Yu Lin knew who the voice belonged to and ran to see He Lan standing there with a sword in his hand standing in front of the door. His face was filled with fury. She watched as He Lan raised his sword up in the air and dashed inside the room.

“Chu He Lan!” She yelled as she ran in behind him. When she entered the room He Lan had his sword up ready to attack and she lifted her feet and kicked him in the side. He Lan flew towards the bed as he let out a yelp. He Lan quickly stood up grabbing his sword and tried to attack Yu Lin, however Chief Chu grabbed his wrist and bent it, making the sword fall to the ground.

“Aah!” He screamed out in pain.

“Xiao Lan.” He said coldly his eyes cold. He Lan looked at Chief Chu with angry tears in his eyes.

“Grandpa! Why did you let that monster in here knowing what happened to mother? Why?!” He screamed.

“Chu He Lan!” Chief Chu roared. He Lan showed a hurt expression and then he looked at Yu Lin with angry eyes.

“This is your fault. Everything's your fault!” He shouted before running out of the room. Yu Lin ignored what he said as she walked up her parents.

“Papa, are you alright?” She asked. Chou nodded his head. Yu Lin looked behind him to see her mother laying her head on the wall, sleeping soundly. Yu Lin let out a sigh of relief. Chief Chu turned to the family and deeply bowed to them.

“I apologize for my grandson’s actions.” He said.

“Why is he like that?” Yu Lin asked. Chief Chu stood straight with a sad look in his eyes. He debated on whether to tell the family, however he felt he had to.

“His mother was taken away by trolls when he was younger. It was an unfortunate accident.” He said, giving no further details. Yu Lin nodded her head and didn’t pry any further due to the look on Chief Chu’s face.

After making sure that her parents were safe, Yu Lin returned to her room. She thought about He Lan and sighed.

“If He Lan have this much hatred for trolls who kidnapped his mother, how much hatred have they developed for dark elves?” She said aloud. “What have they done for Ju Hua and Mr. Liao to react that way?” Her heart clenched tightly. Tears began to well up in her eyes but she blinked them away and shook her head. She laid down on her bed and waited for sleep to overcome. Just as her eyes were starting to flutter a thought flashed through her head. “That’s right.” She got up from her bed.

Yu Lin sat up from her bed and picked up the bag that she brought with her when she first came to Chief Chu’s home. She opened it revealing a bundle of paper, some with mysterious writing, a paint brush, an inkstone, an ink stick, and a small gourd filled with water. She had stuffed these inside, along with her clothes when she was leaving her house just in case. She didn’t want to ask Chief Chu or her teachers for any because she didn’t want them to be suspicious of what she was using them for. She prepared the inkstone, pouring droplets of water on it, and rubbing it with the ink stick. Afterwards she took out the paper and began to write on it in her self created writing system.

Her paint brush created thin strokes on the pieces of paper as it spelt out “Liang Guang Ming”. Next to the name she wrote down “memories” with a question mark behind it. Underneath it she wrote down “Yo Mei” and then next to that she wrote down “Relationship to Lan Hei Kong” with a question mark. She waited for the paper to dry before she quickly everything back into the bag, heading to sleep.

The next morning at breakfast, He Lan was nowhere to be seen. Chief Chu didn’t say anything about it and no one at the table asked. Ju Hua sat across from Yo Mei and she would occasionally glance up and when Yo Mei looked at her she quickly darted her eyes away.

“It’s been a long time since we have seen each other. How about we go for some drinking later Chou and Yo Mei?” Sen Feng smiled. Chou gave him a thumbs up.

“Of course!” He smiled back.

“Honey!” Yo Mei and Ju Hua both exclaimed. Chou chuckled.

“It’s alright. You need to start hanging out with a woman your age and not with that brat over there.” Sen Feng said.

“Yah Chu Sen Feng! Whose daughter are you calling a brat?” Yo Mei glared at him. A sweat bead trickled down the side of his face as he let out a nervous laugh.

“Did I say brat? I meant beautiful young girl. Haha... haha...” He quickly said. Yo Mei squinted her eyes at him.

“Alright then. Let’s go drinking later!” Yo Mei said with a wide smile. She was curious about why Ju Hua was crying the day before and wanted to know. Sen Feng nodded her head and was glad that he was still alive. Back in the days when they were hunting partners, and if he did something to offend her then she would beat him to a pulp. This was because back in the past Sen Feng often made passes to Yo Mei. At first she ignored him for she respected Chief Chu however after getting excessively hit on she couldn’t hold in her annoyance and started to beat him up, however the two still maintain a good relationship due to being in many life threatening situations.

