Zhao Li mustered all her strength, smiled and waved back. She started a slow jog, one hand pressed to her chest as she tried to regulate her breathing. The gap between them slowly closed as she pushed herself to catch up.
When Zhao Li finally reached Little Qing, she found him perched on a fallen tree trunk, watching a group of six children engaged in their game of Jianzi. Grateful for the chance to rest, she sank down beside him, her eyes fixed on the spectacle before them.
The children moved with surprising grace and agility, their focus entirely on the small disc adorned with peacock feathers that they fought to keep aloft. The tallest among them seemed to be the most skilled, consistently flicking the disc to his right with precision. The shortest child in the group often struggled, barely managing to keep the disc from touching the ground.
To the tall boy’s right, a girl with quick reflexes would knock the disc with her heel, sending it sailing to the left. The boy opposite her would then use his toe to direct it towards the player on his left, keeping the rally going.
As the game continued, Zhao Li found herself drawn in, itching to join the fun. She turned to Little Qing, ready to suggest they ask to play, but the words died on her lips when she saw his expression. The boy's face was twisted into a pout, his earlier excitement replaced by disappointment.
“What’s wrong?” Zhao Li asked, concern coloring her voice.
Little Qing's shoulders slumped as he mumbled, “They don't want us to play.”
“What? Why?” Zhao Li's brow furrowed in confusion.
“The aim of the game is to make it hard for the next person to keep the tuck in the air. Once a person misses the tuck, they're out.” Little Qing explained, his voice dropping to a whisper. “But they won't even let us try.”
“Oh...” Zhao Li said softly, turning back to watch the game with new understanding.
As the children continued their rally, Zhao Li observed more closely, picking up on the nuances of the game. After a few minutes, she realized what Little Qing had meant earlier.
The tall boy flicked the tuck to his left with practiced ease. The disc spun rapidly, its feathers a blur of color. The boy to his left dove dramatically, just managing to tap the tuck and quell its spin. He sent it arcing towards the tree line, where another player deftly kept it in play.
The tall boy then switched positions with the girl on his right, demonstrating a level of strategy Zhao Li hadn't expected. He sent the puck left again, continuing the pattern.
“You’re right,” Zhao Li said, a hint of frustration in her voice. “He could’ve flicked it to his right and tried to make her reach. She’s clearly the weak link.”
Little Qing slid off the tree trunk, his face set in determination. He bent over, searching the ground intently. Zhao Li watched, puzzled by his actions. “What are you looking for?” She asked.
He didn't answer immediately, continuing to shuffle dead leaves and fresh grass aside. Suddenly, he straightened, a rough-looking object clutched in his hand. As Little Qing rocked his arm back, Zhao Li's eyes widened in realization. She leapt to her feet, raising her hands to block his view.
“What are you doing?” She hissed, her voice sharp with alarm.
Little Qing’s face was a mask of frustration. “They're being unfair!”
“I know!” Zhao Li agreed, her voice softening slightly. “But you can't throw stones! Do you want to get punished by Aunty Ling?”
The boy's frown deepened, but he lowered his hand. The stone dropped from his fingers, landing with a soft thud on the grass. “But it’s not fair, He grumbled. “We should be able to play too.”
Before Zhao Li could respond, the sound of grass crunching underfoot made her turn around. The tall boy from the Jianzi game stood behind her, his sudden appearance startling her. She stumbled backward, only for the boy to reach out and shove her roughly.
Zhao Li lost her balance, falling onto a nearby branch. A sharp pain shot through her hand as a broken twig sliced across her palm. She bit back a cry, exhaling deeply as she tried to maintain her composure. Inside, however, her emotions were in turmoil. Why did he push me?! I did nothing wrong! she thought, anger and hurt warring within her.
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“YOU BASTARD!” Little Qing’s voice rang out, filled with righteous indignation. He charged towards the tall boy, his small fists clenched at his sides.
Zhao Li looked up through misty eyes to see the tall boy's lips curl into a cruel smile. As Little Qing barreled towards him, the older boy simply stepped back and stuck out his foot. Time seemed to slow as Little Qing tripped, his momentum carrying him forward.
“No!” Zhao Li cried out, lunging forward in a desperate attempt to catch her young friend.
Little Qing fell into her arms, his weight causing her to wince as her injured hand protested the sudden strain. Ignoring her own pain, Zhao Li held him close, her eyes blazing as she glared up at the tall boy.
“Why?” she demanded, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and hurt.
The tall boy looked down at them, rolling his neck as if preparing for a fight. When he spoke, his voice dripped with disdain. “I was only playing around,” He sneered. Then, his eyes narrowed as they fixed on Zhao Li. “But what are you doing here, Demoness? You don’t belong here.”
“Yeah, go back to where you came from,” one of the girls chimed in from behind him, her voice laced with contempt.
