Next morning, when Jin Fu was doing her morning exercises, she heard a loud exclamation. Jin Fu didn't need to even turn around and look because she knew who it was. Jin fu then said.
"Why are you so early?"
Jin Fu thought internally that why the hell did she come in the morning and disturb my exercise. Afternoon would have been fine. But then she also remembered that she didn't specify a time to Chang Ming therefore it was her own fault. Thats when Chang Ming's voice interrupted her thought process.
"Fu,What are you doing? Won't your body hurt if stay in that weird form?"
"No need to worry. Anyway how are you going to learn in that dress? I had already told you yesterday, did you forget about it."
Chang Ming was easily diverted from the topic to another. Chang Ming on the other hand not releasing showed Jin Fu a bag which she brought along with her.
"Fu, I have brought the dress but it is in my bag. I didn't wear it because my parents might become suspicious of e if i wear different. So would you allow me to change here?"
"Sure."
Jin Fu thought internally what a smart girl. Then Jin Fu called her Aunt and told her to show Chang Ming the way towards her room. Cai Xiang jutted nodded and showed Chang Ming the way.
Cai Xiang returned and asked Jin Fu.
"Young miss, what is your friend doing here so early in the morning?"
"Aunt, she is going to play with me from now onwards here in my court yard."
When Cai Xiang heard this she was speechless. She thought that how could you consider what you do in this court yard as playing. it is nothing but living hell in front of my eyes. But she didn't voice out all this and just said.
"Young Miss, I understand."
Jin Fu nodded in satisfaction too. Jin Fu liked her aunt's character which was gullible in nature. It is not because it is a good trait but it saves time for Jin Fu from doing more nonsense talk.
After a while, Jin Fu saw Chang Ming coming towards the outer courtyard wearing mens outfit. Jin Fu didn't bother to ask where Chang Ming got the dress from. Jin fu then said.
" Are you ready to learn?"
"Fu, Im ready."
"Are you ready to endure all kind of hardships? If you are not then you could still back out now?"
"Fu, Im ready. I can handle anything."
Jin Fu could see the excitement and optimism that Chang Ming was showing. The Jin Fu thought internally that I will show you what hell is like and then she let out a smile while saying.
"Run around the outer courtyard fifteen times."
Chang Ming was scared because to run here fifteen times would exhaust a adult, not to mention a kid. So Chang Ming couldn't help but ask.
"Fu, why?"
"You said that you will endure. But you are asking question now. What happened?"
"Fu, I will do it."
A time of hell started for Chang Ming.
**********
One week passed in a blink of an eye.
Chang Ming got up feeling tired from all the intense training she did yesterday. Chang Ming didn't feel like continuing but Jin Fu had promised her that today they will start learning stick fighting. Therefore she got up with all her might and readied herself.
When Chang Ming came to eat breakfast, her mother noticed her tiredness. So she couldn't refrain from voicing out her thoughts.
"Ming, is everything alright? For the past week I noticed that you look extremely tired when you come home. If it was one or two days it would have been fine, but for one week, its not normal. i also noticed some bruises on your skin. Tell me young lady whats going on?"
Chang Ming was stunned. She thought how did her mother find out about this? But that was not important for now because she didn't know how to handle this situation. Then Chang Ming looked towards her father who was sitting silently. But when there gaze met, her father also gave Chang Ming a questioning look. Chang Ming seeing that she could not avoid this therefore she had to lie which was hard for her.
Chang Ming tried her best to make a scenario that sounded believable. Chang Ming's parent didn't say anything and dusted stating that they understood. Therefore Chang Ming was somewhat happy and before the situation gets more worse, she tried to complete her food as fast as possible. Then Chang Ming left her home saying that she is going to play.
When Chang Ming could be seen no longer, her mother said.
"This child is obviously lying. How could I not see through my child."
"Ming's mother, I also noticed it. She was lying through her teeth. What actually happened, for her to go to the extent of lying?"
"Ming's father, I think we should find out the cause ourselves. Seeing how Ming is lying, she will not likely tell us the reason any sooner. You should go to where Ming plays and see whether you could find out something."
"Ok Ming's mother."
********
In the afternoon, Ming's father went to the play field were the children usually play.
There he recognized some of his friend's children. Therefore he went close to one of the girls who was chatting with the others amiably.
The girl also noticed Chang Ming's father, therefore she said to her companions that someone is looking for her and pointed towards Chang Ming's father. The others understood and gave way for her.
Ming's father thought this girl in front of him is really sensible. Chang Ming should be friends with her. Therefore he said.
"Little Kuo, how are you?"
"Uncle Chang, I'm fine. Are you searching for something?"
"Little Kuo, have seen Ming here? Im not able to find her?"
"Now that you mention it uncle, I have also not seen Ming come to the play field for more than week. I thought she was sick therefore I didn't bother her. I was also afraid that she would not be willing to see me after I didn't help her. Uncle could you convey to her that I'm sorry. I wanted to say it to her myself but she didn't come."
"Little Kuo, I will convey it to her and she is not sick. She is "playing outside" home now."
"Ah…Uncle, she is not sick. If she is not sick, why did she not come here? Is it because she is still angry with that matter. It can't be because it has been more than a week and she didn't come here. All the kids in the village come here to play, so where could she be playing. Uncle could you tell me where she is?"
"Little Kuo, Im also searching for her now because she is not willing to tell where she goes. I thought she would be here but seeing you I know that she doesn't come here any longer. You can play now, I will not disturb you any longer."
Chang Ming's father just sighed and left the play field.