Chief Chu wanted to ask Yo Mei what had happened to her for the day before however after seeing her smiling face, he didn’t want to ask as he feared she would have another panic attack. Yu Lin didn’t say anything either as she was deep in her thoughts. Each week Chief Chu let Yu Lin rest so that her muscles were not get strained and that day, was one of the resting days.

“What are you going to do today Chief Chu?” Yo Mei asked.

“I think today I will go check out town today.” He replied. “Would you like to go with me Yu Lin?” Chief Chu asked. Yu Lin didn’t reply her eyes in a daze as she stared at she chewed on her food very slowly. Yo Mei furrowed her eyebrows.

“Yu Lin?” She said as she placed her hand on Yu Lin’s shoulder. Yu Lin jumped startled, and then looked at them.

“Yes?” She said.

“Chief Chu asked if you wanted to go tour the town with him today.” Yo Mei gently said.

“I would love to go.” Yu Lin said with a smile, however the smile didn’t meet her eyes. Yo Mei was worried for Yu Lin as she saw her lack of energy.

“Is something wrong my daughter?”

“Nothing is wrong mama. Don’t worry.” Yu Lin gave her a reassuring smile. Yo Mei gave her a doubtful look but did not pry any further.

“Well then Grandpa will come pick you up later when Grandpa is about to leave.” Chief Chu said as he walked up and patted Yu Lin on the head, before walking out of the dining room. Yu Lin got off her seat bowed to the four still eating.

“I will leave first. Enjoy the rest of your breakfast.” She said as she left the dining room. Yo Mei looked at her worried however she felt a rough hand on her hand and turned to look at Chou shaking his head.

“Don’t worry. Our daughter is smart, and she would come to us if anything happens.” Chou said.

“Yea don’t worry Yo Mei. That bra- I mean beautiful daughter of yours is quite mature for her age. If she needs help she will come to us.” Sen Feng blurted out. Yo Mei thought about it and nodded her head.

“That’s right.” She said.

Yu Lin stopped in front of her room when she saw Mei Rong standing there in a pink robe, her pink hair still up in ponytails. She had a nervous expression on her face as her eyes kept darting around, as if she was worried someone would see her. Yu Lin cocked her head to one side wondering what she was doing there. In the last three months that Yu Lin had stayed with Chief Chu, she had seen He Lan’s three friends coming over to play, or to pick up He Lan, however they never talked to her. Whenever she would look at them they would avoid her eyes, looking scared and nervous.Yu Lin walked up to her.

“Is something wrong?” She said. Mei Rong jumped and let out a small scream before quickly placing her palms over her mouth. She grabbed Yu Lin’s wrist and placed her pointer finger over her lips.

“Shh.” She looked around them. When she saw there was no one she pulled Yu Lin away behind the building of her room. They walked passed the training grounds, and deep into the garden before Mei Rong stopped. She turned and faced Yu Lin with a sad expression on her face.

“What’s wrong?” Yu Lin asked.

“Yu Lin, we are friends right?” Mei Rong pouted giving Yu Lin huge blue adorable puppy eyes. ‘We? Friends?’ Thought Yu Lin.

“Sure.” Yu Lin replied. A small smile crept up on Mei Rong’s face however was quickly replaced by her sad expression.

“I need your help.”

“What is it?”

“Pu Pu is throwing a special party, however I don’t know what I should wear to the event.” Mei Rong twirled her fingers together.

“Pu Pu?” Yu Lin asked raising an eyebrow, and then a boy with beady eyes flashed across her head. “Oh, that kid. Anyways, why do you need my help? Just ask one of your servants.” Yu Lin was uninterested, showing a bored expression on her face.

“Don’t say that Yu Lin. We are friends. Friends are suppose to help each other out!” Mei Rong exclaimed as she grabbed onto Yu Lin’s arm, with huge pleading eyes. Yu Lin looked at her before sighing, the maternal instinct in her rising.

“I understand.” Yu Lin breathed out. Mei Rong smiled brightly.

“Then let’s go now!” She exclaimed as she pulled Yu Lin’s hand and began dashing towards the fence.

“Oi, where are we going? The main gate is the other way.”

“I know a secret passageway that is much faster!” Mei Rong kept pulling on Yu Lin.

