"Is that what I think it is? Springtime Memories?"
An elderly man who admires artifacts gasp in surprise as he was able to catch a glimpse of the breath-taking painting. Even from away, he knows art when he sees it, and this was a piece beyond anything he has ever laid eyes on.
Hearing the man, another man also gasp, "You said Springtime Memories? I heard the painting was sold for 230 million yuan to an anonymous buyer. I would have never thought that the buyer was Old Lu."
Grandfather Ji is also a collector of artifacts, especially when there is a long history behind it. However, when he heard the price of the gift, he looks at Old Lu in complex and astonishment.
He did not think the Lu family would be so generous to actually spend that amount on him.
He continues to look at Old Lu and sighs.
"This gift is too valuable. I do not think I can keep it."
Old Lu and Madam Lu were struck dumbfounded. The husband and wife looks at each other then to the old man.
"Uncle, this is a gift from us to you. Please take it as our gratitude for all the years you have been our elder."
Madam Lu smiles her words at the old man. After the death of her father, Grandfather Ji had taken on the role as her uncle and a father figure. He is the only elder she is close with and greatly respects.
Standing closer to Grandfather Ji, Old Lu sighs a smile as he nods his head in agreeing with his wife's words.
The old man is indeed like a father to him too.
Many people did not know, but his father, Madam Lu's father, Yue Ling's paternal grandfather, Manager Luo and Grandfather Ji were the closest of friends.
The word 'friendship' cannot even describe the bond they share. These five figures together are like brothers more than friends.
However, now, it was only Grandfather Ji and Manager Luo who are still here with them.
Hearing Madam Lu's words, Grandfather Ji sighs inside. His head nod once as he waves the servants to put the gift in a safe spot.
Just as Madam Lu and Old Lu took a step aside, it was Lu Tian's turn.
As the tall and cold man walks towards the old man, Old Lu passes his oldest son with a face as if say, 'Hoho, let's see if your gift can beat mine.'
Seeing this, Lu Tian shook his head. At times, he feels his father can be quite childish. Especially when it comes to gifting someone something.
Stopping in front of the old man, both his hand stretch forward to give the man his gift.
It was a dark wooden box that looked like it would fall apart if someone was not careful. Even pieces of the woods are missing.
However, he did not care. He stood in front of the old man and part his lips to speak.
"A long time ago, I remember you said you regretted not buying this. I hope your interest in this has not faded."
Handing it to the old man, he takes a step back.
Grandfather Ji narrow his eyes at the oldest Lu boy. He ponder in thought about Lu Tian's words but could not seem to recall not buying something he was interested in.
However, staring at the wooden box in his hands, he is curious to know what is inside that made Lu Tian say such words.
He unhooks the latch that sealed the box closed and opens the lid.
Watching from a distance, everyone still in line stares attentively to see what Lu Tian had buy. Even they wonder if it would be able to outshine Old Lu and Madam Lu's gifts.
Grandfather Ji slowly lifts the lid and when his eyes landed on an old and faded scroll. Upon it's features, his hands slowly began to tremble.
"What is it? What did Lu Tian gift General Ji?"
"Is the old man happy or angry at the gift?"
Whispers soon surface around the room as everyone tries to guess what the gift was and what the old man was feeling based on his reaction.
However, Grandfather Ji ignores all the whispers with eyes locked inside the box at the scroll.
He had seen this once at an auction, but it was very long time ago. Though it was only once, he has never forgotten how it looked it at the time.
Taking a deep breath, he slowly reach inside the box and trace the scroll with careful, yet trembling fingers. He was afraid that if he was not careful, the scroll will disappear.
Even blinking was not an option for him. One blink and he felt like the scroll would disappear and everything will turn into a dream.
He stood from his seat and walks over to a long table that had been set up for the gifts.
Setting the scroll down, he struggle a gulp as he slowly begins to unfold it.
Unlike the time he did with Old Lu's scroll, this time he made sure to be extra cautious.
The scroll appeared to be half the width of Springtime Memories, but it was longer.
One stroke turned into two, then three.
Until Grandfather Ji had unfold the entire scroll, it was five strokes in total.
Each stroke painted a figure clothe in ancient attire riding their own horses with a expression like the group was on a worldly adventure.
At the bottom corner entitled, 'Five Drunken Generals.'
Staring at the painting, Grandfather Ji felt his eyes turn moist as memories of the past flood his mind like meteors in the sky.
Old Lu and Madam Lu's gift had reminded him of his wife, while Lu Tian's reminded him of his good friends.
"Twenty years ago, I remember seeing this painting at an auction with you. You were very interested in it but in the end, you did not buy it."
From the side, Lu Tian's deep voice spoke as he stood next to the old man. He also stares at the painting with admire in his eyes.
"Today, I gift you this painting in return of your time raising me like your own."
Hearing the boy's voice, a faint smile curl on Grandfather Ji's lip and he reach down to touch the painting.
Now he remembers.
This painting, the moment he saw it at the auction house, it reminded him of his four friends and himself.
Each person in the painting looked so free like nothing in the world could disturb their peace.
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, he looks at Lu Tian and nod his head with an approving expression.
"Thank you. I have indeed been trying to find this painting, but it was always a dead end. How did it end up in your hands?"
He couldn't help but ask. Although he looked like he was not interested in the piece anymore, he had been secretly searching for it. However, how did Lu Tian get his hands on it before him?
Hearing the old man, Lu Tian did not hide anything. He slowly turn to the guests and looks in the direction of his wife.
"Yue Ling knew someone who found it. I was there and bought it."
Grandfather Ji turn his head to look at his granddaughter with a stunned expression. Of course it would be her. How could he have forgotten that there is Uncle Zhi by her side.
One word, and the man is able to get his hands on anything valuable in this world.
As Lu Tian's turn quickly came to an end, it was Lu Han's turn.
The youngest son in the Lu family held a wide grin on his face with a gift bag in hand. Walking up to the old man, he hands the gift towards Grandfather Ji.
"Old man Ji, I hope you will not only like my gift, but also love it. I specifically chose it just for you."
Saying this, he leans in closer to the man and whispers.
"Don't worry, it will not disappoint you at all."
He takes a step back and proudly held his chin high. The look on his face was like his gift was better than everyone else's. Even his parent's and Lu Tian's expensive gifts can't be compared to it at all.
Grandfather Ji looks at Lu Han and he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. From young until now, he felt this boy was rather the strange one in the family.
However, who can blame him, his personality is exactly the same as Grandfather Lu when the man was younger.
Seeing the boy full of proudness and smiles, Grandfather Ji couldn't help but shake his head and smile with the boy.