"The lady asked you out on a date. I don't understand why you must bring me with you," Chinua muttered to herself as she watched Khunbish and Noor walking a few yards in front of her. She shook her head and continued to follow Khunbish.
Today, the market is busier because more people are strolling through. Maybe it is because the New Year is approaching, and everyone is out in the market buying new clothes and accessories for the upcoming celebration. Although Chinua found herself the third wheel to Khunbish and Noor, she didn't seem to mind. Since she was already here, she strolled down the street enjoying herself, keeping a distance from them while not losing sight.
She found villagers from Lao-Da Village selling goods here. She talked to the villagers for some time and thanked them for sharing the news about Mönkhbat's family with her. She smiled and started walking away, feeling deeply happy to learn that Bold had grown up well. When she was looking for Khunbish and Noor, she spotted Muunokhoi hiding beside a stall peeking over Od's shoulder.
Muttering, "What the...?", Chinua walked toward Muunokhoi and Erden. She grabbed Muunokhoi's and Erden's shoulders. "What are you two doing here?"
Muunokhoi quickly turned around and put his finger to his lips. "Shh.... He might see us?" Muunokhoi whispered.
"Who are you spying on?" Chinua asked, crouched down behind Od.
"Khawn," Muunokhoi whispered. "Erden and I have been following him for a few days, and it seems that he will come here early every morning."
"What did you find out?" Chinua asked.
"We found out that he went to the same spot every morning and stood for a few minutes, then returned to camp without buying anything," Erden said.
Terbish looked at Chinua and said, "Don't tell me that bouquet of flowers you got is from him."
Chinua nodded while stuffing another piece of beef into her mouth and chewing.
"So, does that mean he's your secret admirer?" Chaghatai pressed.
Chinua threw the piece of meat she was holding at Chaghatai and said, "What are you thinking every day?"
The second Khawn looked over, the group's laughter died. They quickly sat down, hoping to disappear among the already seated diners.
Timicin looked at Khawn's back, then turned back to the men sitting at the table. "The man is indeed in love," he remarked. "He barely touched his food. So, Chinua, who is the lucky lady?"
"I don't know," Chinua said. "The kid doesn't even know her name. He choked up when he was going to ask her."
"No wonder he had been missing his morning exercises every morning for the past month," Och said.
"Do you think he is out secretly looking at his crush?" Od said, walking toward them. He spat the sugarcane bagasse on the ground and took another piece of sugarcane in his hand. "You guys haven't done morning exercises neither, and Captain Haitao is very upset right now,' he added. I was told to come get you two."
Chinua said, "Od, send a message for Captain Haitao to have Muunokhoi and Erden help in the kitchen for the next fifteen days."
Od smirked and said, "I will make sure Chinua's message is delivered to Captain Haitao."
"What are the three of you still waiting for? Get back to the military camp," Chinua said. Chinua watched the three men walk away, and she turned back to look at Khawn, who was still standing a few yards away.
Chinua had told others not to meddle with others' problems, but as a human being, she too had curiosity. So, she ended up walking to Khawn. She stood beside him and realized that he was only focusing on the unknown that lay ahead. He failed to notice that she was already standing beside him.
"What do you think about her?" Chinua asked casually, without knowing exactly what Khawn was looking at.
"She... she is beautiful," Khawn said with a smile.
"How beautiful?" Chinua asked.
"Very beautiful," Khawn replied.
"Out of all those ladies standing there, is she really the most beautiful woman?" Chinua asked.
Khawn exhaled happily. "Although every day she might sell different flowers, her dress might not be as bright and luxurious as that of the lady next to her. But her soft-spoken voice says a lot about her. And out of all those thousands of flowers she sells, she is the prettiest."
"So, have you confessed and given the cuff bracelet you bought to her yet?" Chinua asked.
"No, I have not..." Khawn said and suddenly turned to his left only to see Chinua standing beside him eating deep-fried dough. "Chin... Chinua... where did you come from?"
"I was here for a while, but you failed to realize it," Chinua said with a smile. She gently hit Khawn's left shoulder. "Losing focus is not like you. So, what's her name?"
