Chapter 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Chapter 1

~~*~~* THE PROMISE ~~*~~*

CHARACTERS:

ALEC SU: SU YOU PENG
VICKI ZHAO: ZHAO WEI (WEI WEI)
VIVIAN LEUNG: LEUNG SIU BING
RUBY LIN: LIN XIN RU
JULIAN CHEUNG: SU ZHI LIN

Few promises are meant from the heart and even fewer promises are kept....

In the turbulent 1940's, a time when the city of Shanghai is caught between World War II and a booming economy, young Wei Wei (Vicki Zhao) is sent to a wealthy family's home to become their servant girl to the Su family due to her tragic family history. Wei Wei matures among the Su brothers, You Peng and Zhi Lin, and although she is mute and is treated unkindly by the members of this family, she harbours nothing but fragile hope in her heart for a bright future that she so yearns to have.

Within this family, however, the gentle-hearted Zhi Lin has affections for Wei Wei and yet, all along, her heart has always belonged to one man. He is You Peng, the arrogant eldest son and a brilliant soldier and business man. Yet, You Peng does not give her a the time of the day, for Wei Wei is beneath him in terms of class, and instead, his attentions are infatuated with the very beautiful, very spoiled and very wealthy Lin Xin Ru, the daughter of the Mayor. And while Zhi Lin truly loves Wei Wei, unknown to him, Wei Wei's best friend, the sweet Leung Xiao Bing, has loved him all her life.

Through war, economic changes and changes of the heart, Wei Wei will thrive and grow in spite of the obstacles in her life. Along the way, she and those persons involved in her life will suffer heartache, sorrows, laughter and tears.

They will experience the beauty of life, the loyalty of friendships, the sweetness of love and the sorrows of death. But in the end, will Wei Wei finally have the promise of a better tomorrow with the one she loves or will she end up with nothing, as she had begun with only nothing?

Thank you for taking the time to read this story. Happy reading!

Sincerely,
Ellena and *Whistler*

* * * *

CHAPTER ONE: THE PROMISE

SHANGHAI, 1927

A gunshot shattered the silence of the night and echoed throughout the child's mind.

In only a few seconds, the child's days of happiness and innocence was forever shattered with that one bullet shot that rang through her mind, as the world came crashing upon her. Her tiny feet pounded upon the surface of the floor as she ran toward her father's study room in her house, pounding on the door after the gun had went off.

"Papa!" The child cried, her small fists jabbing against the door. "Open up! PAPA!"

She was only four years old but she had always been a precocious child and wiser than her young age. She knew that her family, once wealthy and thriving, was now stricken with poverty. She had heard her mother's hushed sobs through the walls on the bedrooms during those long and lonely nights when her parents made her go to bed while they huddled by the fireplace in the kitchen, their faces stricken and their eyes filled with torture that they thought she was too young to understand. Although she did not understand the reason for her parent's sorrow, she knew that it existed. The tension in the air was always so thick that one could use a knife to cut through it. Now, a gunshot has shattered her life. She knew that her father was desperate and she knew that something was wrong-- terribly wrong – the sound of the shot would echo in her mind forever.

Strangely enough, the door finally gave way, as though it had not been completely shut. The child burst into the study room to find her father's dead body slumped over his rosewood desk, his brains blown off and bleeding until the crimson liquid seeped through the wood of the desk. His revolver lay on the desk, silver and shining and gleaming. Parts of his torn flesh were scattered on the floor surrounded by his blood. The smell of blood choked the child, and the image of her beloved father's body mutilated haunted the child forever. She heard a scream; someone was screaming and screaming and screaming. It was only when more footsteps came through the door and her mother's arms enveloped around her did she finally realize that it was she who was screaming.

"PAPA! NO!"

But finally, the screaming ended…she could not utter a sound again...but the scream would forever echo in silence of her tortured mind.

In a blink of an eye, everything was taken away from her---her home, her mother, her life as a carefree child. She was expected to live on with the memories of her father's life haunting her, as though everything was normal. But the child was a survivor and she did live, though she never experienced true happiness ever again. The child found herself being thrusted from her own loving home into the house of strangers, into the home of the Su family, her parents’ friends, to become a servant girl.

Her silk, colourful dresses were traded for dull and plain clothing and her meals were no longer eaten at the immediate table but in the kitchen, along side the family dog. She could not longer go to school, she was teased and tormented for her lowly social position, she was an outcast, a misfit because she no longer had the ability to speak. She was a worthless charity case and she was abused in every way possible.

But the child did not care. She had nothing left but a tiny fragile hope in her heart that all of her nightmares and hardships could not destroy.

Yet, the sorrow in her heart was never mended. At night, when the household was fast asleep, the child would crouch beside the stone fireplace in the kitchen and she would weep for all that she had lost. In truth, she did not care about her material wealth. Her parents’ lives were all that she ever wanted, a simple childhood was all that she asked. The mind was a fragile thing, made up of wishes, dreams and secrets. The child had struggled to bury her pain, along with her ability to speak, and retreated into silence and madness, so that the sorrow would not kill her. But one night, someone caught her crying. In her grief she had not seen him coming; she did not hear his footsteps. But his hand on her shoulder soothed her somehow, because for once, some one cared about her…in the darkness of this never-ending nightmare, a light had appeared. His young face was gentle and his eyes lit with compassion as he reached over to smooth a tear away from her flushed cheeks. He was the eldest young Master of the household and in that moment in Time, the child's shattered heart was filled with a shred of hope.

"Don't cry," He had told her. He crouched by the hearth beside her and wrapped his arms awkwardly around her tiny, fragile shoulders. "Promise me that you won't cry again. I will care for you from now on. My promise to you." His voice echoed in her grief stricken mind, and for the first time in many, many days…her trembling lips curled up into a smile as she felt a sudden warmth within her heart that she had believed she would never feel again. It never left her in the days to come, for she believed in those sacred words that he told her, as though they were vows made to her from his soul.

The child never forgot that moment in Time, though he had long forgotten. She never stopped loving him, though he had stopped loving anyone at all. Time changed, people changed. But the child's heart remained the same, even though his promise to her no longer existed in his mind, the memory of it had faded as time passed.

Promises were scarce and to her, they were meant to be kept. The child never forgot and she never stopped believing.

Even sixteen years later, his promise of hope was engraved in her heart, her memory, her soul, as was her love for him beginning from that fated night, so long ago.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SHANGHAI, 1940

Zhao Wei Wei took in the sights and sounds of the ball that was underway at the Su household with eager eyes and a light heart. Though she was mute, her round, shining eyes spoke eloquently as she drank in the glorious sight in front of her. Strangely, her disability even allowed her to develop a sixth sense to her surroundings, and she was more perceptive of the events unfolding around her.

That night, the ballroom in the house was decorated grandly. A live orchestra was hired and the tinkling of wine glasses and the laughter from the guests drifted to her ears. An array of colourful gowns danced before her eyes as young ladies were huddled into cliques and eligible young men dressed in the Western clothes of black and white tuxedoes wandered about, courting their objects of affection.

Wei Wei was not a part of this crowd; this was not her world, she hung back behind a red velvet curtain against a window in the ballroom, her eyes daring to peek out so that she could have a glimpse of the magnificent ball that she could never be a part of. This luxurious world of aristocracy was not her territory, she neither belonged in it, nor would she be welcomed into it. But she was used to being in the background, ignored by the world. She should have been used to it, but the pain burned in her heart never the less.

But Wei Wei's attention finally fell on the one person who mattered the most to her. Everyone, everything, ceased to exist.

You Peng.

Tall, handsome You Peng, the eldest son of the Su family. Her eyes were fixated on him as her heart lurched at the sight of him.

He stood beside the silken clothed table and was now pouring wine into a champagne glass. He looked strikingly appealing in his Western clothing, his hair combed back to reveal his distinctive, aristocratic good looks. He was elegant in his own Parisian splendour--careless, young with a hint of arrogance. He was soon surrounded by his many friends and he conversed with them easily and then he was laughing at something that they had told him.

From afar, Wei Wei's eyes took in the corners of his mouth as he smiled, and her heart lifted at the sight of the twinkle in his eyes. You Peng had taken her heart with him. It was as simple as that. She had always held him in her heart--deep in her heart---as she would for the rest of her life. He was all of life to her. He was everything. Life would be empty without You Peng, meaningless. She loved him with all of her heart, not a as a child loves a friend but as a woman loves a man--with passion, longing and sincerity.

Perhaps, Wei Wei loved him even more intensely than most women loved. There was so little except the sight of the world around her with which to fill her mind and her heart. She had somehow made a life of her own dreams and You Peng was the centre of it all. Wei Wei had no conscious memories of sound other than the sound of a gunshot that had take her father's life since it had been shut off completely after his suicide. Just some fleeting memories, yearnings. She did not know quite what they were. They always just eluded her grasp.

Somehow along the way, You Peng had become her dream. He had given her days meaning and her nights fond imaginings. That promise which he had made to her during that lonely night was never forgotten in her mind. She loved You Peng but she would never tell him nor would he ever know. And yet, she knew that You Peng did not feel the same way about her. She was merely a servant to him, that was all. She had no illusions about what she meant to him. She was not in any way central to his being. But even though everything beautiful in her life had been snatched from her grasp, Wei Wei's dreams of loving You Peng could not be taken away from her. It was something that was solely hers, precious and fragile as it may be, but they were her dreams. In the silence and solitude of her life, Wei Wei loved You Peng.

Wei Wei's eyes widened in eagerness when the music began to quicken as a waltz came on. She could feel the vibration of the music upon the floor and in her veins. She watched with joy as the dancers began to lead their partners onto the dance floor. She was mesmerized by the agile movements and by the laughter from the guests. How simple it was for others to laugh, while for her, happiness was so rare.

Wei Wei caught sight of Zhi Lin, You Peng's younger brother by one year, dancing with a sweet looking girl in a blue gown of satin. He was equally handsome as You Peng, though his features were softer, his eyes more gentle and warm. They shared the same sharp, aristocratic dark looks and the same refined mannerisms and graceful posture. He was by far one of the most wonderfully gentle and generous men that Wei Wei had ever known and she loved him like a brother. You Peng was colder and more calculating than Zhi Lin but his passion burned brighter and his wit sharper. But You Peng had changed so much these past years after his father's death. He was no longer that innocent child who had promised her the world. But Wei Wei loved him nevertheless. Her heart belonged to him.

Wei Wei's eyes swung over to You Peng again and her eyes widened when she saw that he was dancing with a girl. She instantly recognized the girl as Lin Xin Ru, the only daughter to the Mayor of the city. The girl and her family were often invited to dinner parties and gatherings at the Su household and Xin Ru was a face not quickly forgotten. Xin Ru looked stunning that night in a navy dress that dipped off of her graceful shoulders and revealing all of her feminine curves to her advantage. Her long ebony hair was swept off of her face to emphasize her diminutive features and her smile radiated with health, youth and confidence. But it was You Peng's expression to dancing with such a beauty on his arms that Wei Wei was interested in. His eyes were shining as he took Xin Ru's hand and led her onto the dance floor.

They held each other close and even from afar, Wei Wei could see how perfect they were together. He was the handsome charmer, she was the stunning beauty. Their steps were effortless and graceful and never had Wei Wei seen You Peng's eyes shine so brightly than when he was in Xin Ru's arms. There was passion in his face that had not been there for a long time.

"As I live," She watched You Peng's lips carefully as he spoke to Xin Ru. "A beauty in the making. Your servant, madame."

Wei Wei felt the sting of pain in her heart and she turned away from the scene that made her soul ache. You Peng was happy; he seemed to have found his Princess at last. His comment hinted all of the obvious. Who was she, a mere servant girl, a silent shadow behind the thick velvet curtain, to compare to a beauty like Xin Ru?

She hid inside herself again. It was so easy to regress into self-pity and isolation. She has nothing else in her life but that. How fragile dreams were. Of course, Wei Wei knew the difference between dream and reality. Deep down, she had know that You Peng would never love her and that they would never share a future together. He was too high about her social ladder, too good for her by any standards. But it had been a sweet dream. It had sustained her through the pain and loneliness and emptiness she felt deep within even while she struggled to live life to the fullest. But her deepest, most private self had lived on that dream for a lifetime.

But now, the dream was shattered and reality was cruel. Promises were not kept and she succumbed to darkness once more.

Wei Wei turned her back and left the ball. If anyone called her name, she would not hear nor respond…the world no longer existed for her. But no one did and she disappeared from sight.

Her tears fell soon after, away from the sounds, music, laughter and You Peng's eyes and endearing face.

She was alone once more, haunted by her nightmares and the emptiness of her soul, promises…forgotten.

Chapter 2

Su Zhi Lin had watched her diminutive figure from the brightly lit window, his eyes unreadable. He had caught her staring out from the silken brocade curtains only moments before, watching as her innocent face turned into one of yearning and longing, and yet, she dared not step into this world of glitter and riches for she knew of her social status. Yet, if Wei Wei had been sure this was not her world, then he himself was unsure of his position within this bright, glamorous world of the aristocracy. Neither the richly clad women nor their beautiful painted faces made him feel happy, instead this tiny figure huddled in the shadows of the night tugged at his heart. But he knew there was nothing he could do…this was not a wound of his making. Zhi Lin watched Wei Wei flee from the ball with a heavy heart, helplessness tearing at him inwardly.

From a distance, Zhi Lin shot his older brother a look. The Prince Charming was dancing, as if bewitched, with the Princess, undoubtedly the most beautiful lady here tonight, the two looking every bit like a dream, like some fairytale come true. But…Zhi Lin shook his head. There was something about that girl, Lin Xin Ru,that just didn't feel right, something about her repelled him despite her beauty and her grace. But then, he smiled ruefully to himself, he'd always been considered queer by the people in this room anyway, ‘different' was the nicest word they used to describe him. If it wasn't for the fact that he was the second son of the Su family, they wouldn't give him the time of the day, his brother included.

His eyes were filled with pain as he watched his older brother, You Peng. It hadn't always been like this, they were close once, and You Peng had been the most caring, and gentle brother who defended his queer, dreamer of a younger brother most valiantly against the taunts of the others. But after their father had died, it had all changed. You Peng had grown cold, indifferent to everyone around him, and saw everything as if it had a price tag attached to it. Sometimes though, he would wonder, almost idly, if the old You Peng was still in there, somewhere, buried deep within the strong, arrogant young man that everyone now knew as Su You Peng, the Director of the Su Enterprises, one of Shanghai's fastest growing companies.

Suddenly, Zhi Lin's attention snapped back as he saw another pretty, richly clad lady was coming towards him with a determined look in her eyes. He knew that look…the look of a hunter. That's it! I've had enough for one night! His mind screamed in protest.

He deftly slipped into the crowds, and made his way out into the garden, even if he could not relieve the sorrow of a broken dream, the least he could do was make her forget it, even for a little while. He knew that she would head out there, toward the garden in the forest beyond the landscape of the house from behind. The night air was cold and it raged against his skin, making him tremble. His health had never been good from birth; Zhi Lin wished that he had brought a jacket but even the threat of pneumonia could not prevent him from being drawn to the girl who had left the joy of the party that night to mourn in privacy.

The falls. The garden. It was a place that both he and Wei Wei shared together---a place that seemed secluded from this ever bustling world of chaotic hypocrisies and ridiculing gazes. It was place where he often went to think and he knew that Wei Wei, though she could not speak, was also in need of peace and the garden was where their sanctuary for peace lay. They both needed solace that night.

And then Zhi Lin saw her.

She was standing some distance away, on top of the pile of rocks that ascended the back beside the falls. On the flat one that jutted over the water, her slight figure could be seen against the dark, ominous sky and the silvery moonlight. She was looking across the water, still and clear in the night. A gust of wind had flattened her dress against her agile body and sent it billowing out behind. Her dress was loose and shapeless; it looked as if it might once have been a rich blue in colour but now it was a nondescript gray. It must have been shrunken from repeated launderings, and it ended two inches above her ankles. Stains could be seen from afar on the worn fabric, caused by her chores throughout the day. The wind blew her hair gently behind her, the long ebony hair spilling across her slender shoulders like a cascade of dark velvet.

Zhi Lin sucked in a breath. God, how Time flies, he thought, memory stabbing at him. Sixteen years had passed since the day she became a part of his household. He had loved her as a younger sister then but sometimes, when he was given the opportunity to see her in all of her natural loveliness, he was awakened once more to his growing affections for her. She looked, Zhi Lin thought, a hundred times more lovely than the women at the ball with their elaborately styled hair, silks and lace and powered skin and rouged lips. In her simple and natural appearance, Wei Wei's true beauty shone through, free from enhancements and it was a soft beauty that was solely her own. Zhi Lin remembered her as always being an exceptionally lovely child of the past. Except that now, she was no longer a child. Yet she did not seem quite a woman. She was more sprite than either child or woman. More a graceful and beautiful creature of the wild than a mere mortal. She was ethereal to him, too good to be real to this human world She was unique beyond definition; a rare treasure that seldom was recognized in the complexities of the world. It was not merely her outward beauty that he admired and treasured--Wei Wei radiated with beauty in the heart as well and that was what made him love her so.

Wei Wei instinctively turned when she heard his approaching footsteps, and relaxed as she saw it was Zhi Lin, her second young master. She smiled, and bowed to him a little mockingly, but all he did was reached out and tweak her nose gently.

"How many times do I have to tell you not to do that? Really, what are we to do with such a silly girl?" Zhi Lin shook his head in mock dismay, but his eyes were laughing. Wei Wei's mouth curved up into a silent grin. She suddenly noticed that he was not wearing a jacket and she frowned in concern, touching his shirt gently to tell him that he should be dressed warmly. He had only recovered from a bout of pneumonia that had plagued him for over a month and she didn't want him getting ill again. But Zhi Lin simply smiled at her, shaking his head to tell her that he was fine. Wei Wei found his smile infectious and she felt warm and comforted under his gentle gaze.

He was her only friend, despite their differences in rank and class, somehow, they were like kindred spirits, as neither quite fitted in. Her happiness was fleeting, as Zhi Lin's handsome face only served to remind her of You Peng, and the dreams that would never come true. But Zhi Lin was a wonderful man, and she loved him like a brother. She loved You Peng with a hopeless passion that she could not control, nor understand, while her love for Zhi Lin was platonic but strong just the same.

"I saw you leave the ball," Zhi Lin confessed, his eyes dark pools of lingering sadness in the moonlight. "I knew that you would come here. Don't hide from me, Wei Wei. You don't have to hide, you know that."

Wei Wei turned her face upward to look at him, her head nodding. Yes, she knew that she did not to hide from him; their bond of friendship was closer than that. She struggled to smile for his sake, to reassure him with that smile that she was fine. But she could not manage to lie to him, to Zhi Lin, who knew her so well and the smile faltered, dying away on her ashen lips before it could form.

Seeing her eyes fill with that age old sorrow, Zhi Lin said hurriedly, "Come on, Wei Wei, I did a new painting today, and I want your comments on it."

Her eyes lit up as she smiled again, and nodded eagerly. She loved to see his new works. Zhi Lin was a sensitive soul whose talent for music and arts always amazed her. His paintings were always such masterpieces, and with effort, she pushed away the sorrow and emptiness that always lurked on the edge of her consciousness…

Zhi Lin looked at her gentle face as they made their way back into the house through another entrance, and felt his heart ache once more. How amazing she is, he thought to himself, no matter what sorrows fate might deal on her, she still manages to smile and find joy in the world around her…

And yet, there was still a lingering sadness within her that Zhi Lin knew existed. Only one man could affect Wei Wei this way. You Peng, you are such an idiot! His thoughts grew dark at the realization that his brother had hurt Wei Wei unintentionally yet once again. You Peng, who saw nothing that night but the sparkle in Lin Xin Ru's beautiful eyes, would never have realized that another girl yearned for him to look at her that way. Zhi Lin knew of Wei Wei's love for his brother for a long time. It was obvious how much she adored You Peng. But perhaps only Zhi Lin could see this, for he and Wei Wei were exceptionally close in their bond as friends. But nevertheless, the pain of knowing how much she loved his brother and to know that she could never love anyone else burned within him.

Though Zhi Lin was perceptive of the emotions of others, he knew himself even better. He loved Wei Wei--he always have loved her but just as he was certain of his affections for her, he was certain of her love for his brother. Wei Wei's heart will never change. Neither would his…but it was unfortunate that her heart did not belong with him. But Zhi Lin never wanted anything else but her friendship and her love for him, though platonic was it was. It was all that he could ask for and he would never ask for more of what she was not willing to give. Zhi Lin would wait for Wei Wei, as he had done all these past years, loving her in secrecy and cursing the older brother who was too blind to see a rare treasure that could be his if only he wasn’t so very blind...

They promptly left the falls and the garden behind as the moonlight, silver and blue, shimmered upon the path that they had taken together, lighting up the night for Wei Wei and Zhi Lin to find their way back home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Su You Peng, the eldest son of the Su family, and Director of the Su Enterprises had a distinct crooked smile on his face as he poured the sparkling, non-alcoholic fruit punch into the two glasses, for the delicate princess who had declared herself, with a careless laugh, unable to take even the slightest alcohol. The sudden, unexpected interest he had felt towards this charming young lady had not managed, not yet, at any rate, to entirely wipe out his cynicism and coolness to others…he had raised his eyebrow sardonically, but kissed her delicate, graceful hand before complying with her request.

Now his shining eyes absorbed the view as he walked back towards her, glasses in one hand, this equally cool, yet charming princess was definitely a new experience to him.

"Thank you, my lord, you are too kind," her polite tone was offset by the sweet, almost flirtatious smile on her lips.

You Peng only tilted his head in acknowledgement, his attention captured by the enticing smile bestowed upon him. Bemused, he missed the sudden calculating look that entered this fair damsel's eyes, which was quickly masked.

Xin Ru smiled inwardly to herself, this so called cunning and cold young man is not that hard to catch, after all…but I should probably step cautiously, nevertheless…her eyes were caught by a scene below them, and she could not help but remark, in her usual sweet voice, laced with thorns, "Oh look, there's your brother, my lord. Oh, how quaint, mingling with the rabble, that IS your charity case, isn't it?" She realised her mistake as soon as she finished, as You Peng's expression changed and became stony. Hastily she covered for herself by pasting an innocent smile on her face, mentally scolding herself. This is not one of the usual brainless men who fall for you, Xin Ru, watch it! She chastised herself silently.

But still, this only makes it more interesting…she only continued giving You Peng her sweet smile as he remarked, somewhat stiffly, "My brother does as he wishes, it is of no concern to you, dear lady. And she is a servant, who works for her pay, just like any other." His eyes were unreadable as she only nodded wide-eyed, then held out her hand to him as the band struck up another piece.

They glided on the dance floor, looking so much like some prince and princess out of a charming fairytale that a few of the ladies watching sighed with envy. But nothing is ever as it seems…

After the party, You Peng bid farewell to Xin Ru and her father, the Mayor, as the guests began to leave. It was a long night, one that he enjoyed having the fairest woman at the ball on his arm, and he bowed low to Xin Ru before watching the carriage slip away into the night. I like her, You Peng realized, as the memory of Xin Ru's eyes lighting up at the sight of him flickered in his mind. She was beautiful, well bred and possessed a gracefulness that would put a ballet dancer to shame. She was the type of woman he had been groomed to wed, as his mother would expect him to do. But...there was a nagging feeling in his stomach about that Xin Ru had said earlier...for odd reasons beyond his comprehension, You Peng had been preoccupied with it, as her words haunted him.

