Winter Pass

Rubbing the familiar text in between his index finger and thumb, Haolin moves his gaze from his book to the ones all aligned along the study he had found himself in. Despite being here for a couple of days, as promised he received no disturbances of any kind. Besides an initial statement he had given to the authorities via Kang Biluo's personal visit two days back, he could vaguely see that the descendants of his people were at least hospitable. Though, he was certain that they had no idea who he was. Haolin ponders to himself thoughtfully, that most likely his clan didn't dare openly give the secrets of their bloodline whilst on foreign territory even to their own offspring. Letting the history of their family be labeled as fables and legends instead. Perhaps they had intentions of letting the blessing of the gods die with him. 

Thinking this, Haolin shut the book in his hands and headed for a nearby bedroom to change his clothing for the evening. Despite how unfamiliar the clothing of this time was, Haolin also accepted the fact that he could no longer dress as he did back then. The things left behind for him by his mother and sister, naturally could not be worn casually for outsiders to dirty. Though he could leave the guest house as he pleased, it was comfortable and suited his taste. The familiarity of bloodline too set him more at ease than a box in those skyscrapers. And he also wanted to see who it was now leading the people of their valley, whether or not they were worthy of his acknowledgment. How much was passed down in the years in which he slept? 

Though he held no expectations in this advanced world, he had a feeling that someone capable of raising a child such as the young Lieutenant who greeted people with smiles but could make a whole row of soldiers lower their heads in sync wasn't simple. Maybe, he will be given a surprise. His newest light brain bracelet gave a ring, the default setting as he didn't know nor cared to learn how to set up a personal one. In the middle of straightening his cheongsam Haolin slides his gaze from the mirror to the simple silver bracelet which matched his ring. Although it took him a few tries, after he had messed with Dai Lu's device he was familiar with it's registry process. He found the answer button a few seconds later, leaving it on voice only which allowed a familiar woman's voice to float into his ears. 

It was an odd sensation, but not entirely invasive so he didn't mind it too much. It could only allow him to once more scrutinize the flexibility of humans as well as their creativity to concentrate and refine energy to this degree. "Sir Haolin, I've sent the family driver to pick you up whenever you are ready. Although as the host of the banquet I cannot escort you personally Minghao will be at the entrance in place of me to help you through the main gate. I apologize for the inconvenience in advance." Although having a member of her family accompany him would have been better like her younger sister, considering the fact in which they were of opposite genders and unfamiliar. Having her partner greeting him was an extension of herself was the better option. 

It would at least show they didn't take him lightly. Not one to hold a grudge against the younger generation Kang Haolin naturally saw no problem with her arrangement. Thus allowing a smile to enter her voice. "If you have any questions about the people attending you can ask Minghao and he will gladly inform you of things to keep in mind. Until then Sir Haolin." When he stepped foot into the hover car, the driver politely nods at him through the rearview mirror but otherwise doesn't speak letting his presence fade rather quickly. As she had said, at the main entrance a more formal dressed Sun Minghao awaited his arrival waving at him through the window with a grin. Taking a seat across from Haolin he didn't hold back at all when giving away information about the other people attending without even needing to be asked. 

"Sir Haolin seems to value silence so after greeting grandfather Kang you can stay near the walls or go up and linger by the upstairs balcony. Don't worry about grandfather too much if he appears cold, in reality he's quite kind and tolerant. Biluo already told him about what you did so he already has a good impression of you as well as the rest of the Kang family. If someone is bothering you don't be afraid to mention my family name, you're my benefactor after all and not someone they can look down on easily." Saying such, Haolin casts him a side eye speaking casually and lightly "There are such people attending?" Minghao touches his nose briefly somewhat embarrassed by the question as it contradicted Biluo's previous words when she first invited Haolin. 

He rolled his eyes avoiding eye contact slightly with his savior "Weell-Not exactly. Although a majority of the people attending are pleasant. Grandfather's old friend's grandchildren can be a bit-" he tried to find a less crass words for them "-well, they can be a bit ignorant and full of themselves. Having parents or family members in high positions, it's only natural you will have the unpleasantry of meeting one or two big headed folk." Seeing as Haolin wasn't worried at all or displeased as he had somewhat feared eased Minghao's mind as he rushed to reassure Haolin anyways. "But since you have the backing of not only the Kang but the Sun family you don't have to be afraid of them and slap their faces if it becomes too annoying!" The eager young man didn't seem to notice his words brought the briefest amount amusement in Haolin's eyes. 

"I see." Relieved to have recovered his lover's dignity after slipping up Sun Minghao smiles more genuinely at the other for being so easy to get along with despite his original disposition when they first met. Although Sir Haolin is apathetic, a person who can save another person without hesitation can't be all bad. So, determined to be of assistances to his savior Minghao shamelessly began listing the personalities of the people to avoid so as to not dirty his ears. Even becoming more energetic when Haolin didn't show any impatience with him unlike before. "-see grandfather Kang doesn't usually like hosting this kind of thing but made an exception this time for Biluo's sake. Though she also doesn't like public appearance, with brother-in-law in the front lines grandfather is showing support for her position as his successor so that people won't slight her while he's away." 

