Chapter 11: Reminiscing the Past - The Goodbye
After the promise Xing and Chenglie made, both of them reached her home and the sun was beginning to set. Her mother was waiting for Xing by the door. When she saw the two of them walking together, she folded her arms and looked at Xing with a ’what you planning ’expression pointing Chenglie. That’s right, no mother could forgive easily the one who hurt their child.
Both of them stood with wet clothes and sorry expression and none of them said anything. Xing looked at her mother with her big eyes knowing that it would work every time with her mother. She was holding Chenglie’s hand tightly. He was looking down not knowing what to do.
"What are you kids playing in water for? Look at that! Your clothes are all wet. You want to catch a cold? Now both of you get in and take a warm bath", Ming Ling shouted at them. Seeing their troubled expression she continued, " What are you standing out there dreaming of? You want me to spank you? Both of you.. Get in.. Now".
Hearing this both of them ran inside and jumped in the bath. After bath, they ate the warm meal their mother prepared. Xing still remember the look of gratitude in Chenglie’s eyes.
Xing’s mother treated both of them the same. They would lie on her mother’s lap and she would tell stories or sing songs patting their head. Xing would be the first one to sleep and those were the magical days where she would sleep on the floor but would wake up comfortably bundled in bed.
Some days later, Chenglie buried his sword under a tree in the forest. He cut his hair shoulder length and with Xing’s influence started talking more.
Days passed by peacefully and he would take her to the pond she almost drowned to teach her swimming. They also practiced sword arts with sticks and he taught her to write.
Two months have passed. Even though Chenglie persisted, her mother didn’t let him go to work. " Kids should behave like kids and have fun. Now go play", is what she said.
One day while they were wandering around in the forest like usual, they met a boy two years older than her sitting hugging his knees under a tree. His eyes were red crying.
"Hey, what’s your name? What are you doing here alone? Won’t your family worry?", Chenglie asked.
"No one will care", the boy replied
"Tell us your name big brother", Xing asked.