"Lin..." I whispered to her, my voice barely audible. "I can't seem to remember what happened that night..."
"Oh! Dr. Yun did mention that this kind of memory loss is normal," Lin said, her eyes darting nervously. "But which part exactly did you forget?"
"The entire night..." I replied, my heart racing as I tried to assess whether she would be truthful with me about those events.
"Damn, they must've used some really strong drugs on us that night," she gasped, taking a deep breath as if the memories were weighing heavily on her. "This will take a while, but just listen and see if any of it triggers a memory for you. That night, we were on a covert mission to track down Governor Dae Lee, a notorious figure infamous for his dark and sinister dealings in child trafficking. You remember him, right? Anyway, we followed him deep into a dense patch of woods, hoping to uncover clues about his activities.
Suddenly, without warning, we were surrounded by guards clad in black, their faces hidden beneath dark hoods. It felt like they had materialized out of thin air—twenty of them, all blocking our escape. I remember thinking, what kind of governor surrounds himself with so many shadowy figures in addition to his regular guards? You told us we needed to abandon the mission; it was just too suspicious that he was aware we were following him, and even stranger that we had been ambushed like this.
But I got cocky, thinking we could take them on. I charged forward, convinced we had the upper hand. Then, out of nowhere, they hurled this white powder at me, and you instinctively jumped in to block it. I watched in horror as you started coughing violently, blood trickling from your lips as you struggled to breathe. Panic surged through me. We had to get out of there.
We turned and ran, sprinting up a steep cliff, adrenaline pumping through our veins, until we reached the edge. With no choice left, we jumped into the icy waters of the river below. The shock of the cold water enveloped me, but as I surfaced, I realized you had been knocked out cold..."
I gently grasped her hand, stopping her from speaking any further, and I could feel it trembling in mine. Memories flooded back of the time we spent in the cave, trapped and frightened, before our rescuers finally arrived. As I stepped closer to her, I wrapped my arms around her shoulders, holding her tightly as I whispered, "It's okay. We live, we learn, and from this experience, we will only grow stronger." I felt her body shake as silent tears streamed down her face, soaking into my shirt as she sought comfort in my embrace.
I wanted to change the heavy, uncomfortable atmosphere that had settled around us, so I decided to take action. I pulled Lin toward my wardrobe closet, excitement bubbling inside me. "How about you pick out my outfit and dress me up?" I said with an enthusiastic grin, hoping to lift our spirits.
Her eyes sparkled with delight. "Yes! You always dress so plainly, hiding your true beauty," she exclaimed, practically bouncing over to my wooden wardrobe, which was filled with a mix of colors and textures.
Lin began to sift through the hangers, her fingers brushing against the fabric as she thoughtfully considered each piece. "Oh, this dress!" she declared, holding up a vibrant, flowing garment that caught the light beautifully. "And this top will match perfectly!" She pulled out a stylish top that had a delicate pattern. "And we can't forget this hairpin; it will add the perfect touch!"
I watched as she laid the items out one by one, feeling a surge of hope and excitement for the transformation ahead.
The East Market
"Meimie, it feels like ages since we last had a break from our mission," Lin exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. She took a moment to savor the sweet taste of a candied plum, its hard sugar shell glistening under the market's bright lights.
As she enjoyed the sugary snack, she turned to me with a warm smile and said, "Here, you have to try some!" She handed me a whole stick of her Tanghulu, the plums glistening like little jewels. I couldn't help but laugh at her playful remark: "I can't be the only one getting fat here!" Her laughter was infectious, and it filled the bustling market with a sense of joy as people hurried by, carrying their own treasures from the stalls.
"Mommy, I want one too!" a little boy exclaimed, his eyes wide with longing as he pointed at Mei, who was happily holding a shiny Tanghulu. The boy's mother, feeling a pang of guilt, leaned down to whisper softly in his ear, "I'm so sorry, sweetheart, but Mommy doesn't have any money right now. Maybe next time, okay?" As she gently patted his small head, he looked up at her with tear-brimmed eyes, clearly disappointed. He wanted nothing more than to savor the sweet treat just like Mei was enjoying. Despite his disappointment, the obedient little boy nodded in understanding, trying to be brave, even as the sugary scent of the Tanghulu lingered in the air around them.
