The morning sun had just crested over the horizon when Li Chen returned to the villa from his intense daily training routine. Sweat glistened on his toned body as he pounded up the front steps, looking forward to a warm shower and hearty breakfast.
However, his plans were swiftly derailed by the chime of an incoming video call on his sleek handheld comms unit. Frowning at the unfamiliar caller ID, Li Chen swiped to accept and was greeted by the wizened, oriental features of an elderly man.
"How come you didn't invite this old master to your wedding celebration, young man?" The aged figure chuckled through the small screen, his eyes crinkling with mirth despite the clearly weak rasp of his voice. "I had to watch the media circus broadcast like everyone else."
