Chapter 7 Oh How Time Flies! (2/2)

Words of how Shen Ruoxi was bullied by Young Master Shen Lian who just returned spread across the Shen household; there were many versions of the story, none of which Shen Lian cared about.

...

To the east of Shen's residence was a garden. Old Master Shen would take a stroll at the garden every night. The garden was not just a place for leisure, it was also a place for him to meet with important guests.

The spacious garden was the birthplace of many important decisions that involved the State Capital of Qing.

The setting sun shone brightly on the leaves, determined to dry the droplets on their surface with its remaining warmth.

That was just a poetic way of putting it.

It really was just Old Master Shen holding onto a watering can watering the azaleas. The azaleas in the garden were planted by Shen Lian's grandmother. The fragile flower stocks then grew in abundance, however, Shen Lian's grandmother passed away since long ago.

”I heard that you made Ruoxi cry?” Old Master Shen asked without turning around to look at Shen Lian. Unlike most old people, his hands were not shivering; the water flowed steadily from the watering can right onto the bushes of azaleas, not even a single droplet splattered onto Old Master Shen.

”I did not expect you to take so much interest in me. I must say I'm surprised.” Shen Lian smiled. Unlike most in the Shen family, Shen Lian was frank and natural around Old Master Shen.

”Ruoxi is spoilt, but she is a kind girl. Don't you remember how she used to save a portion for you everytime she was given good food?” Old Master Shen spoke softly.

Shen Lian did not remember about all of these. Despite having most of real Shen Lian's memories, he could not possibly remember every single detail.

Furthermore, childhood memories were generally vague and not memorable.

There were many cases where children who used to be close parted ways after they grew up.

Shen Lian knew what Old Master Shen was thinking, but it did not mean that he had to play along. Up until then, Shen Lian still did not know much about him. Shen Lian just thought that it was impressive for him to be where he was having started with nothing.

”I'm the elder brother, and she's the younger sister. I would not be so petty about it.”

Shen Lian set out his stance by emphasizing on his brother-sister relationship with Ruoxi.

”I'm passing to you this can of water now. How much you want to water, and how much you want to keep, is entirely up to you now.” Old Master Shen gave Shen Lian a long look and passed him the watering can.

Shen Lian took over the watering can knowing that Old Master Shen was referring to the Shen family. Essentially, Shen Lian was being entrusted with the Shen family.

After a few polite exchanges, Shen Lian excused himself from the conversation.

When Shen Lian had finally left, Shen Qingsan walked toward Old Master Shen from the other side of the garden.

”This child has always been intellectually-inclined. The two years that he spent in the mountains had added onto his wisdom, it would seem that he is far better than Ju Er and Wei Er.”

Ju Er and Wei Er were nicknames for Shen Lian's cousins.

”Tomorrow is the day of their funeral,” Old Master Shen said as he stared at the droplets on the flower petals.

”I've already made the necessary arrangements,” Shen Qingsan replied moodily.

”The person from Jiang Hu will be making contact with the Green Bamboo Sect tomorrow,” Old Master Shen spoke icily.

As he walked out of the garden, Shen Lian turned around and looked at it; the garden gave off an air of desolation.

One could have amassed a huge fortune, but one would still spend one's life planning for his children, his descendants; this was not what Shen Lian wanted for himself.

What was really on his mind was to find a way to train his weak body, and to be able to hold his own against the Shen family.