewhat surprised.
"Father, this is a friend I brought over," Wang Yi came over and explained.
Wang Shan put on a stern face and scolded him. "If he's your friend, why didn't you tell me? Where are your manners?"
Someone who had risen to Wang Shan's position would naturally not dish out different treatment depending on whom he saw.
He would not shout that a street singer was unworthy of entering his home, then drive him out.
Someone like that was a fool and could never have built this estate from nothing.
Wang Shan was as shrewd as they came, speaking the language of men to men and the language of ghosts to ghosts.
Even with a beggar before him, Wang Shan could treat him like any ordinary person.
Only that way could one go far.
Looking somewhat apologetic, Wang Shan said, "Please don't take offense, sir. The boy doesn't know any better. Why not come into my humble home for a drink?"
"Yes, yes! Have a drink, have a drink."
Master Gu hurried to echo him from the side.
Li Ping'an cupped his hands slightly. "My unannounced visit was already presumptuous. How could I trouble you further? I'll take my leave."
Hearing that he intended to leave, Master Gu hurried to stop him.
"Oh, there's no hurry, no hurry. A thousand cups are too few when drinking with a kindred spirit."
Wang Shan was a little taken aback. Master Gu was always composed and measured. What had gotten