Wuxia Tale: Hua in Bloom

People's Heart

(DAYU)

I closed my eyes and sighed as Captain Wang passed his warm and calloused hands through my nakedness. We just finished making love and I feel lethargic and sleepy as he calmed me down with his touches.

Our legs intertwined, me lying almost on top of him, my head against his shoulder. This feeling is worth everything to me. Being with my Captain, I don't feel any regret.

"What do you think of Prince Jin?" Captain asked me. "Can we now trust him with our Hua's heart?"

I opened my eyes. The two litted oil lamps on either side of our bed cast lights and shadows on our bedroom. I watch those shadows as my mind think about our daughter's suitor and how I can answer Captain Wang's questions.

Tonight, we had dinner with the young prince. We get to talk to him, observe his manner, the way he eats his food.

"He is proving to be decent man to me. He eats cleanly, not complaining about the simple fare served to him. He has good rapport with Hua, and also with Dao. He is respectful. He thinks before he gave comments. He is considerate. A perfect gentleman. He knows how to follow the rules. Sure, I am starting to like this prince..."

"But..." Captain Wang inclined his head to look at me.

I lean out to look up at him and raise a hand to sweep away a lock of long hair that hid his one eye. I smiled at him, "But I don't trust him yet. With Hua's heart, much more her life. A smooth talking Prince with a good head on his shoulders doesn't equal to him capable of protecting our daughter..."

Captain Wang look up the ceiling. I watch his handsome profile, the clear cut of his jawline and proud chin as he breath easily. "You are right. He can be a good husband to Hua, but that does not mean that he can protect her. And Hua's protection is our tantamount concern..."

"I want a living daughter, Captain." I said as I move my head to get comfortable with him as my pillow. "I don't want to bury a child," I felt my chest contricting hard with that thought. "I think that will kill me..."

Captain Wang must have felt my distress even though I hid it well from him. My voice not even breaking even when a lump suddenly formed there.

I guess my Captain loves me so much, he now knew when I feel emotional. He is good to me, my lover and my partner in life. Captain Wang is good to me, loving and protecting me.

I want our children to find lovers who will treat them like how my Captain treats me. At least in general sense. Someone who will love them and protect them.

Is that too much to ask? I want to grow old watching Hua and Dao living their life to the fullest and happiness reigning in their hearts. This family, Captain Wang and my children are my reward for every bad things that happened to me when I was still a boy. They are my happy ending. And happiness is what I want my children to have.

I think it's what every loving parents wanted.

"So you still don't trust the Prince. You might like him but trust..."

I nodded and hugged my Captain tighter. "You know me, I don't trust easily. I don't even trust holy men. Or even deities..." I am not a prayful man. I think I don't even believe in one religion. Captain Wang believe in the Great Buddha. Him and the children go to a temple twice a month to pray. I don't accompany them. I don't like monks. I don't trust anyone saying they are prophets of a being higher than them and everyone.