The spluttering sound of broken grass groaned beneath Zhao Li’s feet as she thundered across the uneven ground, desperately trying to keep up with Little Qing. “Little Qing, slow down!” she croaked, her voice raspy from exertion.
As hard as she tried, her lungs began to burn, unaccustomed to such strenuous activity. She attempted to breathe deeply to cool them, but it only made matters worse, her body rebelling against the unfamiliar strain.
Little Qin leapt over a fallen tree as though it were a pebble, then veered right along a winding path. Zhao Li felt the strain in her knees as she slowed her pace, clumsily hopping onto the tree trunk and jumping down with far less grace than her younger companion.
The moment her feet touched the ground, she looked up, watching helplessly as Little Qing’s small form disappeared from view. The pathway leading back to the village snaked around a thick cluster of trees, swallowing him whole.
As frustration bubbled up inside Zhao Li, she complained under her breath but still forced her aching legs to keep moving. The chase was beginning to grate her nerves. She was six, Little Qing was four... so why was he so much faster? “I should be faster!” She thought indignantly. “I’m older!”
As she ran, a question wormed its way into her mind. Why would Little Qing react this way? Had something happened to him? The answer remained elusive, so she shoved the thought to the back of her mind, determined to solve the mystery once she caught up with him.
Zhao Li focused intently on the sound of Little Qing’s rapidly fading footsteps, straining to keep him within earshot as they delved deeper into the woods. In the distance, she could hear the faint murmur of a river, its gentle burbling a stark contrast to her own labored breathing.
The seconds stretched on as if they were minutes. Zhao Li’s pace slowed to a crawl as her energy was drained. She tried willing her body into another burst of speed, but her leaden limbs refused to cooperate.
As her lips grew parched with each passing second. She finally admitted defeat, she dropped to her knees, wincing as blades of grass and fallen branches dug into her skin.
The thunderous pounding of her heart felt like a hammer in her chest, each beat reverberating throughout her entire body. She gasped for air, hoping to slow her racing pulse and cool her burning lungs, but the effort only intensified her thirst. Her lips, now pale and cracked, felt like sandpaper.
She scraped her tongue against her bottom teeth, sucking what little saliva she could muster from the crevices of her mouth. She rolled the meager amount of moisture around her lips, but the respite was fleeting.
Her thirst remained unquenched.
Zhao Li flopped onto the ground, her gaze drawn upward. She tried focusing on the sky above, but her view was obscured by a canopy of leaves. The overarching branches hung low, their foliage swaying gently in the breeze.
In this precious moment of silence, Zhao Li allowed herself to be lulled by the peaceful rustling of leaves. It was a welcome reprieve, especially after the torment she’d endured at the hands of Shun and his friends.
As she lay there, catching her breath, Zhao Li’s mind wandered to earlier events. She berated herself, thinking that if only she had tried harder to learn Jianzi, none of this would have happened. Little Qing wouldn’t be in tears, and she wouldn’t be lying here, alone and frustrated in the middle of the forest.
Anger and sorrow began to well up inside her, threatening to spill over. She balled her fists, fighting to keep her emotions in check. “Why must they treat me like this?” She thought bitterly. “I hate it. I hate all of them. I wish they would all just...”
She didn’t finish the thought, but the tears began to flow freely from her eyes as a deep, aching sorrow took root in her soul. Zhao Li yearned for acceptance, for the simple joy of playing without judgment or ridicule. She longed to be loved by everyone, not just her father. But most of all, Zhao Li desperately wanted a friend.
She rubbed the tears from her eyes, refusing to let another drop fall. “I can’t stay here,” She whispered to herself, her voice barely audible. “Little Qing needs me.”
Zhao Li pushed herself off the ground. Every muscle in her body protested, aching from the strain of her exertion. She tilted her head back, allowing the scattered rays of sunlight filtering through the leaves to warm her face.
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She took a deep breath, steeled herself and set off down the dirt path leading back to the village.
The pathway twisted and turned, each bend seeming to mock her determination. But after the eighth turn, a sound caught her attention – soft sobs carried on the breeze, coming from somewhere to her right. Zhao Li veered off the path, following the heart-wrenching sound.
As the sobs grew louder, she finally spotted Little Qing. He was curled up on the ground, hugging himself tightly, his small body shaking with each sob. The sight of him in such a vulnerable state made Zhao Li’s heart ache. She had never seen him like this before; the only expression Little Qing had ever shown her was happiness. To see him crying was a shook her to her core.
