Churan was gazing at the sky, her mind still caught up in the events from the family meeting. Minghao spotted her and approached, a smile on his face.
"They say the sky will be clear today," he said, "It's strange that it will rain."
Churan replied, "But it won't rain. The presence of clouds does not necessarily mean it will rain. Some people, like you, tend to think too deeply and believe everything has a reason. This is true, but not always. Sometimes, there are secrets instead of reasons. Like an imaginary act?"
Minghao chuckled, "As expected of you, or should I say unexpected? So according to you, I should stop being a deep thinker, and instead of attributing a reason to you, I should think you have an imaginary secret. I'd really like to know your secret."
Churan leaned against the wall, her gaze locked on him as she stated, "It's tough for people to transform in a flash, you're still pondering deeply, and you contemplated it was me instead of yourself; are you intrigued by me or just losing it?"
Minghao swallowed, then changed the subject, saying, "I heard that you turned down General Mo's son, and he's going to marry Mimi soon."
Churan gave him a bewildered look and inquired, "Mimi? Who is Mimi?"
Minghao responded, "Ah, Mimi, the daughter of one of this place's most affluent men. She's got a reputation for being incredibly mischievous and a handful. If you ask me, her father seems to be strong-arming her into it."
Churan let out a sigh and retorted, "The world's gone mad. It's ludicrous, really. They act as though they're the ones who'll spend the rest of their lives together, raising children and living a long, happy life. So easy for them to spout nonsense."
Minghao couldn't help but laugh lightly at her words, nodding in agreement. "You've got a point there," he said. "It's easy for people to meddle in others' affairs and offer unsolicited advice, but when it comes to their own lives, they're nowhere to be found."
Lexin appeared from behind Churan, a hint of a smile on his face as he said, "I didn't know you had such an interest in me."
Churan turned to him, startled. "Why are you sneaking up on me like that? It's quite scary," she replied, shaking her head. Then, she added, "And no, I'm not interested in you, I'm just curious about that girl."
Lexin chuckled softly, his gaze fixed on her. "Observing a beautiful moon from afar... I've done it for so many years. Maybe it's time to bid farewell soon..."
Churan inquired, "How did they find you a bride so quickly?"
He replied, "I suppose it's been planned from the start, but Uncle Wang sought to ensure your safety first before he leaves."
Churan questioned, " Oh? And you're fine with getting married?"
Lexin smiled faintly. "I had been waiting for the right moment to be bold, but I suppose fate has a different plan in store. I struggle to find the courage to defy it."
"So, you couldn't find the courage, huh?"
He responded with a self-deprecating tone,
"It seems that way. I guess I'm destined to remain a coward."
_____
Churan stealthily entered Mimi's room, carrying a bunch of sweets. She was merely curious about the girl. Silently slipped inside, but Mimi spotted her and gleefully ran to hold her hands, exclaiming, "I knew my father wouldn't let me starve and would send some food!"
Churan was startled by Mimi's reaction and pushed her hands away, retorting, "Do I look like a servant to you? You don't even know who I am, why are you so cheerful? Even eager to grab my sweets."
Mimi, looking despondent, moved away from Churan, murmuring with a tinge of sadness, "It doesn't really matter; they only provide me bread, as if I'm a beggar. They claim it's because my wedding is near, and they want me to be slim and attractive. Who I am seems inconsequential, though, because I'm famished."
Churan, feeling a mix of annoyance and pity, exclaimed, "What is this beggar behavior you're displaying? Can't you even recognize a noble when you see one?"
Mimi looked at Churan with a confused expression and replied, "A noble? What are you talking about? I'm just a girl whose father arranged a marriage for me and is now starving me to death."
Churan couldn't help but roll her eyes at Mimi's cluelessness. She huffed, her voice tinged with irritation, "Yes, I'm a noble. And your so-called starving situation is nothing more than a pitiful excuse. Surely there's an abundance of food in your family that you could have, even if you were on a diet."
Mimi, still unfazed, shook her head and replied innocently, "But they won't allow me to eat any of the other food, they say I have to be light and beautiful for the wedding."
Churan, getting more annoyed by the second, shot back, "Well, that's too bad. Perhaps you should consider sneaking some food without being caught."
Mimi's eyes widened at Churan's suggestion, a glimmer of hope in her gaze. She clasped her hands together and pleaded, "Please, can you help me sneak some food?"
