The shed was one room of everything, except for the sleeping quarters. Pots and pans including a tiny
stove was in one far corner, next to that was a thick string with clothing clipped to it. Another corner, were a
makeshift sink and a bucket for relieving. The ‘trashcan’ was by the door. A table was surrounded by two
rickety chairs. One tiny light bulb illuminated the room, giving a feeble glow. From the far right, there was a
dark opening, supposedly the bedroom, as a girl ran out to greet the farmer with an excited squeal.
“
Ba! You’re home!” The young girl collected the parcels from the man’s arms, easing him of his burden.
Her hair was raven black. The dark tresses contrasted with her fair skin. She had a very straight nose, and
rosy red lips. A light blush tinged her cheekbones. As she ran out to greet the man with a hug at the door, her
light woolen dress swept about her knobby knees. The dress was old; the wool had frayed slightly. The sleeves
of the bodice hung short of the wrists, showing the prominence of the joint. The girl is about sixteen, and thin
for her age, but a tad taller than average.
The man made his way into the main room, collapsing into a decrepit chair.
“
Ziyang, the package tied with strings.”
The girl laughed exuberantly as she lifted me out among the wrappings, turning me around.
I glanced inconspicuously, at the man’s foot. He shied it away, trying to hide the injury. But I saw it
anyway. It was turning an ugly shade of purple, ironically blending into his dark skin.
Harsh winds have begun to blow, and temperatures dropped drastically, as I was whirled into the life of
Ziyang, my first owner.
The young girl blossomed, watered by her father’s gentle care and love, just like the hydrangeas and
peonies, on her bedside table, carefully groomed by the girl.
Every day I accompanied Ziyang to school, as I was her book bag. The atmosphere has changed recently.
I learned that my young girl had reached the age for university exams, the first candidate of Mei Village.
School was stressing and demanding, and the young girl slaved away, feverishly memorizing or writing.
Beads of perspiration dripped with each ounce of effort. Home was tensed silence, with the girl diligently
revising. Both her ba and I watched, as she became paler and thinner each day.
“
I can’t Ba! I’m so tired, so tired! Can’t stand it any longer.” Ziyang cried with frustration on a particular
evening, slamming her books shut.
Ba looked up, his brows scrunched; a disapproving frown adorning is face. Despite this, his voice was still
soft.
“
Have you forgotten what you aspired to do? Have you thrown away your dreams just for a moment’s
weakness?”
The girl dipped her head mutely, hiding her face and fidgeting the material of her clothes.
“
What is the spirit of the Mei’s? Plum blossoms that bloom in the winter amidst challenges? That is why
we’re still living under the protection of the Great Wall! The Great Wall has protected this tiny village for
millennia. Our ancestors survived invasion after invasion, prospering even under tyrannical rule. Why? We have
a battling spirit! We endure and we persevere, and everything turns out well in the end!”
The girl remained silent as Ba sighs.
“
I didn’t mean to scold you, my beloved. I just want you to keep going. If grit your teeth and fight the
challenges when you face hardships and obstacles, you’ll come out a winner because your bore the strain and
matured from it. What’s one more wall in your journey?”
Underneath the curtain of raven hair, I saw Ziyang break into a tiny smile.
“
Sorry, Ba!” She whispered. “I’ll make you proud of me, I promise.”
Ba stooped over and hugged his daughter to him.
“
I’m already proud of you.”
The father smiled gently and brushed away stray hairs from her face.
“
Ziyang, rest a bit first, and I’ll cook a snack for you, alright?”
The girl nodded, before giving her Ba one last hug and heading back to the bedroom.
Numerous days whizzed by, and my girl became more diligent if possible, studying to show her Ba the
perseverance. She would stay late at school doing exercises, before returning home spent. Like on this particular
night, she dragged her feet as she slowly made her way home. Her eyes drooped shut as she entered. Her Ba
observed her quietly.
Upon entering the bedroom, I was set down on a chair. Ziyang changed into a night gown before climbing
into bed and falling asleep immediately. The vase of hydrangeas and peonies on the bedside table drooped from
lack of water. I watched over the slumbering girl, observing the subtle rise and fall of her chest. She was tired, I
would know. After school, she stayed late into the night doing mathematics, slaving over problem after problem,
solving a mystery called ‘x’.
A dark shadow loomed in the weak kerosene lamp light. I turned my eyes to the door. In the dim glow of