Three days passed before Yu Lin finally saw Yo Mei again. The first thing that Yo Mei did when she saw Yu Lin was pick her up in an embrace. Yo Mei squeezed her so tight that Yu Lin thought that her bones were going to break, however she did not resist because Yo Mei was crying. She only patted Yo Mei on the back to comfort her. She did not stay for long though, as she had to head back to the other village to continue helping with renovations. She had only came to see Yu Lin and she had to go back. Sen Feng had stayed behind to continue helping them. Chou, and Ju Hua followed her back to the other village so they could also help with the renovations.

After that, the days continued on as if nothing has ever happened. Yu Lin eventually got better and was forced into hard training by Chief Chu. Things were returning back to normal, and the days with the dark witch had seemed like they’ve never happened. He Lan also got better as he stopped insulting her, and started to treat her father with respect. Their relationship in a way deteriorated as He Lan did not speak much to Yu Lin anymore. Every time he saw her he would freeze before walking the opposite direction. Yu Lin didn’t seem to notice his strange behavior though as she was too busy with the deathly exhausting training she was receiving.

Yu Lin got out of the bath. As she started heading to her bedroom, she was stopped by two small figures. She looked up to see Mei Rong and Leng Zhuang standing there looking at her with their heads down. She raised an eyebrow as she looked them up and down, then shrug her shoulders as she tried to walk around them. They moved to the side to block her way. She paused. She cocked her head before moving to the other side but they blocked her way again. Yu Lin frowned.

“Excuse me, but what are you two doing?” She asked. The two nervously peered up, guilt overridden in their eyes.

“We… have something to say to you.” Leng Zhuang spoke out first, his voice quiet.

“What is it?”

“We… we... “

“We’re sorry for leaving you and He Lan behind!” Mei Rong bursted out as tears streamed down her face. “It’s jus- it’s jus- we didn’t know what to do. We were so scared and we didn’t know what to do. We could only run.” Mei Rong sobbed. “And… and… I’m sorry, for lying to you. I’m really sorry.” Mei Rong continued to cry. Yu Lin looked at them with soft gentle eyes. She knew that they felt guilty, however she did not place any blame on them for they were just little kids. She placed her hands on their shoulders.

“It’s alright. There was nothing you guys could’ve done in that situation. It’s a good thing that you guys didn’t get caught with me or He Lan, or else something worse could’ve happen.” Yu Lin said. The two looked at each other for a second before looking back at Yu Lin.

“Really? You forgive us?” Mei Rong asked.

“Of course, friends forgive each other right? We’re friends right?” Yu Lin smiled at them. The two of them looked back at each other before nodding their heads.

“That’s right, we are friends.” Mei Rong said, agreeing. Yu Lin pulled her hands away.

“Now if you'll excuse me my friends, I would like to go rest now. Let’s talk another time when it’s not too late.” Yu Lin motioned for them to move. The two nodded as they moved to make a path for her to go. Yu Lin smiled at them as she headed back towards her room.

“Yu Lin!” Leng Zhuang called out from behind her. Yu Lin turned her head.

“Hmm?”

“Just know, whenever you need help, you can always ask us.” Leng Zhuang said. Yu Lin eyebrows rose before she nodded her head.

“Yes. Now goodbye and goodnight you two.” Yu Lin waved her hand before turning back and continuing to head to her room.

Yu Lin sat on her bed and stretched as she pulled her blankets up, ready to tuck herself in. She was tired from all the training that she had to go through. She felt that it was more like torture, but everytime she opened her mouth to retaliate, Chief Chu gave her this death glare which made her close her mouth again.

“If I knew this was going to happen, I would have rather die.” she groaned as she pulled the blanket over herself. Her body was sore everywhere, and she couldn’t wait to go to sleep. She was about to blow the candle next to her bedside out when she heard a knock at the door.

“Yu Lin? Are you still awake?” she heard He Lan call out. Yu Lin rolled her eyes as she was desperate to go to sleep, but she got out of her bed anyways. She pulled her doors open and He Lan jumped at her sudden movements.

“Long time no talk,” she yawned, “anyways, what do you need?” He Lan cleared his throat as he regained his composure.

“For you.” He Lan said as he put his hand out. Yu Lin looked down on his arm and saw a pink robe with beautiful black embroidery sewn onto it resting on his arm. Her face brighten up as she picked the robe up with both hands.

“You finished it? Already?” Yu Lin ran her fingers over the patterns.

“Of course. There’s nothing I can’t do if I set my mind to it.” He Lan replied with a grin on his face. Yu Lin peered up and gave him a face.

