On a morning in the hot summer, Hai Su begins working on her medicine that a merchant has requested for his sick wife. She was keen on making the elixir as she brewed a concoction using an infusion of morning glory then she added the powdered root of yarrow and dried camellia leaf. Finally, she added the last petal of the phoenix's tears. About four hours had passed, Hai Su completed her remedy just in time when the merchant entered the shop.
"You sure have outdone yourself yet again Xiao Fu," said the merchant as handing over the money.
"Granny says that the more you do it, the better you'll get," Hai Su responded as she counted the money. "How is your wife?"
"She's still a bit moody as always but the cramps and pain seem to have lessened. Anyway, keep up the good work."
"I will and I hope for the safety of your wife and child."
After the merchant left, Hai Su cleaned her workspace and went about her day by completing her chores. Moments later as she was organising her herbs, a familiar face arrived at the shop. Yang Cuo was the heir to a powerful family of swordsmen and the grandson of her old master. "Big brother," Hai Su greeted her guest with a smile. "How's your day? "
"I see that you are well," said Yang Cuo as he looked around the shop which was in perfect condition as ever. After the death of his grandmother, he normally came to visit Jingyue once every two months to check on Hai Su. "Say- how about we have lunch together at Lan Fen's Restaurant?"
"I don't know," Hai Su conflictingly responded. "I just… want to stay home but… now that I think about it, I do need a bit of fresh air. So uhh… could you help me finish my chores?"
"Sure," Yang Cuo puts away his sword. "It's fine if you don't want to-"
"No!" Hai Su exclaimed. "I do want to go as long as it's you."
After Hai Su finished checking the herbs she had cultivated with Yang Cuo helping with the cleaning, they headed out to the restaurant. Yang Cuo and Hai Su haven't spoken a word as both were busy observing the villagers. There were sellers and buyers of goods then there were the children playing around; Jingyue was a lively but quiet village. Yang Cuo was a tall man dressed in green. He tries to make an eye on Hai Su whose eyes were on the people while her head was in the clouds.
Before they knew it, they arrived at Lan Fen's Inn and Restaurant. The two settled on a perfect spot to watch the musical performance. " Welcome," Hai Su hears a familiar meek voice. "Can I… get you both anything?"
"Sister," Hai Su greeted her friend softly. "You're taking orders today?"
"Well, I… thought that I…could help out. So what can I…get you?"
"The usual soup and dim sum for me, please."
"How about… you, mister?"
"I'll have jiaozi," Yang Cuo answered. "Oh! Also, I want spring rolls and sesame cookies for dessert."
Lan Fen left with their orders and then proceeded to bump in an employee. Hai Su was a regular at her shop, she would sometimes help around whenever the cook was absent. Both were renowned for their soft-spoken but awkward tendencies, it's no wonder why they could easily confide with one another. Yang Cuo poured tea for the both of them as they were waiting for their food. Soon enough, a musical show begins. The soft, quiet, and sentimental sound of the xiao was Hai Su's favourite in particular. Whenever the music of the bamboo flute flows through her ears, she couldn't help but feel as though something in her life has been taken from her but what could it be? Her mind desires for nothing and yet, her heart longs for something.
Moments later, the food arrived and the aroma was very irresistible. Hai Su couldn't resist the smell of the soup and savoured it. This was the last meal her mother made before she disappeared. "So," Yang Cuo had just eaten a dumpling. "You sure do enjoy that soup of yours. How was your morning?"
"Nothing much," Hai Su replied as she kept on eating. She was always in an awkward position whenever people asked her about these things. Day-to-day talks were very dreadful for her, she rather had debates on worldviews that no one would dare to talk about in public and pose strange but interesting questions about life.
"Su'er," Hai Su starred in her bowl of soup then Yang Cuo sighed. "I appreciated that you're looking after the shop in honour of granny but are you really going to spend your whole life there?"
"The shop means so much to granny," Hai Su said calmly. "I can't just abandon everything she had passed on to me."
