"The male section mirrors the female section," Lin explained, her voice a blend of excitement as she glanced back at me, gauging my understanding. "Oh, did I forget to mention? The eating area is entirely unisex and open to everyone." Her smile was infectious, and I couldn't help but return it, nodding to signify that I grasped everything she was saying, recalling fragments of memories from this body that felt both familiar and strange.
"Madam Song mentioned that tonight we'll need to pack and return here, since Doctor Yun has cleared you for full duty," Lin continued, her tone shifting slightly, now tinged with purpose as she led us back toward the entrance we initially came from.
As we walked, my awareness sharpened, and I began to sift through more memories locked within this body. Out of the corner of my eye, a wooden button caught my attention next to the doorframe. A spark of instinct surged within me; I could almost visualize Lin and me standing in the tranquil Recovery Courtyard. Without thinking, I took her hand and pressed the button beneath my fingers. Instantly, the shimmering door, reminiscent of rippling water, manifested before us once more, beckoning us to step through together.
Hand in hand, we crossed over and found ourselves transported to the Recovery Courtyard, where the majestic lion statues from earlier stood proudly, guardians of this serene space.
"Alright, Mrs. All-Recover, let's head to the market and make the most of what's left of it," Lin chirped, her enthusiasm palpable as she began to skip ahead, tugging me along with her. "You know we won't have the luxury to enjoy it later," she added playfully, her eyes sparkling with the thrill of anticipation.
As we moved towards the bustling market, I could feel the energy of the atmosphere around us, rich with the fragrance of street food and the sounds of vendors calling out to customers, a vibrant reminder of the life that thrived in this place.
"Tanghulu!" Lin shouted joyfully, her voice ringing out above the chatter and laughter of the bustling market as she darted toward a vibrant stand decorated with an array of shiny, candied fruits. The colors of the tanghulu glistened in the sunlight—bright reds and shiny oranges—tempting her like a siren's call. I couldn't suppress a laugh, knowing this was the 100th tanghulu she had eagerly purchased over the past few days. Her passion for the sugary treat was almost comical, and I couldn't resist following her into the line, thinking about how each tanghulu brought her pure delight.
As Lin animatedly described how she would savor each mouthful of the sweet, crunchy coating over the fresh fruit, my attention was suddenly drawn to a small figure in a shadowy alleyway nearby. It was 'Lilo'. His face was streaked with tears and confusion, and his small body trembled ever so slightly as he looked around, searching for someone. My heart sank as I scanned the area but found no sign of his mother.
I quickly nudged Lin, breaking her reverie, and used my head to discreetly point toward Lilo. She frowned, puzzled by my sudden shift in focus. "I'll be right back, okay?" I assured her, my voice steady, before turning away from the tempting treat to address the sobbing boy.
As I approached him, I noticed how his tears sparkled in the sunlight like tiny diamonds as they rolled down his cheeks. "Tanghulu Sister?" he called out, his voice a small, trembling whisper, filled with longing and despair. Crouching down to his eye level, I pulled out my soft handkerchief, gently wiping his face in a tender gesture. "Where's your mom, sweetie?" I asked, my tone soothing.
He shook his head slowly, confusion clouding his features, as if the world around him was too overwhelming to comprehend. "Do you want to go find your mommy with this sister?" I offered, trying to instill a sense of safety. Gradually, the flow of his tears diminished, and hope flickered in his eyes as he nodded eagerly, his small hand finding mine with a firm grip.
I stood up and squeezed his hand reassuringly, guiding him back toward Lin, who had been watching our interaction with a mix of concern and curiosity. "Lin, remember when his mom mentioned that she works at a pharmacy nearby called Qwill Pharmacy?" I said, casting a knowing glance at her while raising my eyebrows playfully, silently suggesting we should embark on a mini-adventure to help locate his mother.
Lin sighed dramatically, her initial enthusiasm wavering. "Wait," she said with an air of frustration, tapping her foot impatiently, "I want my tanghulu first." Despite the weight of urgency in the air, I couldn't help but chuckle at her unwavering fixation on the sugary treat, even in the face of a small child's distress.
"Sister Tanghulu and Sister Kooky, this is it!" Leo squealed in delight, his small body wiggling in my arms as if he could barely contain his excitement. We stood before the colossal double doors of a grand old building, their surfaces polished to a gleaming shine, reflecting the late afternoon sun. At the top, a large wooden nameplate, intricately carved with elegant scrollwork, proudly announced *The Qwill Pharmacy of the Yuns*.
