Our fate woven in the sky《Zhanyi》

《XXX》

"Everything, in time . . ."

***

The young boy watched the droplets of red blood fall into the sea as he washed his once white snow cloth with his uninjured hand.

The droplet of red spread like a flower and quickly flowed away with the water as if it had never been there.

He bit his lips, preventing the cries of pain from leaving his mouth as he continued to wash the cloth, watching the red of the fabric turn into a sad kind of grey.

When he finally finished washing his cloth, the boy, looking like he was merely sixteen, glanced down at his injured hand that got wrapped in another thin towel, seeping red; it was a cut on the inside of his palm.

The boy sighed, pulling a few light-weighing coins out of his pocket with his uninjured. It was less than he got promised. And even though the boy got injured, he stayed quiet because it was already a miracle that he, as an orphanage boy, even got a chance to work by the rivers, catching fish for the town.

After all, there were enough other healthy boys from higher status who wanted to do the job, so the young boy kept the complaints in his heart as he put the coins back into his pocket.

The boy looked down into the river, watching his reflection ripple as he tried to smile; it seemed too forced in his eyes as he looked away again.

Standing upon his wobbly legs, the boy brushed off the dust from his clothes, turning back to the town again.

With a deep sigh bitten back, he walked towards the town, towards the market, the few coins at least promising some food on the table for the night.

The odour of all the different spices reached the boy faster than the sight of the town, and he took a deep breath, taking in the sweet scents of the candies getting sold around the corner.

Even if the boy wanted to be selfish, there was no way he could even afford to buy a sugar figure.

The boy quickened his pace, trying to push away the tempting smells of the food as he found the stall he was searching for, tucked away in a dark corner.

"Hello, auntie," the young boy said, his voice like a warm cold breeze on a summer day.

"Can I perhaps get two buns? Mm-" The boy took out four coins from his pocket, wanting to spoil the two kids at home after having had some rough weeks of not enough food.

"I heard the upcoming weeks are becoming colder and colder; let's buy some more blankets to keep the kids warm at home," a lady said.

The boy turned around, noticing the lady walking next to another lady, the two of them chirping carefree and looking like they were from noble households.

The boy's stomach turned at the thought of it getting even colder at night as the coins in his hands suddenly felt heavier than before.

"A-Ling, have you decided what kind of buns you want?" The young boy- A-Ling- turned around to the old lady again, flashing a forced smile that the old lady could barely see through her terrible vision.

"The same as usual, auntie," A-Ling gritted through his teeth with dismay, knowing he had to save some of the coins and see around town where he could buy a warm blanket for the cheapest.

The auntie hummed, passing a little bag with three buns that were still warm into his hands.

A-Ling frowned, about to open his mouth when the auntie shushed him, "you're a good boy, A-Ling, just take it, the days are becoming frostier, and you have to take care of yourself too." The old lady extended her hand, patting the head of A-Ling.