Yu Feng held Yi Ling for dear life as they reached her husband's hut.
Morning came with no sign of Yi Wen.
Yu Feng was devastated. She already knew in her heart that something bad had happened.
She didn't even get to see her father. She was sobbing so hard but never made a noise, afraid that it would wake her daughter.
Yu Feng decided to wait for a week inside the hut before going back to the village. Fortunately, Yi Wen had left some dried meat inside the hut to last them for a while.
Yi Ling was very obedient during this week. She never asked where her father was or what they were going to do next. Even though she was still a child, she sensed that her mother was sad. All she could do was follow her father's last words to her: to follow her mother's wishes and be a good kid.
As one week passed, Yu Feng decided to visit the village.
"Ling'er, mother will be back before the sun sets. I will go back to the village to check on your father. You must not go anywhere and stay in this hut. Understand?" She patted her daughter's head.
"Yes, mom." Yi Ling hugged her mother.
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As dawn broke over the forest, the village lay in ruins. The once bustling and lively community was now silent, the streets empty and buildings scorched. The black-suited men had left nothing but destruction in their wake. Smoke rose from smoldering homes, and the scent of ash and fear lingered in the air. Survivors hid in the shadows, tending to their wounds and mourning the loss of their loved ones.
Yu Fang, the revered village doctor, had been among the first to confront the attackers. Despite his age, he fought bravely, using his knowledge of the land and his herbal concoctions to fend off the invaders. However, he was eventually overwhelmed. His body was found near his home, surrounded by the remnants of the herbs and medicines he had devoted his life to. The villagers who remained whispered prayers for his soul, grateful for the wisdom and healing he had provided over the years.
The village, once a haven of peace and community, was now a testament to the brutality that had descended upon it. The memory of Yi Wen's bravery, Yu Fang's sacrifice, and the villagers' resilience would live on, but the scars of that night would forever mark the village and its people.
Yu Feng was shocked as she saw the village. Everything was destroyed by fire. She cautiously walked to the village, looking for any signs of life. Her house was burned to the ground, along with everyone else's. Tears were falling.
"Father, Brother Wen... where are you?"
Nothing was left of the village, not even the bodies. By the entrance of their house, she picked up a broken bracelet. It was the bracelet that she had made for her husband Yi Wen. Yi Wen would never let the bracelet out of his sight. It was a treasure for him, knowing his wife loved him so. Unfortunately, it was now broken.
Yu Feng fell to her knees, sobbing while picking up the broken pieces of the bracelet.
Who on earth did the village offend? Why must they kill everyone?
"Father, Brother Wen... You'll always be in our hearts. No matter what happens, Ling'er and I will strive to survive in this cruel world." Yu Feng's face was so red, her clothes were full of dirt and grime, not having been able to wash for a week due to fear that the assassins would find them if they left the hut.
She stood up and left the village, knowing that the assassins might come back anytime.
As she came into the hut, she packed everything up. Yi Ling was puzzled as to why her mother seemed to be in a rush. Yu Feng didn't say a word and brought everything that was necessary. She pulled Yi Ling's hand as they journeyed farther into the forest.
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Five years later.
Yi Ling had just finished doing the laundry at a small river. She was singing melodiously as birds tweeted alongside her voice. She could never understand why, but she always attracted animals when she sang.
She then decided to take a quick swim to clean herself up before going back home.
While under the water, she didn't notice that someone had arrived.
The shadow heard her voice from afar. It was so beautiful that it brought him to this place. He noticed that someone was underwater, but he didn't dare peep. He wasn't a pig. He was just curious. Yes, curious. That was the word, he thought.
Sometime after, Yi Ling was done cleaning herself. She got up and changed.
The shadow listened for the sounds and waited until the person was done changing.
He was a good man, he thought. He would never take advantage of anyone who was weak and vulnerable, especially a girl.
When Yi Ling was finally done changing, the shadow peeked from the bushes where he was hiding.
He saw a very beautiful girl. He wasn't able to see her face since she was facing away from him. Though she looked around ten years old, he envisioned that this girl would grow up to be very beautiful. Why? Her skin was so fine and white, so delicate and looked very soft to touch. Her hair was shiny, black, and long.
Yi Ling picked up her laundry and left. As she turned around, he gasped.
His heart pumped hard like it never had before. He didn't know why, but tears started to fall from his face. His mind was telling him to run to her side and hug her.
As Yi Ling walked away, the shadow gripped his chest.
"What was that? Why am I crying? A God like me, why am I feeling that I must protect and have her by my side? Why???!!!"
His heart was hurting so bad. He didn't know how much time had passed.
As he cried and swallowed his pain, he knew he must not bring himself out. For God's sake, it's only a kid!
A kid would run as far as one could, meeting someone in the river while one was taking a bath!
No good would come out of it. He sighed. Maybe he needed to go home, he thought.