Chapter 2: Fake Mom

A cold breeze blew along the river, sending chills up Chao Mei's body. It was nearly winter, after all. She shouldn't be here, sitting alone on a rock by the river, miles into the forest cover. It wasn't natural for a young woman – but she came here every night to sulk.

She had just turned 20 a week ago, but her life had been thrown into despair this year. A void that she could never climb back from.

Her lover had died on a mission at the start of the year, and ever since that day… she never cared about anything else in the world. Not even herself.

Back then, it was only him and her in the world. The darkness of the world was lit up by his love, but she couldn't see in the darkness anymore. She was all alone.

This was the rock he would always take her to.

They made love here and played with each other like no one else existed in the world. But now, she was all alone.

"I wish you could come back to me," head hidden in her knees, she whispered to herself.

Tears filled her eyes, and she lifted her head. Many had told her to move on, but they never knew how much she loved him.

Wiping her eyes, she continued to gaze at the river.

Time flew by as she did this, and without moving an inch, she continued.

The breeze slowly graced the trees, and the moon lit up the entire forest. And in the distance, there came a sound disturbing the silence of the night.

Tap! Tap! Tap!

Chao Mei lifted her head and looked into the distance, her eyes following the direction of the sound. Her tears seized, and she wiped her sullen eyes.

"Is… is that a boat?" she said, stepping into the ice-cold water of the river. "Gah~ cold…"

Gladly, she was wearing her brown cotton shorts, or the water would have wetted her pants. The water level only rose to her knees.

Soon, the boat reached her. She seized it with her hand.

Blinking, she uncovered the thing that was wrapped in a blue cloth and –

"GAH! A BABY??" she cried out, hesitatingly. She quickly gazed around her to see if someone was there. However, there was no one in sight.

"Who would've done such a thing…? Or – or is this a prank! Did someone think it was funny to just leave a baby on a boat!" she became furious.

Then, she turned her gaze back to the newborn child.

The child was a beauty, his skin ominously pale. And it was sleeping.

"Who could ever abandon such a beautiful child?"

However, it wasn't alone inside that little boat. Beside him, there was a small rolled paper tied up with a thread.

She grasped this rolled paper and untied the thread. Then, she opened up the paper. Amongst all this commotion, Bai Xin who drifted into a sleep began to gradually awaken from his slumber.

Chao Mei gazed at the letter, only to let out a gasp.

"CHAO MEI? This was… for me?"

Gulping, she continued to read the letter.

"Chao Mei,

I know you're a bit surprised to see a baby just float down the Jade river to you. And you must be wondering how and why you are reading this letter, addressed straight to you.

You have had a change of fate, Chao Mei. This baby before you now is the future of Xian. My son, the son of the Goddess of the Moon.

He is Bai Xin, named after your lover for a reason. You should know it better than me, Chao Mei.

If you believe all this is nonsense, channel some of your Qi into the baby. You can see for yourself then. Please, Chao Mei, be this boy's mother. Your fate is this boy here. He needs your love, and you need him. Take care of my child… I beg of you. This piece of paper shall turn into a birth certificate now, so don't worry about documents and other stuff humans worry about so much.

I will always be watching you… and Xin.

Love, Chang'e."

Chao Mei lifted her gaze from the piece of paper back to the baby. "My fate?" she asked herself, gazing at the baby's eyes.

Suddenly, a strong breeze blew by and a memory of her past boyfriend flashed in her mind.

It happened long ago in a forest of bamboo called Zhuzi. It was a forest in the cloud region, on a tall mountain that rose above the clouds.

Chao Mei sat at the edge of the cliff, along with her lover, staring at the beautiful clouds. It was as if this place was heaven itself. Her lover sat beside her, his hair, long enough to reach his own feet. It was even longer than Chao Mei's.

Her lover came from behind, embraced her, and kissed her neck.

Chao Mei caressed her lover's face when he kept his chin on her shoulders.

"Promise me," she said. "Promise that you'll never leave me."

"Never," the young man's voice echoed. "Even if I die, I'll be with you… always. At least, my soul will be there. You'll never be alone."

Chao Mei snapped back to reality the moment she remembered that quote.

"At least my soul will be there." She repeated his words.

"Is this your way of being there for me?" she asked as tears ran down her cheeks. "Is it… Xin?"

She took the baby out of the boat. The baby was fully conscious now, and his glittering eyes met hers.

///

I don't know what is going on now, but another beautiful lady had grasped me. Two beauties in a day.

The first was my mother, who had left me only seconds after birth.

Now, it was a strange red-haired lady who looked like she was around the same age as me back in my past life.

"Is it you, Bai Xin?" she asks, gazing at me with a loving gaze.

Yet again, I am surprised. She knows my name? How?

"I will take care of you…" she says, kissing my forehead. Then, she holds her hand above me and closes her eyes. She seems to be focusing, and I keep myself silent without any cries.

Suddenly, I feel some ominous feeling running across my body. It's strange, but also rather relieving.

Before I know it, my body is emitting a bright blue glow like my new Mom did when she was standing under the moonlight. It feels strange, but also it feels strangely natural at the same time.

"So it is true," the red-haired woman says, smiling at me. "I shall take you as my child."

I suddenly grasp an idea of the situation. Just as the Mother of mine had said. It happened. A memory flashes in my mind, bringing back her words.

"I will send you to a new mother. Even if she is not your real mother, treat Chao Mei well, dear."

'So this second ethereal beauty is Chao Mei?' I wonder.

Then, the strange woman wraps me around a blue cloth and suddenly begins to walk. "We must go to our house before anyone sees us," she tells me as we go.

"It's not natural for a glowing baby and a woman like me to be simply walking around in the woods."

I grasp onto her chest, and she caresses my head.

I feel safe with her for some reason. I am a helpless baby, after all. I feel relieved that she is the one to pick me up.

And in my mind, I say to myself: "So it begins…"

//Author's Note//

Leave a power stone if you need more chapters and want this book to continue! I hope you enjoy the stuff I wrote. Plus, leave a comment and a review. It makes my day.