YUAN TING

Finally, A Chu told everything that happened on that tragic night. He also told about Ba Yun Xi. How he took A chu as his disciple. Until finally, he killed A chu's parents.

Qiao Lian couldn't hold back her emotions either. Her tears flowed out. She immediately ran to hug A chu.

"Oh A chu, how unfortunate your fate is. You are still so young. Yet you've already suffered such a heartbreaking fate," Qiao Lian said with tears in her eyes.

Yuan Tan of Iron Sand also shed tears. This tall, dashing man was also soft-hearted. His hands seemed to be clenched into deep fists.

Yuan Tan took a deep breath. He tried to calm his turbulent heart. He wanted to immediately go find Ba Yun Xi and take revenge. But right now, his nephew really needed time to rest.

Yuan Tan walked over to A chu and held her shoulders. While looking at A chu intently. He said softly,

"A chu! From now on. You can stay with us. I promise to take good care of you. So that one day you can avenge the death of your parents."

Qiao Lian looked at her husband and nodded her head. Qiao Lian lovingly stroked A chu's head.

This time A chu could not contain his emotional turmoil. He cried out loudly in Qiao Lian's arms. He felt deeply moved by the kindness of both his Uncle and Aunt.

After that. Qiao Lian immediately escorted A chu to the prepared room. She helped A chu clean up and gave A chu new clothes. Then, she also accompanied A chu to eat.

Before parting, Qiao Lian said softly,

"A chu, now you try to rest. Be strong, remember, you still have us." Qiao Lian's eyes were glassy again. It seemed like she was reluctant to part with A chu.

"Thank you very much Aunt Qiao. I will always remember Auntie's words," A chu said touched. Qiao Lian nodded. After stroking A chu's head. She left.

A chu could finally rest. For who knows how long, A chu hadn't felt the comfort of a bed. Now he can rest easy. Because he had met his kind uncle and aunt.

Not long after. A chu was fast asleep.

*****

The next day.

A chu woke up. His body felt very refreshed. It seemed like last night. He slept very well. A chu tried to get up to wash his face.

How surprised he was. Because A chu saw a girl in his room. This girl was about the same age as A chu. Maybe one year younger than him.

The girl was also surprised to see A chu who suddenly woke up. She almost dropped the tea pot she was holding.

"Aih, you're awake. I was just about to deliver this tea to you,"

said the girl kindly.

The girl had big eyes with tiny lips and rosy cheeks. So pretty and beautiful. Like a doll sold in a toy store. Her long black hair was tied in two pigtails. Even so, her face looked a little pale.

The girl smiled kindly at A chu. Then she said again,

"Father and Mother are in the dining room. They must be very happy to know that Brother A Chu is awake."

The girl always smiled when she spoke. When she smiled, her eyes were slightly narrowed and her dimples were visible. What a charming and pleasant girl this child is.

"You are?" asked A chu in confusion. From earlier, A chu kept trying to remember who this girl was.

The girl seemed to realize. That A Chu still didn't recognize her. She chuckled while covering her mouth.

"This big brother A Chu. How mean of you to not recognize me," said the amused girl. "It's me. Yuan Ting."

Only now did A Chu realize. Who the hell was that girl.

"Oh, what an idiot I am," A chu said, patting his own forehead. "Wow, Sister Ting. You've grown into a beautiful and lovely girl."

Yuan Ting blushed with embarrassment. She covered her face with her cloth. Her face was flushed. How cute.

"What a big brother A Chu is. You always loved to play tricks on me," Yuan Ting said with a laugh. "Oh yeah, by the way. Are you hungry? Let's eat first. While Mom and Dad haven't finished lunch yet."

A while later. A chu and Yuan Ting arrived at the dining room. Yuan Tan and Qiao Lian were still there. They seemed to be in the middle of a conversation. But after seeing the arrival of A chu and Yuan Ting. Their conversation stopped.

Qiao Lian's face lit up, seeing that A chu was starting to look excited. It wasn't wrong of her to send Yuan Ting to meet A chu.

Yuan Tan also looked happy. He immediately greeted A chu and invited A chu to sit down.

