Time Through Time We Remain Untamed.

CHAPTER 75: FULL CIRCLE

                     Sizhui's POV

       The stairs creeked as the old man's feet stepped on them, heading towards the family sitting room. It was another great day, one of joy and celebration as he approved of the house decorations around. He carried the air of infinite wisdom and an aura of majesty as he headed over the Lan House for almost 5 decades now.

     Lan Sizhui was an old man of 96 years now as he sat down by the head chair. Ahh, his youthful days were long gone;his body and mind naturally receding but he was still sharp as ever and was ready to commemorate this great day.

    "Good Morning Senior Master Sizhui," the household staff greeted as they made the last detail preparations. Today, his great granddaughter was coming to visit to introduce her new born 3 month old son. She lived a bit far away from them so Sizhui had been unable to make it during her delivery but now they finally had time to come together and celebrate.

       So much had happened over the years, so much that couldn't be encompassed in a single sitting but Sizhui was going to highlight the major events.

     

      First, he, Jin Ling and Jingyi had gone through a lot during their time. Sizhui had been able to finally win over Lan Zhan, becoming the company president under him until he finally took over in his mid 30s. He had married his university sweetheart quite early at 23 due to their unexpected pregnancy which had caused an uproar between him and his brother. His Er ge couldn't believe that history was repeating itself, lecturing him deep into the night for his irresponsibility while Wuxian was simply glad that Sizhui was getting some action at his age. They had almost thought he was celibate with how reserved he was. Nevertheless, Sizhui managed to handle the situation well and built a home for his small family, having 3 kids by the time he turned 30. It had been interesting to say the least.

      Next came Jin Ling and Jingyi. Jin Ling rose to prominence as he inherited most of Uncle Jiang Cheng's vast fortune and overseeing rank. He proved himself a master in the field of Culinary arts as well as expanding their restaurant business. He also set up a martial arts training centre; a deal he was greatly passionate about. His youthful restlessness and poor conduct faded away as he grew although he retained the very much known hot temper and strictness that Uncle Jiang Cheng held.

      Jingyi set off to the West, studying fine arts- a course noone knew he would ever consider. He spent most of his time in Europe with his own partner, not a man who believed in marriage persay as this could be attributed to his very poor relationship with Jin Ling. When they had been in university, Sizhui and everyone had been very much shocked to hear that the 2 ever bickering almost enemy pals were actually dating. It was an odd pairing to say they least yet there they were. They started off well before things got hectic between them and they had what many could describe as an on and off relationship. They finally called it quits when Jingyi went abroad for his master's and Jin Ling chose to stay. It was beginning to become toxic and so it was the best for them. Jin Ling remained a bachelor for almost 20 years just like his uncle before marrying a pretty smart ass woman whom they had one child. Jingyi was together with their other university friend Ouyang Zizhen who followed him to Finland and had stayed like that ever since.

        Next on the line was his own family. His mother and father didn't return to China until after he began working as President. That was when the great Lan Qiren Senior had passed on, his dementia taking over completely. His father had authorised that when that happened, the doctors to euthanize him shortly afterwards. One thing he had always despised was depending on people and his pride wouldn't allow him to be a burden. That was not the Lan Qiren way so, once his brain was fully wasted, he took himself out of the picture and his body was brought back for burial. He was cremated, his ashes stored in the sacred family shrine along with the rest. It had been a sad moment, more so for his mother who had been there every step of the way but everything had it's time.