Past and Present

Chapter 21- Mama's Soup

The twins were seven years old and could talk better. They would translate messages from their mother to their father and helped him gather people for their new sect. They were also very mature for their age. Chenxing was mainly quiet and calm, but would know when and how to control his anger.
Yue was different. He had Xue Yang's attitude and thinking skills, so he wasn't as patient and quiet.
"Baba," Yue said, walking to the man, "why am I named Yue? Why can't I have a longer name like Chenxing?"
Xue Yang chuckled, "You were named Yue after your mother. His name was YueHua," he explained, "Chenxing, is just your mother's courtesy name backwards. It was Xingchen."
"Oh," Yue nodded slowly, "so you named us both after Mama?"
"Yes, after he died I couldn't think of anything," Xue Yang said, his voice sounding a bit strained.
"Sorry if I make you sad," Yue apologized.
"No, I just still haven't gotten over his death," Xue Yang said, "but I see him so much in you and your brother. He looks exactly like YueHua, same nose and lips, same face, even his hands. But he has my eyes."
"What about me?" Yue asked.
"You look like me but have your mother's eyes," Xue Yang said fondly, "exactly the same. Color and shape. And your fighting skills are very similar to his, even though I trained you."
"What about brother?"
"His skills are more like mine, but he acts a lot like your mother," Xue Yang chuckled, "I sometimes think that you two are just YueHua split in half."
Yue laughed, "But isn't that what happened? His spirit split in half and went into both our bodies."
"I guess it did," Xue Yang said smiling. "Now come on, me and Song Lan bought a mansion for the clan."
"Really? What are you going to call it?" Yue asked.
"It will be called Lunar Mansion," Xue Yang said, "because YueHua loved the moon."
   "You really loved Mama didn't you?" Yue asked.
   "I still do," Xue Yang sighed, "I can never forget about him."
   "Which is fine," a voice cane from behind them, it was Song Lan, "you don't have to move one from him. Or forget him."
   "Exactly," Yue said, "I think it's really sweet!"
   "Thank you a-Yue," Xue Yang said, "now what should the name of the clan be?"
    "It's your choice," Song Lan said, "you're going to be the clan leader."
    "How about," Xue Yang started, "Xue Clan of Kaihua?"
    "It has part of Xingchen's name doesn't it?" Song Lan said, crossing his arms.
    "Maybe," Xue Yang turned a bright pink.
   "Well go ahead," Song Lan sighed, "it's your clan after all."
    "Great!" Yue exclaimed, "The mansion will be called Lunar Mansion and the clan will bee the Xue Clan of Kaihua!"
    "That sounds great," a-Qing's voice said from behind them. She was carrying a basket while Chenxing held another.
    "It does. A-Yue come help me with this," Chenxing gave one side of the basket to his younger brother and they walked away, "Baba the name sounds great!"
    "Thanks," Xue Yang turned to the woman in front of him, "a-Qing, can you help me clean up the mansion? It's a bit messy and bloody."
   "Sure," she said, "Song Lan can take care of the little ones for now."
   "We're not little!" Yue called out.
   "Yes you are! Now make your mother's soup!" The woman called back.
    "Someone needs to help!" Chenxing called out.
   "I'll go," Song Lan offered, "you two go and clean the mansion."
    "Thanks," Xue Yang walked away with the young woman behind her.
    "Uncle Song, could you get a spoon please?" Chenxing asked softly.
   "Sure," Song Lan gave him a spoon and helped them make the soup.
   "Uncle, pass me the vegetables," Yue ordered.
   "Here," Song Lan always felt like a servant when he was with the two brothers. Except Chenxing, he was like Xingchen, an angel.
   "Done," Chenxing served the soup and put it on the table where Song Lan was sitting, "try it and tell me how it tastes."
Song Lan took a spoonful and smiled widely, "It tastes just Xingchen's."
"Really?" The brothers looked at each other, "This is the first time it was like his."
"You must've gotten good cooking skills from your mother," Song Lan comment.
"Maybe," Chenxing chuckled, "but don't finish it all. I want Baba to taste it."
"Sure," Song Lan said, taking another bite from the soup.
They waited and soon Xue Yang arrived with their aunt. "Where you waiting for us?" Xue Yang asked.
"Yes, come try the soup," Yue grabbed his father's arm and dragged him to the table.
"Is it bad Song Lan?" Xue Yang asked teasingly.
"No, quite the opposite actually," Song Lan responded. Xue Yang took a spoonful of the soup and his eyes widened, then soon filled with tears.
"It tastes just like his," he whispered, a tear fell from eye and he smiled. He hugged his sons tightly, "Thank you."
"Mama says no worries and that he loves you," Chenxing said.
"I love you too YueHua," Xue Yang whispered.
"Mama's crying now," Yue mentioned, "he misses you."
"I miss you too darling, so much," Xue Yanf cried softly.
"He says to stop crying, it's making him sad," Yue said.
"Yeah, you need to make a clan," Chenxing added.
Xue Yang moved back and wiped his tears, "Thank you, the three of you." He kissed his sons' cheeks softly, "Auntie Qing and I finished the mansion, I hope you like it."
They finished eating and went to the mansion where Yue gasped and Chenxing smiled softly.
"You like it?" Xue Yang asked.
"Yes," Yue breathed, gazing up at the mansion with bright eyes.
"It looks like Mama's mansion in the mountains," Chenxing said.
"Did he tell you?" Xue Yang asked.
"Yes, he says he likes how it looks. And so do I," Chenxing said.
"Good, because this is where we will be living from now on."