"Ah... what did i get myself into again.."
Churan sighed and settled on Mimi's bed. "I've heard a lot about you, and I must admit, I was curious. My cousin seems rather dim-witted and naive, and I've heard you're quite a hooligan. So, I thought I'd check on his future, but it seems like..."
Mimi quickly joined her, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "So, you're the beautiful cousin who rejected him?" she asked. "I can see why you'd be a bit elusive, given your confidence as a beauty."
Churan responded with a scoff, handing Mimi a bunch of sweets, "What nonsense. Take these sweets if you're truly hungry."
Mimi, her eyes sparkling, shoved food into her mouth and inquired, "So, what's your name, my savior?"
Churan chuckled and replied, "Do you really trust the words of a stranger who crept into your room with sweets? Seems like you're a perfect match for each other."
Mimi looked at her earnestly, saying, "I want to say you're my first friend, but it'd be foolish if I didn't even know your name
"My name is Churan," she responded.
"I am Mimi," she introduced herself, extending her hand to shake Churan's.
Churan laughed lightly, returning the handshake: "Well, it's nice to finally meet the infamous 'Hooligan Mimi' that everyone seems to be talking about."
She looked at her hand and talked to herself, "not bad..."
Mimi grinned mischievously and replied, "And I must say, you're even more beautiful than they described. No wonder you're known as the 'Elusive Beauty.'"
Churan smirked, her eyes scanning Mimi from head to toe. "And you're every bit the lively character they gossip about. Your energy can rival a hyperactive child on a sugar high."
Churan leaned forward, a curious expression on her face. "So, what do you think of your future husband?"
Mimi took a moment to respond, pausing to chew her food thoughtfully. "Honestly, I've observed him for a while, and I believe he's genuinely kind and nice. But it's such a shame," she lamented, "that I didn't get the chance to date all those handsome boys. Suddenly, I'm getting married without any proper dating experience."
Churan chuckled softly, eyeing Mimi carefully. "Now I understand why your father was in such a hurry to arrange this marriage. He must have been worried about his reputation. Considering your antics, you would likely struggle to find a decent match if you had the freedom to date."
Mimi looked at Churan with a pensive expression. "Won't you really regret leaving a nice person like him, then?"
Churan smiled confidently and replied, "No, I won't regret it. Everyone has their limitations, but with courage, we can push them a bit. I'm still young and I believe I will find love in time. When I looked at him, I knew I couldn't spend the rest of my life as his wife. Perhaps, even if I had agreed, fate would have still brought you both together. It seems everything is as it should be."
Mimi couldn't help but feel a sense of reassurance in Churan's calm response. It was true, she was so caught up in her own feelings that she hadn't considered the circumstances from another perspective.
Mimi smiled, the worry on her face slowly replaced with a glimmer of hope. "You're right. Maybe destiny has its own way of bringing people together. I shouldn't overthink it."
Churan nodded, a small smile on her lips. "Exactly, don't let your thoughts whirl into a mess. You're too young to burden yourself with all these worries. Just embrace the journey and trust that the universe has a plan for you."
Mimi spoke in a hushed, barely audible tone, "I think I know why he likes you." Then, suddenly, she shifted to a firm and confident tone, exclaiming, "But it doesn't matter; you seem so wise and wonderful. It must be, as you said, fate that brought me together with you. I hope we can become friends from now on!"
Churan smiled gently and replied, "I have to go now. Once you finish eating, get some rest. If you want to do some exercises in the morning so that no one will notice."
Mimi, her eyes wide with anticipation, inquired, "Can you come again tomorrow?"
Churan pondered for a moment before responding, "Well... I'll think about it."
Mimi's hopeful eyes filled with a touch of disappointment, but she quickly nodded, understanding Churan's decision. "I see," she whispered, her voice laced with a tinge of sadness.
Churan, noticing Mimi's disappointment, felt a pang of guilt. She could see the young girl's vulnerable side, and her heart softened a bit. She let out a low sigh and added, "I know I said I'll think about it, but I'll do my best to come, alright? Just behave and stay out of trouble until then. "
Mimi's eyes sparkled slightly, a glimmer of hope returning to her expression. "I promise I'll be good," she replied, her voice sincere. "And I'll count the hours until our next meeting."
Churan smiled at Mimi's earnest reply. "Counting the hours already?" she chuckled. "Be patient, tomorrow will come soon enough. Now, get some sleep and don't let anyone catch you."