"Granny may be strict when it comes to passing on her skills as every master would but she wouldn't force the job on you if you don't like it. My mother knows all the different kinds of herbs and how to make the remedy but she paints and weaves the finest silks."
"I have no talents, just hobbies. Listen I just-"
"Then turn your hobbies into a talent! You're a smart girl. What do you like to do in your free time aside from reading?"
"Life is… not always that easy. You can hone your skills to perfection with hard work but when you don't have the luck for it, it just goes to waste."
"But you've got me and my mother. We can help you and-"
"We've been through this several times, big brother. I'm fine on my own and I'm happy with everything that I have. They do say that the more you take, the less you will have."
Yang Cuo admired her independence but he wanted her to have a life of comfort. Hai Su is already at the age of marriage and she has all the qualities of a perfect bride. She was already pretty, soft-spoken, and kind plus she's very intelligent. Although the girl had no parents or any known blood relatives that could support her, she did have a good connection with his family. His mother, Jin Shu Mi, wanted to find Hai Su a good husband but then again, she declined as the girl wanted to wait for her "fated love" rather than suffer a loveless marriage.
"Listen," Hai Su broke the silence. "I'm going out for a few months and if you don't see the shop open within a year, you can have it and do whatever you want with it."
"Why are you talking about this?" asked Yang Cuo. "You sort of talk like it's your final moment on earth."
"I…," Hai Su was hesitating to say it. If she did, he's going to talk it all out and convince her to stop what she's doing but if she doesn't, the home of her beloved will be ruined. Hai Su took a deep breath before continuing, "I will be heading to Sacred Silent Forest in the next three months from here."
This one line that came out of her mouth causes Yang Cuo to spit out his tea with some of it even splashing on Hai Su's face. Everyone briefly faced them, shocked at the sight of a gentleman and the young lady. Hai Su is very unfazed by his reaction. She just gave him a napkin to cough out before he finally spoke again, "Are you crazy? Are you even prepared to go into a place like that?"
"Granny has taught me to navigate," said Hai Su softly and faced Yang Cuo in the eyes. "Also I've gone there on my own and successfully came back with herbs."
"Then why are you giving me the shop? You will come back after all."
"That's uncertain. I've-"
"Then why are you uncertain? You said you went in there and came back out alive!"
"True but this is the first time that I will ever pick such a flower. Granny Xin Yi never let me accompany her there because this flower can only be found in the path that leads you deep into the forest."
"Then don't go! Just what's so special about this "phoenix's tears," anyway? You don't need this plant, right? I'm sure there's an alternative."
"I've used the last petal of the phoenix's tears and it's needed because many of granny's great herbal remedies are made from using it. This flower is very rare and cannot be easily cultivated because it does not sprout by seed but by the tears of the phoenix, hence its name. In three months, the flower will bloom but it will wither if you don't pick it out of the soil within nine days."
"At least take me with you! Don't you know how dangerous the forest is?"
"Brother… you care for me but I care for you even more. You are surrounded by so much love from your parents, sisters, friends and fiancée. You even have great ambitions. If we both go, the certainty of us coming back is ambiguous. If something were to happen to you, I will never be at peace with myself even after I die. Your life dreams and everyone you hold dear will fall from grace."
"Then what about you?" Yang Cuo asked weakly.
"I do not fear death as long as there's closure for me," Hai Su calmly replied. The most important people in Hai Su's life were her parents and her old master but they're longer in this world. The only people left who showed their love and concern for her were Yang Cuo and his mother. Hai Su was very appreciative of them and she greatly understands their worries but aside from connections, what good does an orphaned girl have for them? As you keep walking forward in life, you'll gain some and lose some. People come and as they go, they will just become another part of your memory.
"Will this be the last time we'll ever see each other?" Yang Cuo asked somberly.
"I will pay a visit to your wedding. Please… don't tell your mother or anyone. If they ask, just say that I've found a place somewhere else pursuing a new dream."
"I will," As Yang Cuo kept his promise, he can't help reminiscing about the times when Su'er pays a visit to his mansion.