It was still at dawn that, in this soft orange light, Li Wei strode into the courtyard. Every step was echoing purposefully, weighed down by the letter he had gripped hard within his hand. No guard dared question him; the letter ;one with the seal of the Xing family had spoken louder than words.
A humble yet half-formed carriage waited close to the road. The driver gave a quick nod as Li Wei climbed in.
"Next town please "
Trees lowered beneath the carriage, rice fields glided past, as he kept on revisiting every word in the letter from Ying. She was starving. Dead tired. Frightened. She was barely sixteen ;but sounded so much older. His fists clenched.
No one -not even his sister –deserved this.
By noon, they had arrived at town. After some hushed inquiries, a local directed him to a walled compound.
"That's the Zhi place. They don't like visitors."
Li Wei wasted no time. He marched directly in and approached a servant.
"I'm here for my sister."
The woman looked him over, seemingly anxious, before disappearing inside, returning minutes later with Ying.
Li Wei's breath stilled.
She looked smaller than he remembered, shoulders hunched, cheeks hollowed out, hair up in a messy knot. The clothes hung loosely on her frame. The shine in her eyes had gone away leaving behind something distant and tired.
She stood in silence.
Li Wei stepped forward and gently captured her palm.
"Come with me Ying" he said with tears about forming..
They walked toward the waiting carriage. But as they were ascending, a voice, sharp and loud, sliced through from the Zhi residence.
"Where do you think you're taking her?!"
An older woman stormed out with an expression that matched the fury on her face.
The driver slowed down, and Li Wei calmly stepped back toward her.
"She's not yours anymore," he said coolly. "She's leaving. Unless you want trouble with the Xing family, stand aside."
The woman froze, her color drained. But all have heard that name Wealth,Influence. Shield.
She had nothing to say.
Li Wei resumed into the carriage, where they rode in silence.
The gates parted before his family crest at the Xing estate .The servants still on their jobs . Calmness and grandeur enveloped the estate ;a world away from where Ying had come from.
A maid dashed toward them.
"Oh dear. She looks unwell. I will assist her."
Li Wei nodded and said" Thanks for your hospitality, I really appreciate ".
Ying followed behind slowly, dazed by all the opulence ;the marble floors, the carved wood, the manicured gardens. The maid led her toward a warm bath, a set of fresh robes, and a room filled with sunlight. For the first time in ages, Ying felt safe enough to hold on to her breath.
Her hair was brushed out, her skin softly washed, her clothes uncramped by dust and stale water. Gradually, the color returned to her cheeks.
Meanwhile, inside his own quarters, Li Wei paced about. Relieved, but boiling with rage beneath. They will pay for what they did to her; I will see to that.
A soft disturbance interrupted his thoughts: a knock.
Ying came in slowly, still damp-haired, unsure in expression—but clearer in eyes now.
"Brother." and then they hugged
He swallowed hard. "I should have come sooner."
"You came," she said. "That is all that matters."
For a moment, silence enveloped them as they reminisced about memories, warm in the way that only siblings can be.
Eventually, Li Wei stood up and went and looked around for a maid. " Pls do me a favor and take this note to Miss Mei. Tell her… I have my sister."
The maid looked at him but went out anyway.
Not too long afterward, she was back.
"Miss Mei wishes to see her."
Li Wei turned to glance at Ying. She nodded.
"I want to thank her."
A second maid soon came to escort her through the estate's east wing. The hallways there were quieter, cooler. Sacred, almost. Each of Ying's footfalls lightly echoed as she journeyed, causing her heart to quicken.
The doors swung open.
Miss Mei was standing near the window.
She turned. Young,not older than seventeen. Long dark hair spilled over a pale blue robe, delicate embroidery flowing down her sleeves. Her eyes found Ying ;calm, steady, and kind.
"So, you must be Ying," she said slowly.
Ying bowed. "Thank you... for everything."
Miss Mei stepped forward and took her hand.
"No thanks are necessary. I'm just glad you are safe."
Ying felt a lump in her throat. There was not a hint of pity in Mei's voice ;there was no judgment; only pure kindness. It was almost odd. And it felt...good.
"Come. Sit with me," said Mei, gesturing to cushions near a low table.
They sat while tea was poured.
"I have heard much about what you have endured," Mei said softly. "And how your brother went through heaven and earth to bring you home. He must love you so much."
"I do not wish to be a burden," Ying replied. "I would like to help. Work, if I can."
Mei contemplated her for some time.
"You are thoughtful," she finally said. "Very strong. If you want... then I could offer you much more than a simple shelter."
Ying looked sideways.
"I want you to be my personal assistant."
Ying stared.
"Not a servant," Mei hastened to clarify. "You will learn and grow, and work alongside me. I believe you are capable of much more than anyone has ever allowed." Ying was dumbfounded. Her hands trembled across the teacup.
"Thank you," she murmured. "Really."
Mei grinned and gently squeezed Ying's hand. "You are welcome."But while she smiled, she couldn't help but wonder: what would Li Wei think? Would he resent her? Would he question her? His sister... now in the very same role he was?
Ying, still grinning, looked as though she was grateful ;but also a little confused.
And then,
A voice rang from far down the hallway.
Urgently, trembling.
"For heaven's sake, Miss Mei; you need to come. Now."
She turned sharply, heart leaping.
Something had changed.
Ying stood frozen, cup still in hand.
Miss Mei looked at her once and then at the door.
Without another word, she stepped into the unknown.
Leaving Ying behind.
Alone.
Unaware of what had just started.