Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Apologies
The sun broke through the window and dashed rays of light onto Xiu'er's face. She clamped one hand over her eyes.
"Brother, close the blinds."
A creaked sound was heard, followed by footsteps and the windows were closed. As soon as Xiu'er realize she had just talked in her sleep, her eyes opened and she sat up in bed right away. She looked around her. Her brother just finished closing the window and turned his head back to look at her. They were back in the abandoned house they were staying at. She was on the bed in her white undergarments with the blanket over her legs. She quickly felt her body. There were no cuts or wounds on her, just small internal injuries.
"Where's Xiaogua?" She looked up at her brother.
"He's sleeping in the shed." He handed her a bowl of medicine and sat beside her. "Here, drink this." She asked him what it was for, curious about the dark colored liquid.
"For your fever."
"What fever?" She squinted her eyes.
He touched her forehead with the back of his hand. Surely enough, she was cool and healthy as can be. He sighed and set the cup of medicine down on his lap.
"You had a bad fever last night when you almost drowned. We had a physician visit and prescribed some medicine for you. We also ask one of his female staff to change your clothes. Look at you, why do you have to make me worried? Why can't you take care of yourself? I was worried sick all night. You know you can't swim so tell me what happened yesterday." He pushed a finger on her forehead and her head leaned back. "Why did you let yourself get harmed like that? Why didn't you use your hairpin?"
She exhaled and tilted her head back.
"Aiya, Brother. This is just a small matter. I didn't know Xiaogua was going to be like that. Remember just yesterday I told you that Xiaogua might need my help? Well, I was right. He had some strange water powers that he cannot control, and they are actually quite powerful. I can't believe he was able to sweep me away like that. " Her gaze met his eyes and he was not convinced. She took his hand in both of hers. "I know I was reckless for a moment, but I promise you that I'm fine. I can take care of myself. Don't you know your sister better than anyone?"
There was a short moment of silence before Silang sighed. "If anything ever happens to you, and I mean anything at all, how am I supposed to answer to our par--"
A knock on the door abruptly sounded before Kun Shang entered the small house. "How are you feeling?" He asked Xiu'er in a warm voice.
Xiu'er looked up to meet his eyes, surprised to feel a slight blush on her cheeks.
"Have you taken your medicine yet?" He asked her as he looked down at the still full bowl in Silang's hands.
Silang looked at the bowl as well and was about to get up. "Actually, she said she--"
"--still needs some more rest!" Xiu'er clasped her hands around the bowl and brought it back down. Her brother let it go before it could spill. He was surprised at her sudden change of mind. "Brother, don't you have to go check on something?" She urged him.
Silang tilted his head to the side as he looked at her. "Um...right." He said roughly. "I... have to go check on something before A'Li burns down the kitchen." He smiled nervously at Kun Shang before walking out the door.
Kun Shang took the seat on the bed next to her. He asked her once more how she was feeling. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but coughed instead. Kun Shang came around and rubbed a gentle hand on her back. "You still haven't taken your medicine yet? You need to before it gets cold. Here."
Their hands touched from transporting the bowl to him. They both noticed it but neither of them said anything. Kun Shang carefully scooped half a spoon of the concoction and blew on it lightly before bringing it to the young girl's lips. Xiu'er couldn't help but gaze into his eyes as she drank, filling her heart with happiness and joy.
I guess he can be romantic too, sometimes.
"Xiu'er, I have something to say to you." Kun Shang's words broke her passionate gaze. He set the half-finished bowl down on his lap.
Xiu'er already knew what he was going to say to her. She knew there was something strange about Xiaogua, his body or his powers that made him powerful yet uncontrollable and unpredictable.
Xiaogua had told Kun Shang to apologize to Xiu'er on his behalf. He had no face to see her right now, but she should know that he was apologetic and didn't mean any harm.
Kun Shang told her about Xiaogua's past, how he was an orphan before he came to the fishing village. His parents had died when he was young. He lived on the streets for a short period of time. While he was out fishing for his meals, merchant fishermen saw how incredible he fished and took him to Kun Shang's hometown to work for Lord Kun.
Xiaogua had exceptional powers that allowed him to be different from the rest of the villagers. But because of this, they were afraid of him. Often calling him a water demon. Xiaogua hated himself for not being able to control his powers. And his powers grew everyday. He hated himself for putting those around him in danger. For putting her in danger. The last thing he wanted was for her to get hurt. And now she might've misunderstood him for a water demon as well.
"It might be strange for you since you are outgoing and social, but Xiaogua had always been an outcast. You are his first friend he's ever encountered in his life, and he treasures you very much. Xiu'er, please give him another chance."
"I didn't say that I was hurt because of him." She was shocked at how sincere his apology was and how he had fully taken the blame. What happened last night was an accident that cannot be controlled. They had wanted to help a village man catch the fish so he could free his younger brother. Neither of them knew it was going to end up like this. What happened last night, Xiaogua did do everything in his power to save her. She had never thought he was evil or meaning to hurt her.
"Your brother told me you are afraid of the water?" Kun Shang's voice was almost angelic.
She gasped at the softness of his tone. Her lips couldn't help but smile and she nodded her head.
Outside the door to the house, Xiaogua stood along the wall with his nose running. He bit his bottom lip tightly and tried to reduce the sore bump at the back of his throat. A stream of tears ran down his red cheeks.
Silang was standing next to him and placed a hand on his shoulder. "Don't cry. I do not blame you either for hurting my sister. But as a man, you must be tough and don't let your tears out."
"I'm sorry. I'm truly sorry I injured your sister. I'm sorry I was cursed with this power and I cannot control it. If anything happens to her--"
"But nothing happened to her, and she forgave you. It was an accident. Just remember that she's scared of water."
Xiaogua wiped his nose with his sleeve and turned to Silang. "From now on, I promise I will not let anyone hurt Xiu'er. I promise that I will protect her with my life--"
"Woah!" Silang held out his hands. "I didn't give you permission yet." He crossed his arms and shrugged his shoulders. "Marriage has to be agreed on both ends."
"No," Xiaogua shook his head. "What are you talking about? I promise that I will protect Xiu'er from any dangers in the future. She is the first friend I've ever had. I won't let any harm come her way anymore from now on."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone