No Repeats

Meeting a friend

The rest of the day went by peacefully, grandma and I had dinner over Uncle Feng's house, so we could finish planning our next steps.

By the time we were ready to go to bed, we had completely folded our essential items into two travel bags. Luckily or not, the reality is that we have very little belongings to start with.

While wiping down grandma, I could see her eyes moisten. I understand her feelings, suddenly at such an age, she is leaving the home she married into and where she raised her children and grandchildren.

Leaving her to reflect on the memories, I quietly left the room. I feel excited to leave, knowing what is coming to this village, I couldn't wait to leave. The further away, the better, really....

The memories I have of this home has been tarnished and I do not hold any longing or lingering regret at leaving.

That night I slept well, no troublesome dreams of the past, no image of that handsome face plaguing me.

The next morning we set off early, aiming to get to the village in time to grab some breakfast. Now that we have money, we all look forward to enjoying good food.

As we walked, I supported grandma slowly while Little Feng walks beside me. "Look there! Little Mei, one day we will return to our secret hideout, right?

Turning my head to the direction he pointed, I nodded, I think we will be back. My plan is to send Little Feng to study when we get to Hangzhou. There is a little academy that I know, the teacher is a man with great integrity and moral character.

If the teacher is willing to take Little Feng, with his intelligence and wit, I'm sure Little Feng will go far. Maybe even scoring a position in the imperial examinations wouldn't be a stretch?

Lost in my happy thoughts, I didn't realise the dampened mood that surrounds my fellow travellers.

Soon grandma got tired and we found a resting spot under the shade of a hundred year old tree. Coincidentally, this place is near the Valley of the Doomed where I jumped off.

Feeling uncomfortable, I didn't want to linger too long. After a short rest, we started to continue on our way.

"Help! Help!" I could hear a faint cry.

Looking around I couldn't see anyone, "did you hear that?" I asked.

Feng Yi looked at me and nodded. Curious we stopped and looked around.

"Help! Help! I'm hanging off the cliff! Over here please!" the little voice continued to scream.

Oh my god! Panic showed on Feng Yi's face as he registered the meaning. We both ran towards the cliff edge and sure enough, we saw a girl dangling off a tree that have grown on the cliff face.

"Stay still, don't move, we'll try to help you," Feng Yi said very gently to the girl, hoping she won't panic.

Uncle Feng had tied a long rope around his waist and taken a steady stance about ten steps away from us. Feng Er wrapped the rope around his waist as well to strengthen this side, hopefully the combined stability of the father and son is a strong enough anchor point.

Feng Yi grabbed onto the rope and started to lower himself down the cliff to save the girl. Luckily she didn't fall that far and rope can still reach her.