After the Guangcheng Cheng Family inford Cheng Su’s Household of their plans, Cheng Su began to rack her brains to prepare a gift for Old Master Cheng.
The Cheng family was a prominent family, and Old Master Cheng had seen all sorts of fine things in his lifeti. Gold and jade may be valuable, but they are too common and might make it seem like the gift lacks sincerity.
So, one really needs to carefully consider what gift to give.
Cheng Su was at her wit’s end, unable to think of an appropriate gift. In the past, whenever she gave gifts, she basically just bought sothing made of gold, silver, or jade, or simply gave a cash gift.
But now, she was at a loss for how to be innovative and bring joy to the old man’s heart.
Seeing her troubled, Qi Taiguo suggested, "Why not think about what the old man misses and go from there?"
Cheng Su was startled and replied, "What he misses most is probably his long-lost sister, but where can I find soone when even the Cheng family couldn’t?"
"Then fulfill it indirectly—through a photograph or painting or sothing like that," Qi Taiguo advised.
Cheng Su hesitated, "Wouldn’t that just remind the old man of past feelings and make him sadder? That would be counterproductive."
"It’s just a way to provide so consolation," Qi Taiguo responded.
Cheng Su thought about it, and realized that people take photos to have mories for the future, to reminisce about the past, and to show their descendants what the ancestors were like.
She pondered for a mont and suddenly had an idea, so she called Cheng Yaozu.
After hearing from her, Cheng Yaozu quickly mailed her what she needed, a photograph of the old man and his aunt from back then.
With the photograph in hand, Cheng Su went off mysteriously to work on her gift. Often, she would be nowhere to be found after classes. When Qi Taiguo asked her what she was up to, she’d only respond with "secret" and wouldn’t elaborate further.
"By the way, the old man also wants to et you. Why don’t you take a few days off and co with ? You haven’t taken a big vacation this year, have you?" Cheng Su suggested, thinking that this year had been busy for her, and Qi Taiguo was eager to take things further while also being very busy, not to ntion his military duties, so he hadn’t had much of a break either.
Qi Taiguo replied, "Hmm, it’s the 30th, right?" Seeing her nod, he continued, "It takes ti to travel by train, so I could maybe take five or six days off maximum. There’s so much going on this year, and it’s almost the end of the year, and so soldiers in the unit are planning to take family leave to go ho for the New Year."
"Oh? Quite a few people are taking leave? Then you..." She asked if he could take leave during the New Year.
"I’m not sure yet. So haven’t been ho for the New Year in several years, so they take longer vacations," Qi Taiguo explained. "Around Mid-Autumn, I was on a mission and then on sick leave. I was supposed to be on holiday preparedness, but missed it, so for the New Year, I might have to lead the holiday readiness team."
"But it’s only a few dozen days until the New Year. Isn’t this decided in advance?" Cheng Su murmured. "Aren’t these things planned ahead of ti?"
"That’s why there’s a lot to do at the year’s end. Even a short trip with you to Guangcheng can’t be too long." Qi Taiguo pinched her cheek.
"Okay, as long as we can go. The old man just wants to et you anyway," Cheng Su said.
Qi Taiguo gave her a kiss and said, "It’s also the day you acknowledge your godparentage. I have to be there; it’s your happy occasion!"
Cheng Su finally smiled, then sighed when thinking about the New Year, "I’m afraid I’ll be going back alone again for the New Year."
Last year, she didn’t go ho, and if she didn’t go again this year, it wouldn’t be right.
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