Hong Kong Young Writers Anthologies Fiction Group 3 - 2017 | Page 382

father. “Dinglan, remember.” Master Liu turned to Daisy, just as she began to turn her head away to weep. “Falling leaves return
to their roots. I understand that you have gone through deep humiliation, but in the end, this is still your origin. All cultures have
their flaws, but there are also beauties in it. Just like how you are willing to come back to care for me, despite how much you
detest this place! Is it not an act of filial piety? Look around, and discover the beauty of your roots.” Daisy felt relieved when her
father finally recognized her struggles she encountered all these years. She slowly turned back to look at her father, tears silently
streaming down her face, as Master Liu took his last breath. Dingxiang stepped forward and embraced Daisy, while the younger
sister emitted a quiet sob, which slowly turned into a wail.
Things have surely changed since what had happened years ago. With Daisy’s encouragement, Dingxiang mustered her courage
to ask for a divorce. The only thing she hoped for her daughters was to be brought up with confidence. Meanwhile, Daisy had
decided not to get married, instead she devoted her years to push for gender equality in China, her homeland. She became one
of the activists who called for the Hundred Days’ Reform in 1898, which advocated education for women and were dedicated
to put an end to foot-binding. And the rest is history.
Back on the terrace, the setting sun shone onto two cups of cooled tea as the two sisters, hand in hand, left the balcony.
Dingxiang’s cup of Earl Grey, and Daisy’s cup of oolong.