Past and Present

Chapter 31- Visit

Xingchen was teaching his sons tricks he learned from his master. It was midday and the boys were ready to learn anything and everything.
Yue was practically bouncing and shining, "So, like this?" He repeated the move and Xingchen nodded.
"Yes, you're doing very well a-Yue, my sword seems to be working for you," he turned to Chenxing who was repeating the move over and over again. "A-Xing, don't overwork yourself."
"I almost have it," Chenxing did it a couple more times and nodded, satisfied.
"You're doing well angel," Xingchen said fondly, "do you want to learn another one? Or would like to take a break?"
"Break please," Yue said, he ran to a tree and took out a bottle of water. He drank half of it and passed it to his brother who took the other half.
"Young masters!" A man called, running up to them. He bowed, "Young masters, someone is here. They say they are your friends."
"Has Baba said anything?" Chenxing asked.
"He greeted them as Lan Changming and Jin Shanghai," the man said.
"Alright, thank you," Chenxing nodded. He turned to Xingchen, "Mama, would you like to meet some of our friends?"
"Of course," Xingchen smiled and walked behind the young men to the mansion. They walked through the trees and soon saw the building in the distance, "How old are your friends?"
"Both are 18," Yue replied, walking through the long grass.
"Alright," Xingchen nodded and took out a flute from the air, he lifted it to his lips and blew on the small hole. A soft melody filled the air and the wind helped carry it to the distance.
Yue smiled at the sound and skipped in front of them. Chenxing shook his head and stayed behind with his mother, looking at his younger brother.
Xingchen stopped playing the instrument once they were close to the mansion and let it disappear into thin air. "Changming!" Yue called out.
"Young Master Xue," Changming bowed but his arms were held up.
"Please don't bow, it makes me feel old," Yue said.
"Sure," Changming stood up straight and nodded at Chenxing, "Young Master Xue."
Chenxing nodded back, "Young Master Lan, Young Master Jin."
"Don't call me that," Shanghai said, putting an arm around the young man, "just call me Shanghai."
"No," Chenxing moved the arm away, "I prefer calling you Young Master Jin."
"Fine, but can I call you Chenxing?" Shanghai asked.
"No, just call me Young Master Xue," Chenxing said.
"Fine," Shanghai saw Xingchen and hurriedly bowed. He stood up again, "Um who are you?"
Xingchen smiled, "I am their mother."
"Weren't you dead?" Changming asked softly.
"I was," Xingchen said, "but I somehow came back to life. You're part of the Lan Clan, correct?"
"Yes."
"Have you learned how to use a guqin?" Xingchen asked.
"A little bit," Changming mumbled, rubbing his wrist, "my friends is Hanguang Jun's son so he taught me a lot of things."
"Interesting," XinXingchen commented, "and you are part of the Jin Clan."
"Yes," Shanghai replied .
"May I see your sword? I heard they have very fine swords there," Xingchen said.
Shanghai put his sword out and drew it about an inch, "It is very fast."
"I can tell, you also seem to be a good fighter," Xingchdn said, "I heard you fought a-Xing."
"I did," Shanghai puffed out his chest and looked at Xingchen.
"Guess who won," Yue said.
"Who?" Xingchen asked, his voice gentle and sweet.
"Chenxing!"
"Well done angel," Xingchen pet Chenxing's head gently and smiled, "I knew your father would be a good teacher."
"He said he learned from you," Yue said cheerfully.
"He did, but I think he's better," Xingchen said, his cheeks growing hot.
"You're both good," Chenxing said, putting a hand behind his back.
"You're getting better posture," Xingchen complimented.
"Thank you," Chenxing smiled. Shanghai watched the interaction and remembered of his own mother who was back at Lanling.
"Chenxing, how about showing me your room," Shanghai said, a glint of mischief in his eyes.
"Sure," Chenxing walked away with a nod at his mother, and Shanghai bowed before walking behind the man.
They went to a room that was neat and organized. There was a bed and a table near it. The table had books and fans and had a brush and a stack of papers.
The bed was neatly done and had a book on it, "You like reading?"
Chenxing nodded, "Yes, it is very entertaining. You should try it sometime, to distract you. My favorite book is called Tian Guan Ci Fu." (Yes, I really went there)
"I'll see if I can read it," Shanghai said, "do you have some tea? Or food?"
"I have tea and mooncakes," Chenxing said, "would you like some?"
"Yes, please," Shanghai sat down at the table and Chenxing began moving all the books.
Chenxing moved them to his bed and went to a cabinet. He took out a bottle and some cups, along with a bag and a plate. He went back to the table and set the objects down in front if Shanghai.
He served the tea and put the mooncakes on the plate, "Here."
"Thank you," Shanghai took a sip of the tea and smiled, "it's good."
"I'm glad," Chenxing smiled back, he took a sip of his own tea and watched the young man eat in front of him.
"Chenxing, how long has your mother been here?" Shanghai asked.
"Around a week now," Chenxing said, "he has been teaching me and a-Yue more tricks about fighting."
"Can you teach me?" He asked.
Chenxing looked at him and blinked, "No."
"Why not?" Shanghai whined. He put the cup down and crawled over to Chenxing, his face close to the man's.
Chenxing spread his fan and put it in between their faces, "Get away from me."
"No," Shanghai moved the fan down and moved his face closer to the man's. Chenxing moved back and hit Shanghai's forehead with the tip of his fan.
"I said get away," he smiled, his eyes showing a dark emotion, "or else I'll dig your eyes out."
"Fine, fine," Shanghai pouted, "no need to get so violent."
"Then stay away from me," Chenxing said. He took a sip of his tea.
    "Alright, I'll stay away from you," Shanghai moved back and Chenxing felt a pang in his chest.
   What was this bitter feeling? What caused it? Could it he Shanghai?
   Chenxing looked at the boy who was eating, I should stay away from him. He's making me feel weird, and I don't know if it's alright.