Lovely Blossoms

Fen Hua, Li Li and Da Cheng formed a sort of bond over the next five weeks. Fen Hua was surprised that Li Li felt almost like a surrogate mother to her, and Da Chen like a silly uncle. Li Li cooked and made sure Fen Hua's clothes were washed. Da Chen drove and when they stopped, he would cook. Sometimes they would sit around the fire and Da Chen would sing sad soulful songs so deep they would fill the night.

Fen Hua was beginning to enjoy her new life. It was nothing like she had been dreading the entire time she was being carted to the Neutral Territory by the slavers. In her imaginations she was sold to an old man who would force her to his bed, or a household with a ruthless madam who would abuse and treat her horribly. Instead she was being treated like part of a strange forced family member.

"When I was young, I lived in a beautiful household," Li Li said. They were sitting around the campfire, a stick piercing several fish hovered over it creating a delicious aroma. "Everything in that house was worth more money than most people see in their entire lives."

Fen Hua imagined such a home. She pictured a house in modern times however, thinking of marble floors, chandeliers, and spiraled staircases. It wasn't the same she knew, but it was easier to understand the value if she thought in this way.

"The beauty of the home was limited to only the decorations though." She looked away. Da Chen watched her from the other side of the fire. The glow lit up his face showing the glistening in his eyes. "The masters in that home were horrible, heartless people. I bore a son to the master, when he was a young boy, he ran away leaving me alone in that nightmare."

Li Li glanced back at Fen Hua, she wanted to tell her how sorry she was that it was her son who had sold her, but she worried the girl would despise her afterwards. It would only hurt her to harbor hate when she had no choice but to live in the same household.

"How did you leave," Fen Hua asked. She could feel the pain of what she was saying in her own heart, and she knew that Da Chen felt it as well. It hadn't taken her long to realize that he loved her, she just didn't know what kept them apart.

"I became too old, or at least in His eyes," she let out a chuckle. "That is why I have never felt sad about getting old. For me it was what rescued me from that place."

"You still aren't old," Da Chen said, his voice unusually gentle.

"Oh, shut it," Li Li snapped. But Fen Hua could see a hint of a smile in her eyes.

"How long have you been with the Liang household then?"

"About fifteen years now, it's hard to remember exactly. I was still morning the loss of my son. Even though he wasn't dead, it felt that way."

Fen Hua grabbed her hand and gently patted it. "I'm glad you were able to leave that place."

"Hush now, enough talking, lets eat," she said easily brushing off Fen Hua's sentiment.

At the end of their journey Li Li told Da Chen that they would stay that last night in an inn. Fen Hua was relieved. She wanted to clean up and spend the last night in the comfort of a room. The environment in Jin Ping felt tropical. There were many plants and enormous insects, and the sweat was constant. She couldn't decide if the countless dust was worse or the endless sweat. Either way she had no choice in the matter was grateful to just be given a chance to clean up.

The three of them washed up and then headed downstairs for a warm meal. The inn was crowded with people most of them wearing striped linen clothing rather than the silks and satins from the Nation of Tan Yeong where she had first experienced this world. This probably had to do with the humidity here. The dress that the slaver had given her was a heavier cotton and it was weighted down with sweat now.

"Give us each a meal and a drink," Da Chen said pulling out a small coin purse. When they first purchased Fen Hua, they kept the money hidden away from her sight in case she chose to run. Now they were certain that they could trust her, at least for now. He put a few of the coins on the table and shortly after a piping meal of chicken stew and rice was brought out, a glass of watered wine was set in front of each of them as well.

They spoke very little as they ate. Fen Hua noticed that their demeanor was much less carefree then it had been the nights before. She kept glancing up at the two of them wondering if they didn't want to go there as much as she didn't.

"What are you doing there you snake," A loud voice called out from the other side of the inn. "I told you if I saw you again, I would cut your tongue out!" The man who was speaking was tall and muscular. His eyes were dark and cold.

"I'm just here to see my father, I'm not going to cause any issues," a younger man answered. He had the look of a scholar, or someone of importance.

"I don't care what you're here for! I warned you and I'm not someone who goes back on his word!" He pulled a sword from his waist, the blade flashed in the light of the fire. A few shrieks were heard, and murmurs filled the entire building.

"I won't have that here," the inn keeper said stepping forward. He held himself well, but there was obvious panic in his eyes. "I am asking you politely to leave and take this elsewhere."

The aggressor cast his predatory eyes towards the inn keeper. He didn't speak, but there was enough in the silence to know that it was a warning. Fen Hua felt her stomach twist, she didn't like being this close to confrontation. A loud clatter filled the room as a table was tossed across the room. He began to move towards the inn keeper. When he passed their table Fen Hua could smell the stench of alcohol coming from him.

"Brother," another voice called out. Fen Hua turned and saw the man that she had noticed in the Neutral Territory. She didn't know why, but seeing him standing there, she had this strange feeling that everything would be alright now.