Related thematic articles: Untitled Document. The second floor of the serene tea restaurant. The soft music flowed like a gentle stream, passing through the hearts of people. There weren't many guests on the second floor of the tea restaurant, only about a dozen or so, scattered in small groups, all discussing their respective topics in low voices. Suddenly, footsteps were heard from the staircase, causing many guests to glance involuntarily.
A pure young girl with a ponytail wearing jeans and a white polo shirt, along with an elegant woman with short hair dressed in purple casual wear, walked up side by side. Many eyes in the entire tea restaurant lit up!
"Look, two beauties! Especially the one in purple casual wear, wow. I spent four years at university in Suzhou, and just came back. I didn't expect that we would have such a great beauty in Anyi County. She's really mature. The other one is a bit younger but still pure and beautiful."
"Ming Xiaoxi, Monkey, no matter how good the beauties are, they belong to others. Stop dreaming," said someone.
"Hey, bro, don't discourage me. By the way, who is that tall one with short hair? I've lived more than twenty years, and she's definitely in the top three among all women I've seen. Her features, her temperament... she's truly breathtaking," said the youth nicknamed 'Monkey', his eyes wide open.
"Monkey, let me tell you, this beauty's name is 'Lin Qing'. She's a very important person with deep background. The Land Rover worth two million yuan that we saw a few days ago is hers. Just in Anyi County, she owns a hotel and two teahouses. And these properties in our county are only a small part of what she owns," someone explained.
"So impressive?" the youth named 'Monkey' couldn't help but be astonished. Anyi County is just an ordinary county in Jiangsu Province, and a Land Rover worth two million yuan is indeed eye-catching in such a small county.
"Miss Lin, your room is ready. Please follow me," said the server on the second floor of the tea restaurant immediately. Under the guidance of the server, the two beauties entered a private room under the watchful eyes of many people, and then the door closed.
******
Inside the private room.
After casually ordering a pot of tea, the service was dismissed.
"Sister Lin, you've been coming here every day recently, and always to this private room. Ha ha, everyone knows your intentions," said the pony-tailed girl with a smile, glancing out the window. Opposite the window was a children's welfare home. On the empty ground of the welfare home, some staff were playing with the orphans.
"You little brat," Lin Qing laughed and scolded, but she still occasionally glanced toward the welfare home through the window, searching for a while without finding her target, somewhat regretfully.
"Strange, there's no sign of Brother Teng Qing Shan on the welfare home grounds. Why isn't he here today? Doesn't he know Sister Lin is waiting for him?" the pony-tailed girl deliberately exclaimed.
"Well, Amin, stop being sarcastic," Lin Qing chuckled softly. The pony-tailed girl 'Xiao Min' nodded, then asked curiously, "Sister Lin, I always feel that this Teng Qing Shan is mysterious. When we went on a self-guided tour in the Greater Khingan Range, Sister Lin, you encountered danger that time. Teng Qing Shan carried you, a live adult, nearly twenty miles on mountain paths. That's mountain terrain! His stamina is terrifying."
"He is mysterious," Lin Qing also nodded. Lin Qing still remembered vividly when she first met Teng Qing Shan. That time, Lin Qing and a group of like-minded friends went to Northeast China to explore and travel in the Greater Khingan Range. As experienced hikers, Lin Qing and her group naturally wouldn't follow the safe routes provided by the tourist areas. They hired local villagers as guides to explore areas not open to the public.
Who would have thought... the rarely visited forest was too enchanting. Lin Qing was attracted by a rare bird and, in order to photograph it, unintentionally separated from the main group. When Lin Qing realized, she couldn't find the group anymore. In the barren forest, her mobile phone had no signal, making it impossible to contact the group.
In this situation, calling to heaven got no response, and calling to earth got no answer. Lin Qing could only grit her teeth and walk back alone, but unexpectedly encountered poachers in the Greater Khingan Range. These poachers guessed her identity upon seeing her attire. In the wilderness, Lin Qing was so beautiful that upon seeing her, these men who hadn't seen a woman for quite some time in the mountains had a surge in male hormones. Without hesitation, they immediately took action.
And Lin Qing, with a fiery personality, fought fiercely. But how could a woman fight against five big men? Naturally, Lin Qing was injured, and just as she was about to be violated, she almost lost hope when the lone Teng Qing Shan appeared in the Greater Khingan Range.
Teng Qing Shan struck swiftly, and before Lin Qing even realized it, the five large men were already lying unconscious on the ground.
"Hmph..." Recalling those events, Lin Qing couldn't help but hum softly, a smile appearing on her face.
