We faced each other, our swords raised. The room was silent except for the faint sound of our breathing. Dad moved first, his sword slicing through the air with precision. I parried his strike, the wooden blades clashing with a sharp *thwack*. The force of the impact reverberated through my arms, but I held my ground.
Dad’s movements were fluid and calculated, a testament to years of training. He feinted to the left, then swung to the right, but I anticipated his move, stepping back and deflecting his blade. The rhythm of our sparring was almost like a dance—each strike, block, and counterstrike flowing seamlessly into the next.
I countered with a quick thrust, aiming for his shoulder. Dad sidestepped, his sword sweeping downward to block my attack. The sound of wood meeting wood echoed through the room. We circled each other, our eyes locked, each waiting for the other to make a move.
Dad lunged forward, his sword aimed at my midsection. I twisted to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike, and brought my sword down in a sweeping arc. He blocked it just in time, the force of the impact pushing him back a step.
The spar continued, each of us testing the other’s limits. Sweat dripped from our brows, but neither of us showed signs of slowing down. Finally, I saw an opening. Dad overextended on a strike, leaving his side exposed. I seized the opportunity, delivering a controlled tap to his ribs with the tip of my sword.
"Point," I said, stepping back and lowering my sword.
Dad straightened, a smile tugging at his lips. "Well done," he said, breathing heavily. "You’ve still got it."
"Thanks," I replied, equally winded but satisfied. It had been a good match. Although I won, Dad was forever a formidable opponent in sword fighting.
I wiped the sweat from my brow and grabbed a bottle of water, sitting in a nearby chair. Dad followed suit, taking a seat beside me.
"I heard you were completely against meeting that girl, Lán Ān," Dad said suddenly, his tone casual but probing. "Wei, you’re my son, and I know you better than anyone. If you really don’t want a relationship, then don’t force yourself. I’ll support whatever decisions you make."
"Thank you, Dad," I replied, taking a sip of water. "I’m not against marriage or relationships. It’s just that my heart is set on someone else. When the right person comes along, I’ll know."
"If that time comes, don’t hesitate to follow your heart. I’ve got your back," Dad said, standing up and leaving the room. I watched the door close behind him, lost in thought. Sometimes, I wondered if Dad’s kindness was driven by guilt over my mother’s death. I wanted to tell him that her passing wasn’t his fault, but I didn’t dislike the way he treated me. It was a complicated feeling.
We spent two more days at the Tang family home, making offerings to the ancestors and spending time together. Grandma asked me about my date with Lán Ān, and her face fell when I told her it hadn’t worked out. She sighed but didn’t press further, which was a relief.
On the day of our departure, I drove Jun Jie to the airport, where his manager, Mr. Kai, was waiting in the VIP section. Mr. Kai, known as "Fox" in the entertainment industry, was a thin man with boxy glasses and a sharp, calculating demeanor. He was a world-renowned agent who had faced a major scandal but had made a triumphant comeback thanks to my intervention. Now, he was more notorious than ever, and no one dared to cross him.
"Thank you, Mr. Tang, for taking care of Jun," Mr. Kai said, bowing slightly. His voice was smooth, but his eyes were sharp, always assessing.
"It’s no trouble. He’s my brother, after all," I replied, glancing at Jun Jie, who was standing behind Mr. Kai, making frantic hand gestures and shaking his head.
"Did he eat any junk food while he was with you?" Mr. Kai asked, his tone casual but his gaze piercing.
Jun Jie’s eyes widened in panic, and he mouthed, "No, no, no!" at me.
I smirked. "Yes, he did. He said he was on a diet but rewarded himself when he got home. I’ll leave him to you now," I said, turning to leave.
"Wait, no! Manager Kai, I only ate home-cooked meals! Don’t listen to him!" Jun Jie protested, his voice rising in desperation.
I chuckled as I walked away, leaving Jun Jie to deal with the fallout. That would teach him to respect his elders.
Zhong Yong was waiting for us when we arrived in Suzhou. He drove us home, where Junyan was already asleep. Aunt Po carried him to his room, and I immediately dove into work, catching up on emails, reviewing budgets, and approving documents. The life of a CEO never stopped.
At around 11:00 PM, I received a call from Mr. Lim, the real estate agent I had hired to purchase two houses in Huangshan.
"Mr. Tang, sorry to call you so late," Mr. Lim said, his voice apologetic.
"No worries, I was still up. How did everything go?" I asked, standing by the window and gazing at the full moon.
"It wasn’t easy, but I managed to purchase the houses you liked for 100 million," Mr. Lim replied.
"Good work, Mr. Lim. I trust your judgment," I said, impressed. I had done my research, and the lowest the sellers would go was 200 million. Mr. Lim had proven his worth.
"Thank you, Mr. Tang. It’s a pleasure to help you," Mr. Lim said.
"Contact my secretary tomorrow. I hope you won’t be embarrassed by my humble gift," I replied.
"Haha, thank you, Mr. Tang," Mr. Lim said before ending the call.
I smiled to myself. I had a knack for identifying useful people, and Mr. Lim was definitely one of them. Spending a little money to gauge his character was worth it. Better to lose a little at the beginning than everything at the end.
The next day, I sat Junyan down to tell him about starting school in Huangshan. His eyes lit up, and he began bouncing in his seat, his small hands flailing with excitement. "Pa, can I wear my blue shirt on the first day? Will there be other kids like me? Can I bring my toy sword to show them?" he asked, his words tumbling out in a rush.
I chuckled, ruffling his hair. "You can wear whatever you like, and yes, there will be lots of kids your age. But maybe leave the toy sword at home for now, okay?"
Junyan nodded vigorously, his cheeks flushed with excitement. He spent the rest of the day asking Aunt Po endless questions about school, from what his classmates would be like to whether he could bring snacks to share. His enthusiasm was infectious, and I hoped it would carry him through his first day.
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