The birds chirped merrily under the blue morning sky as Lian Evelyn darted through the garden, her laughter echoing like a melody across the air. The young girl was playing hide and seek with her twin siblings, Lian Elyyana and Lian Xavier, their small feet padding over the soft grass.
"Elyyana, where are you? I'm going to catch you!" Lian Evelyn shouted playfully, her eyes scanning the bushes and corners with exaggerated drama.
Not far away, Elyyana and Xavier crouched behind a tall tree near the fish pond, doing their best to remain silent.
"She can't find us, right?" Elyyana whispered, her small hands clutching the hem of her skirt nervously.
"Shhh! Keep quiet," Xavier whispered back, glancing around like a soldier on a mission. "She won't. This hiding spot is perfect."
"Wow, you're so smart, brother," Elyyana said, her voice full of admiration.
Xavier grinned. "Of course I am."
Meanwhile, Evelyn paused, a mischievous glint flashing in her eyes as a clever idea struck her.
"Elyyana!" she called loudly, "Mom just made your favorite cake! If you don't come out now, I'll eat the whole thing myself!"
A gasp followed, and Elyyana immediately shot up from her hiding spot.
"Where? Where's my cake?!" she ask , eyes wide and sparkling with excitement as she rushed toward her sister.
Xavier slapped his forehead. "Are you serious? That was so obviously a trick!"
Lian Evelyn doubled over laughing. "You actually believed me?! That was way too easy!"
"Sister! You lied to me?!" Elyyana shrieked, her cheeks puffed and eyes narrowed in betrayal.
"Well, yes. But I still found you, didn't I?" Lian Evelyn said with a proud smirk.
"Ahhh! How dare you!" Elyyana screamed and dashed after her sister with furious little steps.
"Blehhh! You won't catch me! Your legs are too short!" Evelyn teased, sprinting toward the house, giggling uncontrollably.
"Xavier! Catch her for me!" Elyyana called behind her, determined to seek justice.
The front door opened just as the chaos reached the entrance.
"What's going on here?" General Lian Zaeil asked, raising an eyebrow at the sight of his three children racing through the living room like a trio of wild kittens.
"Daddy, help me!" Evelyn shouted, dashing behind him and sticking her tongue out at her sister.
"She started it!" Elyyana complained, stomping one foot.
"Aishh, enough already," their father sighed. "You're always fighting. Don't you feel embarrassed? What if guests come and watching?"
"Hmph! You scolded me. I'm grumpy now!" Evelyn huffed and turned her back dramatically, storming off toward her room.
"This girl..." General Lian muttered, shaking his head.
He turned to the twins. "Elyyana, Xavier, don't you have martial arts class now?"
Xavier nodded and reached for his sister's hand. Together, they left the manor quietly, heading toward their training academy.
Later, General Lian Zaeil knocked softly on Evelyn's bedroom door. He peeked in and saw her sitting at her desk, sketching silently.
"Evelyn, may I come in?" he asked gently.
"Hmph," she replied without turning to look.
He smiled, entered the room, and sat beside her.
"I didn't mean to scold you, dear," he said softly.
"You did! You don't love me anymore!" she snapped, pouting and turning her head away.
"Aww, is my little girl grumpy?"
"Yes, I am," she replied stubbornly.
"Well then… I guess I'll just give this hairpin to the maid," he said playfully, pulling out a delicate jade hairpin.
"Wahhh! Give it to me!" Evelyn exclaimed, instantly grabbing it from his hand.
"It's so beautiful! Daddy, did you buy this for me?"
"Nope. I bought it for the maid," he replied with a teasing smile.
"Ishhh!" she pouted and threw the hairpin on the table in protest.
He chuckled. "Come on, who else would I buy something this expensive for, if not my lovely daughter?"
Still pretending to sulk, Evelyn turned away. Her father gently picked up the hairpin and clipped it into her hair.
"Look," he said, holding up a mirror. "This is my beautiful daughter."
Evelyn gazed at her reflection and finally smiled. " It's pretty, thanks Daddy."
"That's my girl," he said, patting her head. "No more being grumpy, okay?"
Few hours later at Chu Lian Martial Arts Academy
"Tap! Tap! Tap!"
The sound of wooden flooring echoed with each disciplined strike. Students stood in rows, executing their forms and kicks in perfect rhythm. At the front, a tall man in his forties observed with a keen eye. His posture was upright, and his presence carried silent authority.
"That's all for today!" he called out. "Keep practicing at home. We'll continue tomorrow."
He was Master Chu, the founder and instructor of the Chu Lian Martial Arts Academy. As his voice rang out, the students paused, bowed respectfully in unison, and began packing up.
"Daddy!"
General Lian Zaeil looked up as Elyyana and Xavier came running toward him from the practice hall.
He smiled and lifted Elyyana into his arms. "Hey there. How was class today?"
"It was great, Daddy! We trained hard and behaved ourselves," Xavier said proudly.
"Really?" General Lian narrowed his eyes. "Or did you cause more trouble again?"
"Daddy! That's so mean!" Xavier pouted. "You shouldn't think badly of your own son!"
"Yes, Daddy! We were good today, I swear!" Elyyana added, puffing her cheeks.
General Lian chuckled. "Ah, so you're defending your brother now? Or were you both up to something?"
"They've been excellent, General," said Master Chu as he approached from behind.
General Lian turned and greeted him with a respectful gongshou. "Master Chu. Thank you for teaching them. I hope they haven't been too much of a handful."
Master Chu laughed. "Not at all. They're quick learners and full of spirit. It's an honor to teach the children of General Lian."
"You are a man of great character, Master Chu," General Lian said. "I trust that under your guidance, my children will grow strong, like you."
"I'll do my best, General. Have a safe journey home."
With that, General Lian took his children by the hand and led them to the waiting horse drawn carriage outside.
Back at the Manor…
"Mmm! Mommy's cake is the best!" Evelyn mumbled with her mouth full, crumbs dusting her lips as she munched eagerly.
"Slow down, dear. You'll choke. No one's stealing your cake," Madam Qinan said gently, brushing her daughter's hair back.
"But it's so good! I have to finish it before Elyyana gets home and tries to take it!" Evelyn insisted, already reaching for another bite.
Madam Qinan sighed, half-laughing. "You're the eldest. Shouldn't you learn to share?"
Evelyn frowned dramatically. "so what if I'm the oldest? I'm still a baby! You should love me more!"
"Oh, is that so?" Madam Qinan smiled, amused. "Alright, alright. You're my baby. I love you the most."
Right then, the twins burst through the main door.
"Mommy! We're home!" Elyyana shouted.
Evelyn instantly snatched her plate and hid it behind her back.
Elyyana raised an eyebrow. "Sister... what are you hiding?"
"Nothing!" Evelyn said, voice too high-pitched to be convincing.
General Lian entered a moment later, sitting down beside his wife.
"Daddy! I missed you!" Evelyn said as she hugged him tightly.
He let out a soft chuckle. "We saw each other just a few hours ago."
"I still missed you," she murmured, pressing her cheek against him.
Xavier's eyes sparkled as he noticed something.
"Sister! Your hairpin, where did you get it? It's beautiful!"
Evelyn grinned. "Of course it's beautiful! Daddy bought it for me. It's real jade."
"Only the best for my precious daughter," General Lian said proudly, pinching her cheek.
But their peaceful family moment was suddenly interrupted as one of the guards rushed into the room.
"General! Apologies for the intrusion," the man said breathlessly. "We must prepare. There's news from the border, war is coming."
The room fell silent. Laughter faded. Cake forgotten. All eyes turned to General Lian, whose smile slowly disappeared.