"That girl..she is your charity case?" Xin Ru had questioned, with a bat of her eyelashes and a sweet smile curving along those rouged, moist lips.

Charity case...You Peng knew that Xin Ru was speaking about Zhao Wei, the little servant girl his family had taken under their wing so long ago. Why would it bother him to have someone call Wei Wei a charity case when in fact, she was such a thing. But still...Wei Wei was a sweet, gentle girl, she had always been so. She didn't deserve to be ridiculed as being such a burden. A poor, mute little servant girl who had affected his younger brother, Zhi Lin, to the extent that he had to leave the ball earlier.

At the thought of his brother, You Peng instantly turned toward winding corridors and headed toward his brother's room. They needed to talk--about Wei Wei. He had seen it coming from a distance, from years of watching Zhi Lin and Wei Wei's relationship progressing as months passed by. Tonight, the stricken look on Zhi Lin's face when he left was plain as day---his brother truly loved the servant girl, This cannot be! Given their family’s name and place in society, this would be a big disgrace…the Su family would be laughingstock. You Peng planned to stop Zhi Lin's frivolous emotions before they manifested into a tragedy.

"Do you really like it?" You Peng heard his brother's familiar gentle voice drifting through the door to his bedchamber as he stood up against it, intent on knocking before entering. Yet now, he realized that someone else was present in Zhi Lin's chamber and he frowned, not knowing who would be in his room at this hour. And unless Zhi Lin had taken a liking to the eligible young ladies at the ball that night, he would not be smuggling in a woman in his own room. It was not something his brother would do; Zhi Lin's honour and his goodness had made You Peng shake his head in disbelief many times. Here Zhi Lin was, the brother to the Director of the Su Enterprises, with so many delectable women just waiting for the a chance to fall for him, and all he saw was a mere servant girl! Love…he shook his head cynically, You Peng didn’t believe in love, and he could live without it! It turned men into such fools…Zhi Lin was a prime example.

"I was thinking about mountains and trees when I was painting this," Zhi Lin continued. "If you look here, can you see the hint of green? I wanted to create a silhouette of trees and then blend the landscape in with the beauty of the mountains..."

Even though he was listening through a door, You Peng heard the hint of pride in his brother's voice. Ah, Zhi Lin was speaking about a painting. Unlike You Peng, whose keen business sense made him a great asset to their Father’s company, Zhi Lin's love lay in art, poetry and music. No two brothers could be more different. You Peng had never really understood, nor appreciated his brother's love for nature and his love for the arts. But Zhi Lin was often shy at revealing his most private artwork to anyone to see, so therefore the person who was present in the room with him had to be…

Chapter 3

You Peng stood outside of his brother's room, a frown of exasperation settling upon his features. The obvious could not be denied--Zhi Lin was in love with the servant girl, Zhao Wei.

Who else would Zhi Lin be showing his artwork to, pieces of paintings or poetry that were more important to him than his own life, other than Wei Wei? There could not be any other woman who would touch Zhi Lin that deeply, to urge him to shed aside his shyness so that he would reveal his artistic talent. To Zhi Lin, there was only Wei Wei. At this thought, You Peng's fists clenched together and he disappeared into the shadows of a corner of the hallway when he heard the door open and light flooded the dark hallway. Wei Wei, with her slight figure and her two braids, slipped into the night, unaware of the intense eyes watching her.

When the coast was clear, You Peng knocked on the door to his brother's room. Zhi Lin's smile wilted when he poked his head out and realized that it was his brother's stern face staring back at him and not Wei Wei's gentle smile meeting with his.

"Da Ge, come on in," Zhi Lin forced a smile that did not reach his eyes.

It was not often that You Peng would come personally to his chamber, and he knew that his brother had other motives than just idle chit chatting in mind. Zhi Lin moved aside so that You Peng could step into his bedroom. Funny how each time his brother entered a room, the air would get more tense. You Peng had their father's authoritative stature and conservative mannerisms. He was always the picture of perfection, control and poise. Zhi Lin yearned for the brother he’d known as a child, the brother that was now
only alive in his memories... a You Peng who was also a rebel, a child with ambition and a heart of fire.

But the years and especially their father's death had led to a drastic change in You Peng’s personality. Ever since he was given control of their father's company, the child whose courage and joy in life that had burned so brightly had dimmed and You Peng was now, only a shell of the brother he had once felt so close to. Once, they had shared everything -- dreams, spirit and aspirations-- but that was the past. Here and now, his brother stood before him and he knew him not, this was not the You Peng whose heart had been so innocent, and so full of dreams…dreams that were now ashes, scattered on the winds of time…

"Why were you absent half way through the ball?" You Peng instantly jumped into the topic without missing a beat.
He eyed his brother from the yellow lantern in the room, taking in the fragility of Zhi Lin's handsome face and
the slightness of his body. It always struck him as odd how vulnerable his brother could look, though they were slightly similar in appearance. But You Peng knew that his own features were harder and colder than Zhi Lin's. His own face appeared to be carved from stone while Zhi Lin's face was a
reflection of air and water and natural forces. How could two men so different?

"You left behind a trail of broken hearts, you know. Many fine ladies wanted to dance with you." He turned on his brother with deliberate cynicism in his voice. "But you were with that servant girl, Wei Wei, weren't you?" You Peng had not meant for his voice to sound so harsh but his words tumbled out, cold and unfeeling. It was only when he heard his own words quiver from the strain did he realize just how upset he was by his brother's involvement with Wei Wei.

Zhi Lin stared at him intently, unblinking and unintimidated by his brother's warning tone. "I did go to Wei Wei," He confessed easily, not feeling at all ashamed about the truth. "We are friends, Da Ge, Wei Wei and I. I would rather be in the company of a gentle-hearted girl who has no
trace of snobbery or selfishness in her entire being than to sit across from a money hungry woman who could never see anyone else beyond her own reflection in the mirror."

You Peng laughed aloud, a dry and mirthless laugh. He could barely believe what Zhi Lin was saying. He shook his head in disbelief at his brother, mocking him with the distain in his eyes. "You would trade a lifetime with a poor mute girl than one with a lady of class and virtue? You would
dishonour your family's name to love a girl who is worth nothing to society?" Suddenly, his eyes grew dark and hard as he glared at Zhi Lin's passive face, furious that his brother had no emotions about the seriousness of the matter. His voice low and threatening, You Peng grated out, "I'm warning you. Don't taint our family name for a girl who has nothing to give you---"

"Wei Wei makes me happy," Zhi Lin broke in, his eyes filled with pain as he beseeched You Peng silently to understand him. "True happiness, Da Ge. Have you ever felt that way with a woman before? Surely you must realize how precious true happiness is or ... maybe you don’t,” Zhi Lin remarked bitterly, his heart filled with pain as he remembered his brother’s oblivion to the silent, steady love that Wei Wei felt for him, and only him all these years. A love that Zhi Lin longed for, and knew he would never have. But his brother didn’t see, has never seen... “You really don’t know, do you?"

You Peng stared back at his brother, stunned. He had no idea whether Zhi Lin was taunting him or merely pitying him. Either way, he wanted Zhi Lin to feel neither of these emotions. Why was it that Zhi Lin's words had hit a mark on him? Had You Peng ever truly felt happy? But…but of course he had! A man of his power and his wealth…why wouldn’t he be happy? You Peng was suddenly livid with the boldness of his usually sweet and gentle brother. He couldn’t believe it ... believe that he and Zhi Lin were fighting now only because of a mere servant! He whirled on Zhi Lin, his eyes blazing with fury. "I'm warning you now, Zhi Lin. You will not go near Wei Wei again. You and she will have a doomed life together. It was not meant to be."

Zhi Lin's own eyes did not waver. He saw that You Peng spoke fiercely, his muscles tensed. It was strange how angrily his brother was reacting to his relationship with Wei Wei. Why now? Why the sudden interest? He and Wei Wei had been close since early childhood and You Peng had not cared. But now ... his brother was raving with anger at the situation. The two brothers stood in the pool of yellow lamplight —neither understanding each other, strangers, despite the same blood ran in their veins--bound by a thread of brotherhood yet separated by the conflict over a mute young woman who had affected them both. The silence hung over them like a dark, ominous cloud.

"What if I don't listen to you?" Zhi Lin dared to question his brother's threat, unintimidated by those piercing eyes.
You Peng's eyes narrowed,glimmering dangerously in the yellow lantern.

"You'll live to regret it," You Peng remarked gravely and left the room, slamming the door behind him.

************************************************************

Wei Wei’s eyes grew dreamy as she listened to the music that filled the room, and she closed her eyes, letting herself drown in the sorrowful song that was being sung by the piano. She could feel her own heart responding, yearning for what the music was saying…images flooded her mind as she listened, distant, vague images of people whose faces she could barely remember, her parents…and the warmth and happiness she’d lost so many years ago.

And a face that was not vague…it was as clear as the day…HIS face.

The bittersweet music only served to fill her mind with even more images of him, Su You Peng, the man who would never remember her... You Peng’s face as he laughed with his friends, the way his lips would curl into a cynical smile ... and the way his eyes shone as he danced with Xin Ru. Almost, almost she had gasped out loud as she felt her heart ache ... she suppressed the sudden urge to cry, to let those repressed tears fall.

No, what would be the point? Don’t be such a fool, Wei Wei, she thought to herself, trying to sound strong despite the heartache inside...the pain that stabbed at her heart. There was never any hope anyway, this was always just a dream, YOUR dreams...and dreams...dreams don’t come true. You know that! Indeed, she knew, she had known all along, but it had not stopped her from dreaming...dreaming of a future she would never have.

The music died away, and Wei Wei opened her eyes, eyes filled with all the sorrows left unspoken, to meet a pair of eyes staring steadily and understandingly at her.

Leung Xiao Bing met Wei Wei’s eyes with compassion, and also, understanding. And why not? Wei Wei knew that the music had touched her heart not only because Xiao Bing was a good pianist, but because she too, knew the bittersweet pain within Wei Wei’s heart, she knew better than anyone else.

Because Xiao Bing too, loved someone with all her heart and soul…she too felt the pain and sorrow of watching the man she loved fall in love with someone else, never knowing, never seeing, blind to the love that was in her eyes every time he appeared before her. This music…this song, had been for him, he had taught her to play it, and she played it for him now, but he heard only the music, he did not hear the sorrow nor the anguish within it. Only Wei Wei heard, and only Wei Wei understood her friend’s pain, the pain of loving a man who was blind, the pain that haunted their dreams, yet despite all this, being helpless to stop loving... to stop dreaming of a dream that wouldn’t come true.

Standing beside the piano, overlooking Xiao Bing`s shoulder, Zhi Lin applauded, smiling as he praised Xiao Bing’s performance, and Wei Wei hastily did the same, her eyes watching as Xiao Bing blushed happily under Zhi Lin’s glance, but he seemed oblivious to it as he sat down beside
her to explain certain notations within the music. Wei Wei longed to stay, as she needed desperately to talk to Xiao Bing, to someone about what she’d seen last night, and the turmoil within her, but she made herself stand up.

Xiao Bing was so happy now as Zhi Lin talked to her about music that Wei Wei didn’t want to be here, to spoil Xiao Bing’s brief moment of happiness. They were good friends, true, and Xiao Bing never felt a single moment of anger, or bitterness towards Wei Wei, but both knew how ironic it was…this strange thing called love.

The two looked up at Wei Wei in surprise, but she used her hands to convey to them in sign language, *I really have to go now, Madame gave me some shopping to do*

“Then I better go with you now,” Zhi Lin offered without hesitation, standing up, but Wei Wei pushed him down gently.

*No, you continue with Xiao Bing, I can go back by myself* Wei Wei`s hands told him, though she did not utter a sound.

“But--” Zhi Lin had started to protest, but stopped as he remembered his argument with his brother yesterday night. True, it might be a lot easier if he wasn’t seen with Wei Wei so openly...it wasn’t as if he was afraid of his brother, nor the threat that he had openly phased. But he didn’t want Wei Wei to get into trouble on his behalf ... he nodded, albeit a bit reluctantly. “Be careful, Wei Wei.”

She nodded, then smiled at Xiao Bing to say farewell, and something else. There was something exchanged between the two girls that Zhi Lin saw, but didn’t understand...for a moment, he was puzzled, but then he pushed it aside as Xiao Bing asked, in a soft voice, “Is the chord here meant to be accented throughout? The notation doesn’t say.” Happily, he turned back to his music, forgetting the whole incident.

Leung Xiao Bing listened carefully as Su Zhi Lin explained the complexities of a certain music piece, her eyes dwelling on his oblivious face. This brilliant, amazing and strangely gentle man had struck a core, deep within her, from the very first time she’d met him…when she’d watched, with envious eyes as he, a little boy then, played chasey with a small girl in pigtails. Another boy had been there, watching over them like some kind of guardian angel...she’d later learnt that that boy was his brother You Peng, who had then, been fiercely protective of his younger brother, who had looked up to him like some kind of God.

She’d been lonely, despite the big house that she’d moved into with her mother, and her new sister, Xin Ru, who had hated her since the first day. She’d missed her father, the warmth and happiness she’d always associated with his presence…strange, she mused as she watched Zhi Lin with attentive eyes, I can barely remember what he looks like now. She’d been so envious of the little boy and girl, of the happiness on their faces...until he’d suddenly saw her, and ran up to her. She’d turned to run, thinking that somehow, she, the little poor girl who’d suddenly been turned into a princess by her new rich father, had erred in
some way again. But he’d only smiled at her, asking her to come and play...

From that moment on, the lonely spot in Xiao Bing’s heart had been filled. She’d been so happy to find a friend, especially with Wei Wei, the poor mute girl whose silence had not prevented them from being the best of friends. But it was his face that her eyes automatically sought every time she entered a room, his voice that gladdened her heart in the bleakest of all times…Su Zhi Lin...whose heart only belonged to Wei Wei.

Xiao Bing hid a bitter smile...Yes, she and Wei Wei were definitely kindred spirits…both loving someone who would never, ever, see what was in front of them all along...

Now, Xiao Bing`s eyes only held the image of Zhi Lin as he bent his head over the piano, his long and tapered hands flitting over the ivory and ebony keys as the music of Mozart drifted to her ears. Intensely, his features were softened by the peacefulness that music gave to him and a gentle smile flickered across his face, making him appear younger than his years, and all the more innocent. Xiao Bing watched him, with yearning, with love and with joy. His eyes were filled with his passion for music while her eyes were filled with passion for him. He was beautiful, this man who was not only attractive physically, but emotionally. His soul was what had always made her love him.

"Xiao Bing," Zhi Lin`s voice broke into her thoughts. The music had stopped and she jumped in surprise. The moment was broken. "Here, you try to play it. Just be aware of the changing rhythm in the fifth meter. Count in your mind, I`ll be right here to guide you along."

Suppressing a shy smile, Xiao Bing placed her hands on the keys and she began to play, though her heart was thudding madly at the nearness of Zhi Lin. He was seated with her on the piano bench, gazing cautiously at her fingers and noticing her form while she played. Twice she stumbled on her notes and three times, she missed a beat. Finally, Xiao Bing turned to him in resignation, "I can`t do it, the piece is too difficult."

Zhi Lin ruffled her hair affectionately and to her surprise, he placed his fingers over hers, lowering them gently on the keyboard. "This is a new technique I learned on how to teach novices to play. Just go along with my fingers and take notice of the beat. Here, gently now, let`s begin,shall we?"

Both of their hands united together and he began to play, using the pressure of his fingers to push hers along on the keys. Xiao Bing`s cheeks flushed, loving the warmth of his fingers upon hers and the nearness of his bdoy against hers. The song was soothing and not once did Xiao Bing made a mistake. Her heart lifted in joy when the song ended and instinctively, her arms wrapped around Zhi Lin`s slight body in exuberation. He looked surprised at her sudden burst of affection and she pulled away from him promptly, a blush creeping up her cheeks.

"You were wonderful," Zhi Lin`s lips curved into a smile and the smile lit up his eyes beautifully, making them appear radiant. He seemed genuinely happy to help her.

"You helped me do it," Xiao Bing told him gratefully.

But Zhi Lin shook his head. "No, you played the song, I merely helped guide you along in case you missed a beat." He nodded in approval at her. "Just practice and you will become a great prodigy one day. You have the talent of music within you, I can tell."

"Thank you, Da Ge!" Xiao Bing laughed, flattered beyond words at his compliments.

Finishing the song was an accomplishment for her; Mozart was a complicated composer and to play his masterpieces flawlessly was an accomplishment she had thought she would never be capable of doing. And yet, Zhi Lin had helped her do just that. She knew that he took his time to teach her to play without cost because of Wei Wei. She was Wei Wei`s only friend and he was generous to her due to his affections for Wei Wei. But perhaps...he came to help her because he truly wanted to and not because of Wei Wei...would that be the case one of these days? That Zhi Lin would come to her out of his own will and not because of the generosity of his spirit or the love of another?

"I should go now," Zhi Lin rose and Xiao Bing`s eyes were wide with alarm. She didn`t want him to leave and yet, she had no way of stopping him. Their piano lesson had been the hihglight of her day--as all their lessons had been over the years.

Her heart ached to see him go and she asked timidly,"Will I see you again, Da Ge?"

Zhi Lin turned around before heading out toward the hallway to the foyer of her home. He nodded in affirmation. "Soon."

Xiao Bing watched his figure disappear from sight as he turned a corner to head to the front door. She turned back to the piano keys and her fingers glided over them gently, her eyes moistening with emotion. Even now, she could still feel the warmth of his hand on hers and see the distictively gentle planes of his face.

Soon, Zhi Lin had promised to be back to find her.

Xiao Bing would always be waiting.

********************************************

The private Investigator saw the young girl leave the house and he watched her with an intense gaze as she turned a corner. She headed toward the market, and he followed her discreetly from behind.

The market was crowded that day in Shanghai as peopled bustled to and fro. Vendors by their stands and carts shouted out, "Buy your fruits and vegetables here!" in oral advertisements while customers flowed in and out of the market like a river, moving in crowed on the cobbled streets to purchace what they wanted. In spite of the crowd, it was not a challenge to keep up with her; he was after all, a trained private detective and for the amount of money that was getting to track down this girl, he was not willing to lose sight of her.

Soon, the girl who had been empty-handed earlier was carrying a bag of groceries that she had just purchased. He saw her smile at the vendor owners kindly, her smile sweet. She was a beauty, this girl, with her frank, large eyes and her gentle gaze. She was not a a great beauty, not the type of mesmorizing, dazzling beauty that the women in brothel houses possessed, but more of a refreshingly innocent beauty, one that a woman of her lowly stature rarely had. The man`s camera took every shot of her that he had from the film. A snapshot of the side of her face, her smiles to the vendor owners, the back of her head. He took her image on film behind a vendor cart, hiding himself from her view, smiling at the poses that he took from the camera on this young girl.

Finally, he was satisfied and he left the market. Following her around all day was tiring. He had five hours to develop the film and give it to the General. Ah, the General would be pleased. He had found Zhao Wei Wei at last and with these photos, he would no doubt get yet another bonus from the Gerneral.

He had no idea what his employer wanted from this certain girl but from the urgency that he heard in the General`s voice the last time they spoke on the phone, his employer wanted this girl. Zhao Wei was no doubt important to his employer, very important.

Chapter 4

Wei Wei stood by the falls, her eyes expressionless as she watched the tree branches sway gently with the night breeze. The night air was still, echoing the conflicting emotions that lurched within her own heart. She knew that no one would miss her at this time, all her chores were done, and most of the household would be long asleep…not even Zhi Lin would not notice her absence, so intent he was on the painting that he had been inspired to do as he wandered home from Xiao Bing's mansion.

Xiao Bing…Wei Wei's lips curved up into a sad smile as she thought about her friend…No doubt Xiao Bing knew too well the pain and sorrow that dwelled within her friend's heart, but there was nothing she could do to ease that pain…anymore than there was anything Zhi Lin could to do ease her own. Why must Fate play such a cruel joke on us? She thought sadly, her eyes swinging up to the stars above her, as if to demand some kind of answer. She wished she could do something, anything, to change her place with Xiao Bing's in Zhi Lin's heart…he was the sweetest, most gentle and brilliant man alive…but he was not You Peng. And when all that is said and done, she didn't deserve the love he had for her…nor could she ever hope to return it…

Footsteps disturbed her thoughts, and she turned with a wry smile, he had found her despite her discreteness in leaving the manor. *Zhi Lin…* her hands faltered as her smile froze on her face. Shocked, she felt as if her heart had stopped beating as she saw the man's face reflected by the
bright moonlight.

You Peng.

She couldn't think, her big, round eyes stared at him helplessly as he looked at her with a strange expression that was unreadable. "Wei Wei. How are you this evening?"

She barely heard him, her heart was beating so loudly…she forced her trembling hands to do the signs. *Good evening, Master. I am very well, thank you* She wondered wildly what he was doing here…WHY he was here. Had she done something wrong? He…he hadn't really spoken alone with her since that night…so many years ago. She stood still, her round eyes clearly puzzled as she waited for him to speak.

There was an uncomfortable silence as You Peng stood there silently watching her, unable to speak. How was she to know the disturbing thoughts that were muddling up his mind this very moment? He had intended to have a word with this servant girl about his brother, and their need to maintain distance between the two of them, but on his way there he had seen her in the garden, like some sprite, disappearing amongst the trees…on impulse he had followed. Bemused and still somewhat angry with the argument he had had with Zhi Lin the previous night, he'd fully intended to put an end to his brother's foolish dream, even if it meant reprimanding Wei Wei severely, or even sending the servant girl away…but he'd froze, stunned at the vision before him. She had been standing there, the wind ruffling her luminous white dress under the moonlight, her long black hair flowed behind her as the stars were reflected in her round, gentle eyes…caught unaware, his heart had pounded for a moment at the sight of beauty that was so fresh and pure, and rare…in that one single instant, he understood his brother's devotion.

There was something so unearthly beautiful in that innocent face beneath the moonlight that You Peng forgot, for that one precious moment in time, all the harshness and cynicism, all the glamour and the superficial beauty in the high society he dwelt in…the world he lived in…the women that dazzled with their glamorous jewels and glorious masks…were nothing compared to this angel in the garden…Zhi Lin's voice echoed in his mind. "True happiness, Da Ge. Have you ever felt that way with a woman before? Surely you must realize how precious true happiness is…" He'd caught his breath, bewildered by emotions he'd long forgotten how to feel…surely, he had been happy…he must have…Wei Wei had turned to look at him then, and he shook his head slightly, trying to clear his thoughts. He'd greeted her casually, but still, his mind was perturbed… Looking at her now, at her puzzled eyes looking at him warily, he felt a uncharacteristic irritation…she was probably never like this with Zhi Lin…she looks as if she's afraid of me or
something…he thought, strangely annoyed and unconsciously, he frowned.

Wei Wei noticed the frown, and dropped her eyes, not wanting him to see the concern in her eyes…concern that she had no right to express. *Master? Was there something you needed to speak to me about?* her hands asked demurely, and he shot her an irritated look…why does she look so…meek? I'm her Master, yes, but I'm not that frightening, am I? He caught himself before he spoke, almost bewildered at his strange thoughts…why should I care what she thinks or feels…what the heck is wrong with me?

