Elixir of Immortality

Chapter 1

Māmā and Bàba always said I'd have trouble with ài—love.

They said the right lover would not—more like never—come for a specific reason. They assured me I would find love, but not the usual way. I didn't understand what they meant, but I didn't care much. I was a child, just a small girl, I wasn't planning a massive wedding. However, the folks of Hēi'àn De Mìmì cared a lot. Māmā said it was because they loved gossip and I should ignore silly rumours.

Except, those rumours were about me.

I never found out what they were, because one night, Bàba went out to town, came back, and the townsfolk stopped with the chatter. It was still hard to find friends, but Ushi thought differently. She was brave, a bravery that often got her in trouble in the village.

My only other friend is a boy named Abahai Soontornvat, but he helps with his bàba's tourist shop. Lately, he hasn't been visiting Ushi and me.

We were out in the forest by the town's river. There were some tourists there, but very few. Ushi and I knew some English, but we preferred to talk in Chinese.

"How are your māmā and bàba?" she asked in Cantonese.

I shrugged. "They are fine, how about yours?"

Ushi groaned loudly, falling back on the grassy moss. "My bàba is angry that I am not doing well in school. I got a 67% on my math test, and he disappointed me. Mom doesn't care about the grade, but she's frustrated that Bàbà was yelling. I think I heard him talking to Mom that he might send me to America for better education and for my English."

I gasped. "America? Ushi, no! You are my only friend!"

"I don't want to go to America, I mean, it'll be better, but I don't want to leave you. Plus, Grandpa and Grandma aren't happy with Mom still." Ushi huffed, her cheeks puffing up. Ushi's mother was American and came to China without her parents' permission. "I hope he doesn't send me away, it will be lonely. And learning English is so hard!"

"It's not that hard."

"That's easy for you to say, Xiran!" Ushi protested, shading her eyes from the sun. It was pretty intense during this time of the year. "You're the best at speaking and reading English!"

"Sorry," I apologized in English.

"It's okay, I did not mean to get—upset with you," Ushi replied softly in broken English as well. She switched back to Cantonese. "I need to improve my grades. Well, if I go to America, there will be cute boys."

I laughed. "Ushi! How can you think like that?"

"How can you not think about boys?" Ushi said in defence before her eyes went wide. "Are you the gay? Like Abahai's sister, Chaluai?"

"Huh?"

"Do not worry, I support the gays and lesbians," Ushi tried her best to say in English.

"I don't like girls, only boys!" I laughed.

"Then why do you have no boyfriend?" she asked, yawning. I tried not to roll my eyes. Ushi sounded like Auntie Ponyo, always asking if I was dating anyone. Bàba would get all frustrated and say I was not dating until I was at least twenty-two.

"Ushi, you are the meanest."

"That is why I am your friend," she flashed a small smile. "I'm so tired, when is Abahai coming?"

"He's working at his father's shop," I told her. "You know he is busy."

"Yes, but I expected Abahai to show up for you."

I was puzzled. "I don't understand."

"I was only joking, don't worry." Ushi stretched her long, pale arms. "Let's talk about something else, Xiran."

I thought and debated against the fact that my family planned a match-making session for me. It was strange, Bàba didn't like it when Auntie Ponyo mentioned dating but planned a match-making session. To me, match-making sounded like bogus and an outdated rite. But even if Ushi would belittle me endlessly, I'd have to tell her.

"My parents are sending me off to a matchmaker tomorrow!" I blurted in English.

Ushi shot up, stunned. In her best English, she shouted, "WHAT?!"

The tourists looked at her weirdly before we scrambled to our feet out of embarrassment. We walked away from the river and onto a path. Ushi gasped, giggling and also other confused sounds. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I don't know!"

"Xiran Shen," Ushi said seriously in perfect English. "Are you kitten-ing me?"

"Kidding, Ushi Chang," I snorted and she laughed. "Are you angry?"

"No," she said, going back to Cantonese. "It will be good for you."

"Hopefully."