“Wait!” Yu Lin came to an abrupt stop. Mei Rong looked back at her with worried eyes.

“What is it?” She asked. Yu Lin lifted up her hair.

“My mama told me I can’t go out without putting a cap on. Let me grab it really quick and I will be back.”

“You don’t need it. Let’s just g-”

“If I don’t wear it then I’m not coming with you.” Yu Lin said sternly. Mei Rong had a conflicted expression on her face before she let go of Yu Lin’s arm.

“Hurry back then!” She said. Yu Lin nodded her head before she ran back to her room with light and swift steps. She pushed open the door and ran to a cabinet that contained her clothes. She opened it, pulling on a blue cap, tucking all her white silver hair under it. She turned to leave the room, when something stopped her. She felt something wasn’t right about this whole situation.

“Why did she come to me only after all this time, on the day that He Lan isn’t here?” Yu Lin muttered. Yu Lin walked up to her bed. She reached inside the cover of her pillow and pulled out a small sheathed dagger. She had asked Chief Chu for the dagger saying that she needed it for her magic practice, however she had kept it for protection. At first Chief Chu was hesitant to give it to her due to her age, however gave in when Yu Lin had brought up how Sen Feng was using an iron sword already at a his age. She decided to bring it with her just for precaution.

Yu Lin tied the dagger to the her lower back, with the handle facing her dominant right hand, and then wore a long dark blue outerwear to hide it. She also threw her bag on her back to make the bugle less noticeable. She quickly returned to where Mei Rong was. Mei Rong was looking around nervously and when she saw Yu Lin a relieved smile appeared on her face. Yu Lin stopped in front of her.

“Let’s go.” Yu Lin said and Mei Rong nodded as she grabbed Yu Lin’s wrist. Yu Lin didn’t trust her, however Yu Lin wanted to know what she was planning.

The two walked until the end of the fence. Mei Rong looked around, making sure there was no one there, and then she stepped onto a rock. A part of the solid cement fence then opened like a door. Mei Rong then dragged Yu Lin out. When they reached the outside, she stepped onto another rock and the door closed as if it had never existed. Mei Rong gave Yu Lin a smile.

“Interesting, right?” She asked with a smug look on her face. Yu Lin just nodded. The two were now behind the siheyuan and were surrounded by the woods, with tall vibrant trees and fresh green grass beneath their feet. Mei Rong continued to drag Yu Lin deeper into the woods, which caused Yu Lin to raise an eyebrow.

“Why are we going this way? Town is the other way.” Yu Lin said.

“Didn’t you know Yu Lin? My house is up in the mountains this way.” Mei Rong blurted out. Yu Lin had her suspicions, however she continued walking with Mei Rong as she wanted to see what Mei Rong was planning. When they walked for about half an hour, Mei Rong started to let out fits of cough.

“Are you alright?” Yu Lin patted Mei Rong’s back with her free hand as Mei Rong was still holding firmly onto her other arm.

“Yes… I’m… cough cough… good.” Mei Rong answered. The two kept walking and then after a couple minutes they came to an abrupt stop as Mei Rong suddenly crouched covering her mouth as she frantically started to cough.

“Hey. Are you really okay?” Yu Lin rubbed her back.

“Yea. I am ok- cough cough…. I a- cough cough.” Mei Rong’s face turned red. “Can you find some… cough cough… blue grass and give it to me? They are called… cough cough… Moli grass and they… cough cough… are suppose to help me… cough cough… with my coughs… cough cough… they are not hard… cough cough… to find.” Mei Rong stammered out in between her coughs.

Yu Lin looked at her and her eyes grew cold. Since she was a healer in her past life and studied many medicines she knew what Moli grasses were and what their uses are. Moli grasses were not used for coughs however were used for anesthetic. One would fall asleep immediately after consuming just five to ten grass blades. They were also only found in the Green Continent due to the environment it grew in.

“I understand. Wait here.” Yu Lin said as she walked away from Mei Rong. She remembered from her last life that Moli grass was found around damp areas and in patches of green grass. She walked away from Mei Rong heading underneath the trees where the sun rays did not reach the ground.

After a while of walking she stumbled upon some Moli grass under a large tree. She dug her finger into the ground pulling out patches and patches of them as she stuck some into her bag. ‘Just in case.’ She thought. From nearby the Moli grass there lingered a faint scent. Yu Lin looked up and her eyes widened as she saw the moss on the tree. ‘Chidung moss! They help stop blood loss and numb pain.’ Her eyes brightened as she peeled off a couple handfuls and shoved them into her bag. Afterwards she picked up another handful of Moli grass and retraced her steps back to Mei Rong. When she got there, Mei Rong was nowhere to be seen.