Mimi nodded, her face flushed with a mixture of excitement and bashfulness. "I'll try to be patient," she promised. "But I really can't wait to see you again, Churan."
"Your just like a little cat, how cute"
Churan held true to her promise and visited Mimi every day until wedding day for the first time in a long while, she found joy in having a cute little friend. A hint of melancholy clung to her heart, wishing they had met each other sooner. Now, they were both bound to part ways.
In the quiet moments they shared, Churan couldn't help but relish the purity of their friendship. She was used to life in the shadows, but Mimi's energy and enthusiasm had brought a breath of freshness to her life. It saddened her to think that their time together was limited.
As the days went by, Churan felt a growing fondness for Mimi. She had never expected to become so close to someone so quickly. Her heart was heavy with the knowledge that their days together were numbered. The impending wedding signaled the end of this special bond they had formed.
As the final day approached, Churan felt a mix of emotions. She was happy to see Mimi radiant on her wedding day, but at the same time, her heart ached, knowing this was the end. They had forged such a sweet friendship in such a short time, a friendship that was about to be cut off, all because of this marriage. And because Churan, wasn't the real Churan...
As the wedding ceremony unfolded, Churan stood among the city folk, watching the procession from a hidden spot. She listened in on the chatter of the crowd, catching snippets of conversation.
A woman in the crowd remarked, "Mimi is notorious for being quite spoiled and reckless. It's fortunate that she has found a good husband and can steer clear of troublesome behavior."
Churan smiled faintly as she watched the carriage pass by, and just then, Mimi popped her head out of the window, her eyes scanning the surrounding crowd.
Churan made eye contact with Mimi, their gazes meeting in an unspoken moment of connection. Churan's face broke into a bright, reassuring smile, as if silently urging Mimi to embrace the happiness of the day, even if she was marrying for convenience, rather than love. Churan felt fortunate to be Mimi's first friend and silently sent her well wishes.
As Mimi continued to look in her direction, a flicker of understanding passed through her eyes. In that brief exchange, Churan saw a mix of emotions on her young face - a touch of melancholy, a tinge of wistfulness, and a hint of determination.
The exchange was fleeting, as the procession moved onward, carrying Mimi further away. Churan's smile wavered for just a moment, but then a sense of pride surged within her heart. Despite the circumstances, Mimi was facing her future bravely.
Mimi stole a longing glance in Churan's direction, her feelings tangled up like a bittersweet embrace. Despite the brief duration of their relationship, Churan's emotions had taken root in Mimi's heart. The disparities between them might have been stark, but something undeniably powerful drew Churan back to Mimi, as if some invisible thread tethered them together. On the other hand, Mimi, the wealthy and stunning young girl, yearned for a friend, and she found one in Churan's shadowy figure.
Their relationship bloomed like an unexpected flower, kept hidden from the world. Neither sought any concealed motives or secrets; they simply sought solace in each other's company. Running away from expectations and the complexities of life, they discovered the simplicity of friendship – a bond formed purely out of love and understanding. Here, Mimi had found someone who didn't just try to understand her, but who simply accepted her for who she was. Churan had become more than just a friend; she was Mimi's safe haven and confidante.
The two of them had stumbled upon a rare connection, one that transcended social status, difference, and time. As the world around them bustled with complexities, they had carved out a space where, for a little while, none of it mattered. In this secret haven, they were simply two friends finding solace and understanding in each other's presence, a relationship forged in the simplicity of love and acceptance.
The friendship they shared was a breath of fresh air – a momentary escape from the pressures of life. In the silence of their hidden meetings, they could simply be themselves. Their friendship was a sanctuary where neither one had to wear a mask or pretend to be someone else. Churan accepted Mimi as she was, without any attempt to change her. And Mimi, in turn, loved Churan for who she was, a rare and priceless gift in a world full of shallow relationships.
____
The joyous atmosphere of the wedding abruptly shattered as rioting once again engulfed the city. Terrified men appeared out of nowhere, toppling the wedding car in a violent display of chaos.
Churan, who had been discreetly watching from the shadows, felt her heart sink at the distressing sight. She knew that if she showed her face now, everything would be ruined. So, she stayed hidden, feeling torn between the desire to fight evil and the need to protect her identity.
Meanwhile, the men continued their rampage, attacking anyone who strayed too close. Churan felt a mix of helplessness and anger, her desire to fight burning inside her like a wild flame.
