When Jian Yumei and Lin Li returned home, their master was not there. However, on the dining table, there were dishes prepared for them, still warm, indicating they had been reheated several times. Jian Yumei and Lin Li smiled and made funny faces.
"Our master hasn't forgotten about us, even when he's away!" Jian Yumei remarked.
"Yes, I've been pondering a question!" Lin Li seemed lost in thought.
"What's on your mind? Is it about why the Earth is round? Don't bother pondering that, scientists have long resolved it!" Jian Yumei chuckled.
"Oh, forget it. I'm contemplating who's more formidable, a master like ours or an immortal from the South China Sea!" Lin Li replied.
"That's an interesting question. Let me think about it!" Jian Yumei tilted his head to consider.
"I feel as puzzled as Zhang Fei challenging Yue Fei; I can't decide who's superior between them!" Jian Yumei mused.
"Stop mocking me! Just because you've spent a few years in school and know about Zhang Fei and Yue Fei, you think you can ridicule me, hmph!" Lin Li retorted.
"I wouldn't dare ridicule you, senior sister!" Jian Yumei replied.
"That's about right!" Lin Li smirked.
"I'm tired. I'll go rest now, junior brother!" Lin Li announced.
"Very well, I bid you peace, senior sister!" Jian Yumei said.
"Don't tease me. Are you showing off that you've been to the imperial city? Well, mark my words, one day, I'll go to the imperial city too, to visit the Forbidden City! Hmph!" Lin Li declared.
"In that case, senior sister, when the time comes, I'll serve as your attendant and bodyguard! Although times have changed, and with your beauty, you might not be abducted by young lords as easily as before, it's still not entirely safe. Those warlords with guns often snatch away beautiful girls they see on the streets and ride off with them!" Jian Yumei explained.
"Junior brother, are you serious?" Lin Li inquired.
"Yes, unfortunately. Although such incidents are rare, they do happen frequently. This is the Republic era, after all!" Jian Yumei sighed.
"You're just a kid; why are you sighing as if you're burdened with the nation's worries?" Lin Li teased.
"Well, I've traveled far and wide. I've encountered all sorts of people, from revolutionaries to warlords, from the Beiyang Army to impoverished former Qing officials. Every time my father and I take the train, we meet various people discussing different matters!" Jian Yumei explained.
"Do you still keep abreast of current affairs?" Lin Li asked.
"I once met someone who imparted a lot of wisdom to me. I didn't know his name at first, but my father later informed me. I vaguely remember his face, but I later saw his photo in the newspaper. He was a significant figure! I still remember his words!" Jian Yumei shared.
"Who was he, and what did he say to you?" Lin Li inquired.
"I later learned his name was Sun Yat-sen! He told me that even if we're insignificant individuals, we must love our country and our people. He said his entire life was dedicated to that goal!" Jian Yumei said, his eyes reflecting that memory.
The man's gaze was resolute, his eyes piercing. At the time, Jian Yumei felt he was lonely. They were both on a train, with the man traveling in a private compartment, guarded by several bodyguards outside.
Jian Yumei vividly recalled being curious then because one of the man's bodyguards was a renowned martial arts master he admired.
That martial arts master always stayed close to Mr. Sun. During that period, Mr. Sun was likely facing challenges in his career, and while his face exuded loneliness, his eyes were determined. That aspect left the deepest impression on Jian Yumei.
Jian Yumei had seen the martial arts master he admired even before boarding the train. He and his father's seats were near the compartment. Through the train window, he saw the martial arts master and Mr. Sun boarding together.
"That man is a significant figure!" Jian Yumei's father remarked, watching Mr. Sun.
"Significant? More so than the presidents and premiers in Beijing?" Jian Yumei asked.
"He surpasses them by far! Without him, there wouldn't be those presidents and premiers!" his father replied.
"Really? Are there people greater than emperors, presidents, and premiers?" Jian Yumei wondered.
"Yes, indeed. It was through his lifelong efforts that he brought down the emperors. Without him, there wouldn't be those presidents and premiers. Do you still doubt his greatness?" his father explained.
"Then why didn't he become an emperor or president?" Jian Yumei was puzzled.
"That's a complicated question, one you'll understand later! Anyway, his entire life was devoted to the country and its people!" his father said.
Jian Yumei remembered that at the time, Mr. Sun seemed to be at a low point in his career, but he still held onto his ideals. Mr. Sun's charisma had deeply impressed Jian Yumei then.
"I've seen the person beside him before. I remember we went to watch his match!" Jian Yumei said.
"Yes, that's Du Xinwu, the top martial artist in our Republic! He volunteered to be Mr. Sun's bodyguard! We went to see Du challenge the top British wrestler that time!" his father reminisced.
"Yes, I remember Du was impressive. At first, the British wrestler seemed formidable, but after a few moves, he couldn't even touch Du. In the end, the foreigner got frustrated and charged at Du with all his might, but Du just calmly dodged and, with a swift move, struck the wrestler from behind. The British wrestler tumbled off the ring and couldn't get up!" Jian Yumei recalled.
"Yes, Du practices internal martial arts. Though his moves seem effortless, there's immense power behind them. He could easily knock out or even kill a person, let alone a bull!" his father explained.
"Yeah, if only I could be as formidable as him!" Jian Yumei sighed.
Jian Yumei remembered saying those words, and his father looked at him affectionately.
"Well, once we've earned more money and our lives are stable, I'll find you a master like Du to teach you martial arts properly! Then our Jian family will also produce a renowned figure, won't that be great?" his father said.
Thinking back on it, tears welled up in Jian Yumei's eyes, but he didn't want Lin Li to see, so he held them back.
Jian Yumei also remembered that at the time, he had looked upon Mr. Sun and Du Xinwu with great admiration and respect. They seemed like two massive magnets, drawing Jian Yumei closer to them.