Stranger (Part One)

Ping'an put all the chopped wood on the wheelbarrow and tied the rope tightly. She stood between the two handles, wrapped the support rope around her shoulders, and then began to push the wheelbarrow back to town. Suddenly, the rope broke and the firewood was everywhere. She knelt on the ground and began to tie the rope. Her morning got worse every minute, but it was a typical normal day like any other days in her life. The reason why she didn't pay attention to the world around her was because the world never paid attention to her. She was minding her business and had to go back to the inn as soon as possible before her father went on a sword slashing rampage.

Slowly approaching, a pair of white boot stopped in front of her. Ping'an slowly looked up following the white boot upward the white and blue outfit. She saw an angel staring right at her. The handsome face of a young man with fair white flawless skin. His silky black hair neatly tied back combing with a white piece of jade.

Guo Baiyu, "Miss, may I ask how far Peace Town is from here?"

Ping'an looked up, wondering why the angel would talked to her, she lowered her head back down and tied the broken rope.

Guo Baiyu, "My name is Guo Baiyu. I am visiting family in Peace Town for the first time." Guo Baiyu stared at her. He wondered why this lady would not make eyes contact with him. Usually, when he talked and walked past young women, they will stared at him or made him feels uncomfortable, but this lady is different. He feels comfortable. He wants to have a conversation with her.

Hearing the family name "Guo" is enough not to make eyes contact. In Peace Town, the richest family is the Guo family. The Guo family is not only known for their richness, but also for the their outstanding manners.

Ping'an, "It's not too far from here." She pointed to the road. "About one hour walk that way." She continued minding her business and not looking at Guo Baiyu.

Guo Baiyu, "Thank you." He walked about ten meters away and he turned back to looked at Ping'an. His heart beats fast. His eyes were fixed on her. He had never felt this way before. He felt that everything he had been missing, his whole life is in front of him. He don't know why, but the feeling of longing is very strong. He walked back to Ping'an who was still on the ground binding her broken rope.

Guo Baiyu, "Let me help you." He bent down and helped pick up the firewood on the ground. He helped Ping'an put the firewood back into the wheelbarrow, and then tied the rope tightly. Guo Baiyu held on one handle of the wheelbarrow, and Ping'an held the other handle.

Ping'an, "Thank You so much." Ping'an still avoid making eyes contact.

Guo Baiyu, "You are most welcome." He gave her a warm smile.

The two strangers walked side by side until they reached Sunset Street. On the walked back to town, they did not speak to each other. They both kept their eyes looking forward. When they reached Sunset Street, a young man in his twenties ran towards them. He reached out his right hand high and waved at the two strangers.

Guo Longtong called out, "Baiyu! Baiyu! Over here."

Guo Longtong ran up to the Ping'an and Guo Baiyu almost out of breath.

Guo Baiyu , "Longtong." He greet Guo Longtong.

Guo Longtong, "I am so sorry... I lost my trim of thoughts and times. I was standing in line waiting for a table."

Guo Baiyu, "Why are you standing in line?" Guo Baiyu was puzzled.

Guo Longtong explained, "You have no idea brother." He flapped his fan up and down tried to cool himself. "There is a say 'if you past by Peace Town and don't dine at Sunrise Inn, it was never worth the trip". Guo Long Tong was still flapping his fan. "The beauty who live there is out of this world. I know you will be here today, that's why I went and stood in line for a table."

Guo Baiyu gave Guo Long Tong a smiled. Then he turned his head and gazed at Ping'an. Deep in his heart, he kept thinking about who would be more beautiful than the person that is standing next to him at this moment.

Guo Longtong, "Baiyu... Baiyu..." Guo Longtong looked at Guo Baiyu but Guo Baiyu's eyes was on Ping'an's face. Guo Longtong then patted on Guo Baiyu's right shoulder. "Baiyu..."

Guo Baiyu apologized, "Sorry..." He blinked back to reality. He turned to Guo Longtong.

Guo Longtong, "You scare me. I thought you were possessed." He joked. "Come... hurry. I already got a table for us. My three friends was already there."

Ping'an, "Thank you, young master." Ping'an quickly wheeled the cart of firewood toward the back of the Inn.

Guo Baiyu walked after her, but was stop by his cousin Guo Longtong.

Guo Longtong, "Sunrise Inn is this way." He grabbed Guo Baiyu's right wrist and the two men walked toward Sunrise Inn down Sunset Street.

Ping'an pushed the wheelbarrow down the backstreet toward the backdoor of Sunrise Inn. Ping'an felt her heartache because her whole life until now, no one ever treated her with respect. This is the first time someone gave her a helping hand. She is the favorite gossip subject in town. Everyone who knew her considered her bad luck because her fiancé died in an accident one day after being engaged to her. Except for her grandmother, everyone else regarded her as dust in their eyes. Ping'an knew long ago that the most scariest weapon is a person's mouth. If someone's dog dies, it is fault. If she walks by and someone gets hurt, it is her fault. Everything bad happens to other people if she is around it is her fault. She had considered running away long ago, but then she still had her grandmother. Without her grandmother, she could have start a new life in another town, perhaps change her name, and never set foot in this town ever again. When she reached the backdoor she dried her tears and pushed the firewood to the kitchen. Xiong Grandma is still sitting in the same place and the pile of bedsheets is higher than when she left it.

Ping'an, "Grandma, I am back."

Xiong Grandma, "Did you eat?"

Ping'an Lied, "Yes." To be honest, she is not hungry. She felt defeated and overwhelmed because her heart was full of sorrows and pains.