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I. Opera

Beijing, China
November 8th, 1979

The Cheung family was affluent and well-connected to the elites of the Chinese government since its inception. Matters of narcotics trafficking, political corruption, and money laundering—you name it, they had their hand in it. Leading the Triad was no menial task and the issue of inheritance became the greatest concern for Master Cheung, the formidable boss, following the death of his son and his daughter-in-law. Their death was reported an accident; however, it was never comprehensively investigated. Though, that part of the story comes much later. Instead, the pressure befell the three children of the late Mr. and Mrs. Cheung and these children were now the future of the Triad.

Before the passing of their mother and father, the eldest daughter Hana was primed to take an apprenticeship under her father to one day lead the Triad. This plan was met with spiteful resistance from Master Cheung, who adhered a preference for a male successor. And after the funeral, her younger brother Gao was promised leadership over his older sister, leaving her without agency. Of course, Hana had felt stripped of who she was raised to be. Her future blown away in one fleeting moment of despair and loss by the hands of her stern grandfather.

Hana desperately attempted to advocate for herself, oftentimes demanding her rightful place. When that did not work she resorted to other forms of protestation against Master Cheung. At first, it was disruptive behavior like throwing lavish parties while he was away for business and leaving the estate littered with sweaty bodies and powdery counter tops. It failed like all of her attempts to undermine her grandfather and resulted in silent disapproval. Master Cheung dismissed it as brash hysterics, further proving she was unfit to lead. It wasn't until she found her solace at the Yuan Opera in the city, away from the soul crushing estate. She found where she flourished, where she learned to sing, dance, and act. It was her saving grace and she took to it like bees to honey. For her, she discovered she could find family with the actors. One in particular was her favorite, Master Liu, who could perform any role, sing any tune, and love whomever he desired. He seemed to hold within him the ebb and flow of yin and yang.

She loved how effortlessly he was connected with both the feminine and masculine qualities of his identity. And though he could be secretive, his flamboyant personality and talent for human connection shined through every endeavor. It uplifted Hana in ways that could only be expressed by immense gratitude and the softening of her heart. He gave her that feeling of power back, because in the Opera she was free to act as a queen, foe, lover, and friend. As if by ritual practice, she avoided the attention of her grandfather and balanced her time with her youngest brother Lien and the Opera. He was thirteen at the time and was quite similar to Master Liu. When Hana could not be at the Opera, she brought that magic to Lien and together they became inseparable.

Understanding her younger brother shared that same spirit that Master Liu had, she knew she could extend that lifeline to him. She recognized the way he flailed his wrist when he spoke, the way he adored brightly colored garments, and preferred music over sport. The way she would catch him singing in his room or smelling flowers when no one was looking gave her hope she was not alone at the estate. She did everything she could to ensure that Lien would never be made to feel how she did by their family. That light inside of him like radiant authenticity and pure love for the world and the people in it, the touches of femininity in his personality that would surely be crushed when he grew up in the Triad drove her to take any measure to safeguard his true self. His identity, his uniqueness, and his love for beauty had to be protected.

When autumn came and called the leaves to find their bedding in dry grass, the Triad became busier as the blanket of night was longer and more profitable. Lien was soon to be primed for leadership much like their older brother Gao. She witnessed he was beginning to lose that song inside of him each time Master Cheung slapped his flailing hands or confiscated the pretty things Lien collected. She felt an obligation to take Lien to the Opera, so that he may find that there are still places outside of the Triad that would embrace him. Hana and Lien snuck out during an annual dinner for the Triad, held to entertain socialites and government officials. "Where are we going?" The young Lien asked, his dark brown eyes watching the street signs and the dawn redwood trees pass by. "Somewhere you'll love, do you trust me little brother?" She asked and held his hand. He nodded his head with the hesitation of a beaten dog.

When they reached the Yuan Opera house, Lien's eyes lit up like fireworks upon seeing the beautiful Ming dynasty architecture standing out in the sea of growing modernity. "Here it is, little brother. Go on inside, they are expecting you." Hana encouraged and Lien, afraid to make that first leap, had moved out of the car. He cautiously went up the steps, pausing at the grand doors. Hana noticed he was apprehensive and she kneeled next to him. "I won't force you to go in, you know that," she whispered to him. "Will I get in trouble?" He asked with that fear of dishonor rearing its ugly head.