He cleared his throat, and composing his thoughts, said sternly, "Wei Wei, it's true that there was something I needed to speak to you about. I…I've seen that you and my brother are close friends…" his lips curved into a cynical smile, thinking of how much his brother would prefer it
to be something more than that…I think not, Zhi Lin, he thought angrily, not if I can help it. "Too close a friend, in fact. I would prefer it if you would remember your rank and status, and the distance between that and ours," he said sternly.

His eyes softened slightly as he caught sight of Wei Wei's pale, shocked face…no, she was not like the other girls around, he knew that much, it had not been intentional on her part to attract such affections to improve her status, but he must stop it all the same…her world was too far from Zhi Lin's…and his… "Wei Wei, this is for your own good," he continued quietly, "Your rank is too different from ours…we could not…" his voice faltered. What the heck was he
saying? We?!? He was talking about her and Zhi Lin, not…he shook his head, as if to clear it, but Wei Wei did not notice. She was too stunned at his words…perhaps he meant Zhi Lin, but to her, she had heard his words as if pronouncing the final shattering of her age old dream…his
very own voice, declaring the death of a promise she had held close to her heart all these years.

Her face drained of blood, she could not look at him, at the man she'd loved since she was four…she could not let him see the tears that threatened to fall…instead, with her head
bowed, she signed briefly, *Master, I have never dreamt of being more than a servant girl within this household.* Her manner was stiff, and polite. *I will maintain my distance from those above my status. If I may be excused?* Her hands were jerky as she signed, as she struggled to control
the flood of emotions within her.

He said shortly, "Good. Thank you, Wei Wei. You may go." At that, she walked away swiftly from him, from the man she could not let see her tears…could not let him see how her heart was broken…once safe in the darkness, she began running, running from him, from the pain that stabbed at her heart again and again…from promises long forgotten…You Peng stared after her, his eyes disturbed.

He, Su You Peng, Director of the Su Enterprises, the young man who could never feel ill at ease with anyone at the high class parties, who could never have anything more than contempt for those of lower rank and status than him, watched the servant girl flee into the darkness with a slight twinge inside…and it was this, more than anything else, that worried him.

He was no sentimental fool like his brother…he didn't…COULDN'T feel anything for this mere
servant girl…could he?

************************************************************

The General stared at the photographs, his face expressionless.

It had been over sixteen years since he'd been back to the thriving city of Shanghai and the instant he'd stepped off of the train, he had been bombared with the strike at the Univeristy of Shanghai that the student's were rallying against the impending war, and the news that the war was worsening. Germany had already overtaken Austria and the Japanese would soon invade China. But even that grave knowledge that his country would be shed to the very core had not shaken him as much as the photograph that now lay in his hands had.

The investigator he'd hired had been an expert photographer, these were very well taken…the girl's beauty and grace was well defined with each photo…and her face, her face was of a gentle beauty that it tugged at the General's heart…not only for the pretty smile that lighted the girl's face, but for the familiarity of it…for the memories of a similar smile, on a similar face…so many years ago.

The smile of the woman he'd loved and longed for…only she'd spurned him for another man…he'd never forgotten her, no, all these years he'd slept with countless other women, some perhaps more dazzling and glamorous than she'd ever been…but it was still her face that filled him with longing and lust…the one woman he'd wished for, but never got. But that was in the past…before his rise to power and wealth…now he could have anything, any woman he desired, and he longed for the one that got away.

He stared intensely at the familiar face in the photos. You might have escaped me, my Mei Suet, but your daughter…picking up the photo, his mouth curved into a slow smile, your daughter shall be mine! Your daughter, his eyes burned with hidden desire, who resembles you so much…I shall have her, now that I have finally found out where you hid her all these years…in the Su family, hmm? She shall be mine…Zhao Wei Wei…mine!

************************************************************

You Peng stared moodily at the grass. Little snippets from last night's scene with the servant girl kept distracting his mind as he tried to enjoy the picnic with the beautiful lady Xin Ru by his side…she was as dazzling as ever, her soft, blue dress spread neatly around her as she sat
on the picnic blanket with him, her silvery voice tinkled like soft bells as she exchanged pleasantries with him. Today she had invited him for a picnic lunch with her and he had obliged eagerly, anxoious to escape from his nagging feelings that had plauged him throughout the day.

You Peng had been bemused by her beautiful, sophisticated looks, and the enticing way her soft lips move as she spoke…but suddenly Wei Wei's sweet, gentle face had appeared in his mind like a dash of cold water. His bemusement with Xin Ru's dazzling beauty had vanished, and his face grew more withdrawn as he wondered at the strangeness that nagged at him…it was beyond his comprehension…no, he thought to himself, I cannot possibly be interested in her…she is but my servant, and with this bedazzling creature beside me…how could I be thinking of anyone else?

Maybe…maybe it's because I'm worried about Zhi Lin's attachment to her…yes, that's it, he decided, it's all because of Zhi Lin and his ridiculous accusation that You Peng had never been truly happy…he felt a vast relief as he found the excuse to push aside the nagging worries within him, the uneasy thought that HE himself could feel for a servant girl…really, Su You Peng, he thought sternly to himself, you are one of the most rich and successful bachelor around…and beside you is the most beautiful, elegant and rich young lady in the whole of Shanghai…she is your perfect match in every way…you have everything, of course you're happy! Of course he was happy…of course he was…wasn't he?

Xin Ru frowned slightly as she noticed that Su You Peng's attention wasn't on her…how dare he? What is he thinking that could distract him from me? Hiding her irritation, she touched his arm gently, giving him a tender, sweet smile as he looked at her. "My lord, is something bothering
you? Is there anything I could do to help?"

You Peng stared down at her delicate face with perturbed eyes. "Um…no, my lady, there is nothing the matter, I was just thinking, that's all." Her forehead furrowed into a tiny frown, and she was about to ask him again when he said hurriedly, "Did you like the wine? It is of an old vintage from the southern parts of France…"

Distracted, yet happy that his attentions were once more on her, Xin Ru dropped the previous topic…she did not want to sound too clingy…this young man was as world wise as she was, she could not expect him fall for her completely so soon…but this should prove to be an interesting
challenge, she thought cynically to herself as she continued in her innocent chatter…Su You Peng is a most worthy man to be my conquest…I shall have to work harder to win his heart and mind…to gain such a rich and powerful husband…

Usually You Peng found Xin Ru's conversation to be mesmerising…to see her dazzling face light up with delight as she spoke…why was it today, it sounded…slightly irritating, he admitted to himself wryly. Her mindless chatter grounded slightly on his nerves for some reason, though nothing from his external pose could betray his lacking his usual adoration.

Was it he was already tired of Lady Xin Ru's attractions already, as he would grow tired of other ladies…but no, he still found her presence bewitching on occasion…or perhaps...he shied away from that sudden, disturbing thought…the thought that he preferred Wei Wei's elegant silence….he was almost glad when a messenger from his home appeared, saying that a guest had arrived to call on him…

************************************************************

"General Lo, pleased to meet you," You Peng spoke politely as he shook the General's hand firmly.

The man who stood before him dressed in the familiar khaki green army uniform was cleanly shaved and his distinguished posture and confidant smile revealed his high status in society.

"No, I am pleased to meet you, young man," the General drawled slowly, in a deliberate manner. "I have heard so much of your abilities and your success in taking over your father's company on his unfortunate passing away. He was a friend of mine."

Yes, so good a friend that you didn't bother to send condolences when he died almost five years ago, You Peng thought dryly, though his face revealed nothing but polite interest. I'm sure it's not the old friendship with my father that brought you here…"Thank you sir, you flatter me. Please, have a seat. Some tea? Or wine?" he asked politely, every bit the gracious host.

"Tea, thank you." The General beamed at him easily.

You Peng ordered tea, then turned back to the General with an unreadable look. "And what brings you to my humble abode, sir? Perhaps something to do with the impending war?" The General's lips curved slowly into a smile. A sharp young man, much like his father before him…oh yes, the war effort, young man, and…something else…

"Da Ge, did you want me?" Zhi Lin entered the room, looking flustered as he had just hurried in from his usual lesson with Xiao Bing.

You Peng frowned as he broke into their conversation. Giving him a hard look before turning to the General, You Peng said politely, "General Lo, this is my younger brother Zhi Lin. Please excuse his lack of manners, he means no offence." Zhi Lin flushed slightly as he realised his error, before bowing slightly as You Peng introduced him to the General. "The General is apparently an old friend of our father, and we were just discussing whether or not Su Enterprises may extend financial aid to the city if war is actually declared."

Zhi Lin smiled rather awkwardly, wincing at the thought of actual war…it has been hovering in the background for the last few years, but it has never been an actuality. He sat down with them, a silent member to the discussion, there were a thousand other things he would rather be
doing than this…not only did he feel ill at ease, with nothing to contribute to the discussion…he also felt wary of the General. Though he was all manners…there was something there that repelled him…something Zhi Lin couldn't quite put his finger on…

A quiet knock on the door interrupted their conversation. At You Peng's permission, Wei Wei came in with the tray of tea and refreshments. Zhi Lin just happened to be looking at the General at that moment, and caught the sudden gleam in his eyes as he stared at the girl…his eyes narrowed as the General stood up to help Wei Wei with the tray. Wei Wei looked up at the man in surprise, before she dropped her eyes quickly, her face flushing slightly as she set the tray on the table.

Preoccupied with serving the tea and cakes, she did not notice the strange expression on the man's face…or she would have been surprised, and frightened at the sudden lust in his eyes that settled on her. But Zhi Lin did notice, frowning…and so did one other person. You Peng watched with expressionless eyes as Wei Wei served the three gentlemen their refreshments, disturbing thoughts flittered through his mind as he watched the General's eyes gleam with
sudden interest…the way his lustful eyes traced Wei Wei's slender figure filled You Peng with a sudden, irrational anger.

Glancing at his brother quickly, he realised Zhi Lin had also noticed, and the pale, furious look on his face signified trouble…Zhi Lin would not know the need to control his feelings in situations like this. "You may withdraw now, Wei Wei," You Peng said quickly, and Wei Wei, oblivious to the tension in the room, started back to the door.

But the General's words halted her in her footsteps. "Your servant is very good…I wish to buy her off you."

Wei Wei's blood ran cold. Her face was a pale white as she turned around in the dead, heavy silence of the room, her eyes wild with shock as she looked at the smiling General, then desperately at You Peng…he…he wouldn't do that to her, would he?

Both brothers had initially been stunned silent by the General's words, but then Zhi Lin half rose in anger to snap a reply. He was quickly stopped by You Peng's warning grip on his arm. Burning with furious anger, he turned and would have yelled at his brother too if he was even considering the offer, but the fire in You Peng's eyes stopped his words. He kept his silence as You Peng said, in a voice filled with controlled anger, "General Lo, I'm afraid I cannot fulfil your wish. Wei Wei was given into our care and though she is a servant, true, she is her own self, and not for sale in any way," he finished off bitingly, trying very hard to repress the sudden cold fury in his
heart.

You Peng had caught the frantic look Wei Wei had cast him…and though her presence disturbed him in some strange manner, there was no way he would let some other man, especially someone like this General take her away…the lust in the man's eyes made him want to see the last
of this man, soon, far far away from Wei Wei…

The General looked at the young man's stubborn face, and then back at the object of his desire, who flinched from his glance, and a speculative look entered his eyes. Oh, so once again someone thought to steal his desired one from him…we shall see, he thought to himself, but right now, there is nothing to gain from pushing the matter, not yet. But she will be mine, no matter what lengths I shall have to go to…Zhao Wei Wei will be my woman, like her mother should have been…He stood, laughing lightly. "That's quite alright, then, Mr Su, I shall not force the issue. I guess I must find better…help…elsewhere. I've just remembered a prior engagement, so must depart now. Thank you for your time."

You Peng stood up also, and shook his hand firmly, politely offering to see him to the carriage, but the General desisted, saying they should enjoy their tea, and moved off to the door. But as he passed Wei Wei, who still stood silently there in shock, he whispered softly, for her ears only, "Until next time, my girl, you SHALL be mine."

Wei Wei stared at him in silence as a cold fear lodged in her heart. He left the room, and slowly her stunned eyes looked back around at the two men who were watching her, Zhi Lin with his deep concern and worry, and…him…with an unreadable expression in his eyes. For a moment there, their eyes met…then Wei Wei flushed as she remembered what he had said last night…and dropping her eyes, she quickly fled the room.

Chapter 5

Now, she stood in the house overlooking the sea, roaming through the familiar hallways. Up the stairs she drifted, up toward her parent's master suite.... Her brother, Lo Ka Leung, was not home. It was blessing for her, though she was afraid of being alone. Lo Shui Ling never liked this house, with its shadowed walls and its high vaulting ceilings that suspended through the air. The most expensive furniture decorated this house -- the house of her childhood -- tables, cushions and chairs from France and Italy, imported with a devastating price tag. Only the best; her brother, the great General of Shanghai, wanted only the best. He was the perfectionist as her father had been. Both of them had a love for antiques, a passion for money and wealth. Power hungry, they would stop at nothing for fame and fortune.

And yet, material wealth could not shield away all of the evil that had occurred in this house. Shui Ling could still hear her mother's muffled cries from behind the bedroom door of her parent's master suite, hear her father beating her mother and in the morning, she would see her mother's face black and blue from the bruises caused by her father's hand.

"I fell down the stairs, sweetheart," Her mother would feed her lies, though even at age eight, Shui Ling knew the difference between the truth and facades. "I slipped and I hurt myself.....Papa never hit me..you know that you should not think such things about your father...I'm fine, Shui Ling..." But even the thick make up and heavily rouged lips could not hide the ugliness of the bruises and the forced smiles could not mend a broken sense of hope that no longer existed in her mother's life. All this was done on behalf of society, of reputation and honour and a public image.

Shui Ling's whole life was based on a lie. Her father, the Sergeant, had a reputation and the image that he gave to the public was that his family was a happy one. In reality, it was a far cry from being happy. Shui Ling grew up under her father's strict discipline, though she struggled to never abide by his anarchic rules. But her brother was born to become the very image of her father, so it seemed. Her brother, Ka Leung, was the son that her father had always wanted, and he had moulded her brother from the beginning to follow his footsteps into the world of greed and corruption, bribery and lies.

When her mother committed suicide when she was ten years old, Shui Ling knew that for her, life had to be different. She would embrace the world with a smile, to mask the sorrow that she felt burning away at her soul from within. To the world, Shui Ling was the General's daughter, a wealthy and spoiled little Princess, was she not? With her family's money, she would buy the world. But why was she so unhappy, so miserable? As she grew older, the mask that she wore to face the world became permanent; she was a happy young woman, fulfilled and blessed. She willed herself to continue to live and survive, not because of her own worth, but more of because she knew that she was her brother's weakness.

Her brother, now a grown man in his late forties and a General with wealth and reputation that surpassed her father long ago, did not have a conscience. He had been conditioned to not have one by their own father, to become the solid warrior and soldier without emotions that could divert him from his work. But with Shui Ling, her brother had emotions and she never doubted that he loved her. They were siblings, after all, and she knew that she could not abandon her brother because then, there would be no stopping him. She had prayed so long and so hard, just for one peaceful chance to start a new life with him in this tainted city of Shanghai. They would start again in this nightmare of a home, to start a new beginning. But all of Shun Ling's fragile dreams were shattered when she entered the room that had been her parent's suite to find photographs of a young girl scattered upon the marble table.

The girl was beautiful in a sweet, gentle loveliness. Her large eyes were trusting and innocent, her lips curved into a tender smile. She was graceful even though her faded dress hid her slender figure, her posture elegant in spite of her lowly clothing. But her image mirrored one woman.... Mei Suet...Mei Suet....It was as though this young girl was a reincarnation of the woman who had stolen her brother's heart forever...Mei Suet....

The name pounded through Shun Ling's ears as her mind flew back to sixteen years ago when she was eleven years old. She had seen and heard everything from her own bedroom as her brother, only two days after his promotion to become General, forced himself upon the wife of his friend. Her name was Mei Suet, and she was kind as she was beautiful. She had cried out in protest in a wrenching voice, and then there was only muffled moaning. Shun Ling never forgot the tear-streaked face of Mei Suet as she escaped from her brother's bedroom, her eyes wild with fright and something else....it was pure terror...Shun Ling could only imagine what her brother had done to Mei Suet to cause the gentle lady to flee in terror from her home...but she did not know...only her brother knew what happened that day, but he would deny any blame placed on him, she was certain of it.

Later, it was broadcast in the newspapers and on the radio that Mei Suet's husband had committed suicide because his business had failed. Their family was shattered and Shun Ling never heard of them again. She suspected that her brother and his political power had someone endangered this loving family, forcing Mei Suet's husband to take his own life. But she had no proof; she only had a gut instinct and the firm knowledge of her brother's temperament from the years of living by his side. All she knew was that Mei Suet and her husband had a little girl, a child of about four years old at that time...a child by the name of.....

"I see that you've found the pictures of Zhao Wei." Shun Ling did not hear her brother come into the room and she jumped. "Beautiful girl, is she not? Just as her mother had been..."

The photographs fell from her hands and they fell softly to the floor. Her brother, the General, gave a wild cry of fury as he bent over instantly to retrieve the photographs as though the photos were of some great treasure to him. Shun Ling whirled around, her heart pounding like rhythm of drums as she watched him hold the photographs close to his heart, as though they were his lover...or to be more exact...as though the young girl in the photograph was his lover....

"She's Mei Suet's daughter, isn't she?" Shui Ling demanded, sickened at the sight of her brother's insane passion and lust for an innocent girl. "Isn't she?"

God, after all of these years, he had not changed. She knew of the nightmares that haunted him at night, the obsession to possess Mei Suet that drove him away from the city of Shanghai after so many years. She had thought that by having him flee the city then his heart would be free from the visions of a married woman whose beauty had captivated him to the point of delirium. Shun Ling, you’re a fool. He will never change...never find peace...he will continue onto this road of destruction until more lives will be shattered....

Her brother smirked as he blew away a speck of invisible dust from the glossy photographs. "The very image of Mei Suet's grace and beauty, how can she not be?" He avoided her eyes as he made his way toward the marble table and plopped down on the leather chair. His manicured fingers stroked the photos lovingly, his eyes hardening with determination. "I want Wei Wei to make up for what her mother had failed to do. I should have possessed Mei Suet for an eternity but fate intervened. But now destiny had brought me to find Wei Wei. Tell me, Mei Mei, is it not the Heaven's will that gave me this chance?" His lips curved into a sly smile, seemingly enjoying his own twisted illusions of the situation.

Shui Ling's knuckles clenched together until she felt the pain of her nails biting into her flesh. "Da Ge, stop this!" She pleaded to him, shaking her head in disgust at the sight of her brother embarking onto a dark road that had killed her own father and ruined the sweet innocence of her childhood. "Let her go! Let Wei Wei go! She is innocent, the past is the past! Don't torture yourself by wanting a woman who is long gone. Zhao Wei is none of your concern. Let Mei Suet's spirit rest in peace!"

Her eyes bore into his, beseechingly and desperately. Didn't he understand how wrong this was, how wrong fate was to give him the knowledge of Wei Wei's existence? Tears filled Shun Ling's eyes and she blinked them back, determined not to cry because she had shed too many tears for already in her life.

The General saw his sister's eyes filled with tears and he instantly sobered. His visions of the beautiful Zhao Wei was replaced with the tender, familiar face of his sister's sorrowful face. Shui Ling reminded him of his dear mother...he wanted nothing more than to prevent harm from coming to her.. He would do anything humanly possible to create those lovely eyes of hers to shine brightly as they had shoen when they were both children, too young to understand the evil ways of the world....

Now, Shui Ling was begging him now to let go of Mei Suet...that he had done for her by fleeing from Shanghai....But letting go of Wei Wei, he could not do. He had hunted too hard, yearned for too long and chased after Mei Suet's shadow for half of his lifetime....how could he let her daughter escape from his grasp now when he was so close to having her as his own? No, he could not. Damn Su You Peng and his nauseating brother, Zhi Lin, for getting in the way! They had dared intervene between him and Wei Wei! Well, he would show them. He was the General and they had dared to show disrespect for him....they would pay and pay dearly....

The General bent over and patted Shui Ling's head affectionately, with gentle eyes. "I promise that I will leave the memories of the past a part of the past," He stroked her hair and gave her his most winning smile. "Come now, let's go have tea, shall we?"

Shui Ling peered at him closely, with guarded eyes. "Da Ge, I want to believe you but--" She broke off hopelessly, not knowing how else to voice her fears for him.

The General insisted, "Believe me. I promise you to stay away from Wei Wei." His arms wrapped around her slender shoulders as he lead her away from the bedroom and toward the stairs, smiling broadly at her so that any suspicions in his sister's head was eased by his eloquent demeanour.

But inside, the General was vowing to get Wei Wei back. That vibrantly lovely young woman in the photograph was rightfully his as her mother had been. Su You Peng and Su Zhi Lin were barriers between them, and he knew just what to about these two meddling nuisances. He lost Mei Suet forever, but with Zhao Wei, he would never let her go.....History would repeat itself once more.....but this time...he would win....

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You Peng's blood froze when he saw the manilla envelopes that lay in the mailbox early the next morning. The names, Su You Peng and Su Zhi Lin, addressed to himself and his younger brother were boldly written in flowing calligraphy, neatly drawn in the characters of their names, foreshadowing doom. In an instant, he summoned Zhi Lin to him and moments later, his brother, entered his office with startled confusion.

"Something is wrong," Those were the first words that slipped from Zhi Lin's tongue as he faced his brother. "I can tell from your eyes and you would never summon me on a whim if nothing was wrong. What is it, Da Ge?"

You Peng silently admired his brother's perception, for Zhi Lin always was the sensitive soul, aware of emotions and change in behavior from those closest to him, whereas most others would not notice. He handed the manilla envelope addressed to Zhi Lin with hands that slightly trembled, his eyes dark and his mind delirious from half shock, half fear. But he struggled with his emotions, forcing himself to remain calm.

"We've both been drafted," You Peng choked out the words even as his throat constricted in pain. "We leave tomorrow for the military camp near the city of Hong Kong. The war is finally here."

A stifled silence filled the air as both brothers met each other's eyes. You Peng saw the pallor in Zhi Lin's face and heard the tremor in his voice as he released a defeated sigh. The war was here and it would hit Shanghai soon. They had read the newspapers and heard of the intensity and devastation of war on the radio. They were both aware that the time would be soon when the Government would send for them to be drafted, to become a fighter for freedom and for their country. They had seen the strikes organized by the university students, the petitions for the military to stop the war from the citizens, and the photographs of the death and horror that awaited soldiers after the bombing of several villages on the outskirts of China. The Japanese were cruel and collected, seemingly aware that they will win this battle. For the sake of their country, Zhi Lin and You Peng were willing to die, but there was so little time to accomplish their dreams, their final aspirations…no time for good byes to their loved ones...

