Wanue's hair was thick. Almost as thick as mines, knotty from the roots to the ends, and having to take my time to brush her length to avoid her cries of pain or rough-neck pulling. Maybe it was because she kept her hair in braids for so long that it was hard to brush even after washing it, but I have never seen a Chinese girl with the number of curls she has on her head. Though it was nowhere near mines and definitely nowhere near straight, it was a thick wavy mess that's more defined after being detangled.

"When you brush my hair so soft and gentle, it reminds me of my mother and when she used to brush my hair every night." Wanue runs her fingers through the detangled part of her hair and smiles with her eyes closed as she recalls the memory. A sweet memory I also shared with my mother. "Do you think I will look pretty like all the other girls? Or like Sister Er Qing? Voluminous and shiny and very long?"

"You are already pretty," I tell her. "You will just look even more prettier. That's all."

"You are also very pretty Sister Fei and I admire you a lot. And while your skin is unique, a rich color I have never seen before, it reminds me of a...Like a...a..." She tries to find the word she's looking for and pops like a bunny when it came. "Like a pearl. A beautiful black pearl that's rare to find but beautiful and worth much fortune to last a lifetime. And anyone who lies eyes upon your rare beauty is gifted an abundance of joy you have to offer. That's who you are."

"Did you just come up with that?"

"It's a real word, I promise. There has been ancient stories of former emperors searching for a Black Pearl they believe would cleanse their sins and gift them an abundance of fortune and good health for eternity."

A Black Pearl? I never heard of such a name or usage before to describe myself or stories Wanue heard of, but I loved the way it sounded. Beautiful. Elegant. Rare. And I love it. A lot more than I thought I would, and her compliment flatters me. hēi zhēn zhū

I take her hair into smaller sections as my mother taught me and brushed her hair starting from the ends and working my way up to the roots. Since Bai Han Zhi was barely present, I decided to use her brush as I have been for a while now. Jingfei doesn't dare mention my crimes once she noticed the brush in my hand, she simply undressed herself down and went straight to bed after washing off her makeup and letting down her hair. She normally didn't mind much of anything since she was digging more into Bai Han Zhi's things than I was.

"Okay," I pull Wanue's attention when I finished wrapping her curly hair into a bun as tight as I could and held it with a cheap pin. The rest of her hair flows down her back. "I'm done. Do you like it? I did the best I could so my skills aren't the best in the world."

She fits herself in the tiny mirror and turns to see what I've done to her hair. The light in her eyes, the small touches to her hair, and the confidence I could see growing within her told me all that I needed — she loved it a lot. I was pleased though a ping of jealously left a bitter feeling in my chest. Wanue's lucky to have someone with curly hair at her side able to give her the help she needs to maintain and guide her young heart in great places. I had no one — still have no one — but grew to accept that it's okay because I can always find someone along the way as Wanue has.

She's careful to not mess up her hair, overwhelmed with joy she couldn't handle nor keep inside. "I look like every girl here. Pretty."

I smile warmly.

Until her small arms have wrapped tightly around my waist while pressing her head into my stomach, a gust of air punching up my throat from her sudden impact. "Thank you truly. I couldn't have asked for the best sister in my entire world." She hugged tighter.

My body felt a bit stomped before I decided to hug her back. It has been so long since I've hugged someone that I almost forgot how it felt. How warm and comforting and safe it felt. And is was exactly what I needed after all the hardships I've endured at this tainted place. My hand caresses her back in a tender motion which she sends a warm breath against my stomach. It was like hugging Fen's small body.

"Oh," She pulled away as if she remembered something important. "I found the person you told me to look for."

"W-What?" immediately, my gaze averted to Jingfei who lies peacefully in bed resting, showing no interest in Wanue's prior statement. However, I recognized her to be a light sleeper and would often appear as if she were asleep when she's in fact lying still, still wide awake until she feels like getting up or waiting for someone to leave. So I tug Wanue further from Jingfei's ears and motioned for her to lower her voice when speaking. She nods, understanding. "You did? Where is she?"

She looks to Jingfei before answering, "She's located east of the city. When you see a building with the claws of a wolf, turn left and the white gates to appear is where she lives."

