A Wuxia Tale: Twins of Trouble

Making Friends

(DAYU)

Two months later...

One Friday afternoon, Dao surprised us all in the estate by bringing in two of his lecture mates.

"This is Wu and Ting, my friends," Dao tried to be nonchalant while introducing his friends who are both all smiles at us.

"Wu, Ting...this is my Baba. You know who he is," Dao pouted while gesturing at his Baba.

"General Wang! It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Sir!" Ting and Wu shook Captain Wang's hand with pure awestruck in their faces. I tried hard not to laugh when Dao rolled his eyes. Like he is embarassed at what is happening.

"He is just my Baba, you know." He told his friend. "This person," he gestured to me. "Is a lot more awe inspiring. This is...my tutor. The man teaching me all I know." Dao smiled at me.

I felt bittersweet at that introduction. He cannot say I am his Father. The one raising him. But to see the love and proudness in my son's eyes are enough to let me know how much he is proud of me.

"The one who taught you to read English letters?" Ting shook my hand. "Sir...can you teach me too?"

"Yes! Me too!" Wu shook my hand. "And I am interested in medicinal plants too. Dao told us you know about plants and their medicinal purposes, can you be my tutor too?"

Yes, I know all about plants and how to process them to make and use them as poison.

"No!" Dao went in front of me. "He is busy teaching my sister and managing our estate and home. He had no time for other students."

"Sister?" Ting and Wu look at Hua. "Oh!" Wu's eyes widened. "You! You...are a girl? Wait..." he looked at Dao. "I thought he is...she is your cousin and he is...she is a boy. What is going on?"

Ting also stared at Hua. "You are right. He...she is that boy. The one Dao introduced as his cousin. Wait...what?But he...she is a girl. Dao?"

Dao groaned. "I shouldn't have taken you both home with me. I told you, my family is strange."

"Hey," Captain Wang took offense while I just smile and Hua giggles. "We are not strange. You are the only strange person here."

"Yes," Ting nodded. "Dao is strange. He admitted that he doesn't know how to make friends. He said if he wants us to be his friend we have to do all the work. He is strange. No offense, Sirs. But you have one strange son." Ting included me in his apology.

Hua giggles again and Wu looks smitten. "Hello, I am Wu..." he held his hand to Hua.

Captain Wang and Dao's hackles stood up. "That is enough," Dao took Wu's hand before Hua can touch it. He put his arm on his friend's shoulder, "Believe me, my Baba will never approve of you. You are a good friend. A wise boy but...my Baba will never let anyone court my sister yet."

"But she is so pretty," Wu said while twisting his head to look at Hua. Ting joined Dao in dragging their friend away.

Captain Wang is frowning. I laugh at him. "Dao," I called after my son. "Take your friends in the garden and I will serve refreshments there." I smiled at Hua. "Go with your brother and get to know his friends."

"Yes, Father." She whispered the last word but hug me before going after her brother.

I turn to Captain Wang who is still frowning. "I will have them investigated. Those boys..."