Zhao Li stirred for a few minutes before finally opening her eyes. The grogginess she felt was due to sleeping in an unfamiliar bed. She blinked multiple times, clearing her vision, and stared into a familiar face that startled her for a second.

It was a child with a round face and puffy red cheeks that matched his toothy smile. His short, well-kept hair made his face seem oblong when he smiled. The way he excitedly twisted his head from side to side was a sensation Zhao Li wasn’t used to when waking up.

“Sister Thi, let’s play,” the little boy said, stumbling over her name.

Zhao Li was momentarily confused, but then she remembered that Aunty Lin had brought her to Stone Iron Village after noticing the cut on her face.

“Good morning, Little Qing,” she said with a smile, patting his head. “I’m sorry. I know I promised to play today, but Grandpa wants to take me to the windmill.”

Little Qing’s face fell for a moment, but then he perked up, refusing to let the news dampen his spirits. “It’s okay, Sister Thi! We can play later!” he said cheerfully.

Zhao Li smiled warmly at him. “We definitely will.”

As she pushed herself up and out of bed, a queasy feeling washed over her. She turned to leave the room but stopped mid-step, trying to understand why she felt this way. A smile appeared across Zhao Li's face as she looked at Little Qing, who turned his head and gazed up at her curiously. She knew instantly what that queasy feeling was—gratefulness, for the first time in two months since she last saw her father. Zhao Li was grateful for Aunty Lin’s kindness.

“I have to get dressed, Little Qing,” she said.

Little Qing smiled and nodded, then walked toward her. He placed his hand into hers, waiting for her to hold his in return as he looked up at her.

“I have to get ready, you have to leave,” she said gently.

Confusion painted itself across his face as he tried to understand what Zhao Li was telling him.

“Little Qing!” A motherly voice shouted from another room. “Little Li needs to wash up and get ready! Boys and girls don’t share the same room! Get out and let Little Li get ready!”

“But Sister Thi is so pwetty!” he said with a beaming smile.

“Little Qing! Come! Or you won’t be able to play today!”

The smile disappeared from Little Qing’s face instantly. He released Zhao Li’s hand and darted toward the door as if being chased out. He looked back before exiting and smiled brightly at Zhao Li, filling her with embarrassment. No one’s ever called me pretty before, no one outside of my Da, she thought.

As the feelings of gratefulness settled, Zhao Li undressed and bathed. After drying herself, she picked up the brown and black robes Aunty Lin had set out for her. The clothes were tighter than her own, but Zhao Li wasn’t one to complain, especially with the stepmother she had.

After ensuring she looked decent enough, she walked toward the dresser and began searching for her mirror. Her heart dropped instantly. “Where is it!?” she gasped. Then it hit her. “No. No. No. I left it…”

Zhao Li sagged to the ground, thinking of the only mirror she had. She calmed herself after fretting for five minutes. Her father always told her that fretting never solved anything, but he admitted, letting it out is better than keeping it bottled up. I will ask Da to get it for me. Aunty Lin said he’s coming to pick me up, she thought, using that to help calm herself.

Zhao Li took a deep breath for the twentieth time and buried her anxiety, stress, and problems within her mind. When she pushed herself off the floor, her concerns weren’t so easily pushed away. She hated when this happened, but she knew it couldn’t be helped, so she focused on her breathing—a trick her father taught her to calm herself.

Once she was alleviated enough, Zhao Li pushed the door open and hunted for Grandpa Jun. The old man was sitting by the door, feeding Little Qing in his lap.

As Aunty Lin walked out of the kitchen, she held two bowls in her hands. The scent of congee filled the room, and Zhao Li’s stomach growled tenaciously. Lin, Grandpa Jun, and Little Qing turned toward her. A dashing smile flashed across Old Man Jun’s face, while Aunty Lin giggled. Little Qing smiled brightly and shook his head.

“Good morning, Zhao Li. Did you sleep well?” Aunty Lin asked.

“Yes, Aunty, thank you for the clothes,” she answered, curtsying but feeling ashamed of her stomach.

Aunty Lin snickered when she saw the curtsy and shook her head. “Does Jiang Li make you do that all the time?”

Li nodded shyly and began playing with her fingertips nervously.

“You don’t have to curtsy to me, I’m your Aunt.”

“Yes, Aunty,” Li said, beginning to curtsy but catching herself, then smiling.

“Have a seat, dear. Let’s get some food in you before you head out with Grandpa Jun.”

“Thank you, Aunty Lin,” Li said, trying her best to withhold happy tears.

“Stop it, Little Li. No need for thanks. This is common courtesy.”

Zhao Li nodded and sat down. Lin placed a bowl of congee in front of her and pulled her cheeks. “Eat up, dear. We have to fatten those cheeks up! Your cheeks have to look like Qin’s before your father arrives,” she said with a wink.

Zhao Li giggled and picked up her wooden spoon. She dipped it into her bowl and watched as the congee slid off the spoon.

“Stop playing with it; it’ll give you the energy you need for today’s activities.”