"Little brother, I won't let anything happen to you." Hana rubbed his back and he looked at her. The grand doors that suddenly began to open revealed the richness inside. It was Master Liu wearing the traditional female dress with long black hair and pale makeup that dazzled Lien immediately. Master Liu bowed and took Lien's hand in his, "Welcome to the Opera, to home." He smiled warmly at Lien, winking to Hana. The boy's worries washed away as the excitement of childhood imagination took the reigns. Once inside, he and Hana were greeted by all the actors, some of whom were practicing their singing and stunts. It was a place of freedom and joy that eroded traditional gender roles. Men dressed in the feminine style and women dressed in the masculine ones, everyone there had the fluidity to explore all facets of their identity, something Lien yearned for.

Hana took Lien's hand and brought him to the dressing room where Master Liu began to take out the xingtou dresses for both of them while a woman approached with a tray of white and red powders, a jar of black liquid, and a set of makeup brushes. She never said her name and was referred to as Mei Mei, or sister. She was mute, but her eyes gave way to glimpses of a rich inner world. Gently, she began applying the makeup to Lien's face. Master Liu dressed him and Hana soon after as if they had always been there. Lien could not contain himself, humming along to the musicians practicing outside. Mei Mei placed the jeweled headdress and wig onto Lien, he looked beautiful and for once Hana could see him smiling from genuine happiness. He was more in this moment than "The heir and the spare," Master Cheung would always say to Hana and Gao. Instead, Lien was gifted his own path.

This time was different, Hana had given Lien something he'd always have. She had given him his power and his voice in a life that told him who to be. Now, Lien could know it was up to him to decide where he belonged. "Come, little brother. Would you like to see yourself?" Hana asked and Lien looked at her with an enthusiastic nod. She led him to the full-length mirror and that joy blossomed into a radiance from his heart as he spun around, the both of them giggling. "We are so beautifully dressed, no? It would be a shame to hide this. Maybe we could sing our favorite song for the other actors?" Hana offered and Lien, like a moth to a dazzling flame, had no hesitation in his heart this time.

The two of them would go to the stage behind the closed curtain, "If you get scared, just squeeze my hand and I'll keep you safe, little brother." She comforted him. "Thank you, sister." He responded and the curtains opened with the sweet melodies of the erhu strings filled the Opera. The both of them preparing to sing Lakme, a hymn their mother used to sing to them. Hana started off the first solo and swayed her arms, bringing her fan to her face, fluttering it as her eyes looked over Lien who held his fan up to follow her lead. He sang as best he could for having the first performance jitters. When he stumbled, Hana helped him with his part. The entire acting team stood in the wings hands held over their hearts. Not a soul was straying away from a brother and sister expressing freedom. Lien loved every moment of it and that shaky voice grew confident, his song returning to him.

By the end, the actors applauded and cheered. Hana and Lien bowed on the stage and Master Liu looked like a proud theatre dad. Though, beauty in this life was precious and unfortunately a joy that was cut short. The doors of the Opera house swung open and hit the wall. Silence followed the deafening boom of the wood cracking against the stone. Hana pushed Lien behind herself, watching suited men crowd the entrance. It was Master Cheung and his men. Master Liu turned around, giving a grandiose bow to activate his persuasive and enchanting flare. "Gentleman, come! It's a beautiful performance, young Lien and Hana make quite the dazzling dans, no?" He chimed with airy laughter. Master Cheung looked the man up and down with a disgusted expression as if Master Liu was a diseased leper. The old man then looked to Hana with a crooked smile, provoking her begin trembling. Master Cheung rose his hand and one of his men shot Master Liu in the chest. The frilly fabrics tainted with blood and the man's body thudded against the ground.

The actors began to back away, panicking as Master Cheung lifted his hand again, "Lien, come!" He roared and Hana shook her head in defiance, "You can't do this! He did nothing wrong!" She pleaded even while Master Cheung boiled over with rage, sending his men to the stage to grab both Lien and Hana. They took them out front of the Opera house. Master Cheung firmly grabbed Lien's arm and dragged him around like a rag doll, aggressively wiping the makeup off his face, "Disgusting! No grandson of mine will be a sissy!" He claimed, ripping the headdress and wig from Lien's head, throwing him into the back of the car. On the other hand, Hana fought to get out of the henchman's grasp. Her grandfather faded towards her and she was let go, quickly steadying herself.

"You're a monster and mother and father would never let you speak to us like this!" She spat in his face and for this, Master Cheung slapped her hard, causing her to fall on the ground. "Set it on fire." He ordered shamelessly, and turned away from his granddaughter getting into the black Mercedes speeding off.

Hana remained on the steps of the Yuan Opera house, her eyes welling with tears as bright flames wrapped around the building. She watched as two of Master Cheung's men broke the handles of the doors to lock the actors inside the blazing inferno and she rushed to the doors. She heard the haunting screams and smelled the burning of flesh. Her home reduced to ashy embers by morning and she was forever changed.

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