Toronto, Canada.
It was autumn. The air was cool and crisp. The vibrant fall colours looked so spectacular that many people couldn't help but stop to snap photos.
Three men walked together in the park under the beautiful canopy of autumn trees and a carpet of colourful leaves.
When they felt cold, they left the park and headed to a nearby café. They ordered hot coffee and pastries, and then sat down to warm up.
"You look healthy, Fifth Brother," Lin Yehan said. "I'm glad."
Lu Zihao nodded. "I'm recovered now."
"Are you really?" Lin Yehan asked.
"Yeah. I'm not that fragile, you know. Maybe I'm not as flexible or as strong like before but I'll live."
"Don't worry, Third Bro," Yu Mo said. "I'll help you regain your flexibility and strength, if you want. My beloved student, Xiao Xiu, was also comatose before but because of Systema, she has the power to kick as*es now."
A mysterious look flashed in Lu Zihao's eyes at the mention of Iris, but it disappeared quickly. It was replaced by his usual roguish smile. "Sure."
If this was Lu Zihao from before, he wouldn't even be interested because he wasn't good at anything that required discipline and perseverance like martial arts. He was impulsive, wild and carefree. His devil-may-care attitude made him live his life based on mood rather than logic. If it was fun, he would do it.
"Yeah, why not? I have a lot of free time these days," he said. "Since I have nothing to do in particular, maybe Systema can help shorten the amount of time I need to spend on completing my treatment and rehabilitation. Maybe I can even regain my previous flexibility and strength."
Yu Mo: "Oh! You've grown up now, Fifth Bro! I'm so proud. Rest assured, I'll help you to the best of my abilities!"
"I'm so glad that you're finally returning to the country," Lin Yehan said. "It has been so long."
"I've been looking forward to it for so long but my doctor is too cautious. She and the old man are too naggy. I actually tried secretly booking a flight by myself but I discovered that the old man had me temporarily banned from booking at all airlines. That's why I've been stuck here for so long. Who does that? He's so extreme." Lu Zihao had an annoyed expression.
Yu Mo: "Ahahaha! That's Grandpa Lu, alright!"
Lin Yehan chuckled. "You're Grandpa Lu's favourite, so he's very protective of you. But at least he has allowed you to return now."
"It's only because Third Brother managed to convince the old man that the hospitals back there will also be able to treat me just fine. If not for him, I'll probably be still stuck here for at least one more year or maybe even more."
"Well, Third Brother's grandfather was Grandpa Lu's best friend. They were close brothers," Lin Yehan said. "They were the genius duo who built Jin Corporation from the ground up and quickly made it into the number one company in the country. And now Third Brother is the head of the company. Grandpa Lu always says that Third Brother is a lot like Grandfather Jin. Maybe that's why Grandpa Lu listens more to Third Brother than the rest of us combined."
After finishing their coffee and pastries, they left the café. Yu Mo drove them back to Lu Zihao's penthouse.
A few weeks ago, Lu Zihao already cleared his medical tests and received permission from his doctor. The doctor deemed that he was now safe for long travels. However, Grandpa Lu was stubborn and wouldn't allow him to return to the country until a couple of days ago. The old man called him very early in the morning.
"Hello? Hello! What took you so long to answer the phone, you lazy boy! I want to know!" Grandpa Lu's voice boomed.
Lu Zihao grunted, still sleepy.
"Hai! You're sleeping too much! Your sperm cells are going to become lazy and sluggish at this rate! Then you won't be able to give me great-grandbabies!"
He yawned. "Mmn… Why are you calling, Grandpa?"
"You still sound sleepy. Fine, then! Go back to sleep, you sleepyhead! Then I won't tell you that you can return to the country! Hmph! Bye!"
Lu Zihao instantly felt awake. He rose from the bed. "What? Really?"
"Hmph! Now you're awake? Yes! You can return home! Go pack your things!"
"Alright. I'll do that right away. So the airlines ban for me has been lifted?"
"Then how am I supposed to return? Are you going to send a plane?"
"Hah! I'm too busy with my new granddaughter! She's so much nicer and appreciates me more than you do, you ungrateful boy! I don't have time to waste on you!"
Granddaughter? Who was the old man talking about? However, Lu Zihao had no interest in this. He was more concerned on how he was going to fly to China.
"Go ask your Third Brother to send one of his private jets for you!" Grandpa Lu said. "But if you brothers dare deceive me and you fly to another country, I'll hunt you down and dump you on a private island and lock you up there for the rest of your life! Don't try me, boy! I'll really do it! I'm serious!"
"Fine, fine," Lu Zihao said in a hurry. "Bye now, Grandpa. I need to call Third Brother."
As expected, Grandpa Lu refused to hang up so quickly and continued to nag at him for over half an hour. Finally, the call ended. Lu Zihao immediately called Jin Liwei next and without any fuss, Jin Liwei agreed.
Jin Liwei sent one of his private jets but Lin Yehan and Yu Mo came as well. The two of them immediately volunteered to pick up Lu Zihao when they heard that he was now allowed to return. Both Jin Liwei and Wang Yingjie were busy at work, so they couldn't come. Lin Yehan and Yu Mo arrived yesterday.
Lu Zihao wanted to return to the country as soon as possible, but the two wanted to enjoy the Canadian autumn season first. Two against one. He had no choice but to wait a week.
He wasn't complaining much, however. It was only one more week. He could wait that much.
In his mind, the image of Iris Long was merging with the image of a beautiful golden-haired woman with green eyes.