After the Guangcheng Cheng Family informed Cheng Suâs Household of their plans, Cheng Su began to rack her brains to prepare a gift for Old Master Cheng.
The Cheng family was a prominent family, and Old Master Cheng had seen all sorts of fine things in his lifetime. Gold and jade may be valuable, but they are too common and might make it seem like the gift lacks sincerity.
So, one really needs to carefully consider what gift to give.
Cheng Su was at her witâs end, unable to think of an appropriate gift. In the past, whenever she gave gifts, she basically just bought something made of gold, silver, or jade, or simply gave a cash gift.
But now, she was at a loss for how to be innovative and bring joy to the old manâs heart.
Seeing her troubled, Qi Taiguo suggested, "Why not think about what the old man misses and go from there?"
Cheng Su was startled and replied, "What he misses most is probably his long-lost sister, but where can I find someone when even the Cheng family couldnât?"
"Then fulfill it indirectlyâthrough a photograph or painting or something like that," Qi Taiguo advised.
Cheng Su hesitated, "Wouldnât that just remind the old man of past feelings and make him sadder? That would be counterproductive."
"Itâs just a way to provide some consolation," Qi Taiguo responded.
Cheng Su thought about it, and realized that people take photos to have memories for the future, to reminisce about the past, and to show their descendants what the ancestors were like.
She pondered for a moment and suddenly had an idea, so she called Cheng Yaozu.
After hearing from her, Cheng Yaozu quickly mailed her what she needed, a photograph of the old man and his aunt from back then.
With the photograph in hand, Cheng Su went off mysteriously to work on her gift. Often, she would be nowhere to be found after classes. When Qi Taiguo asked her what she was up to, sheâd only respond with "secret" and wouldnât elaborate further.
"By the way, the old man also wants to meet you. Why donât you take a few days off and come with me? You havenât taken a big vacation this year, have you?" Cheng Su suggested, thinking that this year had been busy for her, and Qi Taiguo was eager to take things further while also being very busy, not to mention his military duties, so he hadnât had much of a break either.
Qi Taiguo replied, "Hmm, itâs the 30th, right?" Seeing her nod, he continued, "It takes time to travel by train, so I could maybe take five or six days off maximum. Thereâs so much going on this year, and itâs almost the end of the year, and some soldiers in the unit are planning to take family leave to go home for the New Year."
"Oh? Quite a few people are taking leave? Then you..." She asked if he could take leave during the New Year.
"Iâm not sure yet. Some havenât been home for the New Year in several years, so they take longer vacations," Qi Taiguo explained. "Around Mid-Autumn, I was on a mission and then on sick leave. I was supposed to be on holiday preparedness, but missed it, so for the New Year, I might have to lead the holiday readiness team."
"But itâs only a few dozen days until the New Year. Isnât this decided in advance?" Cheng Su murmured. "Arenât these things planned ahead of time?"
"Thatâs why thereâs a lot to do at the yearâs end. Even a short trip with you to Guangcheng canât be too long." Qi Taiguo pinched her cheek.
"Okay, as long as we can go. The old man just wants to meet you anyway," Cheng Su said.
Qi Taiguo gave her a kiss and said, "Itâs also the day you acknowledge your godparentage. I have to be there; itâs your happy occasion!"
Cheng Su finally smiled, then sighed when thinking about the New Year, "Iâm afraid Iâll be going back alone again for the New Year."
Last year, she didnât go home, and if she didnât go again this year, it wouldnât be right.