Zhao Li swallowed hard, fighting to keep her voice steady. “I’m only here because Little Qing wanted me to watch you play Jianzi.”
“That’s right!” Little Qing piped up, his voice muffled against Zhao Li’s shoulder. “Big Brother Shun promised to teach me!”
The tall boy – Shun – scoffed. “I did, but I don't want to anymore.”
“Is it because of me?” Zhao Li asked quietly, already knowing the answer.
“Yes,” A boy standing nearby spat. “We don't associate with Demons!”
Little Qing struggled in Zhao Li's arms, his face flushed with anger. “That’s not fair! Sister Li is my friend!”
Shun’s face twisted into a sneer. “Your friend looks like a Demoness. Look at her skin, it looks like dirt.” He paused, a cruel light gleaming in his eyes. “Humph... DIRT DEMON! YOU DON'T BELONG HERE!”
Zhao Li clenched her fists, fingernails digging into her palms as she fought to hold back tears. She had always known she was different from the other children in the village, but no one had ever been so blatant in their cruelty before. Usually, such comments were muttered under breath as she passed by. But hearing it shouted to her face, seeing the venom painted on their expressions, cut deeper than she had expected.
Taking a deep breath, Zhao Li pushed the pain in her hands to the back of her mind. She gently extracted the splinters from her palms, acutely aware of the children's eyes on her. Once done, she pushed herself to her feet, dusting off her clothes with as much dignity as she could muster.
Kneeling beside Little Qing, she helped him up, carefully brushing the dirt and grass from his clothes. Then, steeling herself, she turned to face Shun.
The boy’s menacing gaze met hers, his brown eyes cold and hard. Zhao Li felt a flicker of fear, but she pushed it aside. As she studied him, she noticed his thin nose and lips, the swollen cheeks and oddly shaped jaw that made him look as if he'd been slapped too often as a baby. The observations gave her a small measure of comfort – he was just a boy, after all, not some terrifying demon.
“If I leave,” Zhao Li said, her voice quiet but firm, “Do you promise to teach Little Qing how to play Jianzi?”
Shun’s face contorted with disgust. "We don't make promises to Demoness,” He spat, leaning forward aggressively. “But I will gladly teach Little Qing... you just need to leave.”
“Sister Thi!” Little Qing cried out, his voice thick with emotion. “Let’s leave. If they don’t want us to learn, we don’t have to stay!”
Shun’s eyes flashed dangerously. “Careful, Little Qing. I like you, but I don’t have to take your mouth!” He raised his hand threateningly.
Zhao Li stepped in front of Little Qing, meeting Shun’s gaze defiantly. She stood her ground, unswayed by his raised hand. “If you plan to strike me, do it now,” She said, her voice eerily calm. “Because you will not get another chance. My father, Master Zhao Xing of the Purple Mist Sect, he will be coming for me soon. Me having another mark on my face will not work in your favor.” She tilted her head, pushing her cheek out as if daring him to hit her.
A mocking laugh erupted from Shun’s throat, and malice flashed across his face. It was a look Zhao Li knew all too well – the same expression her stepmother wore when she wanted to send a message. It had always worked before because her stepmother was bigger, stronger. Shun was bigger too... but not by much.
Little Qing wrenched his hand free from Zhao Li’s grasp and stepped between her and Shun. Despite his small stature, he stood tall, glaring up at the older boy. “If any of you touch her, I’ll tell my grandfather!” He shouted, his voice ringing with conviction.
The aggression in the eyes of Shun’s friends wavered, like dust scattered by a sudden gust of wind. But Shun remained unmoved, his stance rigid and challenging. Unlike his companions, he seemed unafraid of anyone – not even Xiaobo Jun, Little Qing’s grandfather.
“Your grandfather would never interfere in children's matters!” Shun growled, his voice gruff with barely contained anger.
Zhao Li gripped Little Qing’s shoulders, trying to pull him back. The boy resisted, attempting to shrug her off, but she held firm. “That’s enough!” She said, her voice tight with worry. “If they don’t want us to play, it’s okay!”
"IT IS NOT!" Little Qing shouted, his small body trembling with emotion. “HE PROMISED!”
“People break promises all the time, Little Qing. This will not be your first disappointment, nor your last.” Zhao Li said softly, tinged with a wisdom beyond her years.
Little Qing turned around, looking up at Zhao Li with pain in his eyes. It was as if her words had struck a chord within his mind. He didn’t realise it himself, but Zhao Li’s words were true…and he hated that.
He broke free of Zhao Li’s grip and ran in the opposite direction. The sound of broken grass filled the air as Zhao Li turned around to follow because if there were a few things she knew in life were pain and disappointment, the most difficult thing about living with both was not having someone you cared about being there with you. “Little Qing WAIT!”