"How have you been? I guess the shops are all doing well" Said the lady.
" Of course. Your brother is capable of handling the shops. And I am doing very fine.
" That I can see. This is my first time meeting your friends. Won't you introduce them? "
" Sure. This Li Ming - the head assistant and handles the deals with brokers. The other is Li Lian- my assistant and an expert herbology doctor. And guys, this is my sister Wang Zhi and her assistant and bodyguard - Yuze"
Hearing this Lian and Ming quickly bows slightly and says hello.
" No need to be so formal. I am just here to visit my little brother. You may continue your work or if you are free have a small chit-chat with us. I would love to know more about you two. "
"Thank you, Miss Wang Zhi. "
" No, I should thank you two for taking care of my brother. Come, sit down, let's talk. "
For the next hour, all were free about themselves and the atmosphere was lively. There were many foods and fruits kept on the table. Lian and Yuze were staring at each other like trying to identify each other while eating so their attention was not on what they were eating
" Hey!! Don't eat that! " Both Xiaobo and Zhi shouted together.
Due to this Ming jumped a little and banged his knee on the table with a loud noise. Lian and Yuze were now staring at Xiaobo and Zhi. Then they looked at their hand and saw what they were about to eat- salmon fish. Ming was groaning in pain but was comforted by Xiaobo who was next to him.
" Where is your attention? You get sick after eating it. Don't you remember? " Said Xiaobo with concern. Lian made an apologetic face.
" Huh? Lian also has a problem. Yuze has too. Wow, what a coincidence. Hey, Xiaobo tell me more about Lian. Maybe they have more similarities. "
" More about Lian.... She is brave, likes to explore, likes to eat, and likes all animals even cockroaches!! "
" Aihha! Same. Yuze has the same personality. He is never afraid, likes to do what his heart tells and he has never hurt any innocent not even sacrificed an animal for practicing.
" Where did this copycat come from? He is exactly like me!! But he is a normal human. I don't find anything unusual about him.... just feels weird seeing him like.. like I know him from a very long time" Thought Lian
" Hey, there is a moonlight festival today. Who is coming? " Asked Ming in an excited voice.
" Me," Both Lian and Zhi said in unison. Xiaobo and Yuze stared at others with a poker face.
" Why are you two not coming? The more the merrier. Let's all go together. And don't refuse. Also if you don't mind, I invited Zhang Ning. I hope you don't have a problem, right? " Said Ming while pointing at Xiaobo and Yuze who nodded their heads.
" You made the best decision by far Ming by inviting her." Said Lian.
The night came and all six were roaming Zhang Wei had some work so he strongly refused to join. The Hua market was filled with lamps. There was no moon in the sky but the stars were all visible like millions of stars stuck in the sky while half moon-shaped lanterns made it more beautiful.
" Wow, so beautiful. It would look more beautiful if we see this from above. But why it is called the Moonlight Festival? There is no moon in the sky tonight" asked Lian.
" Because this night is lightened up by the small lamps which represent small moonlights. With that in mind, people believe that no matter how difficult life might be the small moonlights (willpower) within us can help us overcome all difficulties if we believe in ourselves. " Explained Ming.
At the mention of moonlight within ourselves, both Lian and Yuze looked and touched their chests at the same time. Seeing this Ning and Zhi giggled.
" It does not mean that there is moonlight inside you. It means if you believe and have confidence then you can overcome any problem, you can do it. " Said Ning while pinching Lian's cheeks slightly.
"You both are so cute. Always do cute things at the same time. " Said Zhi while adoring both Lian and Yuze.
"Stop it! I feel embarrassed" Both Lian and Yuze said in unison
They angrily looked at each other at the same time and then looked away at the same time. Seeing this cute behavior, others giggled.
"About this moonlight festival, there is also another meaning. It says if you find someone that makes your heart go crazy, then that person can be your little moonlight and be with you for a lifetime" Said Ning.
