Madam Liu

The sun begins to peek above the horizon. Lan didn't sleep and stayed up looking after the family, after telling Sheng to sleep. It is still a mystery on how Sheng was able to recognize Lan in her male appearance...Perhaps he almost saw her changing back? Lan doesn't know. But she doesn't pay much attention to it. It's not like Sheng is any danger of sorts.

Lan sits by the clear riverside in front of the hut: tall, green grass surrounds them, and the open, dark forest from behind. Such a beautiful, yet livable place..how come it's only Sheng and his family? They're full of mysteries.

From the inside, she hears a shuffle and immediately jumps up to go in. "Nghh.." the mother woke up, face with more color than before. "Madam? My name is.." should she tell the lady her real name? "Zhi." That should be okay. She's only known as Lan in Xia.

"Wha-Why are you here?" The madam still fazed. "It's okay. You needn't be cautious. Madam, you and your daughter were severely ill...Ah, here's the medicine. Sheng already heard the prescription details from the doctor, so you and the lady should get better soon enough." Before Lan could continue her thought. "Doctor? Oh, no. No. Please bring it back, we don't have the money to pay it."

The madam tries to sit up but slumps back down. Lan hurries to the madam's side and helps her up. "Madam, please, I insist. The bills are taken care of. You should worry about you and your daughter's health...What would happen to Sheng if something happens to you guys? He's just a kid, he needs his mother."

The madam looks at her daughter beside her and her asleep son on the floor in the corner. She tears up. "I'm unworthy to be their mother...I can't provide them a decent life...I can barely hang onto my own life. Why have the gods cursed us so much.?" Lan listens with sentiments. The madam continues," I'm-I'm sorry. That was no way to respond to your kindness. Thank you. Thank you, Zhi, for helping us."

"Madam, you mustn't think too much of it. It's a natural thing to help others in need.." "I don't know how we'll ever repay you."

At that moment, little Sheng wakes up, "Moth..er? Mother! You're awake." He runs to her, and dived in for a hug, crying. "I thought-I though-", unable to continue as he bawls. He turns to Lan and hugs her too," Thank you jiejie." Lan reciprocates and ruffles his hair. "Don't be too loud, your sister hasn't woken yet. Go make the same thing we did yesterday but add more water, so they can fill their stomachs. Do you remember how?" Sheng nods and went off to do it.

Lan watches him and smiles; So, he can be expressive.

"Sheng, he cares for you. Even in desperation, he thought of you guys. He's a special boy, madam. You must get better, if not for you, then for them." The madam nods, "You're right..My, you're so young, yet you have such a deep and thoughtful mind. Your parents have done well raising you."

Lan smiles, but unfocused. She mustn't let anyone know of her real past. "My grandfather…yes, My grandfather and uncle taught me everything I know." Madam ignores the awkward response, "They have done well..producing such light in this dark world." Lan slightly laughs, "Thank you."

Sheng comes in with two bowls of makeshift bread soup. "Mother, have some. You need to have your medicine after." He looks at his sister, hoping for her to wake up soon too.

Lan sat while Sheng feeds his mother as she was still weak. Right as the madam takes her last sip of medicine, the girl next to her begins to open her eyes. "Yan?!" Sheng's sister had woken, and they helped the girl up. As their mother regained a little more strength, she feeds her daughter the soup and medicine.

Lan stays to make sure the ladies were stable, and soon the sun had already reached passed its peak. She begins to clean and organize their hut and even made makeshift beds with grass with Sheng. As she begins to wrap things up, Lan went out to the river once more before sundown to absorb nature.

From behind she hears the crinkles of grass being stepped on. Without turning around, "Sheng, it's getting dark, you should help your mother and sister prep for bed. They need to re- Madam?!" Sheng's mother sat beside Lan. "Madam, what are you doing out here? It's cold. You'll only worsen your condition." The middle-aged lady smiles and shakes her head, "It's alright. I'll head in soon. Are you going home, child?"

Lan giggles, "Yes, my grandfather is expecting me." Well, he expected her arrival yesterday. "Zhi, I can tell you're also a special child. We owe you more than this lifetime can repay," and the madams attempt to kowtow. But Lan pulled her up, "Madam, please. Like I said, I was doing what everyone should do. You guys don't owe me anything. I just hope you guys live a healthy life."

The madam quickly observes Lan: Zhi was obviously a girl to them, but why is she dressed in boy's clothes? One of the expensive fabric too...Right, the expensive fabric that Zhi tore for them...

"We don't have much to offer, but if you ever need anything, please know we will always open our doors to you." Lan smiles, "Thank you, madam..?" "Liu, my family name is Liu." "Thank you, Madam Liu." Madam Liu places her hands on Lan's, "No, thank you, for everything."