' I couldn ' t care less about what you all commoners think , all I take into account are the benefits to our party ,' ' Us commoners ,' I sniggered at the word . ' And I believe your party is high and almighty , isn ' t it , Mr . Chen ?' ' Do not insult the Kuomintang ,' He jeered . I blinked , ' Kuomintang ? You are from the Kuomintang ?'
' And whoever opposes me , opposes the party , so you are not simply running against me , you are against a whole group of people ,'
' And we ' ll make sure your life drown in hell .' He slowly added . I was lost in words , trapped in a corner without any way out . I lowered my head in defeat , dumbfounded . ' So what do you think ?' ' I ' ll do it ,' I mumbled . ' I couldn ' t hear you , darling , speak up ,' ' I will do it ,'
' That ' s the answer I ' m looking for ,' He added . ' It ' s not a hard task , I just need you to fetch me proves about how the City has barely changed within the recent decades ,'
' When do you need the evidences ?' ' When is our wedding ?' ' I don ' t know ,'
' As soon as possible , I am hoping to demolish it in 1912 , which will be two year from now , the wedding has to be in this year ,'
' Why are you in such a rush ?' ' My mother urges me to , she would refrain me from work if I don ' t ,' ' I see ,' I fiddled with my fingers . ' Do you think October will do , which is two months later ,' ' I ' ll see what I can do , though I don ' t think it ' s a problem ,'
I sat in the sedan , fidgeting in the small closed-area , discomfort was eminent . My Qipao hugged my body closely , like a snake engulfing its prey ; its beauty did not fend off my discomfort , the golden embroidery did not make my collar feel less suffocating . I stilled my head , preventing from dishevelling my hair ; the posture numbed my neck . I ran my fingers through the satin curtain , the silk under the pads of my fingertips felt smooth and soft , I peeled the corner open , revealing the night sky . Clouds obscured the moon , the stars , seemingly furious at my act . Mei said he was not wishing for a glamorous wedding , a small secretive one would do , and here I was , being escorted to my new home in the Northern City , away from my childhood .
' We ' re at the boundary ,' An amah murmured . ' Tell them to halt , I need to bid my goodbye ,' I ordered .
The sedan was laid on the ground , debris and sands whirled up a little . I pushed the curtain open , picked up my dress and stepped out . My sewed shoes rubbed on the soft grass , I sighed in relaxation . I walked on the natural carpet towards the walls , the concrete brick walls , walls that I vowed to tear down . I raised my hand and placed it on the bricks , thumb rubbing comforting circles on the infrastructure . My forehead pressed against the walls , the cold material calming my nerves .
' I ' m sorry ,' I whispered . ' I ' m sorry ,'
My shoulders trembled and slumped forward . Defeat , anguish , agony , bubbled up my heart . I could feel it , the tears , the weakness threatening to surface , I suppressed it , I pressed down the frailty .
And then I heard it , its steady , husky voice , swivelling along with the wind , the breeze , ' You will suffer , you will be punished , for the cowardly actions you have shown . You will pay for all the people inside , you will pay for the specialty lost . You will live around until every single person behind the wall fades . And may I bless you here , will your life be lived in remorse .'