"Little punk" is what elders in Nanjing call a young person, usually referring to a greenhorn who doesn't understand the ways of the world or know how high the sky is, carrying a certain tone of contempt.
Speaking in standard Mandarin while calling myself a little punk, I played the part of an outsider trying to curry favor with a local elder to absolute perfection.
Sure enough, upon hearing my words, Master Hong's expression softened considerably, and he chuckled and said, "Rare, truly rare. Indeed, not many young people are interested in this field nowadays."
Chapter 26