Lee Dachin is making sword tassel in his small bamboo shed. He knew that Fang Yaoting would not take back the hairpin, nor could he afford to buy any expensive things to Fang Yaoting, so he decided to make a sword tassel for Fang Yaoting. After he finished making the tassel. He put the tassel on the clean clothes that he had borrowed from Fang Yaoting a few days ago. Lee Dachin decided to return Fang Yaoting's clothes back to him tomorrow morning. After that, he will not meet with Fang Yaoting again.
When he was lying on the bamboo bed, he realized that he was really happy two days ago. No one paid attention to him because he lost both his parents. His was tossed from one family to the next. Until his distances uncle and aunt decided to take him. Lee Dachin worked on the farm to make money, so his uncle can sent his cousins to school. Lee Dachin eats leftover food, but he doesn't mind, because for him, as long as it is edible, he will not be picky. He knows that people like him have no choice or entitlement. He accepted his fate willing without complaint.
Lee Dachin was lucky when he met with Guo Longtong. Guo Longtong was the first person who wanted to be his friend. It is because of Guo Longtong that he was educated. Guo Longtong also introduced many friends to him.
Fang Yaoting was the first person to show his love to him, except for his parents. He knows his statue. He knows where he should stand. He closed his eyes and could still taste Fang Yaoting's lips. He could still feel Fang Yaoting's touches.
He couldn't sleep, so he decided to walk around the house. He came to his uncle's house. His uncle's family is having dinner with their two sons and the little girl. Lee Dachin stood by the window, listening to their conversation.
Aunt Lee, "Did you tell him?"
Uncle Lee, "Tell him what?"
Aunt Lee, "You need to make it clear to him. We are selling the land on which he built the hut. He needs to move before the end of the month."
Uncle Lee, "I'm still finding him a place to stay."
Aunt Lee sighed, "He will not be staying with us. We don't have more space. If he really wants to stay with us, he will have to sleep in a wooden shed. If you don't want to tell him, I will tell him."
Uncle Lee, "Let's wait two more days. No matter what he is the son of my cousin, I will take time to talk with him."
Aunt Lee, "Also, you must tell him to save money. If he decides to get married, we don't have the money to hold his wedding." Aunt Lee frowned. "I just can't support everyone."
Uncle Lee, "I will find time."
Lee Dachin walked back to his small bamboo shed as quietly as possible so that his uncle and aunt would not hear his footsteps. He sat on the doorstep, leaning his head on the door frame looking up at the moon. Tears fell from his eyes. He cried many times before falling asleep. This was not the first or will be last time.
Lee Dachin smiled at the moon and said, "Ping'an, what a lucky woman you are."
In the early morning, Fang Yaoting was awakened by the knock on the door. He opened the door and Lee Dachin stood in front of him. He looked at Lee Dachin coldly.
Fang Yaoting said madly, "I told you, we are through."
Lee Dachin smiled, "I know. Can I come in?"
Fang Yaoting walked back, lay on the bed, then closed his eyes, "What do you need to wake me up this early in the morning for?"
Lee Dachin, "I'm sorry to disturb you. I'm returning your clothes. I have already washed them. Also, I know you won't take the hairpin back, so I made a sword tassel for you."
Fang Yaoting, "Just put it on the table and you can leave."
Lee Dachin looked at Fang Yaoting lying on the bed that they made love two days ago. The bed where he embraced him and promised to love till death due them apart. Now, Fang Yaoting is a different person. Lee Dachin put the clothes and tassel on the table. He walked to the door and turned around to look at Fang Yaoting for the last time, but to his surprise, Fang Yaoting didn't even look at him.
Lee Dachin step out, "Sorry, I disturbed you early in the morning, childe Fang." Lee Dachin closed the door.
As soon as Lee Dachin closed the door, Fang Yaoting opened his eyes and walked to the table. He saw a red strings tassel with two neatly braid black strings the size of a finger. He carefully checked the woven black thread, which was made of hair.
Lee Dachin walked to the lovers' room. The door was open, and Ping'an was sitting at the table. Lee Dachin knocked on the door frame. Ping'an looked up at him and smiled.
Ping'an, "Dachin, come in."
Lee Dachin walked in and sat opposite Ping'an.
Ping'an, "I'm so glad you are not hurt."
Lee Dachin, "Me too."
Ping'an, "What's the matter?"
Lee Dachin, "I just returned child Fang's clothes."
Ping'an, "Since we are all friends, and Longtong has reached an agreement on your behalf, we decided to call each other by name."
