"Father! You .... You said that you are visiting Uncle Bai's mother!"
"Yes we are. She is his mother. She is divine goddess of this temple."
For a moment he feel that he is trap in a dream. He look at the scroll again. How can this be possible.
"She!"
"She is not human. A goddess. She doesn't harm anyone and it's true that uncle Bai is her son."
Hong Bang doesn't understand the link of the three of them. How can human and goddess become a family and friends.
"Come follow me. We will go to the kitchen. Many years ago when i was lost. She found me and care for me. She even cook a simple meal for me. She is a like to any of our people. A mother who care for a child."
He hold and drag his son to the kitchen. Hong Hong sit down at the same spot many years ago as a child waiting for his noodles. Today he might see the same magic happen again. This time, he wants to share it with his son.
Hu Li wave her magic in front of her guests. Hong Hong is taken back into the past when he first see Hu Li. The magic brings the noddles to float around the room without the hot water spit on them. The water that is boiling stops and it pour into the tea cups for her guest. While Hu Li is standing a side chopping her vegetables. Hong Bang watch it and cannot understand what is going on. Whether is he is a dreamland or some tricks playing with his eyes and mind. Soon Hu Li cook the vegetables and serve with the noddles. She hold up the two bowls of noddles and place it in front of her guest.
"I hope it still taste good. I haven't been cooking much."
Hong Hong who is eating in a rush. He look up and smile.
"It taste same like the past."
Hu Li look at him feeling content and happy. While Hong Bang is still in daze and look at the bowl in front of him. They smell really nice and he haven't eaten for awhile. Hu Li know that Hong Bang is still not sure what situation is he in. She doesn't want to force him thus she just talk to Hong Hong.
"Hong'er, you look older now."
"Yes i am. Older and getting weaker… "
"So you got marry in the capital."
"Yes. I married a really nice woman. She is a gem to me. Unfortunately she passed away last year. I always wanted to move the family back to the village. My wife did did not live to see her son's Guan Li. I feel so sorry for her."
"It is a part of life. There are destiny that we cannot control."
Hong Hong nod his head and look sad.
"Are you planning to move back in the village?"
"Yes i have a long time off from office. In the first place i told them that i am quitting my job because of my age but the Lord Gu reject me and tell me to take time off. As much as i want. So i come back to the village yesterday with my son. He is all that is left in this family. I have to bring him here to see you. Hoping that you will bless him well in life."
"He is already bless with you as his father. "
Hong Hong look pleased when Hu Li said that. He smile from ear to ear and look at his son. His son is staring at them as if he is watching an opera show in front of him. After a long time of watching two person talking in front of him. He picks up his chopstick and eat the noodles. Surprisingly it taste good.
"Jie Jie, it's not mid night and you are able to come out of the scroll?"
"Yes apparently once the sun sets, i am free to come out."
"Are you lonely? Especially when the caretakers are gone."
"I cannot say i am not lonely. I have been alone for a long time however friends like you who comes to visit when they are free is always my joy."
"I shall make sure to come visit you often."
"i am grateful for your kindness."
"And i too. If you did not rescue me and feed me that night, i might die. Never to know how my grandfather will live on without me."
Hu Li smile and she look at the young man who finish his noddles.
"Would you like another bowl?"
He nod his head slowly and look at her with his big round eyes. Hu Li wave her hand and behind her, the noddles work themselves and two more bowls come to the table in no time. She pour them tea while talking. Hong Hong feels satisfy to see the goddess he knows is still well.
"What is my Bai Lu doing these days?"
"Lu ger is now an important official who over see many disaster works and military adviser. He is a busy man. Always going to somewhere. Helping the civilians. He is rarely in his mansion. When he is in the capital, i will visit him. We talk about a lot of things. Especially you. He wish to see you but the appearance of yours and his is not matching."
Hu Li smile and play with the tea cup in her hand.
"Yes he and i look young. We cannot be mother and son."
"He is now changing his appearances to look older to match the age of a fifty year old man. Anyone who does not understand will kind him looking odd. Why an old man who is in his fifty still looking like man in his twenties! Thus he is slowly changing his appearances."
"Hong Hong i am grateful for you. Taking care of my son when i cannot do anything."
"There is nothing to be grateful for! Lu ger is a good man! We will be good friends till the end of my life!"
He smile to show his goofy grin. Hu Li nod her head in a grateful attitude. Hong Bang who is keeping quiet all these while listen to their conversation. It seems like there is no fine line between a goddess like her and a human like his father. She is also a pretty woman to look at. Like uncle Bai, she have bright eyes and a sort of charming personality.