LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 5
The morning light streamed through the window, casting a warm glow in the small kitchen where Long Wei sat at the table, a steaming bowl of rice porridge in front of him. Hua Mei had stayed the night, a comforting presence in the midst of chaos. As he looked across the table, he saw her gently stirring her porridge, a frown of concentration on her face.
“Good morning, Wei,” she said, glancing up with a tentative smile. “Did you sleep well?”
“Not really,” he admitted, pushing his bowl slightly away. “Thoughts kept swirling in my head. It’s hard to rest when everything feels so uncertain.”
Hua Mei nodded, her expression softening. “I understand. It feels like we’re in the middle of a storm, and no one knows when it will end.”
After a moment of silence, she continued, her voice low. “Have you thought about what the war might be like? What it means for our families and our village?”
Wei sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I have. But honestly? I don’t even know what we’re fighting for. What’s the reason behind it all? It feels like just another game played by people who don’t care about us.”
Hua Mei leaned forward, her brow furrowing. “That’s what scares me the most. We’re caught in something so much bigger than ourselves, and we don’t even know the truth. It’s all just whispers and rumors, people speculating about what’s really happening.”
“Exactly,” Wei said, his frustration bubbling to the surface. “It’s like we’re just pawns in a game we didn’t choose to play. I keep thinking about Uncle Li, about how they dragged him away. He didn’t deserve that. None of them did.”
“None of us deserve this,” Hua Mei replied, her voice firm yet compassionate. “But we have to remember that we’re not alone. We have each other, and we can lean on one another when things get tough.”
Wei felt a flicker of gratitude for her presence. “You always know what to say to comfort me, Mei. I don’t know how I’d handle all this without you.”
She smiled softly, but her eyes held a deeper understanding. “We’ll get through this together. But I want you to promise me something. No matter what happens, don’t lose sight of who you are. You’re strong, Wei, and you have a good heart. That’s what truly matters.”
He met her gaze, feeling a swell of emotion. “I promise, Mei. I’ll try to hold on to that. But sometimes, it feels like the weight of everything is too much to bear.”
“Then let me help carry it,” she offered gently. “We can’t control the war, but we can control how we respond to it. If we stand together, we can make a difference, even if it’s small.”
Wei took a deep breath, letting her words sink in. “You’re right. Maybe we can’t change the world, but we can support our village, our families. We can be their strength.”
“Exactly,” Hua Mei’s encouraged, her eyes brightening. “And who knows? Perhaps our efforts will ripple out beyond our village. If we inspire even a few people, it might lead to something bigger.”
As they finished their porridge, the conversation turned toward the looming specter of the draft. Wei leaned back in his chair, a frown creasing his forehead. “What if I get drafted, Mei? What would happen to our dreams?”
Hua Mei’