Again

CHAPTER FOUR.

  I take in the architecture of the gate. Yes, now this is proper designing. Everyone finally alights from the carriage and I notice there was a smaller carriage behind us which was carrying our servants.

  I take a deep breath as I walk through the gates. The sight I see stuns me and I stand still to take it all in. This has to be the most beautiful place I have ever been.

  The entire compound is a huge man-made pond and the buildings are built on stills. The path way from the gates separates into different bridges which lead to different parts of the residence.

  The courtyards are labelled, so no one gets lost. Seeing as it is dinner time, we head to the main house.

  Stepping on the bridge that leads to the main house as we walk on it, I absorb the scenery. I hear the trickling of water like a small waterfall, the birds chirping, a melody of a flute seemingly faraway, and the little fishes swimming in the pond make the whole place look absolutely stunning.

  Upon reaching the main house, a picturesque sight greets us. Under a suspended pavilion with beautifully carved wooden pillars is an handsome man and two outstandingly beautiful women.

  Wait are these people supposed to be my parents? They don't even look old enough to have given birth to children that are at least 18 like me! This is high favouritism from the heavens do they have immortal youth or something?!

  I glance at my father Li Qiangdu who is sipping tea with a scholarly smile admiring the beauties playing instruments opposite him at one edge of the platform. He literally looks like he could be my elder brother with his strong facial features and sharp jawlines. I seem to have inherited his eyes which can seemingly pierce bones with a stare.

  I first notice my First Mother Lu Heiping who is playing the guzhen. Her fingers dance on the strings while producing a soft melody. She smiles at the beauty beside her who happens to be Second mother well in any case my mother, Gu Chújú, who is playing the flute.

  Wow, Father is really lucky. Two beautiful women are so in love with him that they live harmoniously with each other. JD can only wish for such luck.

  The melody comes to an end and Father starts clapping. We siblings clap along which draws attention to us.

  "Xing'er you're back!" Mother cries out and rushed down towards me.

  "Chújú, be careful ah!" Father calls out behind her as she stumbled slightly. Her accompanying servants reach out to steady her but she doesn't fall.

  She finally reaches where I am and swoops me into her arms. She holds me tightly for a while before releasing me. She starts to fuss over me checking me for any injury.

  "Xing'er, second mother was so worried, what happened? My poor, little girl. We wanted to come and take you home but the doctor said you were not to be disturbed, are you okay?" She holds my face in her arms.

  My heart swells up with emotion, this is literally so sweet and to think that anyone would want to hurt such a sweet lady is truly so heart wrenching that tears well up at my eyes.

  "Xing'er what happened why are you crying? Who bullied you let mother get revenge for you." She gazed worriedly into my eyes.

  "Yun'er, what happened to you? Tell First mother." Lu Heiping reaches where we are and pats my head. Turning to my brothers "Was it you two that decided to bully Yun'er, do you want to be smacked, First mother might be old but can still smack you properly or I'll let Kun do it."

  "First mother! It wasn't us, we have been taking care of Fourth sister. See my eyes are tired." Xingfu takes her arm and has to bend to put his head on her shoulder while acting coquettish.