Act 2: Encounter

Ying swung his rusty old axe towards the tree, his form was laughable and it was amazing how the shabby old axe didn't shatter upon impact. Ying was not skilled because his dad passed away too soon, most of his survival skills were self-taught. Afterwards, Ying continued to swing his axe numerous times, there was considerable amount of strength behind each swings but his techniques were dreadful.

*Rustle* *Rustle* *Rustle*

Strange noises came from behind the bush 30 foot away. He knows the forest like the back of his hand so he knew there shouldn't be any animals in this region, since majority of the plants and fruits growing there were poisonous. Despite the sound, Ying couldn't be bothered at all. He kept swinging his axe for the preparation for the upcoming winter. Suddenly, a small shadowy figure emerged from the bushes, it wobbled a few seconds before collapsing to the ground.

"Ughhhhh.... " Ying let out a huge sigh as he approached the unknown figure.

As he got closer, the unknown creature made up the shape of a girl. Upon closer examination, the girl was gorgeous;she had long silky gold-coloured hair which seems to radiates a golden aura as the sun ray gently pressed against it ,she had a petite body, a pair of eyes which resembles ruby could be seen beneath her semi-opened eyes. She looked like she was around 12-years-old. The girl was covered in wounds, her dark brown jacket were torn, she was also covered in mud and her tiny hands were cuffed with huge iron locks which looked ginormous juxtaposed to her small feeble hands. Ying knew the most rational decision was to let her be and there won't be any troubles coming after him. Ying was sitting on the fence, he was contemplating on whether to help the girl or not. There were obviously no merit in doing so. However, just as he was about to close one eye and continue his business. At that very (bruh) moment, he recalled one of the important moral lesson that his father once taught him.

_flashback___

The room filled with dismal atmosphere. Ying's debilitated father lied flat on the bed, his face was pale and wrinkled, his dried-up lips which appeared to be void of any moisture. However, he still tried to force a smile to comfort his dejected son despite the excruciating pain. Without a doubt, the father loved his son very much. If the sickness could be cured by someone, Ying undoubtedly in a heart beat would rush to that person and ask for help. Having said that, They were simply too poor to hire a doctor 😷, even if they had the money it was unlikely the father would get cured since his dad always had a frail body.

*cough... *

"Son..., we may not be well educated, certainly we are not the richest. However...,it doesn't dictate that we should act barbaric just because of our social status. Be kind and honest my child, that... those..are the best traits you can have.... Remember.. I will always wish the best for your well-being and your happiness and lastly, I am truly sorry for not being a good father.. I should be there and watch you grow up, celebrate each and every of your birthday.. There is so much I want to do with... and for you. I am sorry for not being able to be the father that you wanted."

Ying was always an emotional kid since he was young, he desperately tried to hold back the tears welling in him. He wanted to scream that his father was not at fault and he loved him for all he is. However, he couldn't bring himself to say that because if he had opened his mouth, his words would be unintelligible from his mourning and crying. From that day onwards, he promised not to let emotion get the better of him.

Remembering his father's words, Ying couldn't expect the helpless girl to pull through the night in forest with the addition of being gravely injured , though it might the safest region of the forest, can't say if some animals decided to hunt here at night.

Ying walked up to the girl and carried her on his back. As he trekked through the bumpy road of the forest, he gazed over the plenty wooden logs that he collected from the beginning of the morning until now. Since his hands were full he couldn't carry the firewood.

"Hope it doesn't rain..." Ying let out a huge sigh as he walked slowly back to his Hut.