21 Confirmation

The room fell into a heavy silence as the weight of Grandpa Sun's revelation settled upon them. Sun Gang leaned forward, his voice tinged with both curiosity and uncertainty, and asked, "Grandpa, how do we find this first page of the manual?"

Grandpa Sun, his eyes fixed on the teacup he held, replied in a soft yet firm tone, "The manual will find its own way to the true chosen successor, guided by fate."

Sun Gang frowned in frustration, and his impatience was palpable. "What do you mean by 'the manual will find its own way'? It's all too vague!"

Grandpa Sun's eyes crinkled with a hint of a smile as he continued, "It means that the first page of the manual will make its presence known to the one who is destined to become the chosen successor."

Sun Fang, who had been uncharacteristically silent throughout the discussion, interjected thoughtfully, "Does that also mean that the person chosen by the manual will inherit the Sun family's vast assets?"

Grandpa Sun nodded, his eyes now sparkling with an excitement that belied his age. "Indeed, that's precisely what it means. Only someone with the blood of a Sun can unlock the manual, and their destiny is intertwined with our family's legacy."

The revelation left both Sun Fang and Sun Gang stunned, their eyes wide with disbelief. They hadn't anticipated the magnitude of the reward that was now on the table. The Sun family's assets were legendary, and the thought of acquiring such wealth and power ignited a fire within them.

But as they exchanged glances, they also recognized the gravity of the task ahead. The manual was hidden, and the journey to uncover it was shrouded in uncertainty. 

As the room remained hushed, the weight of their grandfather's words settled upon their shoulders, and the true significance of this quest became clear. Their family's destiny was now inextricably linked with the pursuit of this hidden treasure, and the race to become the chosen successor had just begun.

As the room hung heavy with the implications of Grandpa Sun's revelation, Sun Gang was lost in contemplation. He recognized that the pursuit of the manual held the key to riches and power, and he had no intention of letting it slip through his grasp. He believed that his intelligence and resourcefulness would ultimately lead him to the manual, making him the prime candidate for becoming the chosen successor.

Sun Fang, too, was deep in thought. While he was confident in his abilities and had just received fresh leads on the search for his long-lost aunt, the allure of the Sun family's riches and the possibility of hidden treasures in the manual intrigued him. He realized that obtaining this manual could potentially elevate their family's wealth and status to unprecedented levels.

Grandpa Sun, keenly observant, could discern the distinct motivations that drove each of his grandsons. He saw the unmistakable greed reflected in Sun Gang's eyes, but he also noticed the determination burning within Sun Fang. He knew that, while greed could be a powerful motivator, it was determination that would ultimately decide the outcome of this quest. Despite his reservations about Sun Fang's quiet nature, he understood that determination could transcend any obstacle. Grandpa Sun quietly nodded his approval, acknowledging that both his grandsons had their reasons to embark on this arduous journey.

The race to secure the position of chosen successor and the hunt for the elusive manual had now begun. With the desire for wealth and power fueling their determination, the fate of the Sun family hung in the balance, and the legacy of the great God of War awaited its next protector.

Grandpa Sun allowed his grandsons some time to digest the information and formulate their plans for the future. He took a contemplative sip of tea, realizing the complexities and challenges that lay ahead. With the Sun family's extensive history, there was a possibility of other descendants searching for the manual as well, and Grandpa Sun wanted his grandsons to be aware of this potential competition.

Clearing his throat, he offered a piece of advice, "Remember, you may not be the only descendants seeking the manual, so exercise caution and trust no one."

Sun Gang, brimming with self-assuredness, confidently stated, "I understand, but rest assured, I will be the one to find the manual."

Sun Fang, intrigued by his older brother's confidence, raised an eyebrow and asked, "You seem very sure of yourself, big bro."

Sun Gang responded with a smug expression, "Of course, I am."

Grandpa Sun, satisfied with their responses, continued, "Very well, let's move on. How are things progressing with the land I instructed you to acquire?"

Sun Gang explained, "Grandpa, there's been a slight setback. The land has an old grave, and the government has taken control of it."

Grandpa Sun acknowledged the situation, saying, "Understood. While you continue your search for the manual, make sure the company runs smoothly." Sun Gang assured his grandfather, reaffirming his dedication to both tasks – the pursuit of the manual and the management of the family business.

The conversation had shifted towards the family company and Sun Gang's responsibilities. During this exchange, Sun Fang remained quiet, his thoughts occupied with the revelation of the martial arts manual.

However, as the discussion about the company drew to a close, Sun Fang turned his attention to Grandpa Sun. With a warm smile, he expressed a desire he had harbored for a long time, "Grandpa, I've always wanted to see photos of Grandma when she was younger. I'm sure she was very beautiful."

