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"That was ten years ago," Li Lianhua objected. He lowered his chopsticks, his appetite—never large to begin with—lost.
"The books and oral histories don't tell the entire story," Li Lianhua continued. "You cannot know the true nature of Li Xiangyi. Events get exaggerated. Flaws conveniently forgotten. What you know are rumors inflated to myths."
Fang Doubing refused to accept anything related to Li Xiangyi as conjecture, though. His chin jutted out as if daring someone to challenge him. The hazy memory of a young Fang Duobing in his wheelchair materialized; a wisp of a boy with thin arms reaching for a fallen sword, its cold steel a stark contrast to his frail form.
Li Lianhua fought the urge to reach out and pat the determined boy's head of long ago.
The mirage scattered when Fang Duobing's teacup set onto the table with a splash and a thump.
"I know enough from when I met him."
Li Lianhua shook his head.
"Mere minutes! And when you were a sickly child!"
"It was enough to save my life." Fang Duobing's eyes glittered with a suspicious sheen. "Were it not for his words, I could not stand before you. In fact, I might not be here with you today."
Li Lianhua was struck dumb, the words catching in his throat. He pushed back a well of fondness for his unofficial disciple.
"Such a flattering testimony," Li Lianhua murmured. Despite his best efforts, his lips curved into a soft, involuntary smile.
"Fang Xiaobao, your shifu would be embarrassed even with his thick skin."
Blinking, Fang Duobing ducked his head, muttering a self-disparaging phrase. His words weren't clear, but the pink staining his cheeks betrayed him. His cheeks flushed as if a paintbrush had swiped across with a flourish.
"Indeed," Li Lianhua said to himself, but unbothered the other heard him. "Your shifu would be flattered. If only he knew how lucky he is."
"I'm the lucky one," Fang Duobing mumbled. He swirled the cooled tea in the cup. The subtle scent of grass and flowers rose.
"Bah. Appalling sentimental fools, both of you," A-Fei grunted where he appeared suddenly on the stairs.
"Who asked you?" Fang Duobing yelped as he shot up to his feet like a startled cat.