Grandfather, Uncle Zedong, Min and I took off a week before the start of The Spring Competition. Although grandfather was a humble man by nature, due to the nature of the competition and the people who attends it, he made sure we had proper amount of servants and guards with us.

When we arrived to the Wen Province, I was delighted to see how busy it was. While we were at the gate, Li was showing our seal and paperwork. Sitting on Yun, I could see the busy large market ahead. Because of the big competition, there were many people from all over the country gathering to join the event.

"Mei-mei, want to go play?"

Seeing Min jump down from his horse, I did the same. Giving Yun a soft gentle pat and telling him to behave, I hand his reins to one of horse trainer that Yun grew to tolerate. The stubborn horse will not let anyone but me sit or even touch him - so I was relieved to see him behaves.

"Min, make sure you stay out of trouble" Uncle Zedong was on his horse as he spoke firmly. "Anything your mei-mei wants, make sure you get it"

"I know father" Min rolled his eyes.

I nudged his arm, making him chuckle.

"Min" Our grandfather voice held a hint of warning.

"Yes grandfather, I'll make sure mei-mei is safe. I swear"

Before grandfather and uncle say anything else, Min and I made our escape - laughing as we run off.

In the busy street, I made sure to keep close to Min. Min - on the other hand, bought a lot of snacks and shared them with me. I was happy because Min would always give me the larger share.

"Mei-mei, here some plum candy"

I looked at the plum candy as a sudden memory of the past hit me. I was never allowed outside the Zhou mansion. Third uncle and his wife always firmly kept me inside, claiming it was for my protection. All a while their children could leave and go as they please. I could remember their laughter of joy as they came back from their usual day of fun outside in the city. Not wanting to remember the past, I quickly followed after Min.

"Mei-mei, do you want that?"

When we were at a small accessory stand, I noticed a jade bracelet. I was a girl after all - jewelry fascinates me. I nodded quietly, feeling embarrassed. But Min only smile and paid for the bracelet before sliding it on my wrist.

"Thank you Min-ge_"

I was smiling happily until I noticed a troublesome scene. I saw a small child my age in rags and completely covered in dirt with long hair in disarray. What caused me to frown was that the child was being brutally beaten by a large man. What's even more disturbing was that no one is stopping him.

"Min-ge" I grabbed hold Min's sleeve.

Min looked troubled as well but he shook his head at me. It wasn't our business, but I couldn't just stand there and pretend not to see the beating.

"Mei-mei!" I could hear Min startled shout as I run off.

I stood before the man, blocking him from the child. I almost got kicked me but the man foot froze half way as he saw me.

"Mei-mei!" Min blocked me and said sternly. "What are you thinking?"

I knew Min was angry that I put myself in a position where I could get hurt. Seeing the child, shivering in pain with blood coming out her trembling lips, I couldn't regret what I did.

"You brats, where did you come from? How dare you get to someone else business?"

Min frowned seeing that the crowd is gathering.

"How could you beat a small child?" I looked up at the large man.

"That dirty brat stole from me!" The man shouted with indignation. "It deserves to be beaten to death!"

I looked back at the child, now unconscious. Tight in the child's hand was a dirty steam bun.

"For a small bun" I looked back at the man, sadly. "You're willing to beat the child to death for a small bun..."

"You say it's a small bun" The man scowled at me. "What's the different between this and money? That dirty trash steal this bun today, tomorrow it will steal gold from you. Only then would you realize me beating this trash to death is correct"

His logic - crowd agreed with it. But I did not.

"Why couldn't you see it as helping someone in need? Doing something good now, in return, good fortune will be return in the future"

"Spoken like a spoil brat" The man glared at me. "I have enough of this, get out of my way"

"Let me pay for the bun"

Min sighed softly as he held out a silver teal. When the man slapped it away, his face darkens.

"I said get out of my way, or don't blame me"

The man was about to punch at us, but Min blocked and returned the punch. Although Min was younger, he was stronger. At 16, Min built was strong and his martial arts skill wasn't something anyone could take light on. I know since I sparred with him for the past 2 years. I stepped back as I watched Min subdue the much larger man.