Ignoring the young man's shameless calling of brother-in-law despite not having married Biluo yet, Haolin finally made a comment seemingly without purpose. "He wishes for his granddaughter to succeed him?" Minghao with no qualms about sharing this with someone his companion carried in a high enough position to compare with her grandfather. Opening admits without much filter as it would become future public knowledge anyways "Brother-in-law has no intentions of taking over the family, and since I'm the fourth child my parents don't mind having to marry me into the Kang family for Biluo's happiness." A man marrying into another family was a new concept to Haolin who was only taken aback for a millisecond before regaining his composure. His respect for the young man suddenly growing as he hums a understanding "Mmn." 

From the corner of his eye he saw Haolin didn't dislike him for his stance in the relationship between him and Biluo and his eyes crinkled with more joy at finding a stable minded person. Actually, it wasn't as easy as he said it was to convince his family at that time. Though Biluo is a good woman and his family quite likes her temperament, the fact that their youngest was being taken from them as a marry in husband didn't sit well. As it looked like they were willing to sell their child for glory, allowing some people to speak behind the scenes calling them suck ups and the men in their family spineless. Sun Minghao even occasionally heard people call him a sissy and submissive type cowering behind a woman. Any good family would put up a fight and defend their child if they had the capacity, his family was no different. 

They were infuriated and displeased all at once with the previously all rounder good Biluo, causing quite the ruckus and speedbump in their relationship. It was only through trial and tribulations did he and Biluo manage to salvage the situation proving to the elders they could endure it all. Hence, Grandfather Kang finally stepping in as the mediator after all this time. In fact, he thought a bit too much, having awaken from his dreams Haolin wouldn't disagree or find it illogical for a person of the outside to find someone who originated from his village to be attractive. In his eyes those who treated his people well are more tolerable. Not to mention a man willing to set down his pride and marrying into his lover's family without a fuss. 

At the front doors though it wasn't too crowded they could easily see that the insides of the home was bustling with life. The lights brightly lit in every room, already one or two guests were watching as they arrived from the balcony from the corner of their eyes as if looking for certain other late arrivals. "Whose that person Ge came with?" Nudged rather sharply by his companion the man hissed and shoot his friend a glare before irritably looking down as well. Uninterested in the other person as it was a man, a rather masculine straight laced traditional type too from his clothing. He became even more annoyed by his friend's curiosity and disinterested. "Who cares who he came with? Since he's late if you want to make him drink a bit more as revenge just do it." 

Having been told this Gao Chang didn't really mind his annoyance and didn't take his hint continuing to observe the newcomer with interest. "He looks pretty rich and important. You don't recognize him at all? Is he a secret uncle of yours that only recently returned form abroad?" Hearing this hypothesis Sun Lirong snorts and finally looked over the individual properly, his eyes holding more scrutiny and care than before. Squinting lightly he saw his cousin's enthusiasm and respectful positioning, acting as a host to a higher power. "...I don't recognize him." But who knows what he was truly thinking after answering so lightly, looking away to sip his glass of water thoughtfully.

He had heard some rumors lately, but his sister-in-law suppressed it fiercely so besides hearing his parents comment about some things with his aunt and uncle. There wasn't much of a change in his day to day life much less his uncle's family's routine either so without evidence he couldn't come up with a clear understanding of the seemingly minor event. At most, it wouldn't affect my life anyways so there's really no need to think too much on it. Thinking like so, in a straight forward manner the man tosses the calculations in his heart far away. Gao Chang perhaps finally catching the subtle atmosphere from his friend decidedly changed the subject turning to the casual Sun Lirong. "Hey speaking of, didn't they say Senior Wei would be coming too? Why didn't he arrive yet?"

Sun Lirong who held more than disdain for the Wei family due to recent scandals sneered into his glass "What "Senior Wei"? A traitor is worthy of entering the Kang family home?" Sending him a helpless glance but also knowing he couldn't refute it too as it was a knot in all of their stomachs. Gao Chang couldn't stop himself from adding hesitantly "Even still, the council declared him free of all suspicion and are still investigating the case." "Raising a traitorous and foolish bastard he deserves a harsher punishment. Whether he was the one who did the deed or not in the end how many people lost their lives for the sake of indulging in an incompetent cretin?" Sun Lirong wouldn't let Gao Chang speak anymore on the subject setting down the glass in his hands loudly and heading back inside without saying more. 

His face full of hatred, despising the politics of the inner city the most. If it weren't for saving the legacy of the Wei's how could they dare to still delay the torture and execution of the Wei family's youngest? If Wei Anming was sincere towards the people he wouldn't dare show his face for the next few years and remind the victims of who and what they had lost in that battle considered a victory by the public. In fact, Sun Lirong wasn't the only one who thought like this. The invitation extended to Wei Anming by name only by the grace of the host of the banquet without any real intentions of wanting him to attend. It was just a show of the Kang's tolerance for a good son born to the wrong family. 

If Wei Anming attended he would only be avoided for fear of implication, so who ever spread the rumor he would be attending only had malicious intentions. If he failed to see through even this, then the Kang family's consideration of his talents would have even for naught.