Chapter 1: The Lotus
The orange rays of the dawn drifting through the currents of the cool clean water overhead, Jing Li watched its light fade from her view. Bubbles, clouding her vision as they floated away from her and back up towards the serene surface of the lake above, Jing Li felt her body grow heavier. Sinking deeper into the tranquil waters of the lake she had grown up beside. She reveled in its unsurmountable beauty once more; and, as the last of her breath had finally begun to depart from her, Jing Li recalled the final days that had led to this point.
It had been the start of the summer days, when the chill parted reluctantly from the morning air and the leaves of the trees were still ripe with the freshness of spring. When, deep in slumber, there were no cicadas to chat contentedly in the shade of the branches or toads singing songs of love near the edge of the lake. Only the sound of a heron taking flight, its wings sending ripples across the water. Jing Li recalled admiring the grace of its slow arch across the sky as she walked.
Her journey impeded by the weight of the basket she carried. Jing Li amused herself with the sights and sounds of the morning as she progressed along the dirt road. Pausing to catch her breath or to note the occasional lizard that scurried across her path, Jing Li eventually arrived at the place on the embankment where she came to wash the linens of their home. Setting down the thick woven basket along the perimeter of the dry dirt track with a sigh, she regarded the transparent waters of Xilian Lake.
Her dark thin brows moving together slightly the longer she looked, a narrow line began to form between them. Furrowing above her vivid blue eyes as they struggled to detect a single fish below the cover of the lily pads or even turtles basking on the roots extending out from the old willow tree to one side of the embankment. Their absence instilled a profound sorrow in her heart. A frown still upsetting the delicate features of her face, Jing Li forced herself to unfurl a sheet from the basket.
The gradual disappearance of the fish from Xilian Lake, amongst one of the many hardships the village had encountered in recent months. There had been no rain to water the early planting of the crops or to replenish the receding banks of the lake's basin that spring. These misfortunes, heightening moods of desperation and hysteria with each passing day that they afflicted them. Jing Li issued a silent prayer to herself as she devoutly carried out her chore. Continuing to soak and scrub the sheets and various articles of clothing beneath the water, she pleaded for pity from gods until Jing Li finally came to pull the last item from the basket.
Wading back into the lake only as far as where the water reached her calves, Jing Li plunged the cloth beneath the surface. Beginning to rub and fold the sheet in the same way she had done with the others, Jing Li was suddenly stopped by something that entered into the periphery of her vision. Too engrossed in her entreaties to notice its timid presence in the corner of her eye before, Jing Li set aside her washing now to regard the splendor of the shy and unassuming lotus beneath the swaying tendrils of the willow tree.
Wishing to appreciate the magnificence of its budding beauty closer, Jing Li paused. Looking around to ensure that she still remained alone on the bank, Jing Li then bent down. Rolling up the coarse fabric of her trousers, so that they would not be made wet as she ventured deeper into the lake's waters. Jing Li progressed deliberately towards the flower, which sat above Xilian's calm surface. Stopping as the water rose to caress her thigh, Jing Li leaned in. Appreciating the modest first lotus of summer, whose tender blossom was too bashful to one at this time. Jing Li knew that its petals would one day be a splendid white in the warm heat of the summer sun.
Imaging its grace and soft fragrance once the flower came into bloom, Jing Li reached out her hand. Her lips curling into a quiet smile, she touched the bud gently with her slender digits. Hoping that her gratitude could somehow reach the lotus through its closed petals, Jing Li closed her eyes and let her fingers linger for a long moment. Thankful that the pace of her chore had been leisurely enough to allow for her to observe the lotus's slow advent, Jing Li nodded her head in slow appreciation to it once more.
Intending to withdraw shortly after she had paid her respects to the harbinger of summer, Jing Li removed her fingers from the soft bud. Her feet beginning to turn back in the direction of the bank, Jing Li's retreat was again halted by a movement in the shadow of the lily pads. Two yellow orbs staring out from under the leaf, they held Jing Li in their intense gaze. Seeming to analyze each rise and fall of her chest and twitch of her curved lips, the serpent remained still.
Their eyes unmoving from one another as they both became curious towards the other's next move, Jing Li did not risk to flinch. More surprised by the serpent than terrified by its appearance beside her, she observed the creature's impressive body intertwined amongst the lily pads and its clever demeanor. However, it was not until a light breeze shook the branches overhead that Jing Li noticed the snake's remarkable allure.
The light filtering between the leaves, its rays danced on the water below. Illuminating the resplendent opal scales all along the serpent's face, their luster continued along the entire length of the reptile's back. Their radiance and pristine color, incited an astonished inhalation from Jing Li. Her eyes growing wider as they beheld the rare white snake, the two gazed at each other for a little while longer before Jing Li finally became conscious of herself. Embarrassed to have been mesmerized by the serpent's elegance, Jing Li averted her eyes from him.
Made uncomfortable by the situation and feeling as though her actions somehow warranted an apology to this peculiar inhabitant of the lake, Jing Li made a hasty bow towards the snake. Hoping that the creature might see the sincerity of this gesture and forgive Jing Li her awkwardness. She did not think before beginning to excuse herself from the snake's presence. Stepping backward in a series of humble strides, which seemed at first to be admitted by the reptile.