Lian made an 'o' shaped face while Xiaobo kept looking at her. While Ming was busy admiring Ning's face while she was talking.
"Look, look!! Performance with fire. Wow, so cool" Said Zhi, and all gathered around to see it. After a while, Xiaobo got distracted by the conversation between a seller and a couple.
" Take any of these flowers and give it to your beloved when the snow falls tonight. If she accepts, it indicates that you both will be together no matter what. Buy one. " Said the old lady who was selling flowers.
After the couple went away after buying, Xiaobo approached her.
" What you said earlier about giving flowers and being together, is it all true? "
The lady nods with a smile.
" But there are only ten types of flowers! Are they so less known? "
" You should know about this dear Xiaobo. The jungle is dense and dangerous. People easily lose their way. So only ten types of flowers have been identified. People are keen to find what different flowers may grow. But due to deep forests and fear of easily losing way, we can't venture deep inside. "
" Then we found only ten flowers till now. What are their names? I know some, but not all" Asked Xiaobo in excitement.
"
" Oh... But if I give her only one, it won't be enough! "
" Huh? Then what do you want to do? "
"I got an idea. Do you have a rope or something to tie? "
" I have. Here this is a red rope I use to tie up the bag to carry flowers. "
"Red rope! Perfect. Here is extra money for the rope . And want one type of all ten flowers. ".
" Huh!! Ten flowers. Really? Kid, flowers are very less so they are very expensive. So they are sold only on special occasions. Do you want all ten".
" Here, the money. Now give me, please. "
Xiaobo took all the flowers and tied them all together. When he turned around he saw that the other guys were missing. He starts looking for them. The guys were nowhere to be found. And then the snowfall started which made Xiaobo stop in his tracks near a big tree. He looked up at the dark sky and snow falling slowly. He then looked down at his bouquet and sighed.
" I should not think of these things. I don't have enough time. My destiny is fixed. I should stop feeling all this "
When he was cursing himself he heard footsteps. When he looked up he saw the worried face of Lian who was breathing heavily.
" Where have you been? We all are searching for you here and there!! "
" So you found me. You came to me"
" What are you talking about? And flowers?... "
" Ahh!! These... I bought these for you. Only for you" Said Xiaobo with a face all red like a cherry. Hearing that the flowers were for her, Lian also became red and took the flowers. Both of them smiled while staring at each other. Xiaobo was feeling uneasiness in his chest but he ignored it before and now it was unbearable. He clutched his clothed chest and creased his eyebrows in pain. Lian got worried seeing him and quickly checked his pulse. It was an unusual and rapid pulse.
" Oh no! The attack is back again! " Both Xiaobo and Lian thought at the same time. Xiaobo was angry as it came at this precious moment while Lian worried that it came earlier than she expected. The pain increases every time the attack of cold toxin occurs.
Xiaobo's pain increased and he was feeling dizzy. Lian gave him support and was looking for the others so that she could give a signal to come here. Xiaobo kneeled and he vomited blood. The blood splattered on the flowers that were in Lian's hand. Lian saw that the situation was worsening. She started yelling for help. At this, Yuze came as he was nearer to them.
Xiaobo was just staring at the blood dripping from the flowers.
" Fate is also against us. What did I do wrong to have this? And if I was going to meet my life partner then why have this damn disease? Fate must be laughing at us seeing me and Lian like this. I should not trouble Lian anymore... Thinking Xiaobo fainted.
" Yuze brother, help. He needs to go home, right now" Lian orders with tears running down her face as she sees the unconscious face of Xiaobo.
Yuze lifted him on his back and carried him back. Lian met Ming on the way and told him to gather all the others and come. She is going to first treat Xiaobo.
Lian and Yuze first entered the shop and Yuze laid Xiaobo in his bed while Lian was preparing for the decoction. The others also reached and Wang Zhi sat beside her brother while holding his hands.
