A deep void of emptiness, reaching a never-ending volume. That's all Wu Ming has seen his entire life since he was a child. The drops of rain used to be thousands of drums; those were the worst days of his childhood. Nowadays, it's more of a light tap on a zither's string. Now Wu Ming enjoys the music he gets every now and then.
In his late thirties, his razor-sharp chip was scruffy and unkempt. The warmth of his long bangs and locks keeps him from getting sick and kept his face warm. Walking out, his bare feet, felt the cold dirt and the morning dew on the grass.
Cautiously, Wu Ming stepped back inside; back into the room, he has lived in for the longest time of his life. Thinking back, the only time he went out further than the grass in front of the door. Was when his father was still alive. Wu Tianming, his father would never give up. Taking his Wu Ming to explore and experience the outside world. But that was twenty years ago. Just remembering what happened, Wu Ming's frail legs gave way.
Up from the mountain's path, Wu Li carefully watched her step. Each step brought her much pain. Grasping her back she grimaces in pain. Wondering if her life would only consist of such things. Eventually, across the ruined hanging rope bridge, Wu Li would reach her home. To her surprise, Wu Ming lay unconscious.
Helping up her little brother, she fought the urge to scream in pain. As her back pain grew worse. Wu Li gave up her dreams ages ago. Her dreams of soaring through the sky like the ten phoenixes of the empire. Yet, she never hated Wu Ming, she appreciated his efforts in helping her; even though his help doesn't do much.
Laying down on her bed, she would fall into a deep slumber. Caw.Caw! By the time Wu Ming came to, Wu Li was already halfway down the mountain; for her job. Pacing himself, Wu Ming reached out for his meal. A bowl of warm congee and a plate of stir-fried cabbages. Feeling for his utensil, he would find that, Wu Li had forgotten.
Digging two fingers into the congee, Wu Ming would taste the care that Wu Li would always take in preparing his meals. Finally reaching her workplace, Wu Li undressed and wore her work dress. Sitting down she began to play her zither. Each pluck of the zither brought nothing but fulfillment to her listeners.
Looking into the crowd of customers she would see one old woman. With guards beside her, she stared at Wu Li. When Wu Li finished her seven-hour session, the old woman grinned and motioned for her guards. Back at the house, Wu Ming sat at the entrance waiting for Wu Li. Minutes turned into hours and hours turned into two days.
It was normal that Wu Li would be gone for two days. Wu Ming felt uncomfortable and his instincts pulled him to take action. Taking his steps carefully, he would follow the ruined paved path that his father made.
Following the echoes and cracks that surrounded him as the rain hits the stone path. Wu Ming carefully with his cane, clicked his tongue. The minuscule soundwave would bounce off the ground, avoiding the waves of sound from the rain.
Using the technique of echolocation, Wu Ming knew his exact path. With each step he took his heart began to weigh down his movements. His breathing quickened and he began to hyperventilate. His fear restricts his movements and he for a moment stood still.
With one deep exhale, his mind became clearer and his heart began to settle down. A while later at the feet of the mountain. Wu Ming's disheveled image would appear. Staggering into town, passing by the giggling children, the haggling merchants, and the whores screaming out their prices.
Wu Ming was taken aback by the rowdy and crowded street would. Inching slowly further in, he would attract the attention of one skinny old man. The old man would then approach Wu Ming and pulled him aside.
" You!" the old man would aggressively ask, " Are you Wu Li's sister?!"