Chapter 1: She's Missing

The sun was shinning bright, with a cold breeze of wind blowing. There was a beautiful girl who's playing the zither. The clarion tone of her instrumen silenced everyone, her soft gestures and happiness while playing attracts the people's attention. The Floral Realm citizens was surrounding her, listening to her wonderful music.

When she ended playing, around of applause were heard. "Wow! You're really something, you are the best Chu Quao."

"Thank you Yue Ying," and she give Yue Ying a bright smile.

"I want to play too!" Wu Mei requested. Chu Quao move and give Wu Mei a way, she smiles at her before leaving.

People was enjoying the music when the Floral Cheif speak. "Ok, that's enough. We still have many things to do."

As the cheif commanded, they spread out and start to do what they're suppose to do.

But Chu Quao plead to the cheif. "Cheif, can we have some more time?"

Without thinking twice, the Cheif answered. "No."

Chu Quao pouted, she went back to her place and sit on the chair alone. She put her head on the table.

Boredom comes again. She thought.

She was like this, she was just able to be with everyone if they have a free time given by the Cheif. But she don't blame the Cheif because she know that people should take care of the plants so they'll have foods to eat and flower to make the surroundings pretty.

A couple of hours passed and Chu Quao was just walking around. When dinner time comes, Wu Mei and Yue Ying came with some buns and tea.

"Wu Mei, Yue Ying you're here!" She said with full of glee.

The two greeted her joyfully. "Yes we are, and we bring you some dinner."

"Thank you sisters!" Chu Quao start to eat but Yue Ying and Wu Mei was just standing beside her. Chu Quao look at them, "What are you two doing there? Come here and eat with me."

"Are you sure?" Yue Ying asked.

"We will surely eat that all even though no one will left to you even a small pieces of bun," Wu Mei Joked.

Chu Quao just smiles at them as she agreed. The two smiled at her and they eat together.

Another day passed, Chu Quao was busy watering the plants. After she finished her work, she went out. She was going to visit others because she has nothing to do, she want to be with them and get rid of her boredom.

Her place was not same as the other people in the Floral Realm, because hers is a little bit farther not like them their houses was near to each other's place.

She doesn't know why but she didn't asked for it. She was happy actually because when you get out from her place, you'll see a vast environment.

She was about to leave when someone call her name. "My dear sweet sunshine..."

She turn around and she saw a woman standing behind her. "Mother!" Her eyes brighten and quickly hugged her mother.

When they let go each other, Rou'er touch Chu Qiao's hair.

"How are you doing princess?" Rou'er asked gently, Chu Quao smiled.

"I am perfectly fine mother." Rou'er smiled, "but mother, why are you always away?"

The smile on Rou'er face faded, because she knows that even how many times Chu Quao asked about of her leaving, she can't answer it.

Before their's topic get into a hotseat, Rou'er  change the atmosphere. "By the way, where is Cheif Ju Wei?"

"Oh! Cheif is in the main hall." Chu Quao lead the way and forgot about their conversation earlier. Chu Quao ran towards the main hall and called out her Cheif. 

"Cheif! Cheif!" Chu Quao shouted in the whole main hall.

"Chu Quao lower your voice! This is a main hall not a playgr--" The Cheif zipped her mouth right after seeing Rou'er.

"Ju Wei," Rou'er calls her name, Ju Wei was about to bow her head when Rou'er signed not to do so.

"Ahm! R-rou... Rou'er, you're here." Ju Wei ain't used of calling the Floral Ruler by her name.

Rou'er smiled, "Yes, and I'm gonna talk to you some matters."

Zhi'er escorts Chu Quao outside and let her be with friends. Rou'er went back in the main hall, no one in their so Rou'er starts to talk about her purpose.

"Ju Wei you will come with me." Rou'er said, Ju wei didn't respond and let Rou'er to end her speech.

"Lu'er was poisoned, and I need you with me. You will be out here for some months so let Yue Ying to lead temporarily while you're away."

Ju Wei bowed and agreed, "Yes Cheif."

Rou'er smiled at her, "Stop calling me Cheif, I'm not the Cheif here anymore."

Ju Wei protest and speak her heart, "but for me your still the Ruler of the Floral Realm, I was just a temporary--"

Rou'er call out her name to remind her what is the reality says "Ju Wei..."

Ju Wei bowed her head as she apologize, "By the way, how's my daughter?" She asked.

"She's still a hard headed girl, but she gets nicer as years passes by."

"Good," as they finished the conversation, Ju Wei summons Yue Ying.

When Yue Ying arrived she bowed, "Yue Ying is here."

"I am away for months, so I will let you to lead the Floral Realm temporary" Ju Wei commanded.

"I, Yue Ying, accepted chief's command." And she bowed again, Ju Wei take her token with the seal of th Floral Realm and handed to Yue Ying.

"Take care of the Floral Realm." She remind Yue Ying.

Yue Ying accepted the token, "Yes. I Yue Ying, will obey Chief's order and will stay loyal to the Floral Realm."

A day passed, Ju Wei and Rou'er were leaving. They say goodbye to the people before leaving. Yue Ying started to rule the Floral Realm and take the responsibilities.

Yue Ying rarely visits Chu Quao because of so much works to do. Wu Mei can't also accompanied Chu Quao because Yue Ying asked her for help.

Chu Quao is in the main hall and scolded the two. "You two! You're always busy, you don't have time with me. I can't play with others because they also have some things to do... What I am now, I'm alone." Chu Quao throw a tantrums to them, the two felt guilty because they don't have time with their bestfriend now because of so much work to do.

"We are sorry Chu Quao, don't worry we promise when we're done with this stuffs. We will play, talk, and eat with you for the whole day everyday." Chu Quao can't hide the happiness and smiled at Yue Ying.

"Promise?" She asked and they nodded. Chu Quao jumped and yell in glee.

"Ok! Then I do promise to not bother you until you're done with all this" Yue Ying and Wu Mei glad to hear those words from Chu Quao.

"Thank you for your understanding." A months passed, Yue Ying and Wu Mei was so excited to go in Chu Qiao's place and surprise her. They bring Chu Qiao's favorite strawberries while walking inside. They are tip toeing until they reach in front of Chu Qiao's door.

"At the count of three." Wu Mei whispered.

"One... Two... Three!" They both push the door and shouted, "Surprise!" Because of so much joy they almost closed their eyes as they smiled.

"Sorry if we visit you just today," Yue Ying said.

"Yeah, but at least we bring you--" Wu Mei stopped when they felt something odd. She looked at Yue Ying nervously. "Y-yue Ying..."

"Where is she?!"