“Oh really?”

“Of course.”

“Alright then… whatever you say. Anyways, I’m going to head back to bed now. Thanks, and goodnight.” Yu Lin started to push her doors close.

“Wait!” He Lan called out. Yu Lin paused.

“Yes?”

“U-u-uh… just wondering, and seriously it’s just because I am wondering, what is your favorite food?” He Lan avoided her eye contact. Yu Lin frowned but still gave an answer.

“My favorite food is chicken ginger soup.”

“Huh? Chicken ginger soup? What are you? Forty years old?” He Lan chuckled.

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“Yea. I am.” Yu Lin replied. He Lan stopped as he looked at her.

“What?”

“I said yes, I am forty years old… actually I think I may be a bit older. I’m not sure. Thinking about it, I have lived for a long time.” Yu Lin looked up as she thought about it. He Lan looked at her with his mouth wide open. When Yu Lin saw this she let out a laugh.

“Why are you so surprised? I’m just joking! Of course I wouldn’t be that old.” Yu Lin laughed. He Lan snapped out of it as he gave her a look. When he saw her continuous laugh though, the look faded away as the corners of his lips started riding up. “Anyways,” Yu Lin abruptly said and He Lan quickly looked away, “I got to go to sleep now. I might die by exhaustion from grandpa’s training before anything else. You go to sleep too, goodnight.” Yu Lin gave him a wave.

“Yea, goodnight.” He Lan waved back. Yu Lin closed the door to her bedroom. She then went to her closet and set the robe in there before heading back to her bed.

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Three weeks passed like the wind since the day Yu Lin received her robes back. Chief Chu had given her more free time when he saw her chit chatting with Leng Zhuang and Mei Rong. He wanted her to also have friends around her age other than He Lan. She would spent that time either reading, or playing with the other kids. When she would read, the physician would occasionally pop up and bombard her with his many thesis and questions. They would also go into long conversations, without her even realizing it, about medicine. Her relationship with the kids quickly grew. They all got along well and He Lan stopped avoiding her now.

Despite her actual age, Yu Lin had a lot of fun playing around with He Lan, Leng Zhuang, and Mei Rong. She was young at heart, and it was something that she was often reprimanded of in her past life.

Yu Lin was in one of the many rooms at the Chu residence with the kids when He Lan had stepped out to do something. They had played a word game to see who could remember the most characters and Yu Lin already won so she was at the sidelines watching. He Lan left when he was done and it was only Leng Zhuang and Mei Rong left.

“I won’t lose to you Leng Zhuang!” Mei Rong declared as she gripped her brush tightly. Leng Zhuang said nothing as he continued to stared at his paper. Yu Lin knew that Leng Zhuang already knew what the last character was, but he always lost for Mei Rong.

“What is it? What is it? What is it?” Mei Rong mumbled. Yu Lin yawned as she stared at the two.

“But, what happened to your other friend who was always here?” she asked bored.

“Who?” Leng Zhuang asked.

“That other kid. I think is name was, Wu Pu?” Yu Lin nonchalantly said. Leng Zhuang froze.

“That’s right, the last character I was missing was Wu!” Mei Rong blurted out excitedly, before she froze. “Wu…” she sadly said. Yu Lin raised an eyebrow.

“What is it? What happened?” she asked.

“Nothing. Nothing happened. It’s just that we don’t hang out anymore.” Leng Zhuang replied. There was a heavy atmosphere in the room as the three of them said nothing for a while. Yu Lin knew that something must’ve happened between the four of them, but she did not want to pry any further. Even though they were kids, she knew that everyone had their own problems. It also seemed like Leng Zhuang did not want to talk about the topic any longer.

“What’s going on? Who won?” He Lan walked in.

“Mei Rong won. Leng Zhuang is last place again.” Yu Lin quickly answered as she got up from her seat. “Lunch should be ready by now, so let’s head to the dining room everyone.” she said. The other three nodded as they walked towards the dining room together.

“Do you guys know what’s for lunch today?” Mei Rong asked as she grabbed onto He Lan’s arm.

“Uhh… I’m not sure.” He Lan replied.

“As long as it fills my stomach, it doesn’t matter what it is.” Yu Lin said.

“Hehe. You sound just like an old man Yu Lin!” Mei Rong giggled.

“That’s because she is one in the inside.” He Lan said. The three bursted out laughing as Yu Lin just rolled her eyes.

When they reached the dining room a familiar sharp aroma entered Yu Lin’s nose. A smile appeared on her face as she ran to her seat. She looked on the table. There was more food than usual but her eyes were fixated on a bowl. The bowl was placed next to her rice bowl and she looked in it to see chicken ginger soup. She grinned.

