Blades of Change

[Huo Lian]

Three months passed rather quickly. Huo Lian found herself looking forward to seeing both her benefactors: the boy who had given her the most delicious food, and the old man who had cured her of all her pains without asking for anything in return. The taste of that apple and the calming feeling of that bony, cold hand lingered in her mind. She wanted to experience them again, even if just once more. She believed that such simple kindnesses could make her happy for a lifetime.

As a child who did not know the love of family or friends, Lian was more than happy with a warm conversation with a stranger. During these three months, she had not remained idle. She had already achieved the opening of fifteen more meridians, bringing her to the eighth stage of Qi Gathering. Her power was now something to be reckoned with. She wanted to prove to the old man that she appreciated his help, so she trained hard, following the instructions he had provided. She trained her body in the daytime and cultivated mostly at night. 

Lian opened her eyes from cultivating. Today was the promised day, and she didn't want to keep either of her benefactors waiting. The new dawn arrived with gentle sunshine upon the sleeping capital. Lian was already dressed in her best clothes, a deep blue robe with intricate silver embroidery. She walked out of the palace, her boots clicking softly on the cobblestones. The guards were yawning, ready to go home after a long night. As someone who was early to rise and late to sleep, Lian felt even more awake today. She felt excitement for the first time, though anxiety gnawed at her about whether it would be strange to meet so early in the morning. But her wish to express her gratitude and the simple desire to meet them was too strong.

She strolled to the spot where the old man had set up his stall three months ago. The area was bustling with morning activity, vendors setting up their wares and the scent of freshly baked bread wafting through the air. She found the place empty and waited, thinking it was her fault for coming too early. As time trickled by, her mind filled with the memory of the bone-cold hand upon her head and the taste of the apple on her tongue.

An old woman at a nearby stall noticed her standing there. "Kiddo, what are you standing there for?" she asked, her voice gruff but not unkind.

Lian cleared her throat and replied, "I am waiting for the old doctor who had his stall here three months ago."

The old woman made a confused face and said, "He left a few months ago. I haven't seen him since."

Disappointment crept onto Lian's face. The woman became busy with another customer, and Lian decided that she must be wrong. Surely, the old man had simply moved his stall somewhere else. Determined, she began to search for him throughout the capital. The day wore on, the sun climbing high and then beginning its descent. She searched tirelessly, but by the time the sun was setting, casting long shadows over the cobblestone streets, she had found no trace of him. Feeling dejected, she ran towards her second benefactor.

Zhen Jian was sitting on the ground, staring into space, two bags of apples at his side. His face was tear-streaked, and he looked small and fragile. Seeing him like this made Lian's heart squeeze with an emotion she had never felt before. "I almost lost everything from being too stubborn," she rebuked herself. She sprinted towards him and poked his back gently.

He turned around, his tear-filled eyes meeting hers. Lian's heart broke seeing him cry, and she felt a deep urge to comfort him, though she had never comforted anyone before. She felt distraught, unsure of what to do or say. Should she rub his back or wipe his tears? She glanced down at the bags of apples and then back at him.

Jian smiled weakly and apologized, explaining that his father had died, which was why he was sad. Lian tried to imagine how she would feel, but her young mind could not fully grasp such complex emotions. She was sure she would cry like him, though. She frowned in confusion, trying to understand his feelings, hoping it would help her comfort him. Her gaze fell on the apples again.

Lian was shocked by the realization that his father had reminded him of her even though he was sick. She couldn't help but mutter, "He must have been a good person." This was the first time she had heard that someone wanted her to smile. The broken pieces of Lian's heart not only came back together but a new emotion was born within her.

She could not help but cry. She felt embarrassed that his simple words had such a profound impact on her. She now wanted to meet Jian's father, feeling that it was too sad that the world had lost such a kind person. 

Jian began jumping around, trying to stop Lian from crying, which made her want to laugh. She held it in, but a large smile slipped out—the largest smile of her life. Lian wiped her tears and took a bite of the apple. It tasted even sweeter than the first time. All the luxurious food she had ever had did not taste as good as this apple. Another tear slipped out at how delicious the apple was. She didn't bother wiping the tear; she decided that the one who gave her the apple deserved to see her cry. She didn't mind showing this boy her weak side. She felt that she could never fully repay him for the two apples he had given her, but this was a start. "It's sweet. I'm Huo Lian. Nice to meet you, Zhen Jian," she said happily.

Jian started to leave. Lian thought, "No, the doctor never said he would be back, that's why he didn't come back. If Zhen Jian doesn't say he'll be back, he won't be either." In a hopeful voice, she asked, "You're not gonna say you'll be back in three months?"

He really won't be back, she thought. She was happy that he was going to be a doctor. She believed he would be a good doctor. It was still a shame that she might not see the boy again. Lian sighed, then smiled warmly. "Thank you for the apples."