“Mei Rong?” She called out. There was no answer back. Yu Lin looked around to see no one, and then out of nowhere a net suddenly descended from above her. She looked up but it was too late as the net casted itself around her and suddenly entrapping her. The net then suddenly came closer to her body and then squeezed her body tightly. From a distance close to her she heard kids giggling. She looked up to see He Lan, Wu Pu, Leng Zhuang, and Mei Rong standing there with a smug look on all their faces except for Leng Zhuang who looked nervous.

Sen Feng and Chou sat together chattering about something as they kept pouring each other cups and cups of wine. Ju Hua sat across from Yo Mei with her head down, a cup of wine in front of her. Yo Mei took a gulp of her wine and then smiled at Ju Hua.

“Thank you for helping Yu Lin yesterday.” Yo Mei said. Ju Hua’s eyes widened and then she shook her head.

“No need to thank me, Mrs. Du. Yu Lin has become like a niece to me, of course if she was in any dangerous situation I would be willing to help out.” Ju Hua looked up and gave Yo Mei a small smile. Yo Mei raised her eyebrows and then nodded her head.

“Sorry, but I don’t think I’ve got your name yet.”

“My name is Li Ju Hua, Mrs. Du.”

“No need to call me Mrs. Du, just call me Yo Mei, lady Ju Hua.”

“Please feel free to call me Ju Hua also… Yo Mei.” Ju Hua showed had a soft expression on her face. Yo Mei rested her chin on her hand as she gulped down another cup of wine.

“Say… why were you crying yesterday? When you saw me?” Yo Mei got courage from her cup of wine to ask, otherwise she would’ve not said anything. Ju Hua’s eyes widened and she quickly grabbed onto her cup of wine and quickly gulped it down. After she was done she slammed the cup of wine back down on the table. Ju Hua was always a very light drinker and just two cups would get her almost drunk. Her head spinned and she looked into Yo Mei’s eyes.

“Your face… it looks like someone who I was closed to before.” Ju Hua replied with a nostalgic look in her eyes. Yo Mei furrowed her eyebrows.

“Who?”

“What?” Ju Hua said snapping out of her thoughts.

“Who do I remind you of?”

“Ooohh. My cousin. She was just as beautiful as you.”

“Your cousin was a dark elf?”

“Nooo. Just… your eyes, nose, and lips, they look just like her eyes, nose and lips. Take away the skin and hair color you guys look exactly the same.” Ju ha blinked her eyes hard trying to stay awake. Seeing this Yo Mei burst out in laughter.

“You, are you a light drinker?” Yo Mei kept giggling. Ju Hua pouted her face.

“Yea. So what if I am a light drinker? Wine doesn’t even taste that good!” She blurted out. Yo Mei let out another laugh and then soon Ju Hua started laughing too. The mood between the two were good as they continued talking about random things, which led to them complaining about their spouse and soon to be spouse.

“That man you know, always argues with Yu Lin and tries to act as if he is the smarter one. It’s funny because Yu Lin always shuts him down. Hahahaha!” Ju Hua let out another laugh and gulped down another cup of wine.

“Hahaha! I would expect no less of my daughter!” Yo Mei gulped down another cup of wine also.

“I knooowww. Tell me Yo Mei, how did you raise such a smaaaart and wiiiise daughter? I want my child to be like yours too!”

“You want your child to shut down their father?”

“Haha! Yes! Then he would probably learn how to keep his mouth shut.” The two women were now drunk. Sen Feng heard all they said about him as they were practically shouting and his head hung low. Chou only gave him a pat on the back to cheer him up.

“But… when did you go to Sky Continent Yo Mei? If you did go I am sure I would have saw or remember you.” Ju Hua asked as she remembered the first time she encountered Yu Lin. Yo Mei raised her eyebrows.

“What are you talking about? I have never been to Sky Continent.” She replied as she cocked her head to one side.

“Huh?” Ju Hua cocked her head to one side. “What di-” Her sentence was cut off as a loud yell suddenly filled the room.

“Yu Lin is gone!” Chief Chu’s voice rang throughout the room. The four of them looked up at him before their eyes widened as they realized what he had just said.