" Ming, you said that Lian could help him, right? "
" Yes, she did it before. She is preparing the decoction right now. "
Just then Lian cane and made Xiaobo drink the decoction. After a few minutes, he calmed down and looked better than before. Lian sighed a relief and closed her eyes.
" Lian thank you very much. If you need any help, I mean any type of help, this sister will always be with you "
Lian just nods with a smile. Just then Zhang Wei enters. He sees Xiaobo sleeping and immediately understands the situation.
" Zhang Ning! I told you not to put him in any type of stress or work. His body can't take it. I told you. Why won't you listen to me? " Said Wei in a loud voice.
" Wei!! Keep quiet. And it is not due to her. It would happen again even if he does no work. So he should do what he likes or wants. And how dare you yell at your sister? "
" Sorry Ning," says Wei with an apologetic face as he knows it is not his sister's fault.
" No, don't be sorry. It is my fault. I did not know about his situation. But I won't force or tell you to help me from now on. I am sorry"
" No, don't do this. Ning-er you inspire him to work. Please if he says he wants to do something let him do it. He has not lived a good, normal life but now at least he is free. Don't force him to rest. I can't cure him so at least I can help him live his life to the fullest. It is my request. Please be friends with him. Don't leave him on his own or force him for anything "
Ning nods and wipes her tears as she thinks that Xiaobo got sick because she asked them to help which made him tired and his sickness got triggered.
" Okay, now everyone must be hungry. I will volunteer myself for cooking. Brother Wei let's go" Said Ming trying to change the topic.
"Why me? I did not ask for it. "
Even then Ming pulled him out of the room after winning by showing a cute puppy face.
" Brother Yuze your parents might be worried. Don't worry about sister Zhi. She will be safe with us" Said Ning.
" I don't have family. So it won't be a problem if I stay here" Said Yuze in a low voice while looking down.
" Yuze was an orphan. Mr. Malik Xavier our physician found him on the streets fighting alone to survive, so he brought him here. My father found that Yuze was strong physically so he appointed him as my bodyguard. From then he is with me. Always"
" Sorry brother Yuze. " Said Ning.
Yuze was a shy person so he just indicated with actions that there of no need for Ning to be sorry. Ming and Wei prepared the dinner and all ate, keeping for Xiaobo if he gets hungry later.
"Ah, Lian. The flowers. Did you bring it? Why is their blood on it? " Asked Wei after seeing the blood-splashed flowers on the table.
" Sorry, I forgot about them."
" Xiaobo gave ?" Asked Zhi in a low voice.
" Should I wash them? " Asked Lian.
" Not the blood smell won't go. Xiaobo won't feel bad. He will buy another for you.
" But they are very expensive plus he brought for me the first time."
" I know but if he sees them he would remember this night every time. That is how he was in his happy moment but he was reminded of his toxin "
" You make a pint, sister Zhi. I can't keep them now. I will bury them outside"
" Bury them? "
Ning asked in confusion while others also saw Lian who was frozen in her tracks. Lian considered flowers as her friends even though dead but she couldn't just throw them.
"Yes,... Bu-bury them. They... they are splashed with blood. If I throw it like that, it may attract animals. "
Others nodded at her explanation and she after eating went to the backyard of the shop with flowers in her hands.
" I feel sad to throw these. This was the first gift that Xiaobo gave me. Can't even say whether it is a sweet memory or an ominous one? "Said Lian to herself while pouting.
She digs a small hole and buries the flowers. She was sighing and pouting in disappointment when she heard some rustling noise. It was coming from the forest which is a few distance from the shop. The city is covered by forest from all sides and Shop No. 26 was at the far end and nearer to the forest. After the forest starts another city.
Lian moved closer to hear from where the noise was coming. She peeks to see if someone is there. She finds no one and is about to turn and go away, something catches her dress. She turned and saw what was holding her and Lian had her heart in one's mouth. There was a bloody hand catching her dress tightly...