Standing well over two meters tall, Warren Clark gave Joyce Harris a warm hug. If it weren’t for the fact that the two of them looked so much alike—clearly related by blood—Sean Carter would really have doubted how the petite Joyce Harris and Warren Clark could possibly be siblings from the same mother.

“Warren Clark, I’ve brought you a few strong young men. Maybe you’ll take a liking to them,” Joyce Harris said with a smile.

Warren Clark swept his gaze over the four people on the carriage.

The three young men straightened their backs even more, and Sean Carter also tried to stand up straight like them. But due to his age, just in terms of appearance, he was nowhere near as burly and robust as they were.

Warren Clark’s gaze finally landed on Sean Carter. He asked suspiciously, “Who’s this little monkey? I’m recruiting the strongest apprentices, not opening a children’s shelter.”

“Haha…”

A burst of good-natured laughter came from the crowd.

Warren Clark was quite a celebrity here, so when he appeared, a crowd naturally gathered to watch. Hearing his words, those around couldn’t help but laugh.

Joyce Harris cried out, her voice tinged with a hint of anger, “Warren Clark, this is Sean Carter, Bond’s son, Sean Carter!”

Warren Clark’s face immediately turned extremely awkward. Of course, he knew what Joyce Harris meant, and he also knew how much Sean Carter meant to old Bond. This two-meter-tall man suddenly turned around and came to the side of the carriage, putting on an exaggerated smile. “Sean Carter, it’s been so long! I didn’t recognize you just now, I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right,” Sean Carter said, half laughing, half crying. “The last time I saw you, I was only five. It’s perfectly normal you didn’t recognize me.”

“Ah, what a clever child,” Warren Clark praised generously. “Old Bond really taught you well—he’s a very capable teacher. So, what brings you here this time? Are you here to play at the manor for a few days, or to bring something to Bond? I specially made him a plow, an axe, and a few kitchen knives. You can take them to him.”

Sean Carter coughed lightly and said, “Mr. Warren Clark, the plows, axes, and kitchen knives at our house are enough to last a hundred years.”

Everyone around showed genuine envy. Although these things were just ordinary items for most farming families, these were all personally forged by Warren Clark. In terms of hardness and durability, no ordinary blacksmith could compare.

If an ordinary family had even one of these, it would last at least ten years.

“Oh, is that so?” Warren Clark thought for a moment and said, “Then I’ll take you around the estate to have some fun and buy some tasty things.”

Sean Carter looked helplessly at Joyce Harris. He knew that Warren Clark had completely taken him for a child.

“Warren Clark, Sean Carter wants to be your apprentice.”

“Apprentice? That won’t do.” Warren Clark immediately said seriously, “Becoming my apprentice is a very tough job.”

“Mr. Warren Clark, I’m not afraid of hardship.”

“I know,” Warren Clark said kindly. If it were any other family’s child, he would have started scolding by now. But as for old Bond’s Sean Carter… Warren Clark was certain that if he quarreled with Sean Carter, his closest Joyce Harris since childhood would definitely not take his side.

“Sean Carter, if you really want to learn my craft, I’ll teach you everything. But not now.”

“Why not?”

“Because you’re too young. Whether it’s strength or endurance, you’re not suited for this line of work.”

Sean Carter lowered his head in thought. He didn’t know that those around, upon hearing Warren Clark’s words, were already dying of envy. This was the first time Warren Clark had ever promised to teach someone his craft without holding anything back.

“Mr. Warren Clark, I’d like to know, what’s the minimum standard to become your apprentice?”

“You really want to know?”

“Yes.”

“All right, you—and you guys too, come with me.” Warren Clark pointed at the three young men standing dumbly on the carriage, then took Sean Carter by the hand and led them to the backyard.

The street grew bustling again.

“Warren Clark is picking apprentices again. I wonder how many will make the cut this time.”

“Last time there were four, but I don’t think even one passed.”

“I think that sturdy-looking kid might make it.”

Sean Carter and the others naturally didn’t hear these comments. They arrived at the backyard, and as soon as Sean Carter saw it, he couldn’t help but be a little stunned. The scene here seemed very familiar.

Chapter 13: The Minimum Standard

In the backyard of his own home, the layout was just like this. And most similar of all, there was a big axe and countless uneven logs.

Of course, there were still differences from his own backyard—the area here was five times larger, and there were already six people chopping wood.

After Warren Clark led the group in, the six young men chopping wood immediately stopped.

Sean Carter could clearly see that they were already drenched in sweat, and even from a distance, he could hear their heavy breathing. Clearly, they had been chopping wood here for a long time.