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The hands of a little kid holding a bunch of soil with a flower in it... The face smiling bright as she runs back home. Tripping a couple of times and spilling dirth all over the floor, but then standing back up -Mom Mom! Look! The flower boomed! I did it!- she screamed happy finally entering the little stone garden inside the mansion.
The woman stopped her fan and looked to the side with disgust as the kid stopped in front of her -Stay away from me, you're filthy- -But mother...! I did it myself!- the woman snorted and adverted her gaze, talking instead with a servant -Take her to clean herself and throw that dirth away, punish whoever let her play with such things- she stood up and begam to walk away -Mom I... I wanted to gift it to you, is it not pretty?- tears pushing behind her eyes -If you really want to give me something, then learn to act properly... You're already 5, I cannot bear to have such a disgraceful daughter. Your pretty face won't save you from everything- the kid lowered her head -Yes mom...- she mumbled as the woman left.
A boy, slightly older came from behind a pilar and lowered his hand on her tiny head -I'm sorry Lai'Er...- she shook her head -Mmhn it's fine, she was probably tired- the boy softened while looking at her -Ah... My little sister is just too perfect, so young and her so optimistic- he took her I'm his arms and cuddled her -Ah Gege stop! You're spoiling me- -That's what a older brother is for, I'll spoil you to death!- they both laughed happy... And a red string of fate could almost be seen connecting the two siblings.
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-Ehy, come here- whispered the boy, calling his sister in a guilty way -Uhm? What is it?- she moved away from her sewing kit and looked at her brother outside the window -I have a gift for you, do you remember what we read in the book the other day?- -Mhn!- she nodded -About small knives! So tiny and then swoosh!!!! They fly like birds- -Shh, lower your voice or someone will hear us- the boy warned sneaking inside the room -Here- he took out a wooden hunt knife from his clothes and passed it to his sister -You can play with this one since you really wanted one- her eyes widened in awe at the only person who made her feel happiness -Ge! I love you!-
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-Mom it's not what you think mom...!- she dragged herself behind a servant, the maid holding the wooden knife on her open palms for the mother to see -How come? It's pretty clear to me what you did there, again with these stupid things! Thankfully there's still time for me to fix you- she took the wooden knife and tested the sharpness, then thrusted it into the servant's palms.
The little girl looked at the sight in horror, the poor maid having to stay silent ad the blood dripped out from her hands, each drop becoming painful to watch for the ChangLai... The woman clearly about to pass out -M... M... Mom... She did nothing...- -SHUT UP! May this serve as a lesson for you, if I find you once again doing these things even more servants will be punished... You seems to care so much about such irrelevant lives, so stop being inconsiderate and behave- the daughter lowered her head once again -Yes, mom...-
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-What have you done?! Have you lost your mind?! Mother, She's free to enjoy whatever she lik...!- but the boy behind the door couldn't finish the sentence as a slap came on his face -I hate you...- he murmured and left, each step was pulling painfully at that invisible red string as the little girl was left inside the room, holding her head and rocking on the floor... All the books she was hiding under her bed got discovered and the ashes were now lying in front of her, she couldn't even read yet but those were precious to her... But what really shook her was the punishment, just as the books were burned so did the hand of one of the maids -Mom is ugly, no I don't like mom, mom go go go away!- she kept repeating with low voice -Mom I... I hate mom-
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The girl, now around 8 years, came in the hall with her newly tailored dress and bent down in greeting... Then sat down to the side to enjoy some tea -Ah finally all my hard work is paying off... She's still a terrible daughter but at least she can look normal from the outside- sighed the woman while talking with her husband -Oh don't be like that dear wife, she always seat composed when we eat and learn whatever you throw at her... It's not her fault if she is so full of energies and likes to play around- the woman threw a deadly stare at the man and silence fell in the hall, the clinking sound of a cup echoed as ChangLai lowered her cup harshly -What have you just done?!- asked the mother -Ah n n n nothing! I'm just excited that I can see dad again- the mother looked at her as if to say "later I'll punish you in private"... And that was the first time ChangLai was physically harmed by her mother, a pot of boiling tea was poured all over her naked body.
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-Is it true that you're leaving?- asked the girl -Do you forget that I'm 7 years older, sister? I'm already 15, a young man... Training here with private Masters have become useless now, at the Capital I can become much stronger!- he smirked happily to the little girl, but she couldn't help feeling sadness as the boy was untying their special red knot -Be good for me okay? Or mother will end up punishing you again, I'm sure that hurt last time...- ChangLai nodded and hugged her brother crying -I will miss Gege! I don't want you to go! Mom becomes ugly when we're alone!- -I'm sorry Lai'Er... Your brother is much more selfish than you thought...- he sighed sadly -... I wish I could take your punishment instead but she refuses, nor does she listens to me. Dad doesn't believe me either when I tell him about how she treats you unjustly- his face darked -I'll be back each month to see you, hopefully they allow me to-.
And the pulled string suddenly fell, being left free on one end as the brother slipped away... The little girl wanted to run behind him with that little red rope in hand but he was already fading away from their happiness...
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-What wee you doing out there?!- screamed the mother to the girl, she quickly bowed and hid a wooden sticks in the layers of her skirt -I was picking flowers... Mhhm, mother- -Then why are your clothes such a mess? Show me your hands- she gulped down and opened her palms in front of her -These...! You were practicing male arts again! When I tell you that you should please men this is not what I mean Lai'Er! I thought you finally learned how to behave but apparently I still got work to do for you to become a perfect wife...- she took the stick from behind her -Remember your punishment and do better next time- she said right before hitting her palms with that stick several times.
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-Lai'Er!- yelled the mother, going around the house as the little girl was hiding -There you are!- she banged open the door of where she was hiding and the girl fell on her knees crying -I'm sorry, I did my best, I promise! I just tripped while serving him tea but everything else was perfect, spear me this time please- she began to beg and beg with tears rolling down her face -Mother I beg you...-
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