Chapter 22, Regrets
For the next few days, everyone was busy training hard. Even more so than usual. Li Jain didn't know what motivated them, but he was happy to see everyone focus on doing their best.
Li Jain has to admit that Li Cheng was a good role model for Jing Sheng. The young boy's enthusiasm and energy were just like an open flame; it always kept Jing Sheng motivated and competitive.
As for Li Zhang, he always has the mindset that he'll eventually succeed in giving time; while Jing Xuan is always like: Brother Zhang hasn't learned it yet either. Once he does, I will too.
Li Cheng was making great progress in his archery. Li Cheng is able to perfect his grip over long range arrows. But for some reason, things weren't going well today. As Li Jain watched him train, he saw that out of ten arrows that were shot, only one succeeded.
"Stop." Li Jain called as he walked closer to Li Cheng. "What are you afraid of?"
Li Jain has noticed Li Cheng inability to hold his arrow on the target and squeeze the release slowly enough to be effective.
"Do you have aiming anxiety?" Li Jain said after checking the arrow in Li Cheng hand for flaws.
Li Cheng nodded hesitantly. "I just get nervous with you watching."
"Well if you can't aim properly when holding your arrow, then why don't we change your stance?"
Li Cheng looked down and realized he wasn't standing correctly. Li Jain had to stand behind him and guide his hand and arm position into place before handing back the arrow. Then he took a step back to check how much pressure he put on the arrow.
"That's better. You should also be practicing pulling back with your shoulder." After correcting the posture, Li Jain stood beside Li Cheng who was still trying to adjust to the new positioning.
"Okay," said Li Cheng with a smile. He held up the arrow again and aimed at his target. This time the arrow flew straight through the middle and hit the other side without falling off.
Li Jain chuckled as he patted Li Cheng's head and went back to watching on the side.
....
The village chief resident:
"Knock, knock." Li Jain stood at the gate of the village chief house and knocked
repeatedly. The door opened after some time and an old man wearing a simple gray robe peeked out.
"Hello Li Jain. What brings you here?" His tone of voice sounded pleasant and friendly. "Would you like to come inside my home?"
"Sure." Li Jain answered politely. "I have something I need your help with."
"Please enter." The chief ushered him in with a gesture of his hand. They entered a small study room, which was filled to capacity with bookshelves full of books. In front of the shelves were two wooden chairs.
The chief motioned Li Jain to take a seat and sat himself across from him.
"So what would you like from me today?" The chief asked.
"I bought a shop in Qingyuan town. I would like for you to contact the construction team in the village to do the remodeling."
"Hmm...a small store, huh…" A thoughtful look crossed the chief's face. "I think this store is a bit small to build, however, the price depends on the size of the shop."
Li Jain smiled and took out a piece of paper from his sleeve and handed it to the chief. "This is the design. The house is still in good shape. They just need to make small changes."
Li Jain could sense some hesitation from the elder, but it disappeared immediately as he flipped through the paper.
When Li Jain offered the paper, the chief folded the paper carefully.
"Alright. We're going to need some extra materials. How about you give us the details and I will go and contact them now?"
"I already prepared the plans, you just need to contact the workers. Tell them I'll pay double the usual amount." Li Jain said
"That's a good offer. They will be very happy to work with you." The chief placed the paper in the pocket of his robe. Thinking that Li Jain has become a big shot with hidden strength and wealth. Maybe if he had treated Li Jain children well, he might have a chance of sending his grandson to school in the town.
But regret is useless. The chief knows that there isn't any way to change the past. If he'd allow Jing Sheng to join his classes... sigh,... what is done cannot be undone.
Li Jain took out the already prepared wine and set it on the table
between himself and the chief. The sound of the wooden jar brought the chief back from his thoughts. He looked at the bottle curiously and raised his eyebrow. "This is...?"
"A spiritual wine. It's my thanks to you." Li Jain answered with a smile.
The chief raised his glass and took a sip from it. His eyes brighten up as soon as the drink touches his tongue. "It's delicious! What a strong spiritual energy it has."
"I'm glad that you like it." Li Jain smiled
"Yes, yes...it's definitely one of our finest. Let me know if there is anything else that you would like from me." The chief said as he drank another sip.
"No need, I'll take my leave now." Li Jain replied as he stood up and headed toward the door.
The village chief looks at Li Jain leaving, with excitement and regret. If they had welcomed this person from the beginning, maybe he would've helped their village now that he's successful.
.....
In just a day, the news that Li Jain bought a shop in Qingyuan town and wanted to pay the workers from the village twice the amount spare throughout the village.
The villagers were shocked and surprised by this sudden decision. After all, Li Jain had never shown such generosity before.
"Wow, he should be well developed now to offer such an amount." Said a villager
excitedly.
"It cost over five hundred gold coins to buy a small shop in Qingyuan."
Another villager sighs...."that's too expensive!"
"If I knew things would turn out like this, I would've had my daughter engaged to him."
"Weren't you cursing him for being irresponsible just a few days ago?"
"But he changed now. I can only blame myself for having such a blind eyesight."
"Any idea what he'll be selling?"
"No, the village chief didn't say."
The villagers sat at their usual gossip area and talked about Li Jain the whole evening. Only this time, there weren't any negative comments.