A Journey to the West
International School of Nanshan Shenzhen , Li , Emily - 16
I t was the first sunny day since I got back to Wuchang . After the rain had scoured the earth and washed away all of the filth , the city looked spotless . Spears of dawn light sprinkled the town with their magic , covering the farthest corner with its golden rays . I could smell the fresh scent of grass after rain with the fragrance of flowers . I could hear the chorus of birds and the happy woofing army dog of my father ’ s running around in our garden . The student on the bike riding around in our neighborhood is yelling “ Who wants newspaper ! You only need a cent !” All of them called me to come out . Before I even had time to finish getting dressed appropriately for breakfast , my door was burst open . “ Young master ! You ’ re up so early today ! Look who ’ s back !” One of my father ’ s mistresses ran up to me . My mother ’ s maid came up with her , “ Young master , I will help you getting dressed .” I moved slowly down the stairs steadily behind the mistress and the maid . There , I saw my father reading the newspaper with his normal grim and tied-together-brows , sipping on his tea . My mother was leaning forward , and having discussions with him when he makes light comments of the events . “ Mother , Father ,” I walked up to them saying . They stopped their conversation and looked at me . I saw my father ’ s dark circles and lines on his face deeper than the last time I saw him , his lips were tightly stuck together in a line , and his eyes deep with a definition . People say that you could see a person ’ s thoughts from his eyes , but you could never dare to look at his . He looked up at me , and for a moment my mind went blind . “ Look at me , son .” “ Y-yes , father .” I forced myself to look at his eyes . My hands sweating was at the back , my feet were uncomfortable , and I felt my jade stick to my body uneasily . “ Come with me to Shanghai next week . Jiang was hosting a banquet , and I could introduce you to your future companions .” “ Yes , father .” “ Fujun , he ’ s at the age of marriage . I think …” My mother said to my father . “ Sure , there would be plenty of girls that we could get him to know there ,” my father said , and then looked at me , “ go get breakfast .” I bow at my father , “ Thank you , father .” I walked to the large dining table to have breakfast while my parents continue their conversation . The kitchen nanny served me with wonton noodles and soy milk and dough sticks for breakfast . Well , this is my life , I don ’ t even get to decide what I want to eat , not to mention my destiny . I wish I lived in a typical family , but I was born into this . Whenever I feel mistreated or lonely I would look at the jade on my neck , the only thing that accompanied me for twentyone years and never thought of leaving . I informed my father and mother that I was going out and got rid of my driver right when we got out of our block . There was a fair in the city to celebrate the Chinese victory in the battle of Nujiang . I wandered through the market , looking at all the shops and the performances until a girl with two braids bumped into me running from the other side . “ Oh my god , are you okay ?” The girl looked up at me after stepping back a few steps . Her roughly done dark braids braided in a pinch of golden sunlight , her skin pale with a hint of pink and not a bit of flaw . Her eyes are big pure , with a delicate almond color that shone brightly under the sun with long and curly eyelashes . Her nose just the right size , with delicate pink lips underneath that reminds me of cherries . I used to think that my parents would determine my life , but not anymore . She noticed that I was looking at her , and she blushed and looked down . “ No , I ’ m not okay ,” I said to her . She blushed and avoided eye contact . “ What … do you mean ? Do I need to …” “ Oh , just tell me your name , and where you live .” “ LinWan . Wait , I don ’ t even know you … I-I-I have to go !” And then she ran passed me , of course , I followed her . I ran after her , through the people and the markets and the shops , through the prosperous Han Road and the heart of the city , until she arrived in a small house on the edge of the city less than ten minutes from Han Road . “ So this is where you live !” I shouted from the back of her . She turned back with surprise , “ Why did you follow me ?” Before I had time to answer , a lovely old lady walked out of their courtyard . Unlike the elegant and calm character of my mother , this woman makes me feel warm . “ Waner , is this your friend ? Why don ’ t we invite him for lunch ?” I thought that it would be awkward if I stayed , but her mother and brother were very enthusiastic . It was the first time in my life that I ’ ve eaten with a family talking at the dinner table because we have rules in not to talk in our family . “ Mom , can we go out this afternoon ?” “ Sure , you teenagers go do whatever you like .” Her mother smiled of understanding , and then laughed under her breath to her brother , “ I see pink bubbles in them .” She blushed and took my hand and then ran off . She took me to the enormous tree on the hill behind her house . We lied under the shades and talked about our childhood , our experiences , and our perspectives of the world . I was surprised to find someone that ’ s from an entirely different family and background to have so much in common as me , and it ’ s like we ’ re