" I can't believe that we are going off to war," Zhi Lin finally broke the silence in the air. His eyes looked haunted, disillusioned. While he struggled to catch his breath in the stifling air, a flash of sorrow flared from within him. He whirled to face his brother, his voice breaking, "Are you afraid, Da Ge? Afraid of dying?"

You Peng felt his heart contract with an ache that spread through his chest and slowly outward toward his limbs. Zhi Lin's face suddenly melted away into the frightened eyes of the child that Zhi Lin had once been when their father had died. The years of maturity melted from his brother's face, revealing only vulnerability and innocence. This news that they were both being drafted killed You Peng inside. If he could, he would shelter Zhi Lin from any harm, risk his life for the sake of his brother. Bloodroots bond them together; it was a brotherly love and loyalty that made You Peng wish he could have let himself express to Zhi Lin. He wanted to protect his brother, as he had tried to do all of these years. Perhaps Zhi Lin never knew to what extent You Peng had to sacrifice so that his brother could have everything that he did not have.

Zhi Lin had always been the sensitive poet while You Peng was the cold hearted politician; it had always been so. You Peng, though he was only one year older than Zhi Lin, had taken over the task of running their family business while taking care of the family. It was a burden that he never asked for, never wanted, but as the eldest child, he had to do what was expected of him. He never wanted to fail his mother, to fail the spirit of his father. It was a burden that no one understood, a burden that overtook his entire life. But in doing so, You Peng had allowed Zhi Lin to have the carefree childhood that he never could have. Zhi Lin was allowed to build dreams, to have aspirations and to achieve his artistic potential, whereas You Peng was forced to enter the business world, in succession to his father's work. He never had a childhood, really, never had many friends. In becoming successful, You Peng had grown up almost over night with the knowledge that he had to succeed. But there was a price for everything in the world and the price of his early maturity was at the expense of his relationship with his brother. He missed Zhi Lin, loving those carefree days before their father's death when they would play with each other, their laughter echoing in the wind.

But Time did not wait for such memories to remain forever. Now, the rift that was between them was too large to mend. There were too many years of them being estranged from each other and too many bitterness has been exchanged between them. But now, in the face of a crisis, You Peng wanted desperately to hold his brother, to comfort Zhi Lin. He wanted all of those years that he had been cold and aloof to melt away so that he could tell Zhi Lin that he loved his brother. He never wanted this distance between him and Zhi Lin but it had happened. Adulthood came with the price; he had been stripped of his innocence a long time ago. But he only had one brother. War might kill them both. He had to take the chance now.

"Zhi Lin, I---" You Peng began haltingly, not used to summoning his emotions to surface.

But Zhi Lin turned from him abruptly with a shake of his head. "I have to go tell Wei Wei and Xiao Bing," His brother murmured, his voice cracking. "Please let Mama know about this. I --- I want to say farewell to them." He turned away from his brother and stalked out of the room, his shoulders weary with grief.

Sorrow tearing at his heart, You Peng watched his brother's shadow slip out of the door. He did not stop his brother. Zhi Lin needed this time with Wei Wei, the object of his affections. His brother's heart always had Wei Wei as a first priority. You Peng's hands clutched onto the letter, scrunching up the thing paper in his hands. He wanted to tell Zhi Lin so many things, but his brother had not wanted to hear what he had to say. He wanted to tell Zhi Lin, "I'm sorry about everything. I am afraid to die, but I am more afraid of losing you to the ugliness of war. If I could prevent this tragedy from befalling upon you and suffer by myself, then I would take that bargain in an instant."

But his longings were hopeless, the answers to his statements bleak. The knowledge brought to him a loneliness so intense as he felt, for a moment, the mist of despair closing around him. He swallowed dryly, helplessly. The door closed behind Zhi Lin as his brother's shadow disappeared from sight, shutting away the soft, kind memories of childhood that he had struggled so hard to grasp. Zhi Lin had Wei Wei, while he had no one, nothing. No one would miss him if he went off to war, no one would cry for him if he died. He envied Zhi Lin--for he had the bond with Wei Wei that You Peng had refused. That little servant girl with those sparkling eyes held so much joy and hope; he realized now that he envied her hopefulness and her innocence. Zhi Lin would find Wei Wei and she would no doubt cry for his brother, tears of sorrow. As for You Peng, the arrogant bastard that he was, he would have no one to miss him. He would be alone, as it was from the beginning....

But why did that knowledge burn in his chest...why was the hurt so profound...the knowledge that he would never have a love so sweet such as that of Wei Wei's love?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Xiao Bing's fingers rippled upon the ivory and black keys of the pianoforte, a soft smile playing along her lips as she played the Mozart composition that Zhi Lin had taught to her. Daily practice in hopes of startling him with her improvement drove her to the pianoforte and now, she revelled in the knowledge that she had perfected the song. Eyes closed in concentration, she played the notes as if they were a part of her blood and bone. Memories of that moment in time only two days ago when Zhi Lin's fingers had brushed upon hers as they played the song together flickered in her mind, like an essence of a fragile dream and her smile widened in delighted remembrance.

Her best friend, Wei Wei, who had arrived hours before to visit her, placed her hand upon the head of the piano, her eyes locked upon the image of Xiao Bing playing the song that she had often heard Zhi Lin play at home. She bit upon her lip, allowing the sweet melody to enwrap her, to wrap itself around her. Ah, how could Zhi Lin not see how astoundingly wonderful Xiao Bing was, how much she loved him? Xiao Bing's passion for music derived from her love for Zhi Lin. Her soul was his, as was Wei Wei's soul was meant for You Peng. With this song and the movements of her graceful fingers on the ivory and ebony piano keys, Xiao Bing seemed to echo Wei Wei's thoughts and needs. They loved too much, wanted too much--of something that neither of them can ever have. But it was all too late for them to stop themselves from wanting a love that was forbidden and impossible to have....

But suddenly, Xiao Bing stopped. The music ended and Wei Wei glanced up in surprise at the abrupt silence. *What's wrong?* She signed to her friend in concern.

Xiao Bing shook her head. "I don't know," She shook her head, exasperated, her stomach tightening into knots in a sense of anxiety that she did not comprehend. "I feel that there is something amiss, something not right."

Suddenly, the sweet chime of the doorbell rang and Xiao Bing and Wei Wei jumped. They both heard the footsteps of the Lin's family maid opening the door to allow the visitor in and both Wei Wei and Xiao Bing's eyes grew wide in shock when they saw Zhi Lin appear in the doorway. They were not surprised by his presence, for he was not a stranger to them, but his expression shocked them. With his hair dishevelled and his eyes were haunted, wild with fear. Fear. Zhi Lin's usual composed nature was now stiff with fear.

Xiao Bing instantly rose from the piano, moving toward him. He looked ill at ease and Wei Wei beckoned him toward the room with her hands. But Zhi Lin was not looking, his mind was elsewhere, his eyes focused elsewhere.

Xiao Bing's chest gripped with a sense of foreboding. Something was wrong, that much was evident. "What is it, Da Ge?" She dared to voice out, though her voice shook ever so slightly.

Zhi Lin swallowed hard and what he told her made her blood freeze. "You Peng and I are being drafted tomorrow," He whispered thinly, not meeting her gaze. "We go to war tomorrow."

For a moment, it was as though the life in the room was taken away. The silence was stifling as both girls allowed the knowledge to sink into their consciousness. War...it was a cruel word, a blow that meant that death was a certainty that would be hanging over the heads of those that they loved. For months now, China was hovering by the edge that Japan would invade. Shanghai was a city meant not to be touched, and yet, here was the declaration that war would befall upon all of them in just a matter of months. War meant Death, and both girls knew how painful the road ahead will take them.

Before Xiao Bing had the chance to catch her voice, Wei Wei had dashed out of the room. The front door slammed behind her. Both Zhi Lin and Xiao Bing did not need to speak. They both saw the stricken look in her eyes, the terror hovering beneath that pallid face that suddenly looked so vulnerable. They knew that Wei Wei was going to You Peng, to the one she loved, to bid a final farewell....

Chapter 6

Wei Wei…his heart wrenched at him painfully…she was a dream, his dream, even though he had known all along that she loved not him. That all along, she had lived only for a promise that was so careless made and discarded by his brother, a promise that had been broken, but not forgotten by the servant girl who would remember it for life. She had run to him now, as Zhi Lin had known she would, to bid the man she loved farewell…to see the master who she could not stop loving, even if she tried. That was one of the things he loved about Wei Wei, her loyalty, her standing true to what she believed in and loved, no matter what Fate bought upon her…he loved that, loved the truth about her, but it did not lessen the pain within him…the pain of knowing that her single minded loyalty, her devotion, the very thing he loved her for was what kept her from him, forever. Zhi Lin wished her well, he only wanted her to be happy…her happiness would only be if she saw You Peng, but where does that leave me? He thought, for the first time, bitter. Alone…with fear, and loneliness…alone…

Suddenly her warm hand closed over his, and he looked up, surprised, into Xiao Bing’s gentle face. She smiled comfortingly at him, but he could see the fear in her eyes…fear of the war? He wondered, surprised. Or…was it fear…for me? There was something in her face he’d never noticed before…suddenly bewildered, he could only look up at her, unable to speak. This was Xiao Bing, his friend, his little student, yet…why did it suddenly seem she was older and wiser than him? Why did he suddenly feel his fears settle down at the touch of her hand, instead there was a rush of emotion that had nothing to do with fear, emotions he could not name…Xiao Bing mistook his silence as depression, once again, over Wei Wei…the only girl who was in his heart, she thought sadly to herself. But this did not stop her sudden urge to comfort and protect this man, her sudden longing to keep him safe from the harsh reality of war…something he should have no place in. But there was nothing she could do, nothing she could say to ease his pain, nor his fear, she was powerless to prevent what cruel Fate had dealt out to them, there was nothing she could do…nothing but…

Zhi Lin gazed at her expressionlessly as her fingers ran lightly across the pianoforte, as she began to play him the music he’d taught her only days ago…the selfsame Mozart composition she had struggled with before, now she played flawlessly, effortlessly, as if it had become a part of her. Indeed it had…through the notes Xiao Bing played she poured out the words that she did not, could not speak, each and every note reached out and tugged at Zhi Lin’s heart as she told him, without speech, of all the love that was within her. It…it was as if the music itself had developed a soul…he gazed at her, at her gentle, beautiful face as she played with her eyes closed, captivated by the sweet sounds that surrounded him…never had this piece been played with so much heart, so much soul…Xiao Bing’s fingers rippled across the pianoforte, no longer aware of what she was playing, only knowing that soon, he would be gone from her life, perhaps forever. And there was nothing she could give him but this…there was nothing left within her that was not his already, from the very first moment their eyes had met…a single, sparkling tear fell from her cheek as she played…through the music that was her only gift to him, she bid the man she loved farewell, and god bless…

*************************************************************************************************************

He knew not why his feet had taken him there, his thoughts had been blurred even as he had told his mother what was to come. He had sat there, silent, his thoughts dark as she had cried and had hysterics, his exterior was every bit the calm, collected elder son, the Master of the house, the one who could take care of everything and everybody, no matter what happened. But deep within…suddenly, he had felt as if that boy he had thought dead so long ago, that boy who had laughed and played with Zhi Lin so many years ago, was still very much alive…as if all the years that had passed had been but a dream, and he was once again that boy, so very young, and so very frightened of what was to come.

He had stood up and left abruptly, afraid that if he had stayed any longer he would have broken down and had his own hysterics…afraid that he would not be able to contain the sudden fear and panic within him. Yes, he was afraid, damn it, the very thought of what was to come made his blood turn cold. War. What would this nightmare take from him, from all of them? He clenched his fists, trying to settle that roiling flutter within him, he hated this, hated his ineffectuality in preventing this darkness from touching those around him, his inability to protect them, hated the fact that he, Su You Peng, still had a heart, despite what the years had done to him, and his heart was suddenly filled with fear and worry over those he loved, his brother, his mother, and…a pair of round, sparkling eyes filled with sorrow took his breath away. He couldn’t protect them…despite all the wealth and power he had manage to accumulate, despite all the dreams and aspirations he had given up in return, he could not protect them…

He found himself at the rocks by the waterfall…somehow his feet had chosen this route almost unconsciously. The evening breeze caressed his face gently, tossing his hair lightly, carefree, innocent of the dark times ahead…he closed his eyes, and took a deep breath, trying to calm the turmoil within him. You Peng sensed her presence almost immediately, her silent, gentle presence as she approached him tentatively. Why was she here? Why wasn’t she with Zhi Lin, his brother who held her in such high esteem? Spinning around, he caught her by surprise. Startled, she had no time to compose herself and looked right into his eyes…the terror that lurked behind the sparkling tears in her eyes struck him to the core. Suddenly, it was like someone had clenched their fist around his heart…he couldn’t breath…it was as if her dark, shimmering eyes were reaching into his soul…this feeling…this rush of emotion within him…it was something unfamiliar, almost frightening. With an effort that was almost akin to pain, he wrenched his eyes away from hers, struggling with the strange cloud of confusion within him…what the heck was wrong with him? Where was his usual composure, his aloofness? Had the threat of war done this to him already, reduce him to such helplessness and confusion even before it started? Or was it…he shoved the disturbing thought away from him. It was just Wei Wei…but still, he was not quite ready to meet her strangely disturbing eyes…the worry in her pale, tiny face. He grated out in a hoarse voice, “Wei Wei, what is it?”

He didn’t look at her…perhaps that was best…it was hard enough even now, to stand before him, to see his strong, handsome face and those dark, brooding eyes…and know that tomorrow, she might never see them again. It was so hard to keep those tears within her, to keep herself from crying, from letting go of all the fear and terror inside…fear for him, terror of losing the only man she would ever love…the only dream that had kept her going for the last sixteen years. But she knew that those tears for him…they were not hers to be shed…she had no right to do so…she had never had the right.

She had watched, breathless from the run back from Xiao Bing’s house, through the glass window as Miss Lin wept and fussed over him anxiously, her dainty face awash with tears…watched as You Peng smiled woodenly and comforted her…yes, she, the mere servant girl, had no right to cry over the Master…only the lady, the one that was his perfect match should be permitted to do so…yet, she had no control over her own heart. Her heart which had been given to him many years ago, whether or not he wanted it…to her, darkness had fallen upon the world, and all the tears she could not shed outright, she wept inside…

She…she could live with him never seeing her, never remembering the promise he had made so long ago, she could bear to see him with other women, other loves…even though it tore her up inside with every look and every smile he bestowed upon others but never her…she could live, content in knowing that he was happy, that he was safe, but now…the man she loved more than life itself was going to war. Into a darkness that he might never emerge from, and there was nothing she could do to stop this terrible nightmare from coming true. And it frightened her, the very thought of it took her breath away…You Peng…she called him endlessly in the silence of her soul…please don’t die, please don’t leave me…I can stand having to watch you with Miss Lin, watch you marry her, as long as you’re alive, and happy…I’m content…just don’t die…please…if…if you die, then there’s nothing left for me to live for…nothing at all…

Now he stood in front of her, her young Master who had looked at her with such disturbed eyes…Wei Wei knew, deep down, that he was not as composed and fearless as he appeared to be. She had watched him with his mask in front of the elder Mrs Su, in front of Miss Lin…she knew it for a mask now, because of that single moment in time when he had looked into her eyes just then…she could see something in there, something that reminded her of Zhi Lin, strangely enough. You Peng…he…he looked lost…almost vulnerable in the moonlight. “Wei Wei?” he repeated, and she jolted out of her preoccupation. Flushing slightly, she reached into the pocket of her faded, plain dress. It was silly, stupid even…someone like You Peng would never believe in it, maybe he might even throw it away, yet…it was the only thing she could give him. The only thing that she could do…turning away from the scene with Miss Lin and You Peng, filled with a bittersweet mix of pain and terror, she had gone to the only place that was left…to do the only thing within her power for him.

She couldn’t look at him, she didn’t have the courage to now as she held it out to him. A piece of yellow paper with strange writing, folded into a triangle shape, tied together by a piece of red string…a safety charm from the temple…she had got down on her knees and prayed before all the gods in the heaven…please, please keep him safe, let him come home…you can have anything, even my life, just let him be safe…It was all she could give him, the man she loved with all her heart and soul, the man who would never see her as anything more than a servant girl, the man who had forgotten his promise. But she loved him, and this was all she had…

You Peng stared down at the object in her hands, stunned…she…she had gotten this, for him? A strange warmth filled his heart as he gazed on her pale, distressed face, unable to meet his eyes…it was such a small thing, really, yet…he reached out and took it out her hand with trembling fingers, startled at how cold her tiny hand felt. “Thank…thank you,” he said softly, struggling to hold his voice steady…there was something definitely wrong with him today…was it the thought of what tomorrow would bring? That must be it, he decided quickly, why else would he…would he feel like he wanted to break down and cry, that he could in front of this girl? That it was safe to… “I…I will keep it safe.” Her head shot up at his words, startled, and for a moment in time, their eyes locked, Master and servant, You Peng and Wei Wei. Briefly, his eyes changed…a strange intensity filled them that made her catch her breath…no, it was only her imagination…wasn’t it? She dropped her eyes, strangely breathless, as she signed with shaking hands *Master, please be careful…don’t…* Don’t what? She thought hysterically, struggling with the lump that was rising behind her throat, don’t get yourself killed? Don’t forget to come back? Who are you, Zhao Wei, to tell him that? “Don’t worry…I’ll be fine,” his soft voice assured her. She couldn’t hold it in anymore…spinning around, she ran away from him, tears streaming down her face…tears of fear, of pain, of terror…terror of losing him…the only man that held her heart and soul…

You Peng stared after her, his fingers grasped tightly around the safety charm. There was a strange fluttering inside him, something that had nothing to do with fear and loneliness…nothing to do with what might come tomorrow…instead, his blood was rushing in his ears as he remembered the way her eyes had shimmered in the moonlight. If he didn’t know better, he would have named this strange feeling…happiness…

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Her blood turned cold as she heard his voice through the doorway…the voice of her only kin, her brother…the brother she loved, yet despised with all the passion within her. No…she thought in shock, and despair…he couldn’t…but the words that drifted from his study made a vivid impact in her mind. He was still obsessed with his dream, his sick, horrifying dream, she thought, the blood pounding fiercely in her veins, her eyes filled with horrified tears she refused to shed for him, not any more. So he had conscripted the Su brothers early…to send them away, to get rid of them…just so he could get his hands on Wei Wei…that innocent girl, whose only fault was to have been born her mother’s daughter…her mother who had had her whole life ruined by the man in the study. Her brother, the General…the man Shui Ling had loved, and despised, had watched and tried to protect others from…and now, the ugly cycle was about to repeat itself. No! She thought fiercely as the image of Mei Suet’s tear streaked face rose before her again, the terror as clear as it had been to her sixteen years ago…now he planned to do that to the innocent, sweet girl in the photos…Wei Wei…no, I won’t let it happen again, I won’t! The tears dried up in her eyes as they burned with a strange conviction…she would not let her brother destroy another innocent life again….not this time.

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The car pulls in in front of the Su mansion. From there, it would take the two brothers to the military camp where they would be trained for combat…for the dark times ahead. The tension in the air was stiff…Mrs Su hugged her two sons goodbye, her face pale, before begging fatigue and walked back into the house. She could not stand to watch them leave her, to know that they might never come back, that she would have to handle the Su family matters herself now…

Wei Wei watched expressionlessly as Xin Ru hugged You Peng tearfully, her face artfully tragic…perhaps this man may never come back, she was thinking as she leaned on his strong chest, but he might…it only takes little effort to finish off this act anyway…mayhap he might still prove to be good husband material later, when this is all over. Let me finish this…sobbing, she told him, in her tiny, quavering voice that he must return to her, must come back for her…You Peng smiled woodenly, but she put that down as worry of what he was going to go through. Was it? He thought to himself, his thoughts preoccupied despite the lovely creature in his arms…this beautiful, porcelain doll…whose smile felt as fake as his. Does it even matter anymore? They were going to war, and they might never come back…does it even matter anymore what status he was, and whether she matched him or not?

There was an odd silence between Zhi Lin and Xiao Bing now…something that Wei Wei could not comprehend. Wei Wei didn’t want to intrude on them, though her heart bleed to see her friend going into such darkness, dear Zhi Lin, the artist, the man who knew her better than she knew herself…the man who she could never love, for her heart was already taken. He looked up to see her, and smiled, making a desperate attempt to comfort her. She couldn’t hold back anymore, giving him a warm smile, she told his hand, letting him pull her into his embrace, hugging her tightly. “Don’t cry, Wei Wei, I’ll come back, I promise,” his soft voice whispered in her ear, and she pulled away, wiping tears from her eyes. *You better!* She signed tartly, and Zhi Lin laughed shakily.

Suddenly he saw his brother gaze on them, his face dark…what was the matter with You Peng? Unless…Zhi Lin dropped his arms from Wei Wei, amused despite his fear. Could it be…but then his eyes met Xiao Bing’s shadowed ones. He caught his breath as she leaned forward and threw her arms around him, all propriety forgotten. It didn’t matter now, nothing mattered anymore, whether or not he knew how she felt, whether or not he would ever see her, whether or not he would always hold Wei Wei in his heart, only Wei Wei…all that mattered was that he was leaving her…that she might lose him forever…Zhi Lin…the tears started to roll down her face, quietly, she wept for him, for what he would have to go through in the days to come…for the darkness ahead…how would she live without him? Without hearing his voice, without his gentle presence as he guided her through the music…without him…Zhi Lin gazed down at the gentle creature in his arms, his thoughts racing…there was something there he had never seen before…never felt…this was Xiao Bing, only Xiao Bing…yet, why was his heart suddenly thumping? Why had his arms closed around her so naturally, as if…he looked up, and saw Wei Wei’s wise, gentle eyes watching him. Suddenly, he realised the truth that had been right in front of his eyes all along…that if Wei Wei had been his dream, then he…he too, was someone’s dream…and now, it was too late…

“I’ll come back,” he assured her in a soft voice, wiping her tears away gently with his thumbs. “You still need some music lessons yet!” he said teasingly, and Xiao Bing couldn’t help but giggle, sounding slightly breathless even to herself…it was his gaze on her, so gentle, so deep…he smiled down at her, the man she loved, and she couldn’t help but smile back, despite the cloud hanging over them both…

“It’s time to leave, Masters.” The chauffeur’s words broke into all their thoughts. Shooting You Peng a nervous look, Zhi Lin put Xiao Bing away from him gently, smiling at her and Wei Wei before taking a deep breath. This…this was it now…whatever may come…let it be…he steeled himself, before stepping into the car. Xin Ru let go of You Peng rather reluctantly, and he strolled up the car, to his brother who would share his fate…bracing the sudden surge of emotions within him, he turned around and took one last look at his home, and…for a split second, his eyes met Wei Wei’s. In that single instant in time, they stared into each other’s soul…and realised the truth that had been there all along…all his shields, all his masks were down now…there was no more need for them…suddenly he was like the young boy again, the one she’d fallen in love with, the one who had made her a promise in the night, sixteen years ago. Within his deep, burning gaze she saw him make another…I’ll come back…I promise…her mouth opened to speak, something she could not do…as he got into the car, she felt something inside her snap…she couldn’t let him go like this, not without telling him…it didn’t matter anymore anyway…he might never come back, he might thus disappear from her life…she couldn’t let him go without telling him…

You Peng’s eyes widened as the car started moving, and he had turned to look back…his eyes strangely settling instinctively on her…*I love you*…his mind froze, did…did he see that? She…she was crying, the tears running down her pale, lifeless cheeks as she signed once more, looking directly at him *I love you* Stark pain tore at his heart…she loved him? Was this some kind of joke? For the first time in many years, he felt a sudden burning in his eyes…sparkling tears he had forgotten how to shed threatened to fall…for now, it was too late…

Chapter 7

In a field where the moonlight basked in silver glow upon their bodies, You Peng held her close, his arms encircling her waist lovingly, tenderly. Wei Wei knew that this was a dream. It was uncanny how even in her own fantasies, she knew that it was too good to be true, too fragile of an image to last in real life. But still, Wei Wei succumbed to her dire yearnings with abandon, missing him, loving him and wanting him so much that she ached inside.