The sound of chaos and destruction filled the air as the riots reignited, tearing the city apart. Churan watched helplessly as the wedding car was upturned, her heart racing with fear and determination. She knew that revealing herself and fighting publicly would bring devastating consequences, yet she was driven to protect those dear to her.
Just then, someone grabbed her arm, pulling her back. It was Minghao, his expression pleading for her to stay put. Churan, defiant, wrenched her hand free and stepped forward. She wanted to fight, even if it meant risking everything.
Minghao looked worriedly at Churan, his eyes full of concern. "Didn't I tell you not to come?" he asked.
Churan's face darkened with determination. "I told you before, I am not a woman who needs to be protected. I will defend those I love myself. Do not put yourself in danger," she replied firmly.
Minghao let out a deep sigh, looking at her with a mix of resignation and admiration. "I thought the same thing, that I shouldn't put myself in danger, but seeing you, I changed my mind. I decided to be braver, more confident."
Churan's eyes widened for a moment, her heart swelling with a mixture of gratitude and pride. She had inspired Minghao to be fearless, just like she had inspired Mi Mi in the past. And in that moment, her resolve to protect the people she loved intensified.
With a firm nod, Churan drew her sword, its gleaming red and black casing glinting with deadly purpose. The time for hesitation was over. She would fight, not for glory or fame, but for the people she cherished.
Churan swiftly made her way to the wedding cart, finding Mimi and Li Xin inside. She asked, "Mimi, are you alright?" to which Mimi replied, "I'm fine, I've just hurt my foot, but Li Xin tried to protect me and got a wound on his head". Eugene chimed in from outside, "Sister, take Mimi and get out first. I'll take care of Li Xin."
Churan followed Eugene's advice and left Mimi with her brother. Then, she teamed up with Ziyi to help the others. Suddenly, a man from the gang spotted Churan's sword and pointed at it, his face twisted with anger. "I remember that crazy guard's sword... was it you?" he growled.
Churan held her ground, her expression defiant. "I don't know what you're talking about," she replied, her voice steady. "But we'll see who comes out on top today, you bastard."
The gang member smirked, clearly relishing the challenge. "You'll regret those words," he sneered, his eyes locked on Churan's sword.
Churan tightened her grip on the sword, her eyes narrowed. "Bring it on," she said, her stance steady and determined.
Chaos erupted as the three figures charged forward, engaging the gang members in fierce battle. The sounds of clashing swords, cries of shock and fear, and the desperate attempts of the guards to defend the people filled the air.
Amidst the whirlwind of combat, Churan sensed a deadly blow aimed towards her stomach. Before she could react, however, an arrow came out of nowhere and fatally struck her assailant, causing him to collapse. The others, witnessing this unexpected intervention, exchanged bewildered glances.
With a loud shout, Churan called out into the open air: "Who are you? Reveal yourself now!!!" Yet her plea was met with silence. There was no response, nor any sign of the mysterious archer's presence.
The others watched in a mix of awe and bewilderment, unsure of what to make of the mysterious intervention. It was as if someone had appeared from nowhere to save Churan – the silent protector whose identity remained shrouded in secrecy.
As they continued to defend against the gang members, their eyes occasionally glanced at the empty sky, silently waiting for any sign of the unknown archer. Yet, the air remained as still and silent as before.
The air was heavy with the silence of exhaustion and mourning. The once-celebrated path, now filled with corpses and blood, seemed desecrated by the violence that had overshadowed the occasion.
The three stood there, lost in their thoughts, their eyes fixed on the horizon, devoid of hope. The once-joyous atmosphere had been replaced by one of grim contemplation, as they grappled with the aftermath of the brutal confrontation.
The weight of the recent events – the fierce fighting, the unexpected archer's aid, and the aftermath of death – pressed heavily upon their shoulders. No one spoke, their hearts and minds filled with a mixture of shock, grief, and a profound sense of loss.
Churan's mind raced with a million thoughts, each one more painful than the last. This was not the outcome she had hoped for, not the future she had dreamed of. It felt as if a shadow had fallen over their lives, casting doubt and uncertainty onto the once-bright path ahead.
Her eyes remained fixed on the now-desolate landscape, unable to fully process the tragic turn of events. It was as if her mind refused to accept the reality before her. The echoes of battle still rang in their ears, a grim reminder of the brutal struggle they had endured moments ago.