"A chu, thank goodness you're awake. How is your body?" Yuan Tan asked kindly.

"I've recovered to my old self. Thank you for your care and kindness," A chu replied as he bowed to his Uncle and Aunt. He looked very grateful.

Seeing A chu's attitude, Yuan Tan immediately said,

"There's no need to be so formal. We're still family ourselves." Yuan Tan smiled at his nephew's behavior. "Surely your stomach is very hungry now. Let's pray first and start eating," Yuan Tan said again.

On the table. There was a wide variety of delicious food, from roast duck in honey sauce, fried chicken in soy sauce, Ang sio bak, and a variety of fresh vegetables sauteed in soy sauce. Not to forget, the red snapper soup which is a famous dish from Yang Ciu area.

Although they live in the suburbs. But the Yuan Family is one of the wealthy and respected families in Yang Ciu city.

"A chu eat a lot and don't be shy," Qiao Lian said with a friendly smile to A chu.

The atmosphere in the dining room at that time was filled with a sense of family. A chu felt the same warmth as when he used to eat with his parents. In his heart. A chu felt very grateful.

Humans are social creatures who naturally love to help. They will feel happy when they see others happy.

*****

A chu often played together with Yuan Ting. They were together almost every day. They even have their own special place. It was the hill behind the Yuan family's house. In that place, they often spent the whole day.

Since Yuan Ting's body was very weak since she was a child, she couldn't go far from her home. Once a week, the doctor came to check on her health.

Yuan Ting used to always feel lonely. Because there were no children of the same age around her house to play with. But now there is A chu. A nephew who kept her company all day long.

A chu always tells her interesting things. Then A chu is also always patient, answering all the questions after questions asked by Yuan ting. Especially about the lives of people outside.

It's understandable that Yuan Ting almost never leaves her house. After all, her house was far from the center of the crowd. For her, A chu is like a big brother who always looks after her.

"So... in the end the Man kingdom was defeated. Then our nation managed to gain its independence. After almost two hundred years of foreign domination."

A chu's story one afternoon.

While A chu was telling the story passionately. Yuan Ting was listening intently as she sat under a tree.

The place was a hill with a rather spacious ground and overgrown with green grass. In that place, there were also trees with very shady leaves.

In the center of the place. There was a large rock that A chu used to sit on when he was busy telling stories. The hill was mostly surrounded by steep slopes. Below the hill was a vast wilderness.

"Then. Who was the most instrumental in helping the warriors repel the invaders?" Yuan Ting asked excitedly.

"It was the martial artists who worked hand in hand with the warriors of the country. Without their help. It would have been almost impossible to defeat the ruler who had reigned for so long," exclaimed A Chu excitedly.

A chu told the story, mimicking the swordsmen's feats of strength. His hands struck this way, his feet kicked that way.

"Wow. How great those Swordsmen are," Yuan Ting said admiringly. She also didn't forget to clap her hands. "Oh yes, but did Brother A chu ever learn martial arts?"

A chu seemed to think and ponder for a long time. He finally answered,

"I used to learn some basic moves. But I wasn't good at it. Then from my father I learned..." A chu paused for a moment, then continued.

"Ha ha ha. My father is just a merchant. The most I could learn from him was about literature and calculations," A Chu said with a laugh. Yuan Ting laughed too, seeing A Chu's funny demeanor.

Suddenly, A Chu jumped down from the rock where he was sitting. He immediately approached Yuan Ting and said,

"Oh yes, Sister Ting. It seems that it's time for us to go back. It's already afternoon."

Yuan Ting looked surprised. She immediately got up and cleaned her clothes.

"Oh my. I've lost track of time. How can I do this? Of course father will scold me," Yuan Ting said confused.

A chu laughed at Yuan Ting's confused demeanor. The girl's face looked funny when she was confused like now. Her eyebrows met and her face looked very serious.

"You calm down, Sister Ting. Let me help explain to your father later," A chu said kindly. He was trying to comfort Yuan Ting.

Yuan Ting's face brightened. She nodded and smiled at A chu. Then A chu took Yuan Ting's hand and invited her to leave the place immediately.

The sun began to dim its rays. Then the moon shyly appeared.