"At that time, Teng Qing Shan actually wanted me to go back alone. Fortunately, he wasn't too heartless. He eventually carried me back," Lin Qing recalled scene after scene in her mind. On Teng Qing Shan's back, it was like a floating boat returning to the harbor. Regardless of how rugged the mountain path was, Lin Qing felt inner peace.
For twenty miles of rugged mountain road, Teng Qing Shan carried Lin Qing to the destination. Most people would be exhausted walking twenty miles, let alone carrying a live adult. And that was in the uncharted territory of the Greater Khingan Range. Even elite special forces soldiers might not endure it.
The mysterious youth 'Teng Qing Shan' parted ways with Lin Qing in the Greater Khingan Range. Lin Qing thought she would never see Teng Qing Shan again, but unexpectedly, they met again in Anyi County.
"Teng Qing Shan..."
Lin Qing was lost in reminiscence.
"Eh, Sister Lin, look, Teng Qing Shan has arrived!" Xiao Min's voice woke Lin Qing up, who turned her head and looked down through the window. Opposite the window was a welfare home called 'Huaxin Children's Welfare Home.' Lin Qing and Xiao Min could clearly see the playground area of the welfare home. At that moment, a short-haired youth wearing ordinary casual clothes and glasses was holding a large basin filled with apples and heading towards the playground.
"Wow, apples!"
"Eating apples!"
"Quickly line up to eat apples!"
"Don't mess around. You're behind me. Line up properly."
The children who were playing gathered immediately and spontaneously formed two lines. Huaxin Children's Welfare Home gave each orphan a cup of milk in the morning and a piece of fruit in the afternoon. These orphans usually didn't have any snacks, so the afternoon fruit was particularly attractive to them.
"Thank you Uncle Teng." The cute children, after receiving the red apples, obediently called out. The short-haired youth smiled upon hearing this, continuously distributing the fruits.
...
Inside the tea house private room, Lin Qing and Xiao Min were watching the short-haired youth distribute the fruits through the window.
"Sister Lin, look how happy Teng Qing Shan looks. It seems he really likes children," Xiao Min sighed and said.
"He really likes children; otherwise, he wouldn't come here as a free volunteer," Lin Qing's gaze was completely focused on the short-haired youth 'Teng Qing Shan' below. Teng Qing Shan's sincere smile towards the orphans completely captivated her.
"Xiao Min, I suddenly want to do something," Lin Qing said.
"What thing?" Xiao Min's eyes lit up.
Lin Qing sighed, "Grandma Huaxin has maintained this welfare home for nearly thirty years by herself, which is truly admirable... I plan to donate one million. You can go and communicate with the people at the welfare home."
Grandma Huaxin, now over eighty years old, is the principal of Huaxin Children's Welfare Home.
"This is a good deed," Xiao Min was delighted.
...
At this moment, the short-haired youth 'Teng Qing Shan' was still distributing apples. Most of the children had received theirs and started eating.
"So small." A slightly curly-haired child looked at his apple, then at others' apples, noticing his was smaller. The welfare home bought apples that were not all the same size, so the fruits the children held were different sizes. But children liked to compare!
"Brother, my fruit is the smallest. Yours is much bigger, it's almost twice as big as mine." This curly-haired child told another robust-looking child beside him.
"Hmm, my stomach isn't feeling well today. Such a big one, I can't eat it either. Let's exchange." The robust child smiled and said. The curly-haired child's bright eyes lit up as he asked, "Really?"
That's what I'm saying," the robust child laughed, taking the smaller apple from his brother and handing over the larger one. Just then, Teng Qing Shan had finished distributing the apples and happened to witness this scene.
"These two brothers..." Teng Qing Shan's eyes became distant as a long-ago scene flashed through his mind — it was a New Year's Eve many years ago.
Snowflakes were flying outside, and fireworks were going off continuously. Inside a spacious house, a large group of children were happily surrounding a grandmother who looked about sixty years old.
"Everyone gets one, one at a time." This gray-haired grandmother kindly looked at the children, giving each one three pieces of White Rabbit candy. In that distant, impoverished era, having White Rabbit candy during the New Year was considered pretty good.
"Thank you Grandma." The children cheered, excitedly accepting the candies. They hadn't tasted candy for half a year or more, and at this moment, they couldn't resist, happily eating them while excitedly talking.
"Brother." A child wearing patched-up old cotton-padded jacket pressed his lips together, looking at his older brother.
"What's wrong, Qinghe?" A slightly taller child dressed just as simply looked over curiously.
"I... I've eaten up my candy. It was so delicious... and in just a moment, I've finished it," Qinghe said, looking at the other children who were slowly eating their candies, salivating uncontrollably.
The slightly taller child looked down at the two pieces of White Rabbit candy left in his hand.
"Alright, Qinghe, take them and eat," the taller child said.
"Brother, aren't you going to eat?" Qinghe hesitated.