"Meimei, tomorrow we should definitely go to the North Market and..." Lin rambled on, her voice trailing off as her enthusiasm bubbled over. However, Mei found herself only half-listening, her attention was drawn to a little boy standing nearby, engaged in a quiet conversation with his mother. The moment she saw the boy's familiar smile and bright eyes, a wave of nostalgia washed over her. He looked just like her nephew, Mika.
Memories flooded Mei's mind, recalling how Mika would constantly nag her for candy whenever she visited him. She could picture him pouting and begging with wide, pleading eyes whenever her brother and sister-in-law refused his sweet tooth demands. It always warmed her heart when they would sneak away together, laughing and whispering giddily as they headed to the market to indulge in sweets. Those little adventures brought them both so much joy.
Suddenly, the resemblance stirred something deep within Mei. "Lilo?" she gasped, her heart racing at the coincidence.
The mother and her young son were engaged in conversation, oblivious to the fact that Mei, with her sharp hearing instincts, had already picked up on their conversation. The soft rustle of leaves and distant chatter filled the air as Mei made her way towards the adorable little boy, her heart warmed by his innocent laughter. With a cheerful demeanor, she crouched down to his eye level, her dark hair cascading around her shoulders. She smiled brightly at him and extended her hand, offering him the stick of tanghulu. "A sweet treat suits a sweet kid like you," she said, her voice light and friendly.
The boy's face lit up with joy, and he glanced nervously at his mother for approval, his wide eyes sparkling with excitement. "Is it okay if I give him this?" Mei asked the mother, her expression hopeful. The mother, taken by surprise, hesitated as she considered the gesture.
"Are you sure? I don't have any money to pay you for it," she replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty. Mei waved her hand dismissively, wanting to put the mother at ease. "No, no, I don't need any money," she said, her tone warm and sincere. "He reminds me of my nephew... who isn't here..." Her smile faded slightly, a hint of sadness flashing across her features. She looked back up at the mother, her eyes softening. "Please accept it as a token of appreciation for how adorable he is."
The little boy, unable to contain his excitement, eagerly snatched the tanghulu from her hand. "Thank you, sister! I'll repay you someday!" he declared with childlike enthusiasm, before biting into the sweet treat, his face lighting up with delight as he savored the sugary flavor. The mother, filled with affection for her son, playfully smacked the back of his head, chuckling as she gave him a mock stern look. Then turning back to Mei, she offered a grateful smile. "Thank you, sister. If you ever need anything, please feel free to stop by the Qwill Pharmacy. Although we're not particularly busy with business at the moment, we pride ourselves on being a trusted pharmacy with high-quality medicinal herbs."
Lin dashed toward Mei, her chest heaving as she struggled to catch her breath. "Mei, why did you leave me all alone to talk to myself like a crazy woman?" she exclaimed, her voice slightly panicked. Ignoring the mother and son who stood nearby, Lin leaned in closer and whispered urgently in Mei's ear, "You need to be careful about being nice to everyone; you never know who might be a scammer." She grabbed Mei's arm gently but firmly, pulling her away from them. "Let's get out of here before they try to ask us for more. I heard about this restaurant nearby that has amazing desserts!" With a heavy heart, Mei turned around and waved goodbye to the mother and son who had been observing them. They waved back with sympathetic smiles, their expressions filled with understanding. As they turned to leave, the mother placed a reassuring hand on her son's shoulder, and the two of them melted into the bustling crowd, leaving Mei and Lin to continue on their way.
"Wow, Lin, this tastes absolutely amazing!" Mei exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with delight as she savored each bite. The warm, comforting flavors danced on her palate, evoking cherished memories. "It reminds me so much of Mama's Sunday apple pies," she thought to herself, a mix of joy and nostalgia washing over her. As she reminisced about the sweet, buttery crust and the fragrant cinnamon apples that filled her childhood home, a soft melancholy settled in her heart, reminding her of the warmth and love she once felt.
"Well, well.....who do we see? It's Mei and her little puppy," a high-pitched voice chimed mockingly, slicing through the air. "I heard you were almost killed on your mission. It's truly unfortunate that you lived."