She smiled at Aunty Lin and gave her a nod, then took her first bite. A bland taste erupted within Zhao Li’s mouth, but the goosebumps that rippled throughout her body made her mind feel relief.

“How is it?” Grandpa Jun asked, feeding a mouthful into Qin’s mouth.

“It tastes amazing,” Zhao Li said, smiling from ear to ear.

“Good, eat all of it. You’ll be helping me at the windmill later on.”

“Yes, Grandpa Jun.”

After Zhao Li finished her breakfast, Grandpa Jun took her through the forest to the watermill. Jun took Zhao Li through a series of gentle turns that followed the lay of the land.

The sound of water flowing was soothing as Zhao Li listened intently, fascinated by the knowledge Grandpa Jun shared. She’d always been interested in learning new things, especially when her stepmother only was interested in making her clean the pig sty.

Zhao Li stood in the distance, gazing at the watermill hut made of wood that rose two stories tall, encompassing the entire size of the watermill. From where she stood, she could see the sunlight filtering in through the small windows, casting dappled shadows on the wooden walls.

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As she breathed in the crisp air, she felt a sense of calm and tranquility wash over her. The scent of freshly sawed timber mixed with the fragrant aroma of nearby wildflowers, creating a heady and invigorating blend.

Zhao Li felt a sense of wonder as she took in the sight of the watermill and its accompanying hut. She marveled at the craftsmanship that had gone into building the wooden structure and the ingenuity of the design that had harnessed the power of the stream to grind grain into flour.

As she looked closer, she could see the details of the hut's construction, from the intricately carved wooden beams to the small shutters that adorned the windows. She felt a sense of appreciation for the care and skill that had gone into creating something so beautiful and functional.

Standing there, in the forest with the sound of the water cascading over the wheel, Zhao Li felt a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to witness something so remarkable. It was a moment she knew she would treasure for years to come.

“Wow,” Zhao Li whispered.

“It's a beautiful sight, isn’t it?” Grandpa Jun asked.

“Its…its…” She said, breathless.

Grandpa Jun laughed and patted her on the head, “Take your time, no need to rush.” Zhao Li looked up at Jun and nodded excitedly, and turned back to the watermill.

As they walked towards the mill, Zhao Li felt the cool mist from the water on her face. She smiled, looking around trying to grab the mist with her left hand whilst Grandpa Jun held her right hand.

They walked up to the door and Grandpa Jun pushed it open with a grunt. Light flooded through the door from the light cascading through the windows, leaving the site of an intricate system of wooden gears that drove the water wheel to Zhao Li’s amazements.

In the center of the room was the water wheel, churning away as the water flowed through the millrace. Zhao Li watched in amazement as the wooden gears turned, driving the millstones, and grinding the wheat into flour. It was a fascinating process, and she felt grateful to be able to witness it firsthand.

The rhythmic creaking of the wooden beams and gears. The sound was soothing and peaceful, a stark contrast to the pigs she tended.

Grandpa Jun reached out and touched the rough-hewn wooden beams, explaining how they had been shaped and assembled to support the structure. Zhao Li reached out to touch them too, feeling the rough texture of the wood under her fingertips. “This is amazing Grandpa Jun!” Zhao Li said.

He smiled as he looked down at her, patting her on the back. “Yes, Yes it is,” He said. “Go on ahead, you can explore, but don’t touch anything or you’ll lose a finger…and then your father will probably not speak to me anymore.”

Zhao Li circled the wooden gears, eyeing them, the urge was there to touch the twirling beam, but she tried her boss, then couldn’t stop herself any longer.

She stretched out her hand and cough echoed from her left. She turned left and saw Grandpa Jun shake his head. She smiled back in return and allowed her eyes to look at everything within the water mill.

On the left, in the corner was a big door that seemed to lead to a storage room. She wondered what was inside and if Grandpa Jun would let her take a peek.

On the right, there was a small staircase leading up to a loft area, which she guessed was where the miller would have slept. She felt a pang of curiosity and wanted to climb up to explore, but Grandpa Jun had warned her not to touch anything, so she resisted the temptation.

As she walked around the mill, taking in every detail, she couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and awe. This was a world so different from the one she knew, a world where people worked hard to create things by hand, where every cog and gear had a purpose, and where nature and technology worked together in harmony.

Zhao Li knew that she would never forget this experience, and that the memory of the water mill would stay with her for years to come.

“Li’er, come here,” Grandpa Jun called out. Zhao Li turned around, seeing Grandpa Jun dragging a sack leaving a white stain behind him as he left the storage room. He ripped the back open and white powder puffed into the air.

Zhao Li coughed and waved her hand in front of her face to clear the air. “What’s this, Grandpa Jun?” she asked, curious.

“Flour,” Grandpa Jun replied with a grin.

“Flour?”

“Yes, you like cake?”

“Yes!” Zhao Li said elated.

“This is what cake looks like before its made, pretty isn’t it?”

Zhao Li eyes glistened as she smiled, seeing how white the powder is. She stretched out her hand to touch it and unconsciously stopped herself, turning right as she did so. Grandpa Jun smile, “You want to touch it?”