The wisps of long strands of grass blew gently over the field but it was not as gentle as You Peng's touch. Wei Wei felt the touch of his callused palm on hers, his fingers smoothing away the strands of the wayward hairs that had fallen out of her braids, saw his secret smile. Wei Wei revelled in this moment of loving him, knowing that it was only in her dreams could she reach You Peng, to say the things that she had so longed to say to him when he was with her, but of course, she could not speak.

Even so, Wei Wei used her hands to hold him, embracing the essence of him against her so that he could lean his head upon her chest to hear her heart beating…

Only for you, You Peng, only for you….

Her dream was fleeting, like faded memory, but You Peng was real. His hands, his lips, his tousled hair, his captivating eyes were real. He was so close that she was certain that if she awoke he would be beside her. Because of that, Wei Wei did not dare awaken, did not dare open her eyes, for then the dream would end.

If the dream ended, she would risk losing everything that she held dear.

So, Wei Wei slept through the night, reliving each moment with him, from that fateful night twenty years ago when he had come to her in the darkness of the night and had given her a promise to cling onto, a hope to relish in. Always, even though You Peng himself would not have known, she had held the vision of that seven-year-old boy and that four-year-old girl in her mind. You Peng's promise was her anchor to life. He infused her with life, made a poor orphan girl feel what love truly was, what the beauty of life was truly all about.

Just for that night, Wei Wei's dreams chased away her nightmares and even in sleep, her lips curved into a gentle smile as she reached out for You Peng in her mind and slipped into his outstretched arms.

**************************************************************************************************************

Xiao Bing felt like a stranger amidst her grief and she felt trapped, like a bird caught in a cage, her wings flapping to be let out, yet no one heard her sorrowful cries.

In this vast house of her stepfather, surrounded by the elegant chintz sofas, overstuffed chairs, Oriental rugs, shelves and mahogany tables and cabinets crowded with hunting trophies, photographs, clocks, vases and porcelain figurines, Xiao Bing knew that she did not belong. Her mother had remarried into the house of Lin, and she was now the stepdaughter of the Mayor of Shanghai and elder sister to Xin Ru, the Mayor's cherished daughter from his late wife. She heard the whispered rumours of the servants and knew of the gossip that was spreading all over the city of how her mother had ravished the Mayor into bed and that was how a mere kitchen maid could climb up the social ladder to become the wife of a Mayor.

Xiao Bing had always found the courage to ignore such cruel gossip and she had never minded the darkness in her life before, she suddenly found that she was alone in a house full of strangers. She and Xin Ru had never gotten along, though she had struggled to befriend the girl who was beautiful as she was arrogant. Even her mother, whose fragility once made Xiao Bing pity her, was now a distant person. Those reflective brown eyes and softly curved ivory cheekbones and long flowing hair that mirrored Xiao Bing's own image no longer held any love in it. Her mother had changed with this newfound status and a new husband. But none of that mattered to Xiao Bing until now because she had Wei Wei's friendship to cherish. That little mute girl was such a treasure to behold. And of course, there was Zhi Lin.

How long has it been since her heart had longed for him, silently and mutely even though she could speak out the words but had hidden behind her shyness all this time?

But now, his absence caused her to realize just how barren, how dismal her life was without him. Xiao Bing felt isolated, abandoned by the one filter of light that had touched her life but was now gone. Zhi Lin had been her source of hope, his smiles and his tenderness her sanctuary among the hypocrisies of this world of aristocracy. He had infused within her the need to continue to live, the need to prove to the world that she can become an individual on her own—without her stepfather's status and without her mother's love.

But he was gone.

Now, in the late evening, Xiao Bing found the air stifling in her house and she quickly drifted up to her room. She changed hastily to change into a simply ivory chemise and flowing cream skirt. A blue cloak tied around her graceful shoulders and leather boots were placed upon her feet. She never liked the confinement of Western clothing with its ruffles, laces, bodices and the confinement of corsets, as Xin Ru often preferred. She dressed for comfort, not style, and once she had combined her long hair so that it fell down her back in soft waves, Xiao Bing slipped out of her house unnoticed, for no one would care about her whereabouts anyhow.

In these long two weeks that had stretched like decades ahead of her, Xiao Bing had volunteered her time at a local hospital to kill time. She needed to keep busy, so that she would not miss Zhi Lin so. Each time she crossed the sitting room where the pianoforte was kept closed, an ache would spread through her limbs and not being able to bear the pain any longer, she was forced to leave her home and commit herself to other tasks that did not torture her heart into thinking about the man who might not come back after the war.

Working as a nurse for the hospital was a suitable choice for her and Xiao Bing came there regularly after her dinner with the family to help change bandages, clean wounds with antiseptics and fight off raging fevers and illnesses with cold compressors or even simply the touch of a human hand. The hospital was her haven away from the ravage world, a place where Xiao Bing could allow her own wounds to heal.

Tonight, the hospital was quiet. Most of the patients were already asleep and the corridors were deafeningly still. Only the balmy breeze of the night winds outside made the tree branches sway gently, its calming, soothing cool feeling like whispers of comfort upon her bare skin. A man lay upon a bed by the side near the window, writhing in pain and Xiao Bing came to him instantly.

She pitied these patients; the lost souls who have been abandoned by loved ones in their dying moments. She could offer them nothing but her care and her time, though she desperately wished that she could do so much more. Up close, the man appeared even haggard and pale, his cheeks sunken to the point where his flesh appeared to be only a thin layer of skin upon that skeletal frame. Once, this man must have been healthy and strong, but now no more. She laid a gentle palm upon his sweat-soaked forehead and listened with a heavy heart as his breathing was wheezed out laboriously, weakly. He was struggling to speak, and Xiao Bing leaned toward him, urging him softly to speak slowly.

"Are you an Angel?" The man whispered hoarsely, his fevered eyes searching her face in wonder.

Xiao Bing stroked his face tenderly and shook her head. "No, I'm not," She was mesmerized by the uneven rhythm of his ragged breathing, his voice filled with so much longing, the haunted look in his eyes, the frail grip of his fingers digging into her palm as he clung onto her. "But tell me how I can help you find comfort."

"No comfort," The man croaked out as a spasm of coughing overtook him. He closed his eyes once more and then finally opened them again. Xiao Bing found them shining with tears and her heart constricted in pain and sympathy for his plight. "War did this to me, you know. I can't find comfort anywhere, in anyone. The nightmares are killing me even faster than this disease is killing me. If I were do die tonight, I'll always be haunted by the war."

Xiao Bing sat by the man's bedside; hands clasped in his—still, contained, cold—her heart beating in a slow and laboured rhythm. At the hopelessness of the man's words, her heart lurched in concern for Zhi Lin and You Peng. Though she had struggled to forget, to go ahead and continue existing, she could not. Two weeks now and there has been no word on how they were doing. No letters, no telegrams, nothing. It was as though they had been wiped off the face of the earth when they had driven away to the military base. She missed Zhi Lin immensely that it ached. She ached for him.

"War kills…all of us…" The man's eyelids dropped and he slipped into a deep slumber as his words echoed in Xiao Bing's brain.

War kills...all of us...War kills...all of us...... No, it can't kill, it won't kill.....No, no! Zhi Lin…You Peng…no!

Xiao Bing wept tears of sorrow silently in her heart.

The news had broadcasted only today that another bombing in the village near the city had destroyed all living forms among that radius. The war had officially broken into the country—Hitler had taken complete control of Austria and planning to enter France. The Japanese had China standing in its way for it to conquer. But war was at the expense of what? It was nothing but a massacre of innocent lives, broken homes and the destruction of hope. But at the expense of Zhi Lin and You Peng and all of the other soldiers who were nothing but pawns in this game of power....

Xiao Bing felt drawn toward the church that was built at the other end of the hospital. This was a place that she knew prayers would be heard, where mercy could be given to those in need.

The first thing she saw when she entered the vast church was a blaze of light—orange and yellow and blue fire throbbing at the end of a long black tunnel, filling the darkness with a wall of flame. As Xiao Bing shielded her eyes against its glittering brightness, the darkness seemed to shift itself around her and change shape, and she realized that she was looking down the centre aisle of the church, facing an alter covered with candles. Glancing to the sides, Xiao Bing saw the lines of wooden pews and was surprised to see a young woman seated upon the benches. She was young, this young girl who seemed close to her own age. Her head was bent down so that her long hair slipped to cover her face and her palms were pressed together in silent prayer. Her shoulders, though slight and frail, were bent, as though she had much to pray about and too many burdens to bear for one so young.

Fascinated, Xiao Bing started forward, her eyes riveted on the candles, her heart quickening. The aroma of burning wax and polishing cleaner hung in the air–sweet and light. Statues of cherubic looking angels looked down benignly from their niches and Xiao Bing passed them slowly to seat herself before the sign of the Holy Cross that was mantled above the wall ahead.

Lowering her head, Xiao Bing prayed. With all of her heart she prayed for the lives of the men and women who would be lost in this war that threatened to engulf them all. She prayed for Zhi Lin, for You Peng, for the innocence that she knew they would risk to lose once they had experienced the horrors of war. Would they be just as weary and feeble like that man suffering upon that lonely hospital bed, yet another victim to the cruel hands of Fate? God, please, protect my loved ones and please pray for us all.....

"Prayers help."

Xiao Bing raised her head, startled. She turned and found the young woman standing before her. Up close, this young woman was pretty. Wise, knowing eyes looked down upon her, gentle and compassionate in her doe-eyed gaze and a sweet smile curved upon a rose-tinted mouth. Her hair, simply arranged in two neat braids and adorned with only a pearl barrette, blew gently in the wind as a breeze filtered through the church from the nearby open window. Her long ivory satin skirt shifted as she moved toward Xiao Bing nodded at her knowingly.

"I'm sorry," The young woman laughed shyly, though the shadows never left her wise eyes. Xiao Bing found her eyes beautiful, the black depths of them clear and wistful–the windows of her soul. "I didn't mean to intrude on your praying. It's just that....I think our prayers have something in common."

Xiao Bing liked this young woman instantly. She was straightforward and honest, yet she sensed a shyness about this girl. "Is that so?" Xiao Bing raised her eyebrows in curiosity.

The young woman nodded and her gaze drifted toward the rosewood symbol of the Cross upon the mottled walls flecked in the shadows of candlelight. "I'm praying for mercy and redemption." How weary her voice sounded, how full of yearning for wishes that would be left unfulfilled. "For a man who I know will not get it."

Xiao Bing felt unsettled by her melancholy words. "God has mercy upon everyone. Why do you say that this man will not get his?'

The young woman turned to her and surprisingly, her eyes were fill of unshed tears. "Because he is my brother and I know of all the horror that he has done and that he will do." Her voice cracked with emotion as she struggled to regain her composure. She forced a light a smile that never reached those lonely eyes. "Are you praying for a man too?"

Flushed cheeks sent Xiao Bing into a rage of emotions. Does it show–that she is in love? How could a stranger know her so well when even she did not know herself? She nodded slightly and her own gaze shifted to the Cross in wonder. "I'm praying for all lost souls, but yes, mostly for him. I want mercy for him and pray that he will get it."

The young woman suddenly rose from the seat and flitted past the pews toward a cherubic angle candle holder. It was a stone statue of a boy child placed in front of a fountain of holy water. Xiao Bing watched the young woman in fascination as the young woman lit up a candle from the altar and placed it within the stone angel's hands. The trick of the candlelight that swarmed the room caused the statue's shadow to move across the floor, across the boards and toward Xiao Bing's feet, beckoning her forward.

In the translucent beauty of the church, Xiao Bing moved up toward the statue and stood beside the girl. Candlelight crept between the pews and down the side aisles, dancing upon black shuttered windows, teasing into the corners between the two figures of the young woman like a spirit.

"Who are you lighting the candle for?" Xiao Bing asked softly.

"For mercy on all of us," The young woman answered her without blinking as her gaze fixated upon that single candle that looked so fragile and delicate upon the arms of the angel.

In that instant, Xiao Bing felt a bond between her and this woman. They both wanted the best for the men in their lives and prayed for that.

"Are you a nurse here?" Xiao Bing suddenly spoke up, wanting to get to know her. She seemed to be a woman of many emotions, different faces and many secrets.

"No," The young woman shook her head. "I volunteer here whenever I can, to try to soothe pain whenever I see it. Not because of the goodness of my heart. I don't think I'm that noble or generous. I do it in vain attempt for his redemption." Again, those lovely eyes clouded over as she spoke of this brother who had committed sins. But then, her eyes lightened again as she turned to Xiao Bing, smiling again in her naturally pretty manner. "I'm Lo Shui Ling. And you?"

Xiao Bing reached out for Shui Ling's hand to shake. "Liang Xiao Bing. Nice to meet your acquaintance."

Shui Ling raised her eyes to meet Xiao Bing's gaze unwaveringly. "Do you think the Lord listens to our prayers?"

"I know he does." Xiao Bing nodded in confirmation. She needed hope at that moment, hope for a tomorrow with Zhi Lin, hope to sustain her. She did not want to believe otherwise or else she would not be able to live anymore without it. Hope, as fragile as it may be, were her belief that there was a God listening to her.

"I hope he does." How vulnerable that fragile face suddenly seemed, how so very frightened and lonely.

Both girls exchanged empathetic nods of understanding, but their attention was once more focused upon the glowing candle, flickering in the night breeze, on the verge of blowing itself out. A stronger breeze blew into the church and in a whispered breath, the church as basked in darkness....

____________________________________________________________________

When Wei Wei woke in the morning, she felt her body stiffen in a sense of unbearable frustration and despair. She felt nothingness gripping at her, though the pain did not fade. It was just...a sense of utter hopelessness, simply in its reality and bitter in its truth. Emptiness clung to her, as if a vital part of her had slipped away during the night. She rose on her elbows, fear seizing her heart.

What as going on? Why was she feeling so terrified?

At last, closing her eyes, she concentrated, trying to envision You Peng's image in her mind, but the image of him would not come to her. Then and only then did she understood everything.

No...You Peng...

She sat up, too stunned to shiver or cry out or weep. This was a stillness that would go on forever, a silence that would never lift from around her heart.

She did not need to see You Peng's body to know that he was dead....

Chapter 8

Xiao Bing suddenly froze, her breath caught as she saw a figure in the trees below her…a tiny sprite that stumbled haphazardly through the rose bushes…even from this distance, she recognized her. Wei Wei. A shiver ran down her spine as cold fear touched her heart…something was wrong. Her mind raced like lightening as she stared down stunned at the figure who had collapsed on the ground, her whole body shaking…the vision radiated pure and utter terror…Xiao Bing spun around, and ignoring the noise she made, ignoring the people she might wake up, she raced down the stairs…out into the eerie silence of the before dawn…her heart beating rapidly…no, no…it can’t be…please God, no…

In the midst of her terror…in the midst of the vast emptiness that had engulfed her, she heard a voice call speak her name. That dark sense of hopelessness and despair held her soul within it’s tight grasp…but slowly, she lifted her eyes to see Xiao Bing kneeling beside her. Xiao Bing’s voice brimmed with concern and worry as she asked Wei Wei what was wrong…Wei Wei’s pale, lifeless face drained of blood accentuated the pure terror within her round, haunted eyes…it made her heart tinge with fear. What…what could have happened…

*I can’t feel him anymore…something’s happened to You Peng…he…he’s…* Her hands shook violently…she couldn’t sign it out…she couldn’t say it, even in her mind…her entire being shook with anguish…if she said it, if she even thought of it for a single moment…it might be true, it might really be true…he…he might…sparkling tears began to roll down her cheeks as she stared down at her pale, shaking hands. How she longed to speak, to protest…to scream to the heavens above her, no, please…please don’t let him die…if they must take a life, take hers…let him live…let him come home…please…How was she to live without him? Without seeing his dear, beloved face, his smile…even from a distance, even if he was smiling at someone else…even if he never saw her at all, if he never spoke to her again…You Peng! In the silence of her mind, her soul cried his name endlessly…You Peng…don’t die…don’t leave me here…I love you…don’t…don’t die…I can’t live…unable to control herself anymore, she buried her face in her hands and sobbed in fear and terror…as despair and grief wracked her soul …I can’t live…You Peng…without you, there is nothing…I can’t live…

Xiao Bing couldn’t stand it anymore, she wrapped her arms around the sobbing girl and held her close, trying to sooth her agonised cries, though she felt the touch of cold fear within her. Perhaps…perhaps it was true…if something had happened to You Peng…maybe Wei Wei would know, would sense it…love…it bonded people together, whether they knew it or not, and neither time nor distance could lessen the ties…oh Lord, she thought as her blood suddenly froze. If something has happened to You Peng, then…then what about Zhi Lin? Is…is he alright…what if…no, don’t think that Xiao Bing, she told herself, fighting the surge of panic within her. You need to stay calm…don’t go there…think… “Wei Wei please, calm down, maybe it’s nothing, maybe it’s just your imagination.” Even she could hear the falseness in the words… “Even if you’re right, then maybe he’s just hurt…and if that’s true, then you must be strong for him, he’ll need you, Wei Wei.”

Yes…maybe that’s true, she thought wildly, her heart grasping at the tiny tendrils of fragile hope…maybe he’s only hurt, not dead…maybe that’s it…please, please don’t take him away…You Peng, please be alright…Wei Wei took a deep, shuddering breath, trying to control her sobs…let him be alive…looking up into Xiao Bing’s compassionate eyes, she suddenly grabbed her arm. *I…I must find out what happened…how can we? You Peng is with Zhi Lin at the training camp…how can he be hurt? Where is he now…* her hands gestured wildly, her red eyes were wide with urgency. “If he’s hurt…there would be a telegram. Or, failing that…” though she shivered with fear inside, Xiao Bing knew she had to do this, for Wei Wei’s sake, as well as her own…their hearts would never rest until they heard from the men who haunted their thoughts, their dreams… “I could always use my rank and pay a visit to the General…and ask him. I am, after all, the Mayor’s stepdaughter…” Her voice faded as she imagined herself thus…never in her life has she ever believed in what mere rank she had, nor ever used it. She was but a stepdaughter of the Mayor, who himself had to bow before the powerful General…but she was, despite what everyone including herself thought, of the same class as them. She did not know whether she could do this, to pull rank and ask for favours like her stepsister did with such ease…the very thought of it made her soul cringe away in fear and disgust, but for Zhi Lin, for Wei Wei…she had to…Wei Wei’s eyes widened, and she gripped Xiao Bing’s hands tightly, her face shining with gratitude. Thank you, Xiao Bing…thank you…words that she never spoke or signed, yet Xiao Bing heard nonetheless. As true dawn approached, the first rays of sunlight lit up the world around them…for that single moment in time, Wei Wei felt her spirits lift slightly as the fragile wings of hope brushed her life once more…You Peng…don’t die, don’t leave, please…wait for me…I’ll come…wherever you are, in this world or the next…I shall come…wait…

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Within a house that overlooked the sea, a young woman watched silently from the darken hallway as her brother laughed grimly into a telephone, his eyes burning with an unholy flame that made a shiver run up her spine. “Well done, Captain, I had complete faith in you.” His fingers stroked the thin paper of a black and white photo, along the cheeks of the image of a young girl…the same wild excitement and lust filled his heart and mind as he saw her once again, smiling up so very innocently from the still picture. She is mine, nothing can stop me claiming what is mine…nothing and no one…his lips curved into a smug smirk as he drawled into the mouthpiece, “Yes…it was most unfortunate that these fresh, untrained troops stumbled into an enemy infiltration on a routine check of a village, I assure you my good man, I will ensure that not even the slightest blame shall fall upon your shoulders. As for the two Su brothers…how badly did you say they were injured?”

Shui Ling gasped in surprise, then hastily covered her mouth, but her brother was too self satisfied to notice. “The oldest is close to death…hmm…most unfortunate… I shall deliver this news to his family, of course…with pleasure,” the General finished softly as he hung up the receiver, his eyes gleaming with triumph. How dare Su You Peng stand up to him, that young upstart! When his own father had been but nothing compared to him, the General…well, now all that is his shall be mine, including…lifting the photograph of the girl that ravaged his mind with lust, he declared quietly, his soft voice deadly, “Mine.”

Intent on his fixation with her round, breathtaking eyes on the black and white image, he never noticed his sister retreating through the hallway, her eyes filled with tears. He…he was mad, in his infatuation with a woman long gone…now passed down to an innocent girl who had known enough pain and horror without having him cause her more…her only kin, her brother…he was mad and beyond redemption. In the privacy of her room, Shui Ling bowed down her weary head and wept silently, wept for her brother who would never know the mercy of the Lord…no matter how much she prayed, no matter how many candles she lit. And there was nothing she could do to save him from himself and his own acts…nothing but…I will not let him harm another innocent, she thought to herself, staring in the mirror at the girl whose face was awash with tears. I cannot save the Su brothers from his harmful plots…but I won’t let him harm that girl…Wei Wei…Mei Suet’s little daughter…no matter what, I won’t let history repeat...I won’t!

*************************************************************************************************************

The world around her had stopped…her stunned mind did not register the sound of porcelain shattering into a thousand pieces…did not register the splash of hot tea on her feet as the tray of teapot and cups fell from her numb hands…time froze as the words echoed endlessly within her mind…mortally injured…bullet…took for Zhi Lin…condolences…mortally injured…bullet…bullet…You Peng…NO!!! “WEI WEI!” The sharp slap bought her to her senses…in shock, she stared into Mrs Su’s furious eyes glaring at her. “What do you think you’re doing?!? A total disgrace…it’s all over the carpet, and you…embarrassing the General here! Get this cleaned up immediately!” Wei Wei’s wide, disbelieving eyes stared at the mistress in shock and horror…how could she be like this…didn’t they just hear that…that You Peng was injured…that her intuition had been true…that he was really in danger…hurt…didn’t she CARE? How could she just stand there and worry about…about carpet?!? About the General and his bid to buy the shares to the company…for the first time in her memory, she felt a surge of pure anger…irrational anger…he was her son, how could she not care about his sake…how could she be worried about SHARES at this point? Struggling to control herself, Wei Wei bent over and began to pick up the shards of porcelain one by one…and shrunk back as she cut herself on a shard. She stared at her finger…at the blood welling up, the bright red blood…You Peng, she thought dazedly, You Peng’s blood…You Peng dying…You Peng…

Slowly she came to her senses…someone was talking to her…bandaging her finger. Wei Wei looked up and froze, stunned as she realised it was the General himself…and she was sitting on the sofa. Tian, I…I must have passed out…hurriedly she pulled her hand away and stood up, her eyes downcast as she bowed her apologies to the powerful man. “No no! It’s alright Wei Wei, really…you poor girl, you must be so weak to pass out like that,” he said softly, grasping her injured hand lightly. Flustered, she cast her eyes around the room nervously but the Mistress seemed to have stepped out and…the blood in her veins froze as she caught the man’s gaze. There was something in his eyes…they…they were burning into hers, filled with something she could not recognise nor name…but it struck fear into her heart. Intuitively she drew back, bowing and turning to run away when his next words froze her to the core. “I want you to come and live in my house Wei Wei, be mine, I mean, be my…servant.” The breath caught in her throat…her eyes were round with fear as she stared at the powerful man standing there, watching her…everything within her screamed to her of danger, of…running, as far as possible from that which burned in his eyes…from the ominous way his hands were reached out to her…even though she knew he could not read it, her hands were moving frantically, hysterically as she bowed repeatedly, backing away, *I am but a orphan…too lowly to serve you Sir…please…* Turning around, she ran out of the doorway, leaving the man staring after her with narrowed eyes and a determined glint in them.

