Chapter 1 Bear child
In secluded area of capital city, T Province of J Country.
Large courtyard with ancient architecture buildings could be seen at the peak of a mountain.
While from the foot of the mountain to the mountaintop, villas and mansions were erected with traces of time on them. Each one could even represent the changes of each era and time.
On the way to the backside of the mountaintop...
"Grandfather! Are we there yet?"
A tall, sturdy teenager excitedly asked the old man. His slightly chubby childish smiling face was beaming with anticipation. Today, finally the long-awaited promised time had come. Although he was now 16 years old teenager today, he was still acting like a spoiled brat in front of his grandfather.
Today they had just celebrated his coming-of-age and he is now an adult! His grandfather had finally agreed to bring him along to the backside of the mountain!
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He was the typical second-generation wealthy son belonging to one of the most ancient inheritances in the country. It is what people called the little young master of the family.
As the second youngest child of the family, he has an eldest sister, elder brother, and a youngest sister. The youngest sister was going to be 14-years old in the next two months.
There is a considerable age gap between the first two siblings and the latter two youngest. So, he and his little sister stick around together much.
Once, when he was 4 years old, when visiting their grandparents' home at the foot of the mountain, they listen to the adults retelling their past stories.
While the children were listening to these stories attentively with great interest, his grandfather had once mentioned there's a secret garden behind the mountaintop.
With a look admiration and awe, he told the two child that there, their ancestor planted a mysterious tree. Once every several years, it would bear fruits. The fruits were so sweet that the aroma spread across the mountain.
There's a legend that when it was planted, a fairy had descended to commemorate the significance of the event. From then on, their family was founded and continue to be inherited over the millenniums.
It was said that whoever ate the fruit, their mind would grow intelligent, and their talent would grow.
Listening to such fairy tale-like story, at that time, being children as they are, they were intrigued by the idea of eating the fruit. They were imagining that after eating they would grow tall, strong and handsome like those action heroes and princesses in the movies.
Hearing their wild imagination, the adult just laughs it out saying maybe they could become one.
At that time each of them had an obvious mysterious smile that plot prevails. But as children without much experience, they did not notice the adults' expression. They were captivated by the dream of becoming heroes and princesses.
---
Later, as months went by, the two gradually forgotten about it. It was not until his eldest sister and elder brother, who was missing for several years, finally came back.
At that time, their parents were working. And when the two elder siblings came back, they were wearing those weird costume and had a look of exhaustion. So of course, they went straight home to relax and get changed.
And the first thing that comes to mind when they reach home were their missing sentiment among the four siblings.
"Sister! Brother! You are finally back! Where did you go to for so long? We missed you!"
"Well did you guys go to make movies? Why the weird, odd clothes? Aren't you cold wearing such thin clothes this winder?"
Hearing her brother saying that, the youngest sister suddenly reacted, "Ah, brother. Did you just say eldest sister and elder brother make movies? Is it true, Eldest Sister? Did you become a princess?"
"Oh. Oohh. Did you? Then brother did you become one of the heroes? But I never saw any movies with eldest sister and elder brother in it? Is it a small role? Are you not famous?"
Hearing the relentless and continuous chattering and boisterously asking this and that, the two older sister and brother looked at each other for a while and laugh.
"Haha. it's a secret. But I can tell you that you are half right about that."
"Did you remember grandfather's story about the mysterious tree the ancestor planted at the back mountain?"
"Did you mean the one he told numerous times when we were little?"
"Yeah, that one." Pretending to look around, the elder brother whispered silently, "Well, let elder brother told you a little secret. Don't tell anyone else."
The little brother and sister quickly cover their mouth and promised, "We won't tell anyone."
Bending as if to tell a big secret, elder brother and sister whispered.
"Actually, both of us had eaten the fruit! You know, the fruit is really, really, really sweet."
"Yeah. And it transforms us to be more beautiful and handsome. Don't you think your eldest sister and elder brother is now more fairy like and manly?"
The two nodded frantically in agreement.
"Well, that's the secret. The fruit has magical power"
"Then...then...could you fly in the air? Walk on the water?"
Hearing the questions, the brother and sister laugh aloud. Then the talk soon become crooked and chattering many irrelevant topics.
However deep down, the confession of the two of them left profound impression on the little brother and sister. They can't wait to eat it and find out the truth.
The eldest sister and elder brother told them that only when a member of the family is acknowledged as an adult, could they get the fruit to eat it. At that time, after the coming-of-age celebration, their grandfather would bring them to the tree, and they could get the fruit then. So, they had been looking forward to it for years.
---
In fact, the teenager had secretly pestered his grandfather long before today's coming-of-age celebration.
Acting as a spoiled brat, he keeps making trouble around his grandfather urging him to give his share of the fruit soon.
After pestering for so long, his grandfather still refuses to give him, telling him to wait until he becomes an adult. Of course, he wouldn't listen.
So, every other day, he would suddenly come and give his grandfather a 'surprise attack' visit. In those times he would urge his grandfather to give the fruit. He even searched and turned over the house upside down several times looking for hidden treasure chest.
He had believed that the fruit kept by his grandfather could be stored there.
After a long time, his grandfather angrily called him a bear child, always reprimanding him whenever he caused trouble.
But he triumphantly declares, even if he is to become a bear child, he doesn't care. Grandfather must still give him the fruit!
Hearing him saying that, he would be chased by his grandfather with cane while loud scolding could be heard from afar.
And his parents, when looking to such familiar scenes, seeing their son stubbornness, they felt helpless. The child has always been an obedient and filial child.
He was gentle and friendly to his friends, harmoniously playing around with others. Though sometimes being mischievous now and then, he still respects the elders.
After all, for them, a young child going overboard and making mistakes is part of growing up process. So long as his overall behavior is good, other short coming could be taught slowly.
However, whenever it concerns his long-awaited fruit, he would totally show a different attitude. He is very resolute and determined to get his share soon.
That's why the scene of their son being chased by their father had become a normal scene when their family came back to their father's house.