Chapter 12: The Gift

Feng Yuansheng was seated in the grand living room of the hotel, surrounded by elegant furnishings and decor that exuded a sense of luxury and sophistication. The room resembled an opulent apartment, with plush carpets, ornate artwork, and comfortable furniture that beckoned guests to sit and relax.

Feng Yuansheng was focused intently on his work, his brow furrowed as he read through various documents and reports. Li Ming, his capable secretary, stood nearby, updating him on the details of the upcoming meeting at noon.

The room was suddenly interrupted by the arrival of a small figure, hobbling awkwardly on one foot. Yun Cheng had just woken up from a nap and was rubbing his eyes sleepily.

Upon seeing the young boy, Li Ming rushed over to assist him and helped him over to the couch. "Good morning, Young Master Yun," he greeted.

Yun Cheng hopped forward, wincing in pain. "Good morning Uncle Ming, Good morning Third Uncle."

Feng Yuansheng grunted in response and paused his work to inquire, "What's the matter?"

Yun Cheng lifted his left foot, which was swollen and bruised. "It hurts," he said, pouting slightly.

Feng Yuansheng signaled his secretary while Li Ming examined the injury and saw that it was slightly swollen. "Young Master Yun, you shouldn't be hopping around like that," he gently scolded before scooping up the boy and carrying him over to the couch. "Let me take a look at this."

After inspecting the wound, Li Ming determined that it needed to be redressed. "Wait here, Young Master Yun. We need to redress your wound." He then retrieved the box that Doctor Shang had given them the day before.

As Li Ming tended to his wounds, Yun Cheng turned to Feng Yuansheng with hopeful eyes. "Third Uncle, I want to buy a gift for my pretty sister."

Feng Yuansheng let out an exasperated sigh, clearly annoyed by the boy's persistent requests. Yun Cheng had been pestering him non-stop since yesterday about his "pretty sister."

"No," Feng Yuansheng flatly refused.

Yun Cheng felt wronged and pleaded, "Third Uncle, please. I promise to be obedient."

"Yun Cheng, we're here on business," Feng Yuansheng responded sharply. "You can't just run off and do whatever you want."

Li Ming stepped in to defuse the tension. "Sir, I have already arranged everything. Young Master Yun will be perfectly safe, and he won't be in any trouble."

Feng Yuansheng hesitated for a moment, then relented. "Fine," he said gruffly. "But don't take too long, and make sure he doesn't get into any trouble."

"Yes Sir," Li Ming said with a grateful nod. "I'll keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't run into any troubles."

Yun Cheng couldn't contain his joy. "Thank you so much, Third Uncle. I won't be any trouble, I promise," he exclaimed.

With that, Li Ming gently lifted Yun Cheng up and carried him out of the room. Despite his dislike of being carried, He was ecstatic that his third uncle had granted his request.

As they left, Feng Yuansheng returned to his work, still annoyed but relieved that he the little energetic bun would finally stop sulking after yesterday's tantrum.

***

Jiang Yan made her way down the dirt path leading to the outskirts of the village. The sun was slowly setting, painting the fields in a warm orange glow. She tightened the strap of her bag and took in the familiar surroundings. The trees swayed softly in the breeze, and the sound of crickets filled the air, taking her back to her childhood.

It was during those tough times that she met Master Qiao Zheng, an ex-military officer who had retired and settled in the village. As a kid, Jiang Yan had been the target of mocking by the other children in the village, and she would often run away to escape their bullying. One day, while seeking refuge outside the village, she came across an old man with rugged scars on his face. While the other children were afraid of him, Jiang Yan was captivated by his tales of military prowess, stories that she had heard before from her beloved Grandma Lui.

Despite his fearsome appearance, Qiao Zheng was kind and took Jiang Yan under his wing. He taught her martial arts and gave her advice on how to deal with bullies. Jiang Yan respected and admired him, finding a sense of safety and belonging in his presence.

As time went by, Jiang Yan's bond with Qiao Zheng grew stronger, and he became her guiding light and a father figure in her life. Every moment spent with him was precious to her. However, after leaving the village, she never had the chance to meet him again. She was devastated when she learned about his passing while studying abroad in her previous life. As she walked towards his old house now, she felt a bittersweet mix of nostalgia and sorrow, yearning to see her beloved teacher once again.

Jiang Yan's footsteps echoed in the quiet village as she made her way towards the small cottage at the edge. As she drew closer, she saw a gruff old man sitting outside, smoking a pipe. He looked up and his eyes lit up as he recognized her. "Ah, Yan Yan, it's good to see you," he said warmly, putting out his pipe and standing up to greet her.

Jiang Yan smiled warmly at him. "It's good to see you too, Old Master Qiao."

Old Master Qiao studied her face for a moment. "You look emotional, is something wrong?" he asked, concerned.

Jiang Yan hesitated for a moment, then sighed. "I was thinking about the past, and about you, Old Master Qiao. You were one of the few people who guided me when I was a child."

Old Master Qiao nodded understandingly. "Yes, I remember. You were quite headstrong back then, always eager to learn but sometimes a bit hot-headed."

Jiang Yan laughed softly, remembering her younger self. "Yes, I remember that. I used to get so angry when you made me practice martial arts. I didn't think I would ever leave the village or my Grandma Lui."

Old Master Qiao listened attentively as Jiang Yan continued. "But now, after so many years, I've come to realize how much you taught me. I'm grateful for everything, and I just wanted to come and see you again."

Old Master Qiao smiled at her, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm glad you came, Jiang Yan. It's good to see you, and to know that you've remembered what I taught you."

Jiang Yan smiled back, feeling comforted by his words. "Thank you, Master Qiao."

As they sat outside and talked about old times, Jiang Yan felt a sense of peace wash over her. Being with her old teacher was like coming home, and she was grateful for the chance to see him once more.

As Jiang Yan carefully poured the hot water into the teapot, following the precise instructions her beloved Old Master Qiao had taught her, the old man asked, "I heard your grandmother is in the hospital. How is she?"

"She's doing better now. Uncle Ning is taking good care of her, and she should be released by the end of the week," Jiang Yan replied with a small smile, grateful for the concern.

Old Master Qiao nodded, taking a sip of the tea she had just made. "That's good to hear. And what about you? How have you been treated by the Jiang family?"

Jiang Yan's expression darkened slightly as she thought about her experiences with the Jiang family over the past year. "It's been... difficult. But I'm managing," she replied, trying to keep her voice steady.

As she spoke, she felt a pang of regret wash over her. She had been so consumed by the chaos and trauma in her previous life that she had forgotten about her master. She had never even had a chance to say goodbye before he passed away. But now, she was determined to make amends and compensate for her past mistakes and times.

Old Master Qiao could empathize with Jiang Yan's situation. Despite spending most of his life serving his country, he had also encountered all types of people, including those from wealthy families. He understood how difficult it was for Jiang Yan, who had not been accepted by her own family.

Old Master Qiao looked at Jiang Yan and said, "Wait here for a moment, I have something for you."

He disappeared inside the house and re-emerged holding a small wooden box. " I have been meaning to give you this for a long time Yan Yan, but you had already left with the Jiang family," he explained.

Jiang Yan's curiosity piqued, "What is it, Master Qiao?" she asked.

"It's something I have kept with me for many years. It's a token of my appreciation and trust," he replied with a smile.

Old Master Qiao then handed her the box. "Open it and see for yourself," he said.

Jiang Yan felt a mix of excitement and curiosity as she took the Wooden box from Old Master Qiao. What could be inside that box?

Jiang Yan carefully opened the box and was stunned to the content inside.

***