She nodded nervously, not knowing if Grandpa Jun would let her. His smile broadened, then he nodded as if it was a chore. “Go ahead.”

Zhao Li dipped her hand in the flour, then pulled it out. She looked at the whiteness of her hands, and turned her hand around, seeing it was as white as Grandpa Jun’s own skin. I look like everyone, She thought, I look like everyone!

“Careful, you’re dirtying your hands.”

She continually twirled her hands, feeling smiling broadly. She didn’t flour could change the colour of her skin and she wished her father would’ve showered her in this when she was born.

Jun grabbed Li’s hand startling her. He began wiping the flour from her hand with a damp cloth and to Li’s fright, the flour disappeared showing her skin once more. “Grandpa Stop!” Li cried, “You’re ruining it!”

As Grandpa Jun wiped the flour from Zhao Li's hands, she felt a sense of disappointment wash over her. For a moment, she had felt like she belonged, like she was part of something, and like she was just like everyone else. But now, with the flour gone and her skin exposed, she felt like an outsider again.

She looked down at her hands and saw that they were still the same shade of brown as always. She had always felt self-conscious about her skin color, wishing that she could be as white as the other girls in her class. She thought that if she were white, more people would like her, and she would fit in better.

Zhao Li’s stepmother, Jiang Li, had always made comments about her being an Axsumite and that her skin colour would serve no purpose.

Jun noticed Zhao Li's sudden change in mood and pursed his lips, trying his best to not make it obvious. “Something wrong, Li’er?” He asked. Zhao Li shook her head and flashed a timid smile that came out more like a grimace. “Nothing Grandpa Jun.” She said coolly. “I’m just feeling a little down.”

“Oh? What’s wrong?” He asked.

“I…I…” Li said, but didn’t have the courage to speak.

Jun looked down at her and just smile, it was genuine, unlike her paltry attempt. Li felt shame resonate within her. She knew she could talk to Grandpa Jun, but something just couldn’t be said, somethings had to be felt and with Zhao Li being the only person within the Purple Mist Valley with her skin colour…it hurt her like nothing else would.

A soothing sensation rippled across her head and shot down Li’s neck as Jun patted her on the head. Her lips curled into a smile as she reacted without choice.

Jun’s pat was reassuring, and it made her feel like her father was there. Tears began to roll down her eyes and she leaped into Jun’s arm and hugged him tightly. He didn’t hug her back, but continually patted her on the head. “You’ll be fine, Li’er, I promise…you will be fine.” He said assuringly.

Once the Li finished hugging Grandpa Jun, she wiped the tears from her eyes and swallowed deeply. She looked up at Grandpa Jun and for the first time realised how old he was.

Old man Jun’s diamond shaped head made him seem astute, despite the thin jawline. His chin gave him a old regal look whilst his eyes had a determination to them despite the wrinkles that emanated from the side.

Jun lips curled into a smile as he looked at Li, filling her with relief. His words made her feel as though, everything would truly be fine. She just needed it to happen.

“Li’er,” Jun said calmly, “head back to the village, I’ll start the work here till the little lad who runs the mill comes back.”

“I…”

“You’re too scared to walk alone?”

“No! I’m not scared, I just wanted to see how it works,”

“Another time,” Jun said with a smile, “head back and play with Little Qing. I’m sure he’s waiting on you.”

Li smiled brightly and curtsied, “thank you Grandpa Jun, I promise to help next time!”

“Aw dear, you don’t have to promise me anything but your happiness, that’s all I want from you.”

As Zhao Li left the watermill, making her way back to the village. The sound of ruffled grass caught her attention, making her look to her left. She turned left, and saw a boy standing next to one of the many trees, his eyes filled with anger.

Li’s heart raced, wondering who and why the boy would look at her with such anger.

She hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do. The thoughts of confronting him were being whispered by the swaying branches, but her common sense to her to continue walking and to ignore him.

As she stood frozen, the boy continued to stare at her with his piercing eyes. Li knew that she had to act fast if she wanted to get out of the forest unscathed.

Without saying a word, Li bowed her head and curtsied to the boy. She hoped that this gesture of respect would calm him down and prevent any further conflict. But as she turned to run away, she could hear his footsteps getting closer.

Li's heart raced as she sprinted through the forest, dodging trees and branches as she went. She could feel the boy’s presence behind her, but she dared not turn around. She didn't know what he was capable of and didn't want to take any chances.

As she finally emerged from the forest, Li breathed a sigh of relief. She had made it back to the safety of the village without incident.

She looked back to see if the boy was following her, but the only thing she saw was the dust in the wind permeating the air as the branches from the trees swayed back and forth.

Zhao Li couldn't help but wonder why the boy looked at her so hateful, it was worst than any other villager that laid eyes upon her.

It turned her stomach, making her feel not just uneasy, but alien, something she felt just by breathing on a occasion, but see someone looking at her with such disgust…was something new a feeling she never wanted to feel again.