Before I excite myself anymore, I locked both hands on Wanue's shoulder staring desperately into her clueless eyes. "And you're sure this is where she lives?" I emphasized 'sure', wanting to make sure the information I'm given is reliable. I'm not saying she would ever lie to me because I know she wouldn't, but this was a family matter so I need everything precise.

"Yes," While nodding affirmatively, "I'm sure."

I pull back with a light head, overwhelmed with excitement with no way of containing the pleasant but frightening feeling that Yiyan is alive and well and she still currently lives in the city she moved to for her husband's work. It's been so long since she's sent letters and goods back home that I often wondered why, and if her husband stopped her from doing so. But now that Wanue has found her, I can go ask her myself. See if she is well and how her children — if she had them — were doing and observe how diligent and far off her lifestyle is. And though we weren't as close as children, I'm sure she will be pleased to see how I've grown over the years and ask about mother and the family.

Wanue had asked if the person she searched for was someone I knew in the midst of my mixed emotions. I don't want her mixed in any trouble that I've already brought her into, but I also don't want to lie so I answered her honestly but quickly changed the subject of my relationship before she had the chance to think "Is there a way I can get across the wall?" I bring myself to ask.

It's been dark outside for a while now so there was still some time for me to visit Yiain before sunrise. If everything flows smoothly.

"You can exit through the main gates. We're allowed to leave when our duties are finished but during the day mainly w — "

"I need to go now, undetected. Madam Xuan mustn't see me — no one can. Is there another way?"

I wait patiently in hopes she'd understand what saying while not letting her mind drift heavily to each meaning of my words. After a few seconds of thought, she jumps like a bunny when an idea comes to mind. I turn to her attentively listening. "If you know how to climb there's a tree on the outside of the wall that grows over the wall inside. I've caught a few girls sneak over to join the fest of the city or secret lovers so you can use that way too."

"Can you show me the tree?"

She nods proudly.

The city is as lively as it was back home but more enchanting. The entertainment here is rich and new and much more creative, even the stories they told were a set production of a built stage and funny-looking puppets. Kids and older adults gather around with laughter in the air and sugared sweets pumping their systems. I would have stayed and watched the show amongst others but I don't have much time until sunrise. I'm also in one of the greatest cities in the country with no protection.

Zhao Ji was present when I left and Wanue promised to stay on watch though I told her to rest, but since she insisted, I don't intervene. She only wanted to make sure I'm safe and kept from trouble. I only hope Zhao Ji doesn't discover my empty bed.

I travel East as Wanue directed and searched for the building with claw marks. I've overheard within MeiHua of the many wolf sightings when traveling and going on strolls through the woods or in the city, big gray wolves that lived deep in the mountains but often traveled near when hunting. It was a common cause of death followed by the flu and winter colds.

Passing a young couple in arms, I held on to the hood of my cloak when a soft breeze pushed it back slightly. Since I kept to myself and because of the many entertainments and mouth-watering foods sold on the streets, no one cared to notice me. And for the most part, I was invisible.

Four claws deep carved onto the side of a rundown bar with drunk men gambling away their money and being kicked out for fighting, I turned left into a dark wet pathway and continued until I came across the white gates Wanue described. Despite my nervousness, my hand lifts to knock on the gate's door while observing my surroundings for any suspicious lingering eyes.

I wait in silence overthinking my approach, mouthing which words came naturally and filled with sudden regret. I shouldn't have come on impulse. I should've come another day. What if someone notices my absence? What if Yiyan doesn't welcome me here and refuses to let me in?

My silly thinking disperses from my brain the moment the gate finally opens and a woman dressed in maid clothing who wasn't Yiyan appears. Upon my presence, she's taken back especially at this time of day but gathers herself quickly to ask. "Can I help you? Or do you seek for Mr.Mou?" She asked. The fear is prominent in her gaze taking me in like some foreign creature.

"I'm looking for Jiang Yiyan," I say what I've practiced. So far so good besides the narrowness of her gaze when mentioning Yiyan. "Is she inside? Can you tell her, her sister is here to see her?"

