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Yingying had always enjoyed the brief period of peace and quiet, right before getting up in the morning. Back when she was younger, it had meant a time when she could think through the particular piece of music she was practising. Now that she was married, she spent this time staring at her beloved Chong.
Every time she looked at him, she enjoyed it more, especially the shape of his handsome features. During his waking hours, his unruly spirit would often shine through these same features, and the thought of 'chaining' this adventurous 'monkey' to herself always brought a smile to her face. Her hand, seemingly of its own volition, slipped out of the covers to stroke his eyebrow.
But of course, Chong opened his eyes before she actually managed to touch his face. Probably having noticed where she was reaching, Chong smiled broadly as she slipped her hand back under the blankets.
“What are you thinking about?” he mumbled.
She hesitated, then said, “That no matter how much I miss being a child, I actually do enjoy being an adult more.” At his answering nod, she added, “But I do remember being a carefree girl going up the mountains to pick fruits and sometimes, to help injured animals.”
“Oh, I remember you saying—” Here he stopped, likely not wanting to bring back her memories of Dongfong Bubai.
She squeezed his hand to show it was all right, though her mind couldn’t help wandering back to those years.
*****
Her father never seemed to have time for her. For all that he was the top leader of the whole religion, somehow he still had to take care of every single little matter he came across.
She’d heard from the younger members that there was a den of fox pups up in the mountains, and naturally she wanted to take a look at them. She had practised her song three times already and figured she’d only get tired of playing them if she practised anymore.
Finally she went to Uncle Dongfong. He was one of the younger members, and yet had already become her father’s right-hand man. He was so clever that even her father had occasionally enthused about what an excellent strategist he was, with his ideas on how to recruit more members and fend off the authorities.
She skipped into Uncle Dongfong’s room, all eager to tell him about the fox pups, but he was sitting at his desk, going through documents. She was going to rush back out immediately, but he had already noticed her. He grinned at her scrunched-up face.
Before he could say anything, she exclaimed, “You’re busy! I’ll go!”
He shook his head and stood up, stretching his arms and rolling his shoulders. “No, I’ve had enough of business. Tell me what’s got you so excited.”
She looked down and whispered, “Brother Bao said a vixen up in the mountains just had pups…”
Uncle Dongfong laughed and held out his hand. “Then let’s go!”
They walked together until they were outside the compound, stopping here and there so that Uncle Dongfong could greet and make small talk with fellow members on the way. Once they got deep into the mountains, Uncle Dongfong had to carry her on his back, since she had been too tired to walk any more.
In the end, they did see the vixen but not her pups, and all they had to show for their three-hour adventure were a bunch of fruits they had picked along the way.
*****
Yingying blinked and her current world came back. Shaking her head a little, she returned Chong’s smile. “Uncle Dongfong wasn’t a bad ‘uncle’ as these things go.” She made a face and continued, “Though I once overheard my father and Uncle Xiang talking about how he was trying to get into my good graces to get closer to the throne. Uncle Xiang even said he might have had designs on me.”
Chong laughed. “Then it’s a great thing that he, um, did that thing to himself and fell for Yang what’s his name instead.”
“I still feel slightly guilty for not fighting fair. But,” she said, touching Chong’s face with fingertips, “as long as you are safe, I don’t care.”
“And your father.”
“And my father and Uncle Xiang,” she agreed. “I think my father actually admired him a little for being so clever and ambitious. None of us could have predicted that he’d turn into such a monster.”
It was Chong’s turn to shake his head. “No, your father said that’s why he gave Dongfong the book.”
She sighed. “Then it’s a blessing to the world that Father destroyed the book. I’m still sorry that, well, your master and Lin got hold of a copy and your…loved ones…”
“Got killed. Yes,” Chong murmured, also sighing. He took a deep breath and exhaled. “Let’s talk about something happier.”
She nodded. “Like?”
Chong laughed. “Like making babies!”
Yingying blushed and turned away. Grabbing her morning coat, she got out of bed and went to the table. The teapot and teacups had been there since last night, and the water was now cool, but she poured and drank deeply nonetheless. All the while Chong was looking at her with a grin.
Finally, he stood up as well and padded to where she was. He took the cup from her and sipped. “Taking the ceremonial drink. How like our wedding night.”
She hit him lightly on the chest. “Stop it!”
He laughed again and put his hand up to touch her cheek. She tried to turn away again, but his other hand cupped the other side of her face. Grinning, he bent closer. Still blushing, she allowed him to turn her face up and closed her eyes.
When the kiss didn’t come after a few moments, she opened her eyes again. His face was hovering right in front of hers.
“What’s wrong?” she whispered.
His grin spread wider. “I want you to take a little initiative. Kiss me.”
She again tried to turn away, but after he dropped his hands back down to his sides, she inhaled deeply and stretched up, pecking his mouth once. Immediately she drew back, rushed to the bed and slipped in.
He followed her and climbed in, too. “Now baby making?”
Still mortified, she nodded and murmured, “Yes, baby making.”
~~ fin ~~