Khawn shyly said, "I don't know. I didn't ask."
"Why are my men not as brave when it comes to finding a partner?" she said. She threw her half-eaten deep-fried dough on the ground, wiped her left hand on her trousers, and walked toward the young lady selling flowers a few yards away.
"Chinua... wait... wait..." Khawn said, grabbing onto Chinua's arm.
"Why wait?" Chinua asked.
Khawn exhaled and said, "I... What if... she doesn't like me?"
"How do you know if she doesn't like you since you have not asked her yet?" Chinua said. "Look kid, our lives on the battlefield are like walking a knife's edge. We don't know when our next battle will be. We don't know if we will return from our next battle alive. Now, since you have the heart for it, you should go for it. Time doesn't wait for anyone. Asking her will also settle those thoughts in your head. If she likes you, then it's great. Get married and enjoy every moment with her. If she doesn't like you, that's also great. At least you asked and got the answer to your question." She patted Khawn's shoulder lightly.
"Captain Haitao once reminded me to enjoy the little joy we have now so that we will not forget what we are fighting for. Besides, flowers only bloom once, and you are not the only one who is looking at the flower. Therefore, if you let this chance slip away, you will regret it until your last breath." She grabbed Khawn's hand and dragged him forward toward the little flower vendor stall next to a meat vendor stall.
"Young maiden, what do you recommend for tea?" Chinua asked, looking at the young lady who sat beside an elderly woman on the ground, putting together a bouquet of flowers.
Qinru put the unfinished bouquet of flowers aside and stood up, grabbing a small bag embroidered with flowers. "We have many: chamomile, lavender, hibiscus, jasmine, butterfly pea, and chrysanthemum, as well as plain green." She looked up and saw Khawn standing shyly in front of her with another young man. "Green tea..."
Chinua picked up a tea bag embroidered with a hibiscus flower, brought it to her nose and sniffed it. "I once traveled to Tangolia, and they have very fragrant teas. It's too bad at that time I didn't understand the enjoyment of tea. I never thought that I would find these flower teas here in Hmagol. It must be my lucky day."
Seeing that the two men standing before them were Hmagol soldiers, Grandmother Li knew that the soldiers might have figured that they were Tangolian descendants. It looked like they were here looking for trouble. To avoid the situation escalating, Grandmother Li quickly stood up. She grabbed two more tea bags and stretched them out to Chinua. "Dear soldiers, we are just common citizens trying to make an honest living, and we don't want any trouble." She said, "If you like them, please take them."
Chinua looked at Grandmother Li and saw the fear in her eyes. She chuckled and said with a smile, "Oh... Grandmother, don't misunderstand my action. I actually went to Tangolia and had tea with my friends in Haishi City. I don't personally like them, but I have a friend who does drink tea every morning." Chinua chuckled softly. "He claimed it is good for his health and calms his mind. So, I was asking because I wanted to buy some and bring them back to him."
"This Grandmother, we are not looking for trouble... we are just...um... just..." Khawn said.
"Is someone looking for trouble?" A big butcher in his late fifties stepped out of his meat vendor stall. He came out holding a big, bloody butcher knife in his right hand. He pointed his bloody butcher knife at Chinua and Khawn. "You two... which units are you from?" the butcher's deep, hoarse voice sounded loud. "If you dare to disturb the peace of the citizens on the street, I will report you to your supervisor. Don't think that just because you are wearing Hmagol soldier training clothing, I am going to be afraid of you. Or just because they are new in the area you can pick on them."
"Minster Anu, the two gentlemen have not caused me any trouble," Qinru said politely.
Hearing Qinru's soft-spoken voice, Chinua understood why Khawn had a crush on the young lady. Chinua had seen many beautiful women in the past, and she has to admit that Qinru was indeed a very beautiful young lady. Her short stature, soft-spoken tone, and good manners make her standout. If she dressed in one of the princess dresses, everyone would have thought she was a princess from a royal family. She thought to herself that Khawn indeed picked the rarest flower out of the flower field.
"Sir, the young lady is indeed right; we are not looking for trouble," Chinua said. "I honestly just want to buy some tea, so could you please put your butcher knife down."