Chang Ming replied with a determined voice.
"Can you teach me martial arts?"
Jin Fu's mouth twitched when she heard this. What was this little kid thinking? But then Jin Fu thought that this kid actually saw her kill the wolf in a brutal way with the help of martial arts. Jin Fu then noticed her gaze which contained all sorts of emotion and confusion. Jin Fu sighed internally and said why does this has to fall on me, at least I have to take some advantage from this. Jin Fu then asked with a serious look.
"Why do you want to learn martial arts?"
"Fu, I want to learn martial arts so that I can protect myself and my loved ones."
"I like your honest and straightforward answer."
"Ok, I am willing to teach you. But what can you give me in return for teaching you?"
Chang Ming was surprised how easily her request was accepted. She thought that it would be difficult to she would need lot of time to convince Jin Fu. But she was stumped again when Jin Fu asked what she could give?. Chang Ming thought for a while and couldn't come up with anything. Therefore Chang Ming directly asked Jin Fu.
"Fu, what do you want?"
""I want to go with the traveling team?"
Chang Ming was surprised because it was easy request. Therefore she replied.
"Fu, I can let my Father know about this and he can bring you along. But he can't bring you along this recent one because the departure date is close. Therefore, I can tell my Father to bring you along the next trip."
Jin Fu sighed when she heard it. Then she said.
"Ok, I get. So when will be the next trip be?"
"Fu, it will be a month from now."
"I can wait for a month. You can go now. Remember one thing, don't tell anyone that you are going to learn martial arts from me."
"Ok Fu, I understand."
Jin Fu noticed that Chang Ming was excited and still wanted to say something. Therefore Jin Fu said.
"Go on. What do want to say?"
"Fu, when are we going to start learning? If its fine with you we can start learning martial arts right now?"
"I would have started but how are you going to practice wearing that dress? You should first find a dress where you could move perfectly in. This is my first lesson for you. Come back when you you find yourself a proper dress."
"Ok Mentor, I understand"
"Wait, you can just call me Fu. No need to call be Mentor because we both are of same age."
"Ok Fu. I will come back tomorrow then."
"Ok"
When Jin Fu saw that she left and no longer could be seen she sighed. Jin Fu was in no mood to practice today and therefore she directly went to her room and started contemplating about what happened today.
Jin Fu didn't want to teach martial arts to Chang Ming. But when she noticed Chang Ming's gaze, Jin Fu decided to teach her martial arts, whatever her answer might be the question she asked. Jin Fu had lied to her at that time when she said that she liked her answer. How could Jin Fu accept and teach someone just because of some answer and she hated people who said all those superficial stuff like Chang Ming. There were some reasons why Jin Fu accepted Chang Ming other than the traveling team.
First and the foremost reason was that Jin Fu pitied Chang Ming when Jin Fu saw those eyes. It was because Jin Fu was the one responsible for it. Jin Fu should have restrained her behavior and actions a little because Chang Ming was present there. Chang Ming was affected by Jin Fu actions and behavior and the scene Chang Ming saw.
Jin Fu had heard from a psychologist from the modern era saying that all animals have a critical period, the time when their brains grow and become fully developed. Things they see, hear, sense and feel during that timeframe can't be changed easily. The critical period for human beings is between nine to twelve years age. Jin Fu knows that what the psychologist said was true because she personally experienced something in her old life childhood which changed her entire course of life. If one is not guided properly during that period of time it may become dangerous. Jin Fu calls it the time when ones soul is made. Therefore, Jin Fu wanted guide Chang Ming.
Secondly, Chang Ming knew to much about Jin Fu deeds which might cause others to be suspicious of her. Jin Fu didn't know when Chang Ming could spill out her secrets therefore she decided to keep Chang Ming close and keep a watch on her.
Jin Fu sounded quite contradictory. But it was quite simple. Jin Fu wanted to guide and help her because she felt pity for her and thats it. That doesn't mean that Jin Fu trusts Chang Ming. Jin Fu knows that Chang Ming is a good kid and because of her, Chang Ming harbors some psychological problems which Jin Fu is willing to solve somehow. But Chang Ming is too good hearted and can't keep a secret for long. If Chang Ming was forced, she would spill it out.
Jin Fu then started planning for tomorrow.
*******
Chang Ming was in a good mood when she was going home. This was obvious because Jin Fu promised her that from tomorrow she can start learning.
But she had to first find a dress for herself and that to secretly so that her parents don't find out about it. Chang Ming thought from where she is going to find a dress suitable for training purposes. Then she remembered about her father's old childhood clothes. Chang Ming would just borrow some for a while before returning and anyway no one was wearing it.
Chang Ming's mother was surprised to see her daughter come back so early. Her mother also noticed that her mood was a lot better than the morning. It could be said total opposite from her earlier mood in morning. Therefore her mother asked.
"Ming, why did you come back so early?"
"Mom, I wanted to stay in my room now. I'll go back play in the afternoon"
Chang Ming replied while smiling.
"Ming,something good must have happened, seeing you smile like that?"
Chang Ming just laughed "hehe..." before she went to her room.
Her mother sighed while saying
"This child..."