Ignoring the protest of her scraped knees, Zhao Li knelt beside him and wrapped her arms around his trembling form. Little Qing initially resisted, trying to push her away. “Stop! Leave me alone!” He shouted, his voice thick with tears. But Zhao Li only hugged him tighter, refusing to let go.
She wasn’t entirely sure what to do, but she knew from her own experiences of crying herself to sleep that she had always wished for someone to hold her just like this.
As Little Qing’s resistance gradually weakened, and eventually, he returned her embrace, his tears flowing freely.
Zhao Li held Little Qing close, letting him cry without judgment or interruption. Though she didn’t know the cause of his distress, she sensed that what he needed most in that moment was her presence and comfort.
After what felt like an eternity, Little Qing’s sobs began to subside. He slowly pulled away from Zhao Li, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand as he tried to compose himself. “I’m sorry,” he said, his voice still shaky and uncertain. “I didn't mean to cry like that.”
Zhao Li shook her head, offering him a gentle smile. “It’s okay,” She assured him. “You don't have to be sorry. I cry too, sometimes.”
Little Qing looked up at her, his eyes red and puffy from crying. “It hurts,” He said softly, his words barely above a whisper. “Promises being broken...”
Zhao Li felt her heart melt at the pain in Little Qing’s voice. “I’m sorry if I reminded you of a bad memory,” She said, her tone filled with concern.
“It’s not a bad memory,” Little Qing replied, his brow furrowing slightly. “It’s just that my Da...”
“What about Un—“ Zhao Li began, but Little Qing cut her off.
“Forget it,” he said, his voice suddenly firmer. “Father said boys don’t cry.”
Little Qin’s words left Zhao Li speechless. She had never heard such a notion before, and the more she thought about it, the less sense it made. Everyone cries! She thought to herself. The idea of suppressing such a natural emotion seemed not only impossible but harmful.
For Zhao Li, crying had always made her feel powerless, and being powerless was something she despised with every fiber of her being. I want to become strong, She thought fervently. So strong that no one would ever dare treat me badly again!
She pushed her own feelings of powerlessness aside, focusing instead on Little Qing and how bravely he’d defended her earlier. This isn't about me right now, She reminded herself. It’s about him.
Though Little Qing wasn't physically strong, he had shown incredible courage in standing up for Zhao Li. The memory of how he had pushed back against Shun’s unfairness brought a smile to her face. She didn’t just like it – she loved it.
Zhao Li pulled Little Qing into another hug, resting her chin atop his head. A pleasant shiver ran down her arms as she thought about how kind he had been to her, how willing he was to stand up to Shun on her behalf. “Thank you, Little Qing,” She said softly.
Little Qing tried to move his head, Confused by her sudden display of affection, but Zhao Li’s embrace held him firmly in place. He glanced up, noticing the smile that had crept onto her face. “Sister Thi?” He asked, concerned.
“You defended me when you didn't have to...” Zhao Li explained, her voice trailing off as she struggled to express the depth of her appreciation.
“My Da told me it’s a man’s job to protect his wife!” Little Qing declared with childish conviction.
“Wife?” Zhao Li repeated, caught off guard by his statement.
“Yes, I’m going to marry Sister Thi!” Little Qing affirmed, his earlier distress seemingly forgotten in light of this new declaration.
Zhao Li felt her face flush, not from shyness, but from a confusing mix of emotions she couldn’t quite name. As she looked into Little Qing’s eyes, she saw nothing but sincerity, which only intensified the warmth spreading across her cheeks. She released him from the hug, suddenly aware of how flustered she felt. Why am I so hot? She pondered. I don't understand!
Little Qing smiled at her, his gaze unwavering. Zhao Li found herself shying away, offering a timid smile in return. He took a step back, then turned to leave. “Sister Thi... I am serious,” He said, voice filled with determination. “I want to marry you. It’s okay to say no today – my Da said you have to win a woman’s heart. I haven’t won yours yet, but I will.”
He began walking back toward the pathway. He paused, turning back to look at her one last time, his eyes shining with resolve. “You don’t have to follow me back. I’m fine now,” He assured her.
Zhao Li stood rooted to the spot, watching in stunned silence as Little Qing disappeared into the trees. Her mind whirled with confusion. She had inadvertently reminded him of something painful, yet he had been brave enough to show her his tears – tears that had dried up so quickly.
As the sound of Little Qing’s footsteps faded away, one thing became crystal clear to Zhao Li. He was the first boy to ever say something like that to her... and despite her confusion, she found that she loved it.
To be liked by someone else.