Grandpa Sun's eyes sparkled with fond memories, and he nodded, saying, "Your grandma was the most beautiful girl I had ever seen."

Sun Gang, ever watchful, couldn't help but ask Sun Fang with a hint of suspicion, "Why do you want to see her photos?"

Sun Fang, prepared for this question, cleared his throat and offered an explanation, "It might give me an idea when picking a wife. I want to see Grandpa's taste, so I can bring home a granddaughter-in-law who will gain his approval."

Grandpa Sun was delighted by the prospect of his grandsons starting families, and he didn't detect any ulterior motives in Sun Fang's words. He chuckled and gave his blessing, saying, "I'll show you the pictures. Just promise me, don't bring back an ugly woman who will ruin the handsome features of our family."

Sun Fang laughed heartily and responded, "That's precisely why I want to know what you consider beautiful, Grandpa." His plan was set in motion, with the goal of finding his aunt and locating the martial arts manual that could potentially bring immense wealth to the Sun family.

As they continued their conversation, Grandpa Sun shifted his attention to Sun Gang, encouraging him to consider marriage, much like his younger brother. Sun Gang, though not particularly enthusiastic about the idea, assured his grandfather, "Don't worry, Grandpa. If you truly want me to find a wife, I will."

Grandpa Sun inquired further, asking if Sun Gang had someone in mind. Sun Gang replied honestly, "Well, it's not that I'm eager for a wife, but I can do it to make you happy. What do you think about the Gu family's daughter?"

His older brother's question prompted Sun Fang to chuckle, and he couldn't help but tease, "Are you planning to marry her because you're in love?"

Sun Gang quickly clarified, "No, I want someone who will give birth to my children. I'm not one for commitments."

Grandpa Sun, ever the wise elder, shook his head gently, saying, "You'll need to commit at some point."

Sun Gang pondered for a moment and replied, "I think I'm still young, but I'll think it through."

With that settled, Sun Fang seized the opportunity to steer the conversation back to his original request. He was eager to see his grandmother's photos, hoping they might offer valuable clues for his ongoing search and comparison with the mysterious woman in the investigation file.

Grandpa Sun left the room to retrieve the photos, leaving Sun Gang and Sun Fang alone. Sun Gang couldn't help but inquire once more, his suspicion evident in his voice, "Why exactly do you want to see Grandma's pictures?"

Sun Fang, maintaining his calm demeanor, rolled his eyes and replied, "I already explained the reason. Believe what you want, it's not my concern."

Sun Gang stared at Sun Fang with a lingering suspicion, but ultimately decided to drop the issue, lacking any concrete evidence. 

Upon Grandpa Sun's return with an old photo album, Sun Fang moved closer and began flipping through its dusty pages. The first thing that captivated his attention was the photo of his beautiful grandma during her college years. His heart quickened, but he concealed his emotions. He couldn't deny the striking resemblance between the woman in the investigation file and his grandmother. With this realization, he believed he had found his long-lost aunt. 

Continuing to flip through the album, Sun Fang discovered the last photo of his aunt before her disappearance. It displayed the exact same smile he had seen in the file. He cleared his throat and remarked, "Grandma was really beautiful. Your standards are very high, Grandpa. It will be hard to match them."

Grandpa Sun, reminiscing about his wife's beauty, agreed with a smile. "She truly was beautiful, but you don't have to meet my exact standards. As long as the wife you choose is beautiful, I'm okay with it."

Sun Gang, though he inched closer to have a look, found the pictures less intriguing. He remained silent as Sun Fang continued to absorb the memories on the pages. 

Sun Fang silently resolved to verify his newfound information through a blood test but decided not to share the revelation until he was 100% sure. He understood that these findings had the potential to change everything, and he needed to be cautious.

As Grandpa Sun began to share stories of the days when he first met his wife, Sun Fang listened with an attentive smile. However, beneath his seemingly warm demeanor, his mind buzzed with excitement. The information he had discovered was a turning point for the Sun family, a chance to heal his father's broken soul and offer closure to his grandpa. Thoughts swirled about their reactions upon learning that his aunt had passed away, but Sun Fang held a glimmer of hope. He had a clue regarding someone who might be her son, believing that it would eventually bring healing to their wounded hearts.

Sun Fang's plans were now set into motion. He was no angel, but he had always been adept at keeping his true thoughts to himself. No one, not even Sun Gang, could fully grasp the depth of his intentions. Only he knew that finding his aunt would provide him with benefits that Sun Gang could never suspect.