Night of the Broken Gliph

In grade four, they now had another lesson in their curriculum: cultivating energliph. Their basic gliphism and fitness lessons continued, and Chui Yim’s self exercise training still went on, but his limit remained at fifteen minutes stagnantly ever since two years ago. 

During these two years, he saw no improvements despite his consistent training. This result greatly upset Chui Yim, but this didn’t discourage him, as he believed that one’s limits were meant to be overcome. Even if he couldn’t see any results, he wouldn’t easily give up. 

As there was no increase in content for their lessons, there wasn’t much else for Chui Yim to learn. Contrarily, after finishing the basics of medicine, Chui Tin was finally willing to teach him gliphism. Thus, he returned home every Friday without fail. 

However, he said that he would return to school on Sunday to visit Lam Ming’s home with him. 

The hardyhorse arrived outside Chui Yim’s house. The familiar aroma of food filled the air. As usual, he went to the dining table and devoured the food prepared for him while scanning the house suspiciously from the corner of his eyes. 

Weird. 

Despite him spending more time in school than at home, Chui Yim was still familiar with the environment of his house. Just one look, and he realised that something was out of place. It feels like… there’s something missing? 

When Chui Tin came out with the last dish, Chui Yim felt even more suspicious. No wonder it tastes so good today! All these dishes are my favourites! 

Puzzled, Chui Yim put down his cutlery and looked at Chui Tin doubtfully. “Something’s going on. What do you want?” 

Chui Tin chuckled at Chui Yim’s words. Chui Yim’s quick-wit didn’t even slightly surprise him. “I need to go on a long trip, and I don’t know how long it will take.”

Chui Tin looked at Chui Yim, eyes brimming with the unwillingness to part. 

Chui Yim looked at him, flabbergasted. He and Chui Tin had argued with each other for the past ten years, but Chui Yim did appreciate Chui Tin’s meticulous care and saw him as a family despite not admitting it. Thus, he was totally unprepared for Chui Tin to leave.  

“I have tidied the house and your things. While I’m gone, Aunt Leung next door will come over to keep the house clean once in a while. I already paid for it. As for you, there’s no need to come back, study hard until you graduate. If you don’t plan to practice gliphism after you graduate, come back to the village and be a doctor here…”

“Where are you going?” Chui Yim asked directly.

Chui Tin smiled, a gentle expression surfaced on his face. “I am going… to find your mother. Since we have already been separated for ten years.” 

“Mother?” Chui Yim asked, looking at Chui Tin oddly. He had never asked about his mother, and having a father in this life was already a headache to get used to him when he didn’t have any parents in his past life. That’s why he didn’t know what having a mother was like. 

Despite this, he couldn’t help but have feelings when this was brought up. “Ten years ago, your mother left for a long trip as she had something she needed to do. Now, I should also go and look for her… Moreover, you have already grown up.” Chui Tin patted Chui Yim’s head. “Young eagles can only grow if they learn to fly on their own. I feel at ease leaving you at school too. 

Chui Tin said and handed a bag over; it was made of rough material. “I kept everything here, remember to bring them along with you. Other than this, I have four pouches that I want to give you.” 

Chui Tin took out four palm-sized pouches with a smile on his face. These were simple red pouches that didn’t look special, but there were three numbers to be seen on the pouches. Of the four, one of the pouches was black. “After you graduate, if you choose to continue practising gliphism instead of coming back to become a doctor, then open the first pouch. For the ones labelled two and three, you will know when to open them once you open the first one. As for the black one…

“I hope you’ll never have to open it in your life.” Chui Tin smiled mysteriously. “However, do so when your life is in threat. It will guide you.” 

“Hey! Stop deciding things yourself,” Chui Yim shouted and waved his hands in the air. “Did you even think about my feelings? How can you leave so suddenly?”

“I have always known that you are a mature kid, so I am not worried about you. Grow, and become someone who I can be proud of when we meet again.” Chui Tin smiled at Chui Yim warmly and stroked his head. But when he did so, Chui Yim felt himself getting dizzy.

His vision turned blurry gradually, and he could hear Chui Tin speaking softly next to him. “Sorry… Your father isn’t good at goodbyes. I’ll see you again, my son.” Chui Tin’s voice faded away slowly. 

Chui Yim jumped up from his bed to realise that he was in his room. He dashed into the living room to find the old bag and four pouches, three red and one black, sitting on the dining table quietly.

As if sensing Chui Yim’s emotion,the surroundings were so quiet that he could hear a pin drop. 

Chui Yim stared at the dining table in a daze. Time flew by; in a blink of an eye, ten years had passed with Chui Tin’s sincere medicinal lessons and care for Chui Yim. 

After some time, Chui Yim raised his head. He wiped his tears before they could roll down his cheeks. Just like what Chui Tin said, he believed that they would meet again someday. 

By then, I’ll become a son that he and my mother who I’ve never met can be proud of. Chui Yim carried the bag on his back and hung the pouches on his waist, leaving the house with large steps. 

This made him return to the academy earlier than expected. Lam Ming, who had been waiting, was excited to see him, but he kept silent after seeing Chui Yim’s expression.

Unlike Lam Ming, Chui Yim had a huge, bald head with no fringe to cover his expression. 

Sensing something, Lam Ming left the room quietly for the kitchen, leaving Chui Yim to space out on his bed and only returned with a few of Chui Yim’s favourite snacks and wine after some time. 

Chui Yim told Lam Ming everything as he ate. How Chui Tin and his relationship was like, how he ignored Chui Tin’s reminders for him to study, which turned into Chui Tin threatening and luring him into it. He told Lam Ming everything like a broken record.  

In the end, he fell asleep on his bed, drunk. And Lam Ming did nothing the entire time but listened quietly and covered him with a blanket when he fell asleep. 

Lam Ming was the only other person besides Chui Tin to know Chui Yim the most. He knew that Chui Yim didn’t need anyone to console him, but a listening ear. Chui Yim was more mature and stronger than anyone else. 

So Lam Ming listened quietly, as his company was also a type of comfort.