Her demeanor changes. Looks guilt of something. Stiff even.

Frantically, her head shook. "I'm sorry but you will have to leave — "

She attempts to close the gate and I responded quickly out of reflex by jamming my foot in between the threshold. She gasped in surprise and tries to close the gate regardless of my foot. It was only then that I realized what I have done, pushing against the gate as a pulse of pain strikes painfully all down my leg and worse at my ankles.

"I will call the guards if you don't leave. Now!" She threatened.

I keep pushing ignoring her clear threat. "I only want to see my sister — she will know who I am when you tell her. I am family and I would like to speak with her now!" Each word pushed out with a grunt, and she was surprisingly strong but not stronger than me.

"It's late. A-and Lady Yiyan is out."

I don't believe her. The way she scrambled for words, the desperate tint in her voice, and the need to kick me out — besides being a stranger — gave me the impression she was lying and Yiyan must be inside. She has to be. And so, I pushed harder, with much more force successfully freeing my foot and let myself inside.

She tries again to kick me out but stops herself already acknowledging my determination and stood there utterly useless. "I will go nowhere until I speak with Yiyan or someone present. And please be quick about it." My ankle throbbed but felt better when stretching a little before another wave of pain passes by. I hissed.

After living so long here in Changqiu, I've grown accustomed to the way around here and perfected the native accent and the mannerisms of Changqiu natives that no one could ever guess where my hometown truly lands. Sometimes it grew shocking how well I could articulate my words that I didn't sound like my true self at all. Not even one bit of countryside.

As told, the maid goes back to get Yiyan.

Yiyan has been living a good secure life by the looks of it. Her house is nice and well-decorated with plants and beautiful flowers that lost its color after sundown. The structure was the same as Zian's family home but better, but there was also an empty feeling about it. A loss of life that made me uncomfortable with a chill chilling down the spine of my neck.

My attention is pulled behind me when I hear a voice explaining my usual visit to someone I thought was Yiyan until the frame of the agitated person turns to be a man — Yiyan's husband, Mr.Mou. I can't see his face from afar but I can hear the groggy annoyance in his tone as he cut off the maid who immediately apologizes. I never met Yiyan's husband before, but I remembered his voice. A voice that never felt welcoming. And older.

"Can I help you? Hopefully, this is important since you've decided to come to my house at this hour and awaken me from my rest."

He's unfazed by my appearance but given how much older he appeared; his vision must've acted accordingly to his age. And I'm disgusted. How could mother marry Yiyan off to this wrinkled man? He's old enough to be our ancestors and is one step from kicking the bucket.

"I'm sorry to have disturbed your rest but I'm here to visit Jiang Yiyan, my eldest sister."

While sizing, he questions, "at this hour?"

I try to think of something quick. "I've just arrived in the city and couldn't wait to meet her now."

"I never met you before in my life."

"Many people haven't," I continued. "But Yiyan can confirm our relationship once I see her."

"I can't do that." He replied immediately.

"Why?"

"My wife is asleep and dares to not be awakened by anyone including her family members. You may leave."

Their maid said Yiyan was out while Mr.Mou claims she is resting. So which is the truth?

With an understanding nod, "Then I can wait until she a — "

"No, you cannot." He interjects with all means to not allow me to see Yiyan under any circumstance. Of which I don't understand. "Please leave and don't come back."

"Sir, I just only want to see my sister. She hasn't written a letter as she's always had every month but now only sends home money with no details of her wellbeing. I would like to see how she's doing now after many years and report back to our family so that our worries have calmed down."

"I said leave before I call the guards to take you away." He threatens. For real this time.

Respecting his wishes, I back down. He was still a man of the house, and I was still very much trespassing. I didn't come here for trouble nor do I need it coming my way, I only came to see my sister and check on her health. But I leave now as told, but it won't be the end.

I waited a little longer outside the gate for Yiyan to awake or for her to come out for a night stroll but soon came to realize I've been waiting for nothing. I'll have to try another night when I'm free to come see her again. Hopefully then Mr.Mou won't stop me again.

•••••

黑珍珠 (hēi zhēn zhū ) = Black Pearl