Mei turned to face the source of the taunt, there she spotted Sulie. Dressed in a provocative hanfu outfit that left one of her shoulders bare, she radiated an air of arrogant confidence. The fabric clung to her, highlighting her strikingly pale skin, while her lackeys flanked her, each mirroring her attire with a similar provocative flair. They stood behind her like a pack of wolves, ready to pounce.
"Do you hear a wild dog barking?" Lin's voice rose to a loud 'whisper', her eyes sparkling with mischief as she leaned close to me. Her tone was dripping with mockery. "And what's that smell?" She dramatically fanned her face with a handkerchief, feigning offense. "Oh my gosh, I'm somehow losing my appetite!" Lin exclaimed, spinning around to face me, her attention entirely shifted away from Sulie's taunts.
"Who are you calling a dog?!" Sulie retaliated, her voice rising with indignation as she glared at us, drawing the attention of nearby diners. Their eyes flickered in our direction, curious and alert.
"Whoever answers is the dog," Lin shot back defiantly, rising from her seat to match Sulie's gaze with her own piercing stare. The tension crackled between them, a standoff brewing in the air.
Sulie's chest heaved with anger, her face contorted in rage. Suddenly, she swiped her arms across the table, sending plates and cups crashing to the floor in a chaotic tumble. Laughter erupted from her lackeys, echoing around us as she grinned maliciously. "Now it's you who's the dog! Your food is now on the floor—perfect for you to eat off of!"
As her followers chortled, Sulie turned to walk away, enjoying the chaos she had created. But before she could fully escape, Lin acted on instinct, seizing her by the hair bun. In one swift motion, she brought her hand sharply across Sulie's face, delivering a stinging slap.
"How dare you?!" Sulie shrieked, her hands flying to her cheek as she staggered back in shock. "Sisters, hold her for me!" she yelled, her voice vibrating with outrage.
I glanced down at my apple pie dessert, now tragically ruined amidst the uproar, and let out a deep sigh of frustration. As Sulie's lackeys restrained Lin, I instinctively used my alpha command, "Let her go."
Instantly, the atmosphere shifted. I watched as Sulie's followers froze, shivers running through them as they released their grip on Lin. Even Sulie herself flinched, fear flickering in her eyes as she lowered her hands. Lin huffed, glaring at them defiantly.
"Just wait until I tell Madam Song!" she spat, her voice filled with defiance as she squared her shoulders, ready to face the inevitable consequences. The tension in the air was palpable, a silent promise of the confrontation that awaited us.
"Oh my goodness! My food, my precious plate, my cups!" a middle-aged bald man exclaimed, his voice dripping with outrage as he sprinted towards us. The lines of anger on his forehead deepened, and his eyes burned with fury. "Who dares to ruin my establishment?!"
He fixed his furious gaze on us. In the meantime, Sulie and her lackey feigned innocence, theatrically dabbing at their eyes with handkerchiefs while pointing accusatorily at Lin and me.
"You need to pay up right now! 100 copper coins!" he barked, his tone leaving no room for negotiation as he leveled his demands at Lin and me. "Guards, seize them before they can escape!"
Lin and I exchanged incredulous looks, completely taken aback by how quickly the owner was willing to jump to conclusions without hearing our side of the story. Just as we began to process the situation, we could see guards rushing towards us, their expressions serious. Suddenly, a man wearing a striking black flowery hanfu robe swooped in between us and the enraged owner, moving with surprising grace.
"Gentlemen should not lay hands on women, especially on the pretty ones," he declared in a soft, feminine voice that cut through the tension. Turning his head, he shot me a playful wink.
"Do you know him?" Lin whispered, leaning closer to me, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"I have no clue who he is," I replied, forgetting to keep my voice down.
"Ouch, that hurts," the mysterious man said dramatically, placing his fan over his heart as if I had wounded him deeply. "How can you say that to your savior?"
The middle-aged bald man, clearly irate, kept demanding, "Who are you? Are you with these two ladies? Pay up now!"
"Mister.....Baldie," the man in the black flowery hanfu robe retorted smoothly, "you should investigate before insisting these two are the ones at fault. By the time you realize it, the real culprits will have already slipped away." With that, he pointed with his fan dramatically toward Sulie and her lackey, who were now discreetly tiptoeing away from the scene, attempting to blend into the crowd.