“I will buy her off you, name your price.” Mrs Su looked shrewdly at the General, who had had a wild look on his face since she had re-entered the room when she saw Wei Wei run down the hall. She knew that look…despite her being only the wife of a businessman, she knew damn well what men were like, and how the world can be worked to her advantage…especially now, when her idiot sons had managed to offend this powerful man and got themselves conscripted. It was not that she did not love her sons, only…in the rich, high society, it was every man woman for themselves…the only way to survive is to know how to play the game…especially now, without a man around the house, she must survive on her own…and to do so, she needed this man as a friend… “I would love to sell her to you, she has been but a thorn in my side since my late husband and I had to take her in. But she is a servant here, not a slave, and legally we cannot sell her as we don’t own her. However…” she drawled, her eyes glinting as she noted the intense look in his eyes as he pounded on her words. “However what?” A cunning look came into her eyes as she tapped her fingers on the table. “However…if we were say, friends…then I could arrange for you to…spend some time with her, how about that? I’m sure with your…charisma…you can convince her to stay with you…” They exchanged glances, and slowly, he grinned…his eyes lighting up with an unholy fire….the fire of burning lust…

**********

Xiao Bing, she must find Xiao Bing…to tell her that Zhi Lin was wounded, and that You Peng…he…she fought to repress the sobs that threatened to escape her throat. I can’t cry…not now, he needs me…she told herself determinedly as she struggled with the basket of laundry she was carrying upstairs. After I finish my work…I’ll go find her, and we’ll figure out a way to find them…we must…he needs me…I…I need him. Don’t die on me, You Peng, she begged silently as she knocked on the mistress’s door. Please…don’t die…please, wait for me…

“Wei Wei, I need you to run an errand.” She looked up in surprise at the mistress, who was sitting there reading the accounts…there was a strange expression on her face that Wei Wei could not decipher…for a moment, she stared at her mistress…then blinked. It was gone…she was just imagining things, she told herself sternly as she signed *Yes, Mistress* Handing her a heavy book, Mrs Su told her blandly, “I want you to deliver this to the General Lo directly.” A sudden shiver ran down her spine…the General? A sudden memory of his eyes this morning flashed through her mind…she didn’t want to go, no, her instincts were screaming at her to run…run as far and as fast as she could…but she must go, it was an order. Reaching out slowly, she gingerly took the book and bowed before leaving…not noticing Mrs Su’s eyes gleaming as she left…

*********

The glass dropped from her nerveless fingers, shattering into a thousand pieces…the man’s eyes burned as he looked at her, her motionless body slumped within the armchair, looking so very fragile and delicate…like some innocent, unearthly sprite…slowly he leaned over and slipped his arms under her, picking her up effortlessly. She was so light, her long, luscious hair brushed against his arm as he walked…she looked so young, so very innocent like when she was asleep…and she was in his arms…she belonged here…

He kicked the door shut behind him, locking it with an audible click. Slowly, gently, as though he was holding his breath, he laid down his precious burden on the big master bed…then his eyes gleamed as he stared down on her motionless body. She was as beautiful as her mother was on these black sheets…and she was his, all his…her heart, her mind…and her body. His whole body felt as if it was on fire as he felt the lust rushing through his veins…reaching out, he ripped the front of her dress ruthlessly, catching his breath at the sight of her pale, smooth skin. Unable to control his eagerness any longer, he settled himself on top of her, leaning down to kiss her soft pale neck…Wei Wei… “Now you are mine!” the General grated out hoarsely as he kissed her soft skin again and agan…MINE!

Chapter 9

Her eyes widened in astounded horror when she saw the face of man leaning down upon her, the warmth of his breath brushing against her cheek. It was the distinctively handsome face of General Lo, the man whom she had met but only once. Wei Wei did not stop to think; her mind was whirling in suffocation at what this man was trying to do to her. A feeble hand flailed out in her attempt to stop him from touching her, tainting her with his lustful gaze, but he caught her tiny fists into his own forceful grasp. Wei Wei's tears slid down her cheeks of humiliation and cold horror. She pleaded to him with her eyes, communicating to him the only way she knew how for him to stop! Please stop.... Her eyes begged, tears coursing down her ashen cheeks. Please, don't do this to me!

But the General did not stop, his touch growing fevering and hot upon her smooth flesh. With a stifled, muted cry, Wei Wei shrank away from him, grabbing onto the sheets on the bed in flustration. Moaning and weeping, her tears falling faster than she could wipe them away, she hauled herself to the edge of the bed where she lay crumpled in a small ball, her hands crossed protectively over her chest, her moans and pleas unable to be heard. But in her mind, Wei Wei was screaming in terror. No, no...don't come near me!

She couldn't believe that this was happening to her. One minute she was at the General's doorstep to deliver the goods that Mistress Su had wanted to her do as an errand, and too polite to refuse, had taken but a small sip of the glass of juice that the man had offered her ever so kindly, the next, her mind had became so faint that she could barely remember the sensation of falling and falling until strong hands had lifted her up ever so gently. And now...now she was trapped in a nightmare....Oh God...help me!

"Don't look at me that way," the General cried as he turned away from her tortured, haunting eyes that held such bitterness and horror at his intentions. "You look just like she did when I touched her! I'm not a monster, no matter what you may believe. I just want what was meant to be mine..."

His eyes glittered like icy silver caverns, like the sea before a winter storm, and Wei Wei could not suppress a shiver of apprehension. Her mouth opened again in a mute scream as he swung around, leaning on the carved headboard of the bed so he held her imprisoned between his two hands.

"I don't think you understand why you are mine," His breath came out quick with desire. "You were destined to become my woman. So beautiful, fragile and fleeting. You are the vision of innocence, untouched by the sins of the world and preserved to be pure and white only for my hands to touch. Let me touch you, my dear, let me taste everything. Your eyes, your ethereal beauty, the fire that burns within your soul. Just like her, just like she had been to me. Ah, Wei Wei, you can drive a man mad with wanting you....."

As he spoke, the General moved closer until she could feel his breath like a warning upon her flushed cheeks. She stared at him, wide-eyed, painfully aware of his body so close to hers, of the strength of his arms on either side of her head. Nevertheless, she was wholly unprepared when the General tangled his fingers in her hair and forced her head upward to meet his fierce kiss. His fingers unloosened her braids so that those gossamer strands brushed across her face, clinging to her tears.

His lips pressed against hers with the heat of his lustful passion, and though Wei Wei struggled to break away, he held onto her body too tightly. She shuddered, gasping for breath, and pushed frantically at his chest until her fingers curled inward around the base of his neck and she sank her nails into his flesh. He groaned in pain, his eyes lighting up in a ferocious glare at her attack. For a few agonizing seconds, she had the fear that he would strike out at her with a blow. But suddenly, the furious contempt melted away to a pleading look of remorse.

The General raised his head, staring down at her through the light of the bedroom. "It doesn't have to be this way," He told her in a strangely reassuring tone. "If you don't fight me at every turn, you might even enjoy this."

Wei Wei felt the pressure of his fingers ease for a split second while he hovered above her, looking at her body, his lustful gaze taking in her youthful, round curves and her silken ivory skin. She despised him beyond description, this monster. But there was nothing she could do to prevent her worst nightmare from becoming a reality. When his fingers closed around her arm, Wei Wei whimpered one final plea for mercy, but her cries were muffled by the General's hands upon her mouth. Her vision blurred; she felt that the blood in her throat would choke her. She could not escape from his touch, those demanding hands upon her bare skin. From deep within, she felt her anger mounting, her helplessness ripping away at her sanity and the bile of disgust in her throat rising, hissing and churning until she could no longer bear the pain.

"My lovely Wei Wei...." The General pressed himself against her, his hands buried in her thick, tangled hair, his eyes closed in ecstatic pleasure at the scent of her. Lilacs, roses and lavender, the scent of a pure woman. "All mine....you are mine...."

Wei Wei lay still beneath his body, barely breathing in surrender as the pain became greater and the illness rose in her throat. Her heart dragged so that she could not bear the pain anymore. Oblivious and trapped within his delusions, the General gave no heed to her distress. His lips sought out hers, intense with desire, and bruising her as he whispered her name in longing and sinful desire......

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When the maid brought the visitor into the airy sitting room where Shui Ling spent most of her days reading or writing in her journals, she was shocked to find Liang Xiao Bing standing before her. She was the young woman Shui Ling had met briefly at the church in the hospital the night before. Placing her leather bound journal down upon the chestnut desk, Shui Ling greeted the other girl with a genuine smile. She was stunned by the flare of joy that sparked within her at the unexpected sight of Xiao Bing. Shui Ling was new to Shanghai, haven left the city years ago when she was a child. Now, upon her return, it was lonely without the familiar chattering of close friends. Though she had met Xiao Bing only last night, Shui Ling felt an endearing liking to the girl already.

Xiao Bing's eyes widened in recognition at her and a tentative smile traced along the corner of her lips.

"Shui Ling, you live here?" Xiao Bing's startled cry of relief warmed Shui Ling's heart. "What a wonderful, surprising coincidence. You are a relative to General Lo...or his wife perhaps?" Her voice trailed off uncertainly.

"His younger sister," Shui Ling corrected her mildly. She could not stop from smiling. It gave her great joy to see the girl again, for in the church, she had bonded with Xiao Bing in ways that she has never felt with anyone else. Their inner conflicts seem to entwine them to a bond of friendship that was already blossoming between them. "What brings you here?" A slight frown creased her forehead in curiosity. "You know my brother?"

For a moment, Xiao Bing's eyes misted over sadly. Shui Ling saw the flickering of fear in the other girl's eyes and she knew that Xiao Bing's visit to her home was more than met the eye. "No, I don't really know him," Xiao Bing murmured, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "My step-father is the Mayor in town and they are acquaintances. No one knows that I'm here. I came because..." Her eyes dropped to the ground hesitantly.

Shui Ling reached out to the other girl gently. "What is it?" The pain in Xiao Bing's eyes was obvious. Could the girl in some sort of trouble?

"M–my friends, You Peng and Zhi Lin, were drafted to a military campsite only a week before," Xiao Bing finally burst out, her eyes shining with unshed tears. With sudden fervour, a fragile arm reached out to clutch onto Shui Ling's hands, clinging onto it like an anchor. "I don't know exactly what happened but I do know that they are in critical condition. They're...dying, I think. You Peng is gravely injured, almost near death and Zhi Lin....I don't know how he is but he needs me!"

Shui Ling felt Xiao Bing's hands tremble and for a moment, she could not find her voice. The wild desperation in Xiao Bing's eyes spoke what she had not ventured to say. This man named Zhi Lin was someone that Xiao Bing loved, passionately and purely so. Even Shui Ling, who had never had been fortunate enough to fall in love could realize how precious and beautiful such a miracle was. And though she had only met this girl twice, she knew that Xiao Bing was sent into her life for a reason–for friendship, for loyalty. In this house of horrors, living beneath the roof of a tyrannic brother, Shui Ling longed for such a friendship with all of her heart so that it could rescue her from the clutches of darkness that had claimed her soul so long ago.

"You love him, this man named Zhi Lin," Shui Ling said in wonder, knowing that she spoke the truth. "He is the man whom you were praying for last night, I presume."

Xiao Bing smiled at her with infinite sadness. "Yes, I love him, have always loved him. But t is a only one way love that I feel for Zhi Lin," Her voice took on a wistful tone. "He doesn't feel the same way. But it doesn't matter. I'll love him all the same. But now, I don't know if he is dead or alive!" She reached out to take Shui Ling's hand into a tight grip, her voice faltering. "Your brother is a General, a man of power. He can help me find what camp Zhi Lin and his brother are at and where they are recuperating. I must see them. I can care for them, as I've done so in the hospital. I know that this is a great burden to ask of you, Shui Ling, for we have just only met. But I'm desperate and there is no other way. If I don't see Zhi Lin for myself, I can't stop torturing myself with thoughts of what is happening to him. If any tragedy befalls him and I'm not there...." Her voice trailed off, too weary and pained to speak any more.

Shui Ling lay a gentle hand onto the other girl's quivering shoulders in comfort. "Don't worry," She soothed, her eyes bright in determination. "I'll call the Sargent at the military base now. They must've gone to one at the outskirts of Shanghai for training. I'm the General's sister, after all, and I know that I have some control. We'll find a way to travel there so that you can reunite with Zhi Lin."

Xiao Bing could barely contain her gratitude as she watched her new friend make the phone call to the military base. Shui Ling spoke with a clear, authoritative voice, demanding to be allowed information about the Su brothers. Xiao Bing saw her pensive eyes brimming with concern as she answered the questions of the person on the other line solemnly, and watching her, Xiao Bing wondered with her heart thudding painfully in her chest how Zhi Lin and You Peng's condition was. Oh God, please, Xiao Bing prayed, let nothing harm them, please....

While Shui Ling was preoccupied on the phone, Xiao Bing suddenly noticed a pair of shoes and a plaid, worn jacket hanging by the closet of the spacious home. She blinked through her tears, her thoughts of the safety of Zhi Lin temporarily erased when she realized in shock that the shoes belonged to Wei Wei. There was no mistaking those worn soles and the faded fabric that she herself had sewn for Wei Wei, as the little servant girl had no extra money to purchase shoes of her own. Each stich was sewn in blue thread and the fabric was of red plaid, Wei Wei's favorite colour. A lump began to form in Xiao Bing's throat as her mind whirled for an explanation of how Wei Wei could be in the General's home. Had the little mute girl dared to pay a powerful man such as the General a visit on her own in her attempt to save You Peng and Zhi Lin? But, no...Xiao Bing felt a sense of fear clutching at her heart. That made no sense. Wei Wei was mute; only those who associated with her for long periods of time knew how to communicate with her by recognizing her signs and her expressions. It was unreasonable that she would come to the General's home alone and unable to communicate with him her plight.

"Xiao Bing?" Shui Ling's voice made her jump and she whirled around to face the other girl, her mind brimming with a new sense of worry.

"You look so pale," Shui Ling sighed heavily at Xiao Bing's pallor complexion. An empathetic smile traced the corner of her lips. "Don't worry so much. I spoke to the Commander of the base. A train is leaving in half an hour for the military base. I booked a passage for you already to that you can see your friends...." Her voice trailed off in resignation. "But the condition of Su You Peng is critical. He was shot in the chest, only inches from his heart. There was an operation done last night, but since then, he hasn't awoken and the wound has began to bleed. The physician fears that he will get an infection. But Zhi Lin is well enough, though struck with a raging fever and delirious. He did not sustain any wounds...." Suddenly she noticed that Xiao Bing's mind was miles away, her gaze unfocused, her hands clenched together anxiously. "What is it?"

Xiao Bing's eyes met hers, damp with tears. "Shui Ling, thank you," She cried brokenly, reaching out to cling onto the kindly new friend that had done so much for her sake. "I don't know how to show my sincere appreciation for all that you've done." She wanted to burst into tears from her emotions, but she dared not. Zhi Lin and You Peng, both deathly ill and perhaps even dying! She must be strong for their sake, for them.

Shui Ling's hand tightened around Xiao Bing's hand, her heart feeling light from those touching words. "No thanks needed," She insisted, realizing that she would have not done it any other way, for anyone. In a time of crisis, the lives of loved ones was most precious of all. War was a cruel killer in disguise. "Hurry now, or else you'll miss the train. Send my regards to your friends. My driver can get you there soon enough." She attempted to urge the girl to the door but she found Xiao Bing hanging back, her brow creased in concern.

"Did by any chance a little mute girl came to you doorstep?" Xiao Bing's abrupt question made Shui Ling pause uncertainly. "She is a bit younger as I am, with long hair and wide, clear eyes. You can't miss those large eyes of hers. Her name is Zhao Wei but my friends and I endearingly call her Wei Wei. I saw her shoes lying here and her jacket was hung up in the closet. I was just wondering...if she may be here..."

For a moment, Shui Ling's chest tightened around her heart so that she felt as though she were suffocating. She stared at Xiao Bing unblinkingly, a thousand dark emotions coursing through her. She couldn't find her voice, she could only hear the words of Xiao Bing echoing in her ears, haunting her and reminding her that her brother's sins will manifest itself once again.

No, Wei Wei was here? In her house? Her eyes lowered to peer at the red plaided shoes, worn and petite and lightly dusted with fine grains of dirt from the roads. They were the shoes of a genuine person, one that her brother must have kidnapped or stolen away for his own sinful pleasures. Shui Ling felt the tears burning behind her eyes, her breath coming in long, painful waves that sent pangs of nausea to her abdomen. Her mind whirled back to the past...to that long ago day when she had heard the moans coming from within the walls....Mei Suet bursting from her house, her tears streaking that lovely face, her body trembling with fear...fear of her brother...fear from a fate worse than death itself.

"Wei Wei is here?" Shui Ling's voice sounded oddly thin and strained to her own ears. "She's here?" She persisted, though there was no doubt in her heart that her brother, the powerful General, would stalk and capture his prey at any chance. Wei Wei did not stand a chance against him.

"She must be here!" Xiao Bing nodded empathetically, her eyes shining in certainly. She took in Shui Ling's waxen face, pale and bloodless and cried in shock, "What's the matter? Shui Ling? Are you alright?"

Shui Ling closed her eyes, wanting to block the terror stricken face of Mei Suet from her mind and yet, it was etched within her heart, within these walls of her home that had become a place where nightmares would evolve into reality. No! She must stop history from repeating itself. Wei Wei, Mei Suet's daughter, must not endure the humiliation and the shame as was the fate of her mother. She felt cold and drained, but inside of her, a fire was lit in her soul with hatred and disgust for the brother whose shameless actions would one day destroy them all.

"Wei Wei is here," Shui Ling whispered flatly. Her eyes blazed with unshed tears as she headed up the stairwell that would lead to her brother's master bedroom. "I'll find her for you, Xiao Bing and she'll be safe. I promise you that."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

No! God, no! Wei Wei's mind screamed as she felt those hot hands touching, feeling, groping onto her bare shoulder, caressing her flesh with tender finger tips. No, she pleased silently, unable to scream out her horror, Stop it! Please, stop it!

The bedroom decorated with silk and satin and expensive furniture and paintings swayed wildly in her mind, delirious in terror. The candles lit by the table close by was hissing and dripping fire–and the tiny flames gleamed like polished rock in the depths of his eyes, those lustful eyes full of desire to fulfill his body with the warmth of hers. She could feel him wanting her, the slow tightening of his muscles, and she moved against him, helpless in her fear, in her desperation. One by one, he unbuttoned her blouse with care, gradually taking his time in relishing the youthful beauty of that silken white skin and womanly curves. Finally, all that was left was her thin chemise covering over her chest and she shrank away from his heated gaze, quivering and whimpering inaudible moans as he proceeded to tear off her only defence left off of her body.

The bedroom suite was spinning, his face distorting to her tear stung eyes. Wei Wei felt her shoulders drawn back against the General's chest, she felt his chin resting against her bare shoulder. With one smooth movement, he reached around her and slowly untied the ribbon no her chemise that would leave her upper body exposed to him. She could smell his aftershave and the scent of leather and alcohol reeking out from within him. Mingled along with that scent was the smell of sweat, desire and passion.

"You're beautiful, Wei Wei," He groaned in pleasure as his fingers unwound the constraint to her chemise. "Let me show you, let me show you just how wonderful my love for you will be..."

Finally, the chemise began to slip off of her chest to reveal......

Suddenly, a piercing scream assaulted her ear and she was blinded by a stream of light that flooded through the bedroom. The door was opened with a bang and a young woman stood trembling by the doorway, her eyes lit with fury and glittering with pain and accusation.

"Bastard!" The young woman screamed. Wei Wei saw the jaws in the General's face tighten as his posture tensed. Tears fell down the young woman's face, her eyes glaring at him with such profound hatred at Wei Wei felt her own blood freeze. "How dare you taint her with your lust? She is innocent! Dai Ge, you disgust me! Your sins are beyond redemption now, don't you understand?!"

For the first time, the General's eyes softened with regret. He rose from the bed and approached his sister, his shoulders slumped with sorrow. He could not deny that he wanted Wei Wei, but to hurt his only sister in the process was something that he never wanted to do. "Mei Mei...I..." he began haltingly, his face flushed from the sorrow behind those piercing eyes of hers.

A hand was raised and it hit him squarely across the face. Shui Ling could barely believe what she had done until her hand had raised to strike her brother. But it had happened. The sting from the force of her slap ached in the palm of her hand, but she didn't care. Never in her life had she hated someone so profoundly, detested anyone so furiously. The anger rose within her, choking her until she saw nothing but the pallor and the fear in the eyes of the girl who lay unmoving upon the bed.

Zhao Wei Wei looked like the splitting image of who her mother, Mei Suet, had been, though her features were softer, her beauty youthful and almost ethereal with her large, eyes and feminine curves. All that was left untouched on the girl was her chest, still covered loosely by the white chemise that was on the verge of slipping off. A slender, white shoulder was exposed over an unbuttoned blouse and her skirt lay tangled in the bed sheets and her long hair was mangled amid that vulnerable, tear-streaked face. Her brother's intent to submit the girl to his wishes was alarmingly obvious. Shui Ling's heart ached for what the girl had to endure under her brother's psychotic advances. Thank God she had arrived just in time to save Wei Wei from the fate that was her mother's downfall. She would not let her brother harm Wei Wei ever again...

The General's face blanched until it was almost as white as paper as he felt the slap from his sister's hand stinging his skin. He stared dumbfounded at Shui Ling, his mouth agape, scarcely believing that she had raised a hand to him. His own sister lashing out against him for the sake of a stranger? His own sister?! The sense of betrayal hurt him like an actual physical blow to his body. But his love for her compensated for all. She was his sister, after all, and he would love her until the day he ceased to breathe.

"Shui Ling, I'm sorry." Those words were all that the General could choke out, unable to meet her stone-hard eyes full of contempt for him.

Wei Wei did not wait any longer. She did not understand what was happening, but she knew that the young woman who had barged in to interrupt the nightmare from becoming real had saved her. The woman had also given Wei Wei a chance to escape, and in a frenzy of panic, she scooped herself up from the bed and slipped past the man who had come so close to destroying her. One arm clutched protectively over her chest to prevent her chemise from falling, while the other held onto her blouse, Wei Wei did not look back until she almost ran down the stairs and collided straight into Xiao Bing's arms.