"Take the money and go" Min voice was hard, his expression cold.

"You brats just wait until I get back up" The man grabs the silver and glared at us.

When he rushed off, the crowd quickly disperses. Seeing the situation, I bent down to check if the child was still alive.

"Mei-mei, we need to go"

"Min-ge, we have to help this child back"

Min saw my firm resolution, so he easily lifted the child up into his arms. I quickly followed beside him as we made our way toward the lodge we're staying at. Unfortunately before we were able to reach the lodging, the same loud man found us. This time, he brought 3 other men with him. Immediately, Min gave me the child as I help prompt the her up against me.

"Mei-mei, quickly leave"

"Min-ge" I wasn't going to leave him alone.

"Wei Lan" Min said seriously. "Listen to me, take the child and quickly leave"

If I stayed, I would burden Min. Biting my lips, I felt conflicted.

"Young Master, young miss!"

I never felt so relieved to see my grandfather's guards. With a dozen of them suddenly rushing to our side, I could see Min's shoulder relaxed. The 4 men saw the guards and turn to run.

"Get them" Min ordered coldly.

Four guards captured the men, dragging them back to Min.

"W_ What do you want? Why are you grabbing us like criminals when we did nothing to you?" The main instigator was nervous and spoke loudly to cause another crowd to gather.

"What's this?" Min smirked. "You're actually playing innocent with me? If you weren't planning to come beat my mei-mei and I up, why did you and your friends bring those sticks with you?"

Min eyes track the wood poles in each of the men's hands.

"Take them to the city Mayor and report this" Min ignored the men denials and told the guards.

Only then did the men finally realized their mistake and beg for forgiveness - but it was too late, Min had already given the orders. I watched the guards drag the men away.

"Mei-mei" Min turned to me and flicked my forehead.

"W_ Wei Lan apologizes to Min-ge" I knew he was upset - this was after all because of me.

Min looked at me for a moment before he sighed softly.

"You" Min looked at one of the guards nearby. "Take this child"

The guard stepped in and lifted the child from my side.

"Let's go" Min sighed again. "Grandfather and father is waiting"

I nodded and quietly followed Min. As expected, when we reached the lodge, grandfather questioned Min about the unconscious child one of the guards was carrying. Min explained the event that happened. I was afraid that grandfather would be upset.

"Wei Lan, do you have anything to say?"

"Grandfather, Wei Lan cannot ignore when a child is being beaten to death..."

"You have put yourself in danger once more for someone else"

"Wei Lan rather risk her life than lose her humanity"

This one sentence not only moved my grandfather, uncle, and Min, but the servants and guards around were also moved. In their mind, they couldn't believe a 13 years old girl would say such words.

"Take the child into one of the rooms" He Long spoke, his voice still calm. "Have a doctor come and treat the child's wounds"

One of the servants went out the lodging to find a doctor.

"Wei Lan"I looked at grandfather who sat at the table, looking at me with soft eyes like always."Your heart is kind, grandfather understand this... but this world, if you're too kind, it will be a disadvantage"

"Grandfather, Wei Lan doesn't think what she has done is kindness. This is what should be done, this is being a human being"

"You are a stubborn child" Grandfather laughs softly, shaking his head at me, pleased and troubled at once. "Since the matter is resolved, I will drop this matter. Grandfather only ask you be more careful in the future"

"Wei Lan will take grandfather's words to heart" I bowed my head. "Thank you grandfather"

"What about me?" Min folded his arms, pouting at me. "I'm still angry at you mei-mei"

Despite his words, I knew my cousin wasn't angry.

"Thank you Min-ge... for protecting Wei Lan earlier..." I bowed my head to my cousin and said softly. "Wei Lan will punish herself by playing Go with Min-ge"

"N_ No need" Min was suddenly nervous while grandfather and his father both chuckled.

"No, Wei Lan insist"

The face Min made only brought a smile to my face.