Jing Li once again became nervous when the cold thick body of the snake was felt brushing up against her skin. The serpent barring her way as he slid behind Jing Li's heels, he appeared intent on prolonging their encounter; when the sound of a group of women approaching the embankment dissuaded him of this endeavor. Their arrival, helping to encourage the animal's shift retreat. Jing Li almost wished that she too could hide among the lily pads as the squawk of their chatter grew closer.
Their laughter, like a menacing brood of hens resounding from the edge of the bank. The women called over to Jing Li, who still stood mildly mystified within the shallows of the lake.
"Well, well if it isn't the village idiot." They remarked smugly in greeting. The sting of their mockery only dulled by the scars of those that had come before them. Jing Li, learning to accept these remarks with some degree of neutrality due to the loss of her words since birth.
Attempting something close to placidity as she waded back towards her basket of laundry. Jing Li did not respond to their insults in any way as another entered the water. A sly smirk visible in the corners of her mouth as she approached Jing Li, she said, "Oh idiot, I think you missed a spot." Looking at her up and down in obvious criticism of her appearance, the woman added, "You should really wipe that stupid look off of your face!"
Shoving Jing Li shortly after the words had parted from her sly lips. There was a loud splash as Jing Li fell backward into the water. The sight of her drenched and sitting dumbly within the shallows of the lake, inspiring another fit of cackles from them. Jing Li was no longer able to conceal her dismay. Her bottom lip, quivering into a pout and eyebrows puckering together vaguely. She hauled herself back onto her feet.
Hurt by their tricks in the past, Jing Li could almost admit to pitying them now. The women's hatred and cruelty, filling a void within their otherwise meaningless existence. Jing Li hoped that one day they would be able to find a better way of enriching their lives. However, she also desired for their interactions to be very few until the dawn of that day finally arrived upon them.
"I think she looks better this way." one tittered from the bank. Another woman beside her, agreeing with an unbridled grin, she picked up the basket on the side of the path. Holding the fresh pile of laundry above her head, she said, "I think you missed a spot here too!" True to her implied threat, the woman then proceeded to dump the contents of the load back into the water. Laughing again as they watched the sopping wet soul in the lake scramble after the items she had so carefully placed in the basket.
Jing Li's damp clothes and hair, dripping profusely. They clung to her skin as she sloshed through the water trying to recuperate the various articles. The women, making no extensions to help her, clutching at their stomachs from the pangs of the riotous amusement they derived from Jing Li's suffering. The clucks of their mirth were to come to an abrupt end with the arrival of another witness to the scene.
His earnest voice full of concern as he ran forward, a young man called out into the lake, "Jing Li!" His speech, traveling only slightly faster than his legs, Jing Li recognized the voice of her friend. Fu Guo, quickly running from the path. He recuperated the basket that had been discarded on the bank, before joining his now drenched friend in the water. The women, silent now as they watched Fu Guo aid her in fishing the various items from the lake. Jing Li could feel the heat of their jealousy rise from the edge of the bank but did not acknowledge them any further as they slunk away.
Unsurprised that the women would not stay to receive the repercussions of their misdeeds. Jing Li attempted to forget them quickly as she glanced over at Fu Guo, who was now bent over the water. Never considering her lack of speech disconcerting, Fu Guo had been Jing Li's friend since childhood. Straightforward with his thoughts and honest in his actions, Fu Guo was easily liked by many. His capacity to talk at length on any given subject, being the only downside to his agreeable nature and handsome face; this quality was outweighed by Fu Guo's compassionate heart.
The only one in the village to show Jing Li kindness, he would often regale her with tales from his fishing voyages and lend a hand when he could. However, Jing Li regretted that their friendship had earned the spite of others. Fearing in recent days that their closeness might deter any potential brides Fu Guo might want to pursue or that she might be seen by him as a burden, Jing Li attempted to prepare herself for their inevitable separation. Distancing herself from him gradually, her efforts had been made futile by his continued determination to seek her out.
"No wonder it was taking you so long to return with the washing." Fu Guo complained, raising a soaking garment in his hand as he spoke. Remorseful that her absence had likely caused him anxiety, but thankful that he had arrived when he did, Jing Li simply responded with an empathetic smile. This reaction, unable to bring him any comfort, Fu Guo snatched another item from the lake. His brow creasing as he did this, he replied, "Don't smile at me like that when you look like a wet river rat."
Further upset by her calm demeanor, Fu Guo continued, "You can throw a few punches now and then, you know." Wagging the collection of clothes in his hand as he spoke, Fu Guo finally tossed them into the basket frustratedly. The wad, landing with a damp squelch upon the bottom of the container. He reached over to take the ball of wet sheets Jing Li was cradling in her arms. Sighing as he placed these too in the woven hamper, Fu Guo then took Jing Li by the arm. Supporting her by the elbow as they waded back to dry land, he did not relinquish the basket even once they were standing back on the little dirt track.
Able to see her more clearly now, there was concern evident in his eyes as they searched her for injuries. Fu Guo's eyes eventually set on her ankle, as they identified a red mark on the skin there, he asked, "Are you hurt?" The skin around her ankle, appearing to have been irritated where the snake's scales had brushed against her, Jing Li shook her head. Denying any reason for his distress, despite the severe color of the rash that began to bloom across her pale skin, Fu Guo's eyebrows raised skeptically.