The next morning, the snow stopped, and the sun ca out, shining on the silver-coated earth and the white city, bringing a touch of warmth in the air. Luo Zheng's family got up early to prepare breakfast. Lan Xue did not co over for the New Year; she stayed ho to be with her own family. Luo Zheng felt a bit regretful but also understood. It's not easy to have ti at ho during the New Year, so spending ti with the elders is more important. He got busy in the kitchen.
The most important al on New Year's Eve is dinner; breakfast and lunch are less prioritized. Everyone casually cooked so noodles and ate them, then continued to prepare for dinner, with one cutting, one washing, and the other tidying up tables and chairs. The family was harmonious and happy. Luo Zheng enjoyed this atmosphere, realizing it had been years since he last spent the New Year at ho with family.
By noon, the preparations were almost done. Everyone ate casually and sat down to rest, watching TV, chatting idly to pass the ti. Various early New Year's wishes ssages kept coming, and ti passed quickly, reaching the evening before they knew it.
The sumptuous dishes that had been prepared all day were placed on the table, and the wine was poured. Luo Hu, as the head of the family, sat at the head of the table, looking at his spouse on the left and his two accomplished daughters on the right. He was in high spirits, feeling inexplicably moved, and raised his glass, saying: "Another year has passed. I never thought I could live in Beijing in this lifeti, and watching you all beco so successful, it's worth it. Let's have a reunion drink; may the coming year be more harmonious and beautiful, and may our children be healthier."
"And may Mom and Dad always be healthy and live long," Luo Zheng solemnly said.
With one drink down, the atmosphere beca more lively. Luo Zheng, along with his younger sister, toasted their parents, saying heartfelt words, with smiles of happiness and contentnt lighting up the faces of everyone. As a soldier, being able to co back from the battlefield alive was enough satisfaction. Being able to spend the New Year with the family and enjoy its warmth made Luo Zheng feel everything was worth it.
Luo Zheng drank a bit too much during this al, worried about saying sothing he shouldn't later, he quickly went into the room to take a cold shower. The icy water instantly cleared his mind a bit, and he got dressed and ca out, poured himself a cup of hot water, and took a few sips. Seeing his mom and younger sister still tidying up the kitchen, he went to the living room to sit with his dad and continue chatting idly.
After chatting for a while, Luo Zheng suddenly changed the topic and said softly: "Dad, I want to tell you sothing."
"What is it?" Luo Hu curiously inquired, looking at Luo Zheng.
"I t a person during a mission a few days ago, can't say specifics. That person taught a breathing skill, can you guess?" Luo Zheng seriously looked at his father and said.
"Stop beating around the bush, just tell straight," Luo Hu urged.
"The upper half of the breathing skill he taught is exactly the sa as the one passed down in our family," Luo Zheng quickly said.
"What? Is there really such a thing?" Luo Hu was shocked. Seeing Luo Zheng didn't seem to be lying, his expression turned serious and thoughtful, frowning, not knowing what he was pondering.
Luo Zheng curiously asked: "What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I seem to rember a passage in the family genealogy saying an ancestor once saved soone while hunting deep in the mountains. That person taught a breathing skill as a token of gratitude which has been passed down through generations. Otherwise, how would regular hunters know such things? I didn't expect it was only the upper half. What's unique about the lower half?" Luo Hu asked suspiciously.
"I've thought about this. The upper half can make us sharp in ears and eyes, enough for hunting, but the lower half can greatly enhance the five senses and six perceptions. That person once said, practicing it to the extre, you could hear the sound of insects crawling within a hundred ters, the sound of flowers blooming and falling, feel it all. Wouldn't that allow hearing even further away?" Luo Zheng solemnly said, recalling the ntal thod for the latter half.
"Is it really that magical? When I was young in the army, I t a master, a sniper. He was also skilled in combat, could easily take down more than ten people alone. He said he could hear the sound of small animals crawling from dozens of ters away. At the ti, I didn't believe it. Could it really be true?" Luo Hu whispered, intrigued.
"Dad, I don't know about the person you ntioned, but when I was practicing, I heard sounds from over forty ters high on a rooftop. I should say felt, to be more precise. My sixth sense was stronger, if it weren't for that, my mission probably would have failed," Luo Zheng said seriously.
The second ti the man in black attacked, Luo Zheng happened to be practicing the breathing skill and sensed sothing was wrong. He took Shi Qian and Lan Xue to check, preventing the assassination by the man in black. Otherwise, it would indeed be troubleso. Luo Zheng vividly rembered this, couldn't fake it, and Luo Hu knew Luo Zheng wouldn't lie on this matter. He believed it a bit and solemnly said: "This is a profound cultivation thod. We should repay this kindness if given the chance."
"Understood. I will repay the person when there's an opportunity," Luo Zheng quickly said, thinking, looking at Luo Hu, continued: "Dad, I'll teach it to you. You should learn it well too."
Luo Hu felt he was already too old to learn this, but thinking it over, he agreed: "Alright, I'll practice first. If anything goes wrong, I can warn you in ti."
"Dad? It's fine; I can feel it. That person wouldn't have a reason to harm ," Luo Zheng said, moved.
"You can never be too wary, let learn it first," Luo Hu said seriously.
Luo Zheng didn't say more, seriously taught the latter half to Luo Hu. Luo Hu, having a foundation, learned quickly and mastered the thod, went to his room to practice. Luo Zheng saw his mom and younger sister finish tidying up, quickly made space, poured them hot water, and said: "Mom, you've worked hard."
"Isn't it the job of parents to take care of your children? As long as you all succeed, well, we're happy even if we're busy and tired. Where's your dad?" Mrs. Luo said with a smile.
"Maybe tired, said he's going to the room to rest for a while," Luo Zheng fibbed kindly.
"Don't worry about him. By the way, when is Xue Er coming ho?" Mrs. Luo curiously inquired.
Luo Zheng saw his younger sister make a face at him, a gesture implying he should take care of himself, and he couldn't help but smile bitterly: "Mom, today's New Year's Eve and tomorrow's New Year's Day. According to our hotown traditions, we can't visit each other on such days, right? She's also lazy to go ho for New Year. I rember it's been about ten years since she returned ho to spend New Year with her dad. There are reasons, don't inquire about it. She might co tomorrow, but the day after, I have to go over."
"Well, let's see if she cos tomorrow or not. You must go the day after, or it won't be reasonable. The gifts are ready for you. Also, you should help your younger sister with her matters," Mrs. Luo seriously said.
"Mom, she's still young, alright?" The younger sister quickly said.
"Can't she start dating? I see city folks date when they're adults, you're an adult too. If you wait any longer, you'll only get leftovers others don't want," Mrs. Luo said jokingly but firmly.
"Alright, I'll go date tomorrow," the younger sister replied with a bitter face.
"Where are you going to date tomorrow? Trying to fool this old lady, I'm not dealing with this, handing it over to your brother. If you can't get married, I'll settle it with your brother, not with you? No chance," Mrs. Luo laughed and scolded.
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