Plum Blossoms

The sky was dark, but there were stars up above. No one saw them with all the factory fog, but if you stared closer, you could see a beautiful star up above. This star was small, but bright, full of colors. But there were outstanding colors that appeared much easily. Blue, grey, orange, and white.

On the ground, there were rows and rows of plum blossoms surrounding a small little cabin. The plum blossoms were in full bloom making it so beautiful you could only stand there mesmerized. However, we are not here to talk about that. We are here looking at the cabin.

In that small cabin, was a female voice screaming from excruciating pain. A male was also screaming, but from distress. What was going on?

The night passed by and a small little baby crying voice could be heard. Her parents named her "Li Hua" meaning plum blossoms. Although the mother was weak after the convulsions, she still wanted to pull all her strength to ask, "Shi, must we do this?"

The husband could only tearfully reply, "Yuan'er, I'm sorry, for I am a weak man. I hope that in the future, our little treasure can find someone strong."

Before the mother could continue with her tears, speeches were heard from outside the cabin.

"Tang Shi! Hand over Princess Feng!"

"Shi", the mother spoke with a trembling voice.

"Yuan'er, even if I die today, at least I am happy to have known that I protected you and our little treasure. Shui! Take Madam and young miss away from this place. I am trusting in you to make sure they both never return to this bloody place."

"Yes, Master." The woman monotonously saluted.

"Yuan'er, thank you for being a part of my life." Tang Shi spoke those final words before heading out to defend his wife and child, only hoping that they both make it out without being caught.

Outside of the cabin, there were gunshots heard, grunting and painful groans. Tang Shi swore to himself that today, he will take them down with him. He knew better than anyone that today, he would not be able to make it out alive. Tang Shi had already resigned to his destined fate.

As he killed the final person on sight, Tang Shi also got his own final wound. At this moment, he could only think if Yuan'er made it out alive. If his child was safe. Before closing his eyes to rest, he looked at the plum blossoms that had been dyed scarlet from the fight.

The once beautiful place was now destroyed in one night. The once quiet and peaceful place was now no longer a place of peace, but a place of battle and war.

On Tang Shi's end, he was gone, but on Feng Yuan's end, it was barely beginning.

"Madame! Please let this servant protect you!" Shui's words could be heard throughout the narrow path being taken.

"No! No need. Today, I will fall down to protect the people I cared about."

"Haha! Princess Feng, did I not tell you to marry me? All you had to do was marry me and let me be king. How difficult is that?" The dude with a pretty face spoke sneeringly.

"Ha... Tao Kong, you are just an ***hole looking to be pleased by b******! You really think I would fall down low with no profit?"

"Feng Yuan!" The man called Tao Kong angrily stared at Feng Yuan.

"Shui, take my and Shi's little treasure and protect it well. Nobody must know about its origin." After saying this sentence, Feng Yuan stared at Tao Kong and pulled out her Glock 19. A princess should never have to fight, but Feng Yuan had to today for the survival of her little treasure.

In the midst of the fight, Shui left the location as quickly as possible and headed off to a friend of hers for help.

Beijing, Year 2013

Fifteen years had passed since that dreadful day, and nobody knew about, nor remembered it anymore. The death of Princess Feng, ruler of Lian Lei and the death of General Tang, her right-hand, was never talked about even at that time, even more less now. Their deaths was unknown, even to their own child.

"Auntie Shui, I'm fifteen now, why can't I go outside, yet?" This voice belonged to Li Hua, the innocent girl who knew nothing.

"You have no reason to leave these doorsteps."

"But Auntie! Can you imagine the loneliness I feel from being inside the same house for fifteen years without even knowing what the outside feels like?"

"You have your brother for that."

"Sigh, Auntie, Brother Su just gets me jealous."

"You, can you not think about the dangers out there at all? This old lady just doesn't want you to experience the cruelty of the world."

"How are you sure there is people cruel out there? I mean Uncle Qi isn't mean."

"Li'er, you'll soon know why soon enough." Shui knew that even if she kept this small girl hidden away from the world, she'll soon be faced with it soon. In her mind, she prayed, "Master and Madame, please, if your spirits are still here, please help keep your daughter safe when she has come to know the dangers of the world."

After their short discussion, Shui told Li Hua to go make lunch as they would be expecting Su Fanlang in the afternoon.

When he had come over, the first he said was, "Haha, Li'er, you're always getting more beautiful every time I see you."

Li Hua had a light blush and thanked him quickly before inviting him to the dinning table. As they were eating their lunch, Su Fanlang spoke words that shocked Li Hua.

"Aunt Shui, today I came because I want to ask you for something." He had on a look of hesitation, but also a look that told a history.

Just seeing his face, it was easy to tell what he had wanted. Unfortunately, luck never played on his side for such things and the innocent little girl was not so much uninformed as Su Fanlang had wanted.

"Aunt Shui, I reject. Brother Su, I'm sorry, but I only look at you as a senior and brother. As of right now, I do not want to fall in love, nor be taken up by the thought of love." Actually, that was just an excuse. The real reason why Li Hua did not want to accept his proposal was because she had no trust in anyone other than Aunt Shui. Not only that, she hated the idea of falling in love because of the divorce of her Uncle Qi and Auntie Qi. That divorce had a huge impact on the small little her. She was only 6 years old then.

"I see. Then, I won't force you, but if one day you ever need someone to be on your side, just come to me."

With an angelic smile, she said,"I understand Brother Su. I'll do that if one day I have no one."

Li Hua thought that the laws of the world was wrong. Why should girls be able to marry at the age of 15? It was unfair because they were immediately forced to marry just so that the family could gain something. Girls had no freedom. She learned this from Aunt Shui and Uncle Qi.

Again, she also had another thought, "One day... One day, I'll be able to live by myself and do everything by myself. One day, nobody will be there to tell me no." Only the sad thing was that girls could not do much at the age of just 15. Li Hua complained to herself, "Why was not born earlier!? Why am I not already 18?!"

Because she had been deep in her own world, Su Fanlang had noticed her wondering eyes. He admired the small girl. When he first met her, she was so cute he fell for her at first sight. Now, she was growing to become a beautiful young lady. It was only a matter of tie until men lined up to get her hands. This was the only reason why he proposed to her first, but hearing her words made him at ease. Even if right now she only looks at him as a brother. That was enough.

"Ah, right! Li'er, do you want to go see the plum blossoms with me? It's almost spring season, so they should be blossoming soon."

"Where at? Oh, yes... You have to ask Auntie Shui first."

"Aunt Shui the location is Scarlet Blossoms. It's in a nearing country. I've heard that there are rows and rows of plum blossoms there that are used to make wine. There's even a small cabin there, too. I'm sure you will be fine with this, right?"

In actual fact, Su Fanlang was more excited to hear Li Hua's answer to his invite. This was the first time he ever asked someone out. Who knows, it may even turn into a date like he wished.