I looked down at Leo, his cherubic face framed by tousled curls, dark eyes sparkling with anticipation. Yet, a hint of confusion shadowed his features as he gazed up at the imposing doors. "Are you sure this is your place, Leo? Why are the doors not open?" I asked gently, my voice steady, hoping to ease his uncertainty. He leaned in closer to me, his voice a fervent whisper, as if sharing a treasured secret. "Sister Tanghulu," he said, a seriousness creeping into his tone, "my mommy says that whenever the doors are closed during the day, it means an emergency has happened. We should use the side door instead. But shhh, that's only for us. It's a secret within our family." He glanced nervously around, his little fingers fidgeting with a loose thread from my top, as if fearful of eavesdroppers. I felt my heart soften at his earnestness. "Are you really sure you can tell me this, Leo? I'm just a stranger," I reassured him, aware of the responsibilities that accompany such trust. His eyes widened with sincerity, as if my words had baffled him. "No, no! You're not a stranger," he insisted firmly, shaking his head. "You're my Hero, which means you're part of my family now." His declaration hung in the air, innocent yet profound, and a warm smile spread across my face. "Okay then," I said, returning the sentiment as I gently brushed a stray curl from his forehead. "I'll keep your secret safe. But be careful about trusting someone as family so easily and sharing your secrets."
At that moment, Lin, who had been standing slightly apart, her arms crossed with a bemused expression, decided to interject. "What are you two whispering about that I can't be a part of?" she queried, her tone light but with an edge of playful curiosity. I could see the irritation flicker in Leo's eyes, and he shot back, his voice full of youthful defiance, "None of your business, Sister KOO. KY.!" Lin's eyes widened in mock disbelief, her mouth forming a perfect 'O' as she feigned offense. "You little brat! Here I am, bringing you to your home, and you act like this!" She put her hands on her hips, leaning slightly forward as if attempting to assert her authority. "You should be grateful I'm letting this pass, especially since you're calling me Sister Cookie!"
The playful banter danced between Lin and Leo as we all walked over to the side door that Leo had pointed out earlier. "Leo, I don't see the door you mentioned," I inquired softly, cradling him in my arms as his warm little body nestled against me. "Did you forget where it was located?"
Leo paused, his brow furrowed in thought, making him look even cuter with his chubby cheeks. After a moment, he beamed and exclaimed, "Oh, I remember! Sister Kooky, close your eyes." With a mischievous glint in his eyes, he whispered in my ear, "Sister Tanhulu, do you see this brick here? It has that yin and yang symbol on it, right? It looks so out of place, doesn't it?" I nodded and smiled for him to continue. With an air of excitement, Leo continued, "That symbol tells us where the secret button is to push open the hidden side door. Go ahead and press it, Sister Tanhulu." His laughter rang out, pure and joyful, as I held him in my arms. I glanced around the dimly lit area to ensure no one was watching, my heart racing with anticipation, and pushed the brick inward. In an instant, a concealed door slid open a few feet to our right with a soft creak. I turned to Leo for confirmation, and he nodded vigorously, his eyes shining with delight. I gently tapped Lin on the shoulder, and as she opened her eyes, a look of wonder washed over her face.
Together, we stepped through the door into the pharmacy. Just as we crossed the threshold, I heard the door behind us close with a resonant thud, sealing our entrance. Leo squirmed in my arms, his little legs kicking excitedly as he urged me to set him down. I lowered him to the ground, and he scampered toward the dirt pathway that beckoned to another door, a sense of adventure propelling him forward. Lin and I followed him through the open door, which led us into what appeared to be a guest waiting room.
A maid suddenly appeared from the shadowy depths of the hallway, her eyes widening in shock at the sight of us. Panic flickered across her face as she sprinted toward Leo, her voice trembling with emotion. "Young Master, where did you run off to? Oh my goodness, I'm so relieved to see you're safe!"
She circled around him, her hands gently brushing against his arms and shoulders, ensuring there were no visible signs of injury. "Madame Yun has been frantic, searching the entire city for you!"
As Leo glanced up at the maid, a look of vulnerability crossed his face, his big, pleading eyes darting between her, Lin, and me, silently begging for forgiveness.
"Butler! Butler! The young master has been found!" the maid suddenly exclaimed, her voice filled with triumph as she dashed back the way she had come, her footsteps echoing in the now-still guest room.