"My teeth hurt," the taller child smiled, "I ate one piece and it already hurts. Here, take them. Oh, remember... don't bite the candy into pieces. If you chew it like that, others will finish one piece while you finish three."
"Okay, I know. Brother is the best," Qinghe giggled, "But, these two pieces, let's split them, one each."
The slightly taller child looked down, clearly still a child himself, unable to resist the temptation of the candy, nodding, "Alright, one each."
...
"One each." Teng Qing Shan murmured softly, "Qinghe, it's been twenty-two years, already twenty-two years."
Just then, footsteps sounded, and Teng Qing Shan turned his head to see. An elderly grandma with silver hair was walking over, accompanied by a woman.
"Principal Grandma!"
"Good evening, Principal Grandma!" A large group of orphans immediately shouted excitedly, and this silver-haired grandma seemed to be laughing widely.
"Principal Grandma." Teng Qing Shan paused, feeling as if this principal grandma merged with the grandma who had taken care of him and his brother in his memories, "It's been twenty-two years, Grandma should be eighty-three this year."
Teng Qing Shan was excited, his body slightly trembling. But in an instant, he controlled his emotions and returned to calmness.
"Principal, this young man is Teng Qing Shan. He voluntarily came to us as a free volunteer. He's been here for six days, very diligent, and a smart young man," the woman smiled and said.
"Oh, Teng Qing Shan?" The elderly grandma over eighty, with silver hair, smiled warmly at Teng Qing Shan.
"Qing Shan, please take care of the principal for a moment. I'll go to the cafeteria and prepare dinner for the children," the woman said with a smile.
"Sure thing, Aunt Liu," Teng Qing Shan replied with a smile.
"Principal, I'll leave first," the woman said to the principal, and Teng Qing Shan naturally stepped forward to assist the principal grandma.
This old lady looked at Teng Qing Shan and smiled kindly, "Qing Shan, you're twenty-three this year, right? I've seen your resume."
"Yes, I just graduated from university," Teng Qing Shan nodded.
"Looking at you, Qing Shan, with your delicate skin, it's clear you haven't done heavy work. Haven't you suffered these past few days here?" the principal grandma smiled and said.
"No, I'm doing it happily," Teng Qing Shan supported the principal and smiled as he spoke.
The principal grandma sighed, "To be honest, Qing Shan, seeing you makes me feel very close. I can't help but think of a long time ago, an orphan in this orphanage. It was back in the 80s, when conditions in the orphanage were poor, and only me and my eldest daughter took care of the children. Back then, there was a pair of real brothers among the orphans, one named Qing Shan and the other Qing He. I gave them those names. You're also named Qing Shan... it's truly a coincidence."
Teng Qing Shan's heart trembled, but he nodded, "Yes, it's a coincidence."
"However, Qing Shan was adopted and left the orphanage twenty-two years ago. He should be twenty-nine now, much older than you. Maybe he's already married and has children. Who knows how he's doing now? My health is getting worse and worse. If I could see Qing Shan one more time, that'd be great," the principal grandma sighed.
Teng Qing Shan couldn't help but tremble inside, "Believe me, Principal Grandma, you will surely get your wish."
Qing Shan and Qing He, this pair of brothers, were abandoned at the doorstep of the orphanage shortly after birth. At that time, the principal 'Hua Xin' had just opened the orphanage. Qing Shan and Qing He were among the earliest batch of orphans. Moreover, Principal 'Hua Xin Grandma' worked hard and raised this pair of brothers until they grew up. Their bond was naturally very deep.
...
Lin Qing and Xiao Min watched Teng Qing Shan in the welfare home. Teng Qing Shan first accompanied the principal grandma, then later played with the children. From start to finish, there wasn't a trace of impatience. The children obviously liked this 'Uncle Teng' very much.
"Chen Jie, he's coming out," Xiao Min immediately said. Teng Qing Shan walked out of the orphanage gate, and Lin Qing immediately called out through the window, "Teng Qing Shan!"
Teng Qing Shan looked up.
"Come up and sit for a while," Lin Qing smiled and said. She knew clearly that Teng Qing Shan must have already eaten dinner in the cafeteria because... she had invited Teng Qing Shan several times in the past few days, and Teng Qing Shan had only come to chat with her twice.
Teng Qing Shan shook his head with a smile, "No, I have things to do today. We'll meet up another time."
"That's fine too," Lin Qing was a little disappointed but still smiled and said.
Lin Qing and Xiao Min watched Teng Qing Shan leave.
"Sister Lin, this Teng Qing Shan really doesn't give face. Even you, such a beautiful woman, personally inviting him, and he still refuses," Xiao Min laughed.
"Alright, let's go. Come to my place for dinner," Lin Qing stood up and left the tea house with Xiao Min.