“What’s with that look on your face?” A male voice blurted out. Yu Lin looked across the table to see Sen Feng standing behind a chair.

“You’re back?!” Yu Lin exclaimed. Sen Feng nodded.

“Of course, did you miss me these past few months?” he grinned.

“No, of course not,” Yu Lin said causing Sen Feng to make a face, “but if you’re back that must also mean my parents and aunt Ju Hua are back!”

“That’s right!” Yu Lin heard a voice from behind her say as she felt her body being lifted up into the air. She yelped before turning to see her mother smiling sweetly at her. “Did you miss me my daughter?” Yo Mei asked.

“Stop hogging our daughter all to yourself Yo Mei! She’s my daughter too!” Chou said from behind Yo Mei.

“Please don’t fight Mr. Du and Mrs. Du. There are kids here.” Ju Hua playfully said as she showed up besides Sen Feng. Yo Mei laughed before setting Yu Lin down. As soon as she did, Chou pulled her daughter in for a tight hug.

“I was going to get here first and tell Yu Lin the news but I guess you guys beat me to it.” Chief Chu said as he walked in with the physician.

“Greetings to Mr. Du, Mrs. Du, uncle Sen Feng, and aunt Ju Hua!” the three kids said as they bowed.

“I am Po Leng Zhuang, nice to meet all of you.” Leng Zhuang said.

“I am Yan Mei Rong. Nice to meet all of you guys too!” Mei Rong said.

“Oh, are these your friends Yu Lin?” Yo Mei asked as Yu Lin came out from her father’s tight hug.

“Yes, we get along well.” Yu Lin replied.

“I see… well nice to meet you guys too! Even though my daughter may be a bit brash, please continue to take care of her.” Yo Mei bowed back towards the kids.

“That’s right Mrs. Du, she is a bit brash but we will look over her as we are the older ones, so don’t worry about it.” He Lan nodded her head all knowingly.

“What are you two saying? I am not brash!” Yu Lin retaliated.

“Just keep your mouth shut brat and sit down. It’s time to celebrate He Lan’s birthday.”

Sen Feng motioned her towards her seat.

“What? It’s He Lan’s birthday today?” Yu Lin exclaimed.

“Yes, did you not know? Anyways, here’s my present He Lan.” Mei Rong pulled a small bag from out of the sleeve of her robe and handed it to He Lan.

“Thank you Mei Rong.”

“No one told me, I didn’t prepare anything.”

“That’s alright, I wasn’t expecting anything from you anyways.” He Lan said as he took his seat.

“What?”

“You been busy with grandpa’s training so you probably wouldn’t have time to go buy me something. It’s alright, I don’t mind.” He Lan took his seat.

“I see, alright then. I will get you something next year for your birthday.” Yu Lin said. After that everyone else who was standing took their seat. They all sung a birthday song for He Lan and then began eating. The adults began chattering among themselves, and the kids also. The only one who just quietly sipped on her soup was Yu Lin. She enjoyed second of it.

“But, why is Yu Lin so quiet?” Sen Feng blurted out as he looked at her.

“It’s probably because she’s enjoying her favorite food.” He Lan replied.

“Favorite food? What is it?”

“Chicken ginger soup.”

“What? Chicken ginger soup? Even I don’t like it and I am this old.” Sen Feng exclaimed. Yo Mei looked down at her daughter with a confused look.

“But, who introduced you to chicken ginger soup? I never made it for you before Yu Lin.” Yo Mei said. Yu Lin froze before swallowing hard.

“U-u-uh… really? Didn’t you make me some before mother?” Yu Lin nervously said.

“No. I don’t even know the recipe for the soup.”

“Really? U-uhh… I…”

“It was me,” the physician said, “I gave her some after she got better so it would help boost her system. It was a hard time for her so she probably doesn’t remember about it.” the physician smiled.

“Oh, I see… thank you for taking such good care of my daughter Mr-”

“Ah ah shh!” the physician said put his finger over his mouth.

“Ah, yes, I almost forgot. Anyways, thank you.” Yo Mei chuckled.

“No problem. It’s my job anyways.” the physician looked proud. Yu Lin narrowed her eyes at him but didn’t say anything else. He had save her from some trouble. But, she didn’t know why. Her memory wasn’t fuzzy so she knew he was lying, but she did not say much. ‘Who is he anyways? Why is he only like this towards me? Ah, so frustrating!’ Yu Lin thought as she continued to eat her meal.