The meeting lasted until lunch. Ideas were thrown in on how they would lure in The Zookeeper in Chengshi. But everything was still pre-mature as The Zookeeper had the air of predictability yet at the same time he kept surprising them.
Preparations were also made for Feng Xuan to get back to her training as soon as possible. The Master of the training grounds had been fetched and was taken in front of them. He was a tall, thin man. His face was startle to wrinkle but his eyes were still filled with so much life.
"I'll need to take her away for three months at least. It had been years since she had stretched those muscles. Her memories would provide the rest for her but she had grown and need to work on the body that she has now," he concluded. "Let's see the progress she'll make in three months."
"In those three months… she can't return home?" her Father asked.
"I'll arrange for you to come visit her at least twice a month. But since we want fast progress, it would be really great if she could focus on her training first."
Feng Xuan looked at Qing Chen. When she talked about going back to her training she was not expecting this. But Qing Chen nodded at her encouragingly and smiled. "I will go," she said. Well, it was for her own good anyway and she was dying to get to work with her body again.
"We should get back in training also," said Qing Chen to his brothers.
"Yes, but you can't be near your wife. I'll send you your own trainer here at your house."
It was as if Qing Chen had summoned a dark cloud behind his back. He looked like he wanted to say something else but his lips smiled. "Sure. That would be convenient."
Master had turned to Feng Xuan. "Can I expect you in two to three days?"
Feng Xuan's body went rod straight. "U-uhm, yes you can. I'll just make final arrangements before I leave."
Master nodded. "That settles it then? She's coming to us, I'll send a trainer for the boys here."
Everyone agreed and he was out of the house, to be taken back up to the mountains were he had come from. Qing Chen was already groaning inside. He had just started to get to know his 'real' wife and she was being taken away from her. But she really needed to know how to protect herself. In the middle of fights, he would not always be able to rush to her.
Right, it's for her own good, he thought, bringing himself in peace.
After the meetings were over, Feng Xuan did not waste time and they immediately visited her cousin Wang Yimin. "Is my memory correct? She does not know anything about this side of my life?" she asked Qing Chen in the car.
"Yes, she doesn't. None in your mother's family knows. You can be your 'other' self," he joked and Feng Xuan hit him on the arm for that.
When they got in, Wang Yimin was in tears. "I have heard the news that you were taken. Oh no, just look at those stitches on your leg. It will scar!" she said like it was the worst thing that could've happen to her. She stroked Feng Xuan's hair. "Don't worry, cousin. I'll talk to my dermatologist about your scars. We'll have it lasered away in no time!"
Feng Xuan chuckled nervously and pulled her cousin's hand off her hair. "Speaking of time, I need you to handle Gretel's. My good friend from the university will help you. He's interested in helping with it."
Wang Yimin's eyebrows shut upwards, her pretty face perplexed. "Why? Where are you going?"
Feng Xuan looked at Qing Chen first then back at her cousin. "I just think I need some time away from the city. A retreat, if you will. A lot had happened to me the past few months. I need to detox myself."
Wang Yimin's eyes shone again with tears and engulfed her in a hug. "Oh, my poor cousin. Do you want me to come with you? How long would you be gone?"
"I actually want to go alone. I'm not even bringing my husband," she laughed.
"You're not coming?! You're going to let her go alone?!" Wang Yimin angrily said to Qing Chen. "What if something happens to her?!"
"You should worry not, Wang Yimin," Qing Chen said as calmly as ever. "I'll make sure she's protected. I'll send the best of my men to her."
Qing Chen sighed in his mind, the best of his men had not been able to protect Feng Xuan. Maybe he should start hiring assassins to add another layer of protection for her.
"That eases my mind." Wang Yimin turned back to her cousin. "If you're going to be gone, please let me know that you're still okay from time to time. I'd love to hear from you. Even just letters."
Feng Xuan lifted her head. "I'll certainly do that."
She had promised she would send Wang Yimin the files and the records she currently had on Gretel's and that she would see her soon.
When Feng Xuan got home, she immediately packed her bags. Only the necessary things were allowed inside the training grounds. Qing Chen was helping her get the things she needed with a sullen look on his face.
"Are you sad?" she zipped her bag.
"A bit," he admitted. "It'll be long three months."
Feng Xuan sat down beside him and took his hands in hers. "It'll be short. You'll also be busy with your training and making sure everything is up and running. You won't even notice I'm gone."
His head leaned to the side and his lips widened to a sad smile. "I'll definitely notice."
"Should I give you a kiss so you won't miss me that much?"
She didn't wait for an answer.