*******
In a rural courtyard on the outskirts of Anyi County.
In the spacious yard, Teng Qing Shan, bare-chested and without glasses (who normally appears gentle and humble with glasses), looked steady and resolute without them. At this moment, Teng Qing Shan, bare-chested, was standing in the Xingyi San Ti stance. Chest drawn in, back arched, hands shaped like tiger claws, feet as if treading on mud. Standing there, Teng Qing Shan gave off the impression of a towering mountain, whether moving forward, sidestepping, or striking punches, evoking a sense of unshakable spirit.
"Hoo!"
"Hoo!"
Whistling winds echoed through the air. Once poised, he exuded tranquility akin to a bronze bell. His left foot moved like a plow turning soil, his right foot thrust powerfully, and his right fist shot out seamlessly, his whole body resembling a bow stretched to its limit, the punch like an arrow released.
"Puff!"
A sound of air bursting erupted, generating a gust within the courtyard. The Xingyi San Ti stance transitioned smoothly into the Wuxing Quan's 'Beng Quan,' fluid as clouds drifting across the sky, exerting immense force that created a sonic boom. If martial arts enthusiasts from society witnessed this, they would undoubtedly be stunned speechless.
Teng Qing Shan began darting and weaving within the courtyard, using the Xingyi San Ti stance as the foundation, occasionally transitioning into Wuxing Quan. Clearly, Teng Qing Shan excelled most in the 'Pao Quan' aspect of Wuxing Quan.
"Hoo!"
His form shifted back to the preparatory stance of Xingyi San Ti, exhaling slowly.
His mind was tranquil as still water, naturally sensing the condition of every part of his body, from major organs to the minutest muscles, skin, and hair. However, he was far from achieving the legendary 'Neishi' (inner vision).
"Although only one final step remains, this step is insurmountable, like a natural barrier. If I can achieve the realm of Grandmaster within my lifetime, I would die content."
Morning wisdom, evening death!
As one of the three major internal martial arts, Xingyi Quan has had some practitioners reach the Grandmaster level throughout history. However, in modern society, reaching the Grandmaster level is exceedingly rare.
"The ground here is too unstable; it cannot withstand my full power."
Teng Qing Shan observed the ground; the cement surface already had some cracks. This was despite Teng Qing Shan not exerting his full strength, merely practicing. If engaged in battle with a powerful opponent, this cement ground would likely crack entirely.
Subsequently, Teng Qing Shan sat cross-legged, focusing inward, his breathing faint and barely perceptible, his mind as calm as still water. His spirit relaxed infinitely.
"Swish swish~"
The faint sounds of blood flowing through veins and the heartbeat were distinctly audible.
Time passed slowly, soon reaching the dead of night. Teng Qing Shan remained seated cross-legged in the courtyard when, outside on the country road, a lean man in black clothing whispered into his collar, "Gray Eagle, I've reached the suspected location of the target."
Thereafter, the lean man calmed himself and stealthily approached, his steps light and silent. Quietly gripping the wall of the courtyard, his fingers exerted slight force, propelling him upward like a cat leaping silently, landing soundlessly on both hands and feet. The black-clad man immediately scanned the surroundings and suddenly spotted a shadow sitting cross-legged in the center of the courtyard, startling him.
"You've come chasing after all."
The figure sitting cross-legged abruptly opened his eyes.
"Escape!"
The black-clad man's complexion changed, and without hesitation, he acted. He understood clearly that if he attempted a sneak attack, he might have a chance, but now that the target had discovered him, according to the intelligence, he had no hope whatsoever.
"Whoosh!"
The black-clad man retreated explosively, flipping backward to leap out of the courtyard.
"Boom!"
From the black-clad man's perspective, the figure sitting cross-legged suddenly surged upward, causing the cement ground beneath him to violently crack. The figure resembled a raging tiger, covering a distance of seven to eight meters in an instant as he pounced.
Before the terrified black-clad man could even retrieve his weapon,
"Pfft!"
The black-clad man felt an intense pain in his throat.
"Ho~ Ho~"
The black-clad man tried to speak but couldn't, and his head drooped lifelessly, signaling his demise.
Teng Qing Shan tore apart the sleeve of the black-clad man, smearing blood on his arm, revealing a complex code similar to a tattoo. Despite only a sliver of moonlight, Teng Qing Shan's sharp vision allowed him to see clearly, and his expression slightly changed, "For my sake, they've spared no expense, hiring someone from the 'Dark Hand' organization to track my whereabouts."
"My whereabouts have been compromised; I can no longer stay in this Anyi County."
Teng Qing Shan immediately returned indoors, changed clothes, and slung his backpack over his shoulder, quietly departing Anyi County under the cover of darkness.
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