3. The Unexpected Assail

                                    

                                          
Chapter 1 
In the interior part of somewhere in Guilin -- 
Xio Zhan hated the long walks in the early morning. 
Although he was in complete awe of Nature and its beauty, but anytime except the morning hours were his best friend, other than the early morning sloth he was game for anything, anytime.
He puffed his cheeks in anguish and trudged on holding his bicycle. It was weekend and so he had to deliver the flowers in the nearby town and then collect the payment. 
It was his usual routine and his source of income to pay for his university fees. He didn't mind the extra work. He was happy and content with his independent life except for the fact that he was a child without a father. 
He looked up at the sky that turned a grey shade all of a sudden and Xio Zhan felt gloom spreading over his eyes. If it rained he would never be able to reach the town and even if he does it is a rare chance of him returning early at home. Probably he will have to spend the entire night there somewhere in a shade because he didn't want to shell out  the little pocket money he had in a motel. Besides it was the end of the month and he won't be getting his payment till the middle of next June.
His mother was an herbologist and he knew she would insist to pay for him but Zhan knew better. His mom worked hard but she wasn't getting paid much. All that she did was out of love and dedication towards her Work. 
They live humbly but that didnt deter him from admiring her. On the contrary, he felt proud to have a mother who thought more about dedicating her life for the masses than earn for her own luxury. 
Money though was an issue but he had vowed to work harder so his mother could dedicate her complete attention towards her research. He wanted to support her in stead of being a burden. 
He sighed. 
If only he could manage to get a good job, he could pull things through and pay the rent effortlessly. 
But everything had a time he guessed. 
Shaking his thoughts away, Zhan looked at the sky once more and inwardly he felt a flutter of happiness. There was a faint smell of earth and he knew what it meant. Rain would come drenching the bereaved soil soon and he loved watching Raindrops pouring down, washing away not just dirt but also the gloom that resides in the heart. 
But it would bring him bad luck of course if it happened today.
Xio Zhan grunted and walked on through the narrow road , hills with beautiful greenery adorned both the path. His nostrils breathed in the fresh air and a smile like the flame of  a firefly sparkled from his thin pinkish lips. 
And then there it was, the five most notorious boys of the town walking towards him and instantly Xio Zhan cowered in fear.
The moment he saw them he knew rain or not his day was going to get worse. They were the wealthy kids and would leave no stone unturned to harass him. And he was fragile, with slim hands and thin figure, he looked more like a doll than a well built boy in his 20's and he had numerous times cursed his fate for that. He couldn't help the way he looked and that gave everyone to sport fun at him at any given opportunity. He learned judo as well but that did nothing to change his slim physique. Spoiled and insolent college girls still called him girly and boys mocked him calling a shame to the mankind .
And here that was going to happen again and it would be impossible for him to avoid them as it was a deserted road and not the university ground. Xio Zhan felt helpless but gathered himself to look more manly. 
He pointed his chin upward and gave a daring look as if there was nothing that could challenge him to give him a care in the World. He gave his best to convey the message that he had his own errand to make and nothing else bothered him in the least. 
He heard them throwing comments on his commonly clothing and his long hair, hurling Profanities on his family and his delicate figure. 
He tried to keep a nonchalant face and escape them as soon as possible, his feet taking quick steps with his bicycle, but just at that instant something came rushing towards him like a bullet , splitting the air and breaking the silence of the hills.
Xio Zhan was aghast. Then he came to his senses shrivelled and ran towards the bushes, unaware and disoriented, unable to fathom the reason behind the sudden occurrence. 
Or attack was it ?
He couldn't think.
He didn't care to.
He ran as fast as he could but fate was on the other side as he came headlong and bumped with a thud  to the branches of a large Oak tree and fell. Blood trickled down his ivory forehead and slowly everything blacked out.
*********
Not a second long, 
A tall dark figure appeared, gazed at the fallen frame and slowly took him in his arms. 
The grip was strong but gentle at the same time, cautious to not hurt his frangible figure. And like a wind he was gone, leaving not a trace of his appearance.
**********
"How is he ...the fragile one you brought ? "
There was no reply from the lean, well built - tall man. 
She sighed, "you care about the boy don't you? But you do know it's not her. " 
"I don't. I only did what I had to. He is innocent and I was happening to be there at that moment. So..that's it. Don't presume things"
She smiled, "definitely I won't brother. But that was a long speech coming from you. I only stated what I felt."
She truly had no other intention other than the frail hope that perhaps her dear brother had found at last some solace in that fragile boy. She wanted to confirm not only him but her own heart that broke everytime it witnessed him in pain that seemed never ending. Well it was there for the past 200 years and she would very much like to see it end someday. She wanted her brother to have that lost smile back. Not that he ever spoke much but there wasn't this glacial forbidding aura that existed all around him now like a plague. 
He had been a boy with hope, mirth and gaiety. Caring, kind but that nature of his was lost somewhere in the ashes of his dark past. 
She stood still watching him. Her beautiful amber eyes, scrutinized his face for any emotion but as usual found none. 
"Why " her voice was soft but questioning 
"Because humans are an abomination to nature. They know only to harm, hurt, deceive and lie. Other species are far better than them"
"But-- aren't they the reason we exist in the first place?"
He chuckled mirthlessly,  "more reason then to abhor them"
She found that she had lost the argument already.
"What are you going to do with him?"
There was no reply. So she asked a different question " are you going to hurt him again to make him avoid you ?"
"What if I do?" He paused, " Doesn't matter. Our stay here is for a far greater  purpose which I don't think I have to remind you. It's better to focus on that than to dwell on him or such petty matters"
She sighed again, "well then I'll be leaving. I have some errands. See you later. And yes mother should be visiting soon...be careful "
"Hm" He only made a sound of having heard her. She understood he wouldn't speak a word more. 
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"He is still caring. He can't leave matters as they are but won't admit. I hope someone can melt that wall of his...if only he allowed " Ann Li thought forlornly as she put the ignition on and the engine came to life, wheeling the Red Porsche towards Beijing. 
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To be continued 
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Note : Next chapter will be up in coming 2 days. So sit tight and be ready for the ride! 😉
P.P.S. Guilin is a small city in southern China, known for its breath-taking landscape and beautiful mountains and rivers.
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And I hope you have enjoyed and will love the story I am going to tell you. 😊
Take care. Be safe.
God bless you all 🤗
Love and Kisses ❤
--Isa