"Wei Wei!" Xiao Bing's eyes widened in horror as she took in her friend's tattered clothes, flushed skin and tear-streaked face. She did not dare ask what had happened, for Wei Wei's stricken eyes had told her everything–every stab of fear, every once of heartbreaking horror that this girl had to suffer. Without hesitation, Xiao Bing's arms slipped around the other girl's shivering shoulders, pulling her blouse closer to her body in attempt to conceal her flesh. "Oh Wei Wei, I'm sorry, so sorry. Who hurt you like this?"

But Wei Wei only shook her head vehemently, clinging onto Xiao Bing's body as if for dear life. Her tears came out fast and hot, stinging her cheeks as she remembered the heat of his touch upon her skin, the blazing passion lighting up his eyes. No, it was too horrible to even recall all of the details of her near rape to someone even as close to her as Xiao Bing. Her bones ached from the power of his constraints, her flesh flushed with the taint of his eyes, looking, searching, for her bodily flesh. She felt shame flood up her cheeks and her shoulders hunched over in grief for what had come so close to happening. The General....a monster in diguise...

"What happened?" Xiao Bing insisted, concern etched over her features, but Wei Wei simply shook her head in shame. No, it was better if she suffered alone with this secret. No one would know, no one except the General and his sister.

"You're alright then?" Xiao Bing whispered, hugging her even tighter, though her touch could not wipe away the distain that Wei Wei felt seeping through her blood.

No, she would never be alright again, but Wei Wei nodded curtly again, though inside, her soul was crying in pain and agonized shame. But suddenly, she caught sight of Xiao Bing's mouth moving again?her friend was telling her something. She struggled to focus upon what Xiao Bing was saying, though her eyes were blurring with fresh tears.

"There's no time to waste," Xiao Bing's mouth communicated to her, holding her protectively in her arms, patting her hand gently. "We must leave now, to see You Peng and Zhi Lin. Yes, that's right! They need us! Will you want to come, Wei Wei?"

For a moment, all of the horror and shame melted away to nothing but concern for her love. You Peng...a chance to see You Peng? Could this be true? And yet, Xiao Bing's eyes shone with so much certainty.

*But Mrs. Su will not let me go* Wei Wei signed frantically, grief overwhelming her. She was a mere servant after all, in capable of living in freedom. You Peng's mother had never liked her from the beginning and she could not know that her servant was slipping out to tend to her son's needs. That would be crossing the line.

"I already made arrangements and told her to give you two days off in case we would be allowed to see them," Xiao Bing assured her. "It will be fine, I'll explain to you later."

A honk from the car outside of the house startled Wei Wei and Xiao Bing led her outside into the open sky and out of the darkness. Her shoulders hunched like that of an aging woman, Wei Wei slipped out of the shadows of the house of nightmares and slipped into the car with Xiao Bing beside her, their hands locked together in silent prayer for the lives of the two men who meant the world to them. Wei Wei felt her innate strength taking hold of her and renewing her battered soul with faith as the car sped away, leading her out of despair and guiding her like a beacon of hope toward You Peng. The horror that she had to endure was temporarily fading away. All that she felt was the desire to see her love and to be with him, even if it were to be his final moment in this world.

I'm coming, You Peng, hang on.......

Chapter 10

The intense darkness engulfed within him, shielding him from the ray of hope that he had struggled to cling onto ever since Destiny had sent him into the midst of a battle he had no comprehension of. But stubbornly, Zhi Lin had struggled to disperse the dread that had taken hold of his heart to stay alive and to stay safe. Because, in his heart, he knew that a girl waited for him.

Xiao Bing would be waiting for him.

There was still so much that he wanted to tell her, so much he wanted to share with her. The secrets of a man`s soul was only given to the one he loved. Since childhood, he had given his soul to Wei Wei, the sweet servant girl who had always been the hope that had surfaced in his heart. But then, Xiao Bing appeared, spirited, gentle and demure Xiao Bing, the girl`s whose fragility touched him to the very core of his being. Wei Wei loved his brother, You Peng and she had always loved him. That Zhi Lin can never deny nor did he want to. He did not love Wei Wei blindly, but with the devotion of a man who yearned for her unconditionally. He had always believed that he could survive loving only Wei Wei from a distance; there was no need for her to return his feelings against her will. Loving her, even without touching her and being one with her, was more than enough for Zhi Lin. But now, it wasn`t enough. Now, Zhi Lin had found another love, one that would promise him a future. In his heart, Wei Wei would always be his first love, but Xiao Bing was the girl who he could build dreams with and expect those dreams to flourish. Would he dare love another? Would he survive this war to return into the arms of the girl who vowed to wait for him?

"Zhi Lin, you`re miles away. Are you feeling alright?"

Zhi Lin glanced up at the familiar sound of his brother`s voice, startled. You Peng stood before, bending over to empty a cup of rice to the poverty stricken villagers in the town near the military base. As assigned by their Commander, the two brothers had traveled on foot to the village to dispense food and clothing to the help amend the dire state of poverty that had stricken the village since the war had begun. Now, surrounded by dirty faced children whose eyes lit up at the sight of plain white rice and elderly citizens who hobbled on canes approaching them to beg for food, Zhi Lin`s eyes misted over momentarily. What a difference the lifestyle of this village was in comparison to his own luxurious life as the second son to the Su family. If only the tables were changed, would he have died from starvation like this village would have done if the government had not given out charitable food?

"I`m fine," Zhi Lin answered his brother with conviction and without meaning to, his mind drifted off again. He watched with pain in his heart as his brother scooped another spoonful of rice to give to a little girl with pigtails. She was thin with a sallow complexion, but the radiant smile that she gave to You Peng was infectious. An image of the six year old Wei Wei flashed in his mind in that instant and Zhi Lin was bombarded with nostalgic memories. How innocent Wei Wei had been back then, so very small and fragile. He had initially fallen in love with her innate sweet nature and the pure goodness about her nature. Even now, he missed her terribly; the ache of wanting to see her was growing unbearable as the day went by. What also surprised him was that the ache of needing to see Xiao Bing was just as strong, just as unwavering. Two women whose heart was bond with his. When will he see them again?

"Can you give me some more rice, sir?" The little girl whose innocence reminded him so much of Wei Wei snapped Zhi Lin once more out of his reverie. She peered up at him with big brown eyes and handed her wooden bowl to him. Smiling tenderly at her, Zhi Lin placed two scoops of rice for her and nodded in good bye when she turned away and ran back to her family who would be awaiting the food.

Haven been separated from his family in Shanghai for over two weeks, Zhi Lin felt as though his life would never be the same again. He and You Peng had trained arduously with the other fifty recruits to become the fighting machines necessary for the impending war. They were no longer the sons of upper class upbringing, but merely men fighting for their country. Zhi Lin knew that the stark realization of the events were also affecting his brother, although You Peng would never admit to it. His arrogant, know it all brother who always looked at the world with cynicism now possessed a gentle peacefulness that Zhi Lin never knew that You Peng was capable of feeling.

They had both matured, in their own way while witnessing the suffering of others. At that moment, You Peng`s face was calm and almost tender, his smile soft as he handed out the food to those in need. Zhi Lin could almost feel the restless blood within his brother`s body growing more and more dimmer. Perhaps, this mission to the village was a blessing in disguise. You Peng was acting more emotional and gentle than Zhi Lin had ever imagined he could. His eyes drifted over to his brother`s face again, scrutinizing at the softness of the half smile that traced his brother`s lips as he handed the last bit of rice to an elderly couple.

Wei Wei, Zhi Lin wondered in amazement as he took in the foreign look of contentment on his brother`s face, is this the You Peng that you`ve fallen in love with?

Compared to the cold hearted You Peng before they had joined the army, this You Peng seemed like a shadow of the man that once was. Now, he was a man of laughter and tears, a man of emotion that revealed once and for all the sensitive man inside that no one had seen except for a mute girl. In the long run, Zhi Lin did not know who his brother truly was at all.

You Peng felt his younger brother`s gaze boring in his back and wondered what it was that Zhi Lin was thinking. Ever since they had arrived at the military camp, You Peng had been concerned for Zhi Lin, the brother whose vulnerability was so fleeing and fragile that it made him even more overprotective of Zhi Lin than normal. If there were any arduous tasks to be done, You Peng had made certain that they would be done so that Zhi Lin would not have to do them. He had slipped dollar bills into the pockets of the Commanders at the military camp to go easy on his brother during training and purposely allowed Zhi Lin to sleep on the bed farthest away from the window so that his brother did not catch a cold from the draft of the night air. My brother`s keeper, You Peng considered himself to be for Zhi Lin. And yet, it was more than that, so much more than that. He protected Zhi Lin with fierce devotion because he wanted to preserve the innocence that was Zhi Lin and to keep his brother save from any harm. Whereas Zhi Lin was the pure one, You Peng`s soul had been corrupted by pressure and ambition since his father`s death. He had sacrificed himself and his childhood in the name of his family`s reputation and had matured before his time. In his silent and sullen ways, he had protected the Su family and given all of the nurturing and the protection to his younger brother without Zhi Lin ever being aware of it. But it was best that way – to allow Zhi Lin to be blind of all of You Peng`s sacrifices.

You Peng knew that he was not a martyr or a hero. He was merely a flawed individual who realized that he was not capable of being happy because his soul was much too corrupted for repentance. Slowly and gradually through the years, he had transformed into a cold and rugged man, the very type of man that he feared he would become. Naturally, everyone shrank away from him and even Zhi Lin closed him out of his life. Now, the rift of their differences were too large to mend but Zhi Lin would always be his first priority in life. He only had one brother after all. You Peng did not care what happened to him during this war, but Zhi Lin MUST live. His brother was all he had of the innocence and the sweetness of childhood. There was also the gentle mute servant girl, Wei Wei, who was the object of Zhi Lin`s affections, who would be waiting for his return. For You Peng there would be no one at all.....and that fact hurt more than he was willing to admit.

"We`re done here for the day," You Peng bent to pick up the empty bags of rice and prepared to leave the village and head back to the military base. He sensed Zhi Lin`s presence from behind him and turned hesitantly toward his brother. It had been so long since they have spoken to each other, so long since kind words were exchanged between them. If only he could mend this rift now...to get his brother back. "Zhi Lin, I – "

But his sentence was cut off a sound of a gunshot. In an instant, You Peng was ducking as he yanked Zhi Lin toward the safety behind a shack as the gunshots exploded in his ears. The earth seemed to vibrate with pressure as his eyes scanned around the area. There were screams from the villagers and the horror stricken faces of the children who fled for cover haunted his mind. Behind him, he heard Zhi Lin swear under his breath and his heart began to pound erratically in his chest. Footsteps of soldiers could be heard barricading the surrounding area and the sound of more bullets echoed in the still afternoon air.

Dammit! The village was under attack?! Now? You Peng could scarcely believe that Japanese troops would risk to much of their efforts to slaughter a simple village. And yet, here they were and he and Zhi Lin, two military officers, were completely unarmed. Although they had trained like mad during practice to react to these situations for the past week, it was completely unreal to truly be placed in such dire position. You Peng could barely catch his breath from behind the constriction in his throat.

"Dai Gor – !" Zhi Lin whispered, fear in his eyes as another bullet rang in the air. The sense of danger was so foreboding that it squeezed the life out of him. He clutched onto You Peng when he saw his brother rise from their bended position. "Where are you going? We`re surrounded! You can`t go out there"

You Peng`s frenzied eyes met with his and slowly, he drew out a flare that lay in his bag of equipment that he had brought with him on the mission to the village. It was a fire flare that was used to give the signal of emergency help to the military camp. Realization hit Zhi Lin hard as he began to understand what it was that his brother wanted to do. In spite of their broken relationship, in spite of their differences, Zhi Lin could not stand by and watch as his brother risked his life.

"No!" Zhi Lin cried out, his knuckled turning white as his fingers groped onto You Peng`s uniform. Desperation shook his voice as he shook his head wildly. "Don`t go, you`ll be killed!"

"I have to find an open space and release the flare or this village is going down!" You Peng shot back at him. "We have nothing now, no weapons, no artillery. We fight when it`s fair, Zhi Lin and right now, we`re going to lose. I have to get help!"

Before Zhi Lin could respond, a nearby shack burst into flames as torches were lit and the army began to burn the village to ash. A baby`s cry pierced the air and more screaming reached his ears. You Peng was right; they had to get help. The situation was so abrupt that Zhi Lin`s mind was whirling out of control. There was no time to think, no time at all. Lives were at stake here and death was hovering so close...so very close... If You Peng was willing to risk his life for the sake of this village, then so could he. His brother was his brother after all and Zhi Lin would rather die than see You Peng die before him. As the brilliant scholar and business, as the master of the Su household, You Peng deserved to live more than this useless second son who could accomplish nothing at all in his lifetime. Zhi Lin yearned for the chance to save himself and most of all, to save his brother.

Without a moment`s hesitation, Zhi Lin snatched the flare from his brother`s hands and turned to run into the open area where he could release the flare without constraint. In a heartbeat, he heard another bullet shot, closer this time.

"Zhi Lin, BEHIND YOU!"

It was You Peng`s voice screaming at him, You Peng`s voice warning him to dodge death.

A single bullet shot sliced through the air, ringing in his ears. A hand pushed him forcefully forward so that he almost fell. He heard a commotion and then an audible moan. The sound of the metal ball striking human flesh was clear and unmistakably heart wrenching. Zhi Lin whirled around in time to see You Peng`s body collapsing on the ground, the crimson blood leaking from his chest, his eyes open in shock. A soldier in the Japanese uniform lay beside his brother`s bleeding body, his face bruised and his eyes closed. Time seemed to stop as Zhi Lin flung himself over his brother`s body, his tears of horror streaming down his face. No, no..not You Peng, not You Peng! It was a nightmare....a nightmare come true...Not You Peng!!

"Dai Ge!" Zhi Lin whispered brokenly, struggling to apply pressure to the chest wound. Faster and faster the uniform was oozing out the crimson blood, flowing and flowing down his hands. The smell of it stung his nostrils and the pain of losing his brother tore at his heart. "Hang on, I`ll get help, hang on! Don`t you dare die on me, Dai Ge!"

Zhi Lin felt as though he was losing his mind. You Peng lay in his arms, a hole in his chest as the blood continued to flow, his face waxen and pale like ivory. His lips murmured incoherent words as his grimaced from the pain, the blood gushing from his mouth like a never ending river. Suddenly, within Zhi Lin`s arms, You Peng seemed to fragile and so small and so very human. His eyes unfocused and half-closed, You Peng`s breath came out laboriously as he struggled to speak, choking on his own blood vomit.

"R-run..." You Peng wheezed breathlessly, his eyes closing wearily as his chest heaved arduously. "Leave me here...save yourself, Zhi Lin..."

"Dai Ge!" Zhi Lin choked out. "No, don`t die on me! You can`t die on me!"

But his brother was no longer listening as You Peng drifted into unconsciousness. His head swayed to the side and his eyes closed gently into darkness. Zhi Lin could barely breathe as he clung onto You Peng`s limp body in astounded horror. Oh God, was his brother dying? No, You Peng! Why did you save me? Why did you take that bullet for me? His tears of profound sorrow and remorse stung to his face as the smoke from the bullets that struck the air thickened like a veil of darkness. He clutched onto You Peng`s body for dear life, his shoulders heaving with sobs that wracked his entire body. He had to get help now for You Peng or else his brother would die. He had to take the chance of getting killed and releasing the flare.

Tenderly, he lowered You Peng`s battered body on the blood soaked earth and rose to his feet. The flare was clutched in his hands as he made his way toward the open space past the shelter of the shacks. Piles of corpses lay upon the ground of the villagers that Zhi Lin and You Peng had just given food to. The men and women lay scattered upon the ground, their eyes open in death as the scent of blood choked him. Zhi Lin could hear the screams of the villagers fading now, as it snuffed by the violence of war that tore their country apart. In an instant, he took a chance and ran out into the open space. He struck the flare against the hard surface of the side of a shack and hurled it into the air. The flare dispersed into firelight that exploded into the air and Zhi Lin escaped back into the shadows before any soldiers could see him. Hopefully, his military camp would be able to see the emergency call and come. Please God, let them come to save You Peng.

At the commotion of witnessing the flare, footsteps could be heard running toward Zhi Lin`s hiding place. They would be here soon, the soldiers who would have most likely blown his head to bits if they found him. But it didn`t matter anymore – as long as there was a chance that help was coming, then Zhi Lin didn`t fear death. Let it come for him. If You Peng died saving his life, then he could at least die saving the lives of his brother and this village.

"Stand where you are!"

Even in the shadows, Zhi Lin could make out the shadow of a soldier in the striking Japanese military uniform. He was armed with a gun and his eyes glowed with a thirst for blood. Zhi Lin knew that it was over for him. He almost didn`t feel the pain of the bullet slicing through his flesh as his body hit the ground.

Perhaps he will see his brother in Heaven after all.

Chapter 11

The next few blood chilling moments in Time would be etched forever in his memory, to haunt him again and again in the dreams to come, though he was barely lucid at the time. He only remembered the intense pain burning into him from his leg where the doctor later told him the bullet had lodged in the bone, the fierce red miasma of pain and anger that hung over him as the dark shadow of the Japanese soldier hovered over him, hands plucking at his clothes in search of valuables.

The cruel laughter that grated on his faint ears as fuzzy visions flashed through his confused mind…his brother's pale, lifeless face as he collapsed slowly to the ground, the corpses of the dead villagers, their dull eyes watching him even in death, their bodies covered in blood a crimson red…the little girl, her brown eyes pleading for more rice…the little girl, dead, her tiny, motionless form casually tossed aside…suddenly, a surge of pure rage filled his body. The light seemed to fade from his eyes as a deafening ring filled his ears as his body jerked upright, his hands outstretched as if they had a life of their own. He did not know who he was or what he was…a fierce dark anger burned in his blood as he fought with a power not his own…

Later, when his sanity returned, he would be told that he had to be pulled away by his fellow soldiers from the corpse, his hands still tightly locked around the dead man's neck, choking him to death. He would be told that it was as if he had lost his mind, staring off into space despite the crimson red blood that gushed from his leg, the gunshots that went about around him as his fellow soldiers slaughtered the enemies. Later, when his sanity returned…for in that brief moment in time, for the first time in his life, Su Zhi Lin had felt pure, dark hatred towards another human being, had lost his senses completely as he cold-bloodedly strangled the man to death with his bare hands. Hands that had before only given life, through his paintings, through his wondrous creations…now, they had dealt in death. And for Su Zhi Lin, the younger, gentle brother of the Su family, the grim reality of war had finally impacted on his life, and nothing would ever be the same again…

A dark shadow had fallen over the military camp since that terrible day, when they had had to bury the whole village of innocent people, of fellow country men, after they had killed the rogue Japanese soldiers. The young soldiers of the training camp had dug out rough graves for the nameless corpses, young and old, covering them with shovels of dirt, maturing years in those few terrible hours. Where before they were young men, in truth but boys, training for something they had no way of preparing for, now…now they were men.

The harshness and darkness of war had finally entered their lives, where before some of the officers could still laugh and joke, now the images of the slaughtered villagers and fellow soldiers filled the minds of every man within the camp, maturing them beyond their years. Now truly, the horrifying reality of war had entered their lives as the Japanese, like swarms of dark plague, crossed the seas and began to invade their country in earnest …

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No, oh God, no, please! Her heart wrenched with terror as her body refused to move, as if frozen as he came closer and closer, his eyes burning with a hunger that threatened to consume her soul. Please, please no! Don't come near me, no…not again…she sobbed desperately, trapped in this nightmare again…no, no, NO!

She was screaming soundlessly into the vast emptiness, where there was nothing but her motionless consciousness, unable to move, to escape from his forceful, horrifying presence as he settled his hot, feverish body on top of hers once more, his scent of sweat mingled with aftershave and alcohol swarming over her, almost suffocating her senses.

"Wei Wei."

His dark, horrifying voice echoed in her mind again as she felt his wet, frantic kisses down her neck, his feverish hands moving over her bare naked flesh, caressing her body with a lust that made her flesh crawl. She wanted to cringe away, to get away from this, from this nightmare that was repeating itself once more…NO!!!

But she could not move, her limbs were frozen as were her voice this time, all her defences stripped and tossed aside easily by this man, this monster who had settled his heavy, lustful body on top of her naked one, trapping her beyond escape, tainting every inch of her skin with the feel of his against it.

His eyes gleamed with an unholy light of triumph as his words settled heavily on her helplessness that was ripping at her sanity. "You're beautiful, Wei Wei. Let me show you, let me show you just how wonderful my love for you will be..." he groaned with ecstatic pleasure as his legs slipped in between her weak, useless ones, pushing them apart.

Her panic rose. Almost delirious from fear, she struggled frantically to move, to scream…but in this time and space, in this private hell he had made, she was helpless as her mind screamed in a frenzy of hysteria. No, this…this couldn't be happening…it didn't happen, she had escaped, a girl had come in and stopped him…she could not here, could not be naked, frozen helplessly in the embrace of the monster who…this was a nightmare, not reality, not…her horrifying scream echoed endlessly in the vaults of her tortured mind as she felt him enter her…NO!!!

"WEI WEI!"

Her round eyes snapped open, staring unseeingly with an almost crazed fear at the face in front of her, her face drained of blood.

"It's me, Wei Wei, Xiao Bing!" Xiao Bing felt her heart wretch with pain as Wei Wei cringed away from her touch instinctively, huddling into a tiny ball against the side of the car, trembling violently like some frightened animal instead of the girl she knew. "It was only a dream, Wei Wei. Only a dream…"

Her hand reached out tentatively, to pat her softly on the shoulder, trying to calm down the girl who was shaking with silent sobs.

"Wei Wei," Xiao Bing said softly, her eyes filled with pain at the sight of her best friend thus, shaking with shock and horror. "It was only a nightmare, it didn't happen Wei Wei, only a dream…"

Though Wei Wei had never revealed to her what had really happened, or had almost happened that day she had fled, in tattered clothing and tear streaked face into her arms, Xiao Bing knew instinctively what must have happened, what would have happened if Shui Ling had not intervened. Her arms slipped around her friend's shoulders, hugging her comfortingly as she tried her best to sooth the shaking Wei Wei. Wei Wei stiffened in Xiao Bing's arms, the stifling terror of being trapped lingering from the nightmare almost suffocating her. Then slowly, as Xiao Bing's soothing murmurs finally reached her mind, she took a deep, shuddering breath…finally realising where she was. Yes…Xiao Bing was here…she…she had escaped in time…it…it hadn't happened…

With an inarticulate sob, she threw her arms around her best friend, clinging onto the giril as if she was her only anchor to sanity. Wei Wei buried her face tightly against Xiao Bing's shoulder as she tried to stop her body shaking, tried to repress the ice in her veins…it had seemed so real…the overwhelming presence of him, the terrifying weight of him on top of her, the feel of his feverish hands that tainted every inch of her skin…she sobbed silently, her skin crawling as she remembered the nightmare…the moment in it where her traumatised mind had played such a horrifying trick on her, the moment when she had thought she had felt…felt him enter her, making her body his…the moment her sanity snapped, and her soul screaming on and on in the silence of her mind…

"It's alright Wei Wei, you're safe and…and you be able to see You Peng soon, remember? It's alright…"

Wei Wei sighed, taking deep breaths as she tried to calm down…Xiao Bing's comforting words had struck a core.