Lee Dachin, "Oh... I haven't seen him yet?"
Ping'an, "What are you thinking about?" She poured him a cup of tea.
Lee Dachin sipped the tea, "Ping'an, when you feel unwanted. Apart from death, what are some other ways out?"
Ping'an, "Dachin! You are not thinking about..."
Lee Dachin, "No, if I were thinking about it, It would have ended long ago."
Ping'an sighed, "At that time when I feel unwanted... I always wanted to leave and never looked back. Start a new life somewhere, even change my name." She held his left hand. "If you feel unwanted, please remember that this friend still wants you. If you have no other place to go, then this friend will always welcome you with open arms. If you don't want to live with us on the mountain, you can open a school in Cloud City. There is no teacher to teach the younger generation. Renshu bought a big house that is now vacant." She smiled. "Did you know? Renshu owns fifty percent of land in Cloud City."
Lee Dachin, "Thank you, I accept that offer."
Ping'an, "Since you have no one else here, why not go with us."
Zhao Renshu, "What are you doing?" Zhao Renshu patted Guo Longtong on the shoulder.
Guo Longtong turned around put one finger on his lips, "Hush... You don't believe they have an affair, see for yourself." He pointed to Ping'an and Lee Dachin who were talking and holding hands.
Guo Baiyu, "When are you going to get that idea out of your head?"
Guo Longtong, "Wait, don't go in, wait until they are in bed..."
The two men walked into the room, while the spy Guo Longtong stood speechless outside the door.
Zhao Renshu, "Dachin, how are you?" He sat next to Lee Dachin.
Lee Dachin, "It's better now. Thank you Baiyu for the medicine."
Guo Longtong walked in and pointed with his finger at Lee Dachin. He question madly, "Dachin, why are you having an affair with Ping'an?"
Lee Dachin, "A What?"
Zhao Renshu, "He got this idea that the two of you are having an affair."
Lee Dachin, "Guo Longtong! This is outrageous and unacceptable."
Guo Longtong, "Then explain to me why we are holding hands."
Lee Dachin, "This is not the first time I hold Ping'an's hands. I also hold your hand, what's the difference?"
Guo Longtong, "The difference is we are friend. She is the wife of Baiyu and Renshu."
Lee Dachin, "She is also my friend."
Guo Baiyu, "We have been trying to explain to you."
Guo Longtong, "So, you are not having an affair with Ping'an?"
Lee Dachin, "No, we are talking in general."
Guo Longtong asked, "About?"
Ping'an, "Renshu, the house you bought, we can easily turn it into a school."
Zhao Renshu, "Yes, why?"
Ping'an, "You know there is no school in Cloud City. If Dachin teaches there, it will benefit the children."
Guo Baiyu, "This is a fantastic idea. If Dachin is willing to teach, the families will be very happy."
Zhao Renshu, "As mayor of Cloud City, I agree."
Guo Baiyu, "Mayor?"
Zhao Renshu, "Since I own half of Cloud City, I vote myself as mayor."
Guo Baiyu, "You are unfit for the position."
Zhao Renshu grimed, "You want to challenge me?"
The two men stared at each other.
Guo Longtong said sadly, "Dachin, do you want to move to Cloud City?"
Lee Dachin, "Mnm...My uncle sold the land I built my hut on. My face is not thick enough to move in with you." He smiled at Gou Longtong. "I hope to have a new beginning like Ping'an. Hopefully it can bring some benefits to me."
Guo Longtong, "I don't mind if you live with me, otherwise I can build a brand new house for you." He looked sadly at Lee Dachin. "What about Yaoting?"
Lee Dachin, "What about him?"
Guo Longtong, "Does he know?"
Lee Dachin, "We are mutual friends. If he asks me, I will tell him."
Guo Baiyu, "Now that everything is settled down, Ping'an is better. We are going home."
Zhao Renshu, "By now the peaches will be delicious and sweet."
Guo Longtong, "Baiyu, are you going to attend Lady Wu's funeral?"
Guo Baiyu, "No. I am no longer a member of the family, and I don't need to be there."
Guo Longtong, "But..."
Huang Hongse stood at the door and said, "Breakfast is ready. Dachin, you are here. Now, everyone can have breakfast together before we part." She turned and walked away.
Guo Longtong got up and chased Huang Hongse, "Hongse, you are leaving too? Why? Where?"
Guo Baiyu looked at Lee Dachin, "You are going to love Cloud City."
Zhao Renshu, "I'm hungry, let's go down."