Prologue

The streets are just as clean as they were 11 years ago.

Despite being in a busy part of Beijing, the sidewalks were paved nicely, and the bus stops were spotless.

'I wonder how much money they spent to clean this place.'

Whatever it was, it's certainly more money than they should be spending.

Although the sun over in America could be overbearingly hot at times, it was nothing compared to summers in China.

Sweat trickles at a constant rate down the side of my head, silently reminding me where I was at all times.

"Ming-Ming?"

My didi* tugs on my sleeve, swinging my arm along with his as he walks in large steps.

"Ah, what is it, Lu Chengliu?"

His round cheeks were tinted red, and his hat covered his short, prickly hair.

"Can I meet your friends later, jiejie**?"

I give a polite nod, resisting the urge to pat his head.

This year, Chengliu is 9. Due to the one-child policy in China a few years back, he was born in America and then brought over.

And he's the cutest little brother ever!

"Jiejie, why are you smiling like that? Won't your face hurt?"

'Huh?'

What's with this kid, repeating what I told him years back?

"Haizz..no, my face won't hurt. Who even told you that?"

He turns his head to the side, looking at me like I was an idiot.

"It was you, Ming-Ming jiejie!"

'Yes, it really was me.'

'How cute, he remembered that.'

"Be sure to work on your Mandarin, okay? We'll both be going to school here now."

He nods with vigor, and I swear I can see fire coming from his eyes.

What a determined little boy.

* Didi is an honorific term used to call a younger male friend or younger brother

** Jiejie is an honorific term used to call an older female friend or older sister