You Peng … You Peng …

His stern, brooding face flashed in her mind, the strange intensity in his sombre eyes as they had exchanged their silent goodbyes. She grasped onto it as if it was a talisman against despair and anguish … You Peng, her young master, the boy who had promised to protect her, to care for her. The man who she loved more than life itself … the man whose life now hung precariously near death.

Yes, he needs me, I…I must … must be strong.

Taking one last deep breath, letting it out slowly, she broke out of Xiao Bing's embrace, giving her a wan smile as she wiped the tears from her face.

"We'll be there in another two hours," Xiao Bing smiled at her encouragingly, her gentle heart filled with a kind of awe at the amount of courage behind that wan smile. "Did you want to rest a bit more, Wei Wei? You look so pale…" her voice trailed off as Wei Wei shook her head vigorously. She didn't want to ever sleep again…

*No, I…I've had enough rest. You rest, I will wake you when we arrive.* Her hands urged Xiao Bing to get some sleep instead, trying to give her a reassuring look. *I'll be fine.*

Reluctantly, Xiao Bing agreed, closing her eyes as she rested her weary head. But she knew that she too, would not rest easily…not when Zhi Lin, not when her mind was so preoccupied with his safety. Zhi Lin, please…please be safe…

Wei Wei covered her friend gently with a shawl, her round eyes were filled with weariness and anguish…she…she did not know why that man had tried to do what he did. Why the General, the monster in disguise had said those words to her, had claimed that she was his as he tried to…that it was her destiny to be his woman…Wei Wei shuddered inwardly with disgust and horror.

No, it was lies, all lies! She…she would never be his, never!

The usually gentle and demure young girl clenched her tiny fists, her eyes, though filled with horrified tears, had a glint of determination in them. She would rather die first, a hundred, a thousand times than to have the nightmare come true, for, within her heart and mind, she knew that she could only belong to one man. She had always known, since that night when she was but a tiny child, sobbing to herself in loneliness and grief, only to have him make her smile…she had known then and there, that for the rest of her life, she would only ever belong to one man, heart and soul.

You Peng…though he did not love her, would never love her…though he did not remember that promise that meant the world to her, Wei Wei knew that she would never love another, nor let another hold her…for he was her life. And now, he was near death. For him, she would forget that horrifying ordeal, shut it away into the deepest, darkest part of her memories, for him, she had to be strong, to hold on, for him…for if he died, there would be nothing left for Zhao Wei Wei. Nothing at all …

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Zhi Lin's forehead was creased into a painful frown as he forced himself to take a step, then another. The sweat dripped down the side of his face as he wrestled with the wooden crutch, ignoring the fierce stab of pain in his left leg as the bone ground together with a blood-curdling ache. The bullet had been removed, the doctor had told him, but it was more than likely that he would walk with a hobble from now on, if he even managed to walk, that is. Rather grimly, Zhi Lin had demanded repeatedly for a crutch, for anything, he had to get back on his feet, right now!

The first few times he had fallen to the ground as soon as he tried to exert weight on his leg, but he didn't care. Delirious with pain and fever, he had tried to crawl on the ground, his fuzzy mind only on one thing…he had to get to his brother. You Peng, the brother who had gotten shot trying to protect him, sheltering him in the way he had always sheltered him, this useless cripple, this nobody, this…murderer, his mind whispered. His heart felt cold…yes, he had killed someone, strangled him to death with his bare hands…these hands…Zhi Lin clenched his teeth, trying not to shudder, to repress the suffocating sense of horror and guilt that weighed on his soul. He…he had killed a man, taken the life of another human being…not all the training he had gone through would have prepared him for this, for this overwhelming sense of guilt, this…this feeling of being tainted by his actions.

Yes, the man had been an enemy, he had tried to kill him, but…the hand holding the crutch tightened, gripping it so hard that his knuckles were white. It was one thing to shoot targets from far away, as if they were but stuffed straw dummies, but another to…feel their struggling body against yours, to feel the bones in their neck snap under your craze strengthened hands…hands that were only used to hold a paintbrush, or run lightly across the keys of a piano. To hear that gurgle of blood in their throat as they choked and died in your nightmares, night after night…

Zhi Lin took a shuddering breath, repressing the choking feeling in the back of his throat. Su Zhi Lin, you are useless, completely useless, he told himself angrily. How can you be so weak as to cry now? Your brother has sheltered you all your life, so much that he's dying now because of you, and you can't even walk over there to look at him! It should be me, he thought bitterly to himself, that dying man should be me, not Da Ge. He was so useless, he hadn't been able to help his brother on the battlefield, and now, he couldn't even get to him in the hospital tent! He wasn't worth what You Peng had sacrificed for him, wasn't worth You Peng dying over…Da Ge, he thought, his mind grim as he struggled to take another step. Finally, finally, after they had wrestled his weakly struggling body back to the bed three times, they had given him this crutch to help him move.

His breath caught in horror as he finally saw his brother. They had said that he was in a bad shape, but he had never imagined…You Peng, his strong, charismatic brother…the brother he had suddenly seen in a new light only a few days ago, radiating with a gentle peacefulness that had shocked him…how could this be? How could someone who shone with such brilliance, who had been smiling with such contentment become like this?

You Peng's gaunt, pale face drained of blood struck Zhi Lin to the core. His brother's eyes were gently closed, the lashes dark against the stark pallor of the nearly translucent skin that wove like a filmy mask over distinctive, masucline features. Tendrils of blood-soaked hair fell softly against You Peng's forehead and his lips were sealed shut. He was You Peng, but he looked dead, as still as a corpse and cold as marble. There were no flickers of movement or any signs of life within him. He just lay so still, so heartbreakingly still. Was there even a heartbeat within that wounded chest, even a faint breath of air released from those parched lips? Oh God, no! Not his brother...

It was wrong, all wrong. His strong, determined brother…why did he look so helpless all of a sudden? It just wasn't right…his blood ran cold as he saw the dark red on the bandages around his chest, the blood that was still seeping out of the gunshot wound. The shot that was meant to be his, the wound that was meant to be in his chest, not You Peng's.

"Da Ge," he whispered brokenly, taking his brother's hand in his, his heart wracked with sorrow.

It…it had been so long since he had held his brother's hand. The tears he could no longer repress began to roll down his cheeks. Pain and remorse wracked his mind, he suddenly regretted the distance that had sprung up between them, a distance that neither had attempted to bridge…and now, it could be too late.

"I'm sorry, Da Ge," Zhi Lin whispered to the unconscious You Peng, his voice nearly breaking. "So very sorry…don't die on me, Da Ge, you can't die! I won't let you die, I won't!"

But there was no response. The bullet had missed the heart by only an inch or so, the doctor had told him. But though the bullet had been removed, You Peng's body had been wracked with high fever from a wound infection for the last five days. An infection that could claim his life…though antibiotics had been given, the fever had taken much out of the already weakened You Peng, whether he lived or died, a sombre-faced doctor had told Zhi Lin, depends on his fate, for there was nothing more to be done. Fate… "Da Ge, you can't die," Zhi Lin told the unconscious You Peng. "Wei Wei needs you, you can't leave her…"

Suddenly the tent flap was pushed aside, and Zhi Lin swung around, his eyes blinking in the bright light streaming in. There were two figures there, figures that looked so very familiar…

"Zhi Lin!" a girl's voice cried out joyfully.

Zhi Lin's heart did a strange flip, that…that voice… "Xiao Bing?!?" he asked incredulously, his confused mind reacting slower than his heart which recognised her at once.

Like a sudden whirlwind, she threw herself at him, her eyes brimming with tears as she hugged him, ignoring all propriety. Startled, Zhi Lin could only wrap one hand around her waist as he struggled to stay upright with his other hand holding the crutch, his eyes wide with astonishment. He couldn't believe it, surely it was but a dream, a wonderful, sweet dream…yet, she felt so real in his arms, her tiny body shaking with sobs of relief and joy.

"Xiao Bing?" he asked again, unable to believe it was real, "What are you doing here?"

"We…we heard that you and You Peng had been injured, and…" she said shakily, her mind still reeling at seeing him…alive…thank you, my Lord, she thought gratefully, her heart filled with joy. Thank you for letting him live, for…suddenly, she blushed, realising what she was doing. "I had to come…had to…see you…"she stammered as she pulled away, her face red.

Zhi Lin's face went a slight red also, then he paled as he finally realised there was another person there. "Wei Wei?"

Startled, Xiao Bing spun around, reproofing herself for forgetting Wei Wei, and…her blood ran cold as she finally saw Wei Wei's pale face, drained of blood as she stared at something.

"Wei Wei?" she asked concernedly, frightened at the way Wei Wei's horrified eyes were staring, almost as if in trance at the bed…filled with a sense of dread, Xiao Bing turned, and finally saw the person in the bed. "You Peng?" Her eyes swiftly noted the blood stained bandages on his chest, the gaunt, lifeless colour of his face…oh no, oh God, please…if he…what will happen to Wei Wei? This can't be happening, no…

"Wei Wei, I'm so sorry, Da Ge…he…" Zhi Lin's voice faded away he saw that Wei Wei paid no attention to him.

In her eyes and mind, there was only one image…You Peng…lying so quietly there, so peaceful…as if near death. She could not hear anything, see anything except…walking as if in a trance, she went up to his bedside, taking his cold, callused hand into her tiny ones. She did not notice the other two exchanging sad, understanding looks, nor their silent retreat, leaving her alone with him. For her, the world had ceased to exist…it was as if Time itself had stopped when she saw him thus.

Her round eyes brimmed with sparkling tears as she called to him, soundlessly…called with all her heart and soul to the only man who could make her world light up with joy, the only man who held her heart, her life.

You Peng, I'm here.

The sparkling tears began to roll down her pale, white cheeks as she held onto his hand tightly, as if it was her only anchor to life…as if she would hold him here with her weak, tiny hands, not letting him slip into the darkness, not letting Death take him, no matter the price. God, if you must take a life, then take mine! She thought bitterly, her throat choked with sobs.

You Peng, please don't die, she begged silently, pressing his dear, cold hand against her wet cheeks. Do you not remember your promise to me? It doesn't even matter if you don't remember, if you never remember, if you never even look at me ever again…as long as you live, as long as you're alive and happy…I would give anything, anything! Just don't die on me, please…her heart wrenched with anguish as reached up slowly with her hand, and gently touched his face. His pale, lifeless face…

You Peng…

I love you… 

Chapter 12

Within the shadows of his mind, he was lost, and alone. As if time had stopped, and the world had ceased to exist…there was nothing in this vast emptiness, nothing but the immense weariness that weighed down his soul, like a nameless, formless heavy burden in this land that was not. Scenes from his life flashed before him unbidden, people whose faces were sombre and dark as they looked at him, their eyes filled with a distance that hurt…yes, he could still feel pain, even in this vast landscape of nothingness. Pain that he had refused to admit before, but now he was completely open and defenceless against it…pain at the fear and awe in their eyes, at the vast gulf that separated him from them…at the loneliness that he had suppressed, but now could not deny. Not anymore.

 Visions flashed before him, of a young boy playing in the snow with a little girl in pigtails, of a young man talking animatedly to a servant girl about his latest creations, his young face shining with life and happiness…of a young man whose face was filled with pain as he leaned over him, sparkling tears rolling down his haggard cheeks. “I’m sorry, Da Ge, so sorry…” Like the whisper of a ghost, the voice echoed in the silence as he recognised him, finally. Zhi Lin…my young brother…the brother I once knew…I could not protect him…failed…I failed…sorry…so sorry…remorse filled his increasing numb senses. Even now, the pain and loneliness was fading.

 Tired, he was so tired…the burdens were so very heavy, and he had borne them for so long…the darkness tugged at him, and he longed to let go, to succumb to the numbness it offered, the ending of the all the pain, all the loneliness and grief, all the struggles…perhaps it would be best…to just let go. There would be nothing left, no more burdens to carry, no more regret and repentance at the corrupted life he had been forced to live, for the sake of others…those others who looked at him with such distant eyes. And…there was no one who needed him…no one who would mourn over a person like him, this flawed individual who was so very tired of being strong, of being lonely…he longed to let it wash over him, the numbness of the beyond. It…it was not as if there was anyone who waited, anyone who would care if he was to go now, anyone who would shed a tear for him, for this lost soul who had no reason to go back to the world that needed him not…this brief, fluttery feeling within him, was it’s name, sorrow? Regret for the life he had led, for the things he had never done, and would never have the chance to do now…for the people he had been too afraid to love, to let come close to this tainted soul…this Su You Peng, who suddenly longed to cry over that, to weep the tears he had forgotten how to shed over the years…if he only remembered how to cry…but no, it did not matter now. Let it take him, this force that sang to him, and propelled him forth to the river of death…let it all go to rest. 

He felt a strange wrench in his heart, tugging at him to return, but he fought it. He was not sure he wanted to go back, to live…what was this? This…calling? 

You Peng.

 A voice called to him from the mists that surrounded his consciousness, a voice that sounded so very strange, yet so familiar…who…who could it be? No, there was no one to call for him, to bring him back from the darkness that he longed to sink into…despite the increasing numbness that crept upon him, he felt a twinge of pain at that thought. No one had ever loved him…nor will ever do so, for he deserved it not…

 Her face came to him unbidden, appearing from the mists as if she was but a sprite, a figure of his imagination. Yet…he could feel her presence, as if she was truly before him, the warmth and light that seemed to radiate from her essence tugged at his soul…her round eyes sparkling mysteriously as she held out her hands to him. Silently, his heart named her for what she was…an angel…Wei Wei…the one whose very essence embodied purity and love…no. He could not take her hands, touch her with these soiled hands of his…no, let him go now, go into the darkness where he belonged…let him put it all down, all those burdens he was so tired of carrying…but some force held him, refusing to let his weary soul slip into the darkness and beyond…as if some link held him to her…no, I don’t deserve this…let me go…I….

 Do you forget your promise? 

The words rocked his soul…promise? But I…but she…she was not meant for him…was she? Surely no one would mourn his passing, not even her…yet the vision before him was so very real, wrenching at his soul powerfully. It…it was as if there was some kind of bond tying him to her, tugging at him with a peculiar strength like that of the dark river beyond…though he had wanted to go to it, to drown within the waters of oblivion, to end this terrifying emptiness within him, yet…he suddenly wanted to touch her…to feel the warmth of that light she embodied…to take the hands she held out. But he was afraid to…mortally afraid…that he would feel nothing…that she would disappear into the mist…that she would leave him alone…always alone…

You Peng…

 She was almost like a dream, a strange vision as she stood there, her beautiful face was awash with sparkling tears, waiting for him to take her hands…to find the courage to go back…to a world that he had thought was empty for him…

 I love you…

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Xiao Bing felt her heart jump at the bleak look on his face. Zhi Lin…her heart wrenched within her as she walked quickly to him, taking his arm gently as he made his way out of the tent. “Zhi Lin, it’s not you, Wei Wei’s…” her voice faltered  at the twisted, tortured look in his eyes as he stared down at her. Oh God, Zhi Lin, my love…what had happened to him? She longed to ask, to find out what shadows haunted those dark, sombre eyes of his, yet she lacked the courage to. War…she knew the darkness that accompanied that word, understood the changes that it was to bring to them all, but Zhi Lin…this gentle, wondrous man, this artist that had radiated with compassion and warmth…something had touched his life so drastically, so devastatingly to put that grim, tortured look in his eyes…this man she loved more than life itself. She longed to hold him, to comfort him…to drive away those shadows she could see in his eyes…but she knew not how to…

 And though the emotions in his eyes as he looked at her when she first appeared before him, the embrace they had shared…she knew that she meant something to him, but…it was still Wei Wei he loved, she thought sadly to herself. It had not changed, and never would…for him, it would always be Wei Wei, not matter what. It was apparent from his reaction just now, from the look in his eyes… “She’s afraid of me, Wei Wei…she…she’s right. After all I’ve done…all that I’ve done…don’t touch me, Xiao Bing…I…murdered someone…I…I’m a monster…don’t touch me…” The horrified, self loathing in his tone stunned her to the core. Oh God, no, Zhi Lin, my love…don’t blame yourself for things beyond your control…his words tugged at her painfully as she rushed to dissuade him of his dark thoughts. “No, Zhi Lin, I…I don’t know what’s happened to you in the last few weeks, but I believe in you. You would never be a monster, never!” She said strongly, her usually gentle expression filled with a strong determination as she looked him right in the eyes. “You can’t blame yourself for something you had no control over, and I won’t let you.”

 Zhi Lin stared down at the usually gentle girl, at the way she was looking at him so confidently, her eyes trusting…she…she believed in him? But he had indeed killed someone, murdered him with his bare hands, and Wei Wei…he had seen her drift off into sleep as she sat at his brother’s bedside, her pale, little face tugging at his heart, and he had tried to cover her with his jacket, but…she had jumped violently, and the stunned, terrified look in her eyes as she stared at him unseeingly…it had rocked him to the core. Lord…she…she was frightened of him…the girl he loved…was terrified of his barest touch…was his soul so tainted? Yet…why was Xiao Bing here now, did she not fear him? Did she not know what dark deed he had committed? “Zhi Lin,” her soft voice commanded him to look at her, to see the warm emotions within her eyes. “Wei Wei is not afraid of you, she believes in you as I do, only…she has her own demons to banish, that’s all. Please, believe me…believe in yourself.” This girl he had once believed he could build dreams with…unlike Wei Wei, who he loved, but knew would never be his. Why was she still standing here with him, despite all he had done? “Why are you not afraid of me?” he asked huskily, his dark eyes shimmering with unshed tears. Tears of shame, and…regret. “Why?”

 “Because I love you.” The words rocked him to the core. Stunned, he could only stare down at the sweet, gentle girl who stood within his embrace, refusing to let go of him no matter what he said and did. “I love you,” she whispered again softly, her eyes mysterious as she smiled sadly up at him. “No matter what you have done and will do, no matter who holds your heart, I will always believe in you, Su Zhi Lin, because…I love you.”

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Wei Wei felt a sharp tug of pain in her heart as she watched Zhi Lin leave the tent, and Xiao Bing follow him, after exchanging a brief, understanding look with her. She…she had just hurt Zhi Lin…she didn’t mean to, would never mean to, but yet…she could not control that rush of irrational fear within her as she woke, that terror that gripped her soul as she felt him touch her. For as she drifted into consciousness, she…she didn’t know it was Zhi Lin, that it was someone she could trust…all she felt was terror…all she wanted to do was shrink away, to hide, to not let anyone touch her…to let him touch her again. It…it still haunted her dreams, that stain on her soul that refused to be washed away, no matter how hard she tried…the memory of his touch on her bare skin…she shivered, the tears falling down her pale cheeks despite her best efforts to repress them. She could not control this fear, this terror that haunted her…nor the instinctive shiver that ran through her body when someone touched her again…when anyone touched her, except… 

She was still holding his still, gentle hand in hers as he laid there, motionless. Her love…the man who had promised to protect her…the man she loved, but would never be able to tell. You Peng…why wouldn’t he wake up? Was God truly to be so cruel to her, to cast such a dark shadow on her soul? She…she needed him…this one man she would never fear, never ever…she rested his palm against her tear stained cheek, holding it tightly to her. She loved him, and if he was to…to leave, to leave her alone…a sad little smile curved her lips. She did not know if she would have the courage to go on, to continue living in this dark world…she did not know if she had the strength to. For the love of him was deeply ingrained into her being, it was an integral part of her…if he was to abandon her to this world over which another man had cast a shadow…

 Don’t leave me, You Peng…please, please don’t leave me! She begged silently, her heart wrenching with fear and pain. She only wanted him to live, to fill her world with his presence…even if he would never smile at her, even if he would never love her, she only wanted his happiness…only wanted his presence…she could not bear to lose him to the shadowlands, to let him slip away… 

Was it her imagination, or did his palm feel warm against her cheeks? No, it was only her tears wetting his hand, she…she shouldn’t cry, shouldn’t hold onto his hand so tightly, yet she could not repress the vast sorrow that wrenched at her heart, could not suppress the sobs that wracked her body…she froze in shock. She…she must be dreaming…did…did she just feel his hand move against her soft skin? No…it must be her imagination, her grief muddled mind… 

“Don’t…cry…” 

The soft, husky voice made her heart stop beating. With wide, unbelieving eyes, she looked up to see…his eyes looking at her with a strangely gentle expression. Stunned, she could only stare at him in silence…oh God, was she dreaming? If she was, then she wished she would never wake up, that time would stop, and let her stay in this moment forever…as his weak, trembling hand slowly wiped the moisture from her pale, grief stricken face. Oh God, his soft touch felt so warm against her skin…was…was it real? Was he truly…with a trembling hand, she reached out and touched his face meekly, unable to believe it was true. Yet…he was still looking at her with those weary, pain ridden eyes…a strange, gentle smile curved his lips ever so slightly. It struck her in the heart…You…You Peng? Her hands trembled violently as she made her handsigns, not willing to let herself believe in it, believe in the miracle that was before her…though she longed for it to be real, for him to be… *You…you’re awake?* 

Lord…she was here. She was really here. He felt an unfamiliar rush of emotions within him as she looked at him with those round, sparkling eyes, with that mix of hope and disbelief battling within them…as he had struggled to pull himself out of that fog of unconsciousness, as the unfamiliar burning pain had taken over his senses once more, he had been frightened…mortally afraid that the vision had been just that…that he was alone, as he had always been…despair had swamped over him as he battled with the vast pain and agony that wracked his body, there was no one for him, truly…he was unloved, and alone…but then…he had felt her presence even before he opened his eyes, felt her warm tears wetting his weak hand, her gentle hands holding onto his hand as if trying to pull him back…as if she was his anchor to life. And she was…an explosion of joy had filled his mind…she was here. She…was crying for him…she held his hand as if she never wanted to let go…and he didn’t want her to. In this brief moment in time, there was no barriers between them, no class distinctions, no rank…nothing but her round eyes looking at him with an intensity that tugged at his heart…at a heart that he had thought incapable of feeling anything anymore. In this brief moment in time, he could admit the truth he had sought to hide from for so many years, a truth he had longed for, yet was too afraid to face…

 “I…heard…you…calling me…” his voice was hoarse as he smiled at her, his lips feeling almost strange in this uncharacteristic facial expression. “You…brought me back…” Her eyes were stinging as the tears rolled uncontrolled down her cheeks…he…he was truly awake, she was really hearing his voice! You Peng…he was alive! With a silent sob, she forgot all propriety, all that was between them as she flung her arms around him, burying her face against his shoulder as she wept happily, the tears of joy wetting his cotton shirt. Oh God, thank you, thank you! Thank you for not taking him…You Peng…oh You Peng…

His hand moved to stroke her soft hair ever so gently as the girl wept against him, her shoulders shaking with sobs. A strange, unfamiliar light filled his eyes as he rested his cheek against the top of her head, feeling the soft strands of her silky hair against his skin. For, in this brief moment in time, he, Su You Peng, was finally…happy…

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