A Wuxia Tale: Union

Union

(JIANG)

I think I should have kept my mouth shut.

I silently stared at Mei as my lover, spouse and partner now, prepared for bed. Mei shed his ceremony clothes and wash quickly before donning his sleeping clothes. He walked to our bed and climbed there so he can lay down.

"Mei..." I sighed as I stood by the foot of the bed.

"Let's sleep," Mei closed his eyes.

"But it's the night of our wedding," I protested before pushing my lower lip out in a pout.

Mei opened his eyes to glare at me. "Aren't you going to get ready for bed?"

"Are you still angry?" I asked uneasily.

"What do you think, Jiang?" Mei asked back, with a dark scowl on his face.

I think I am stupid...and talkative.

I sighed before moving to get ready for bed. Our wedding guests had left some time ago, Qing and Dayu scrambling for a hasty goodbye after Mei gave a resounding "no" on my plan to adopt a child for us.

The officiator on our wedding was the only one unfazed with Mei's volatile reaction to my plan. "Trials, Jiang. There will be trials. Sure, this one came too quickly in your marriage, but you are still alive so hope is there. Just stay strong and emerge victorious..."

He forgot to tell me that there will be trials where I will go up against Mei himself. Against anyone else, sure, I can win. Against Mei? My chances are dwindling by the silent minutes that are passing by.

I finished getting ready for bed and I slid next to Mei. I reached for my love and to my relief, Mei willingly went to my arms.

"I'm sorry for ruining the night for you," I apologized sincerely to Mei.

Mei sighed, putting his arm around my waist and leaning his head on my collarbone.

"What were you thinking, suddenly deciding to adopt a child?" Mei leaned out to scowl at me. "Was it just a random decision that you made?"

"No!" I shook my head adamantly.

Mei pushed away from me and sat up on our bed. I did the same, "The decision was not a sudden one, Mei. I thought about it carefully."

"I should hope so. I am relieved to know that you took time to think about it because being responsible for a human being, even a small human being, is a big task, Jiang. I couldn't imagine the overwhelming feeling Uncle Shu had when he found himself not just responsible for one child but two...me and Dayu. I didn't know it before but I think Uncle Shu struggled a lot while raising us. Dayu, though he loves it, is having a battle while taking care of their children. And here you are, wanting to adopt a child?"

"But you love children," I pointed that out to Mei. "You teach them..."

"For several hours. But then I will surrender them back to their parents who will wash, clothe and feed them. If we will adopt a child, we will be responsible for taking care of the child's every need. Are you ready for that?" Mei asked.

"Yes," I nodded confidently. "I can buy food and clothes for my child. I can put a roof over my child. I can provide well for any progeny I will have."

Mei gave me a pitying look, "Having money is not the only criteria you will need to be a good parent, Jiang. You have to be willing to take on a job of raising an actual human being. Care for the child, teach him or her values and skills. It will be hard..."

"That is why we will undertake it together," I held Mei's hand. "You and I, we will work together to raise a child who will be wholly ours. He or she will be half me and half you. The child will not want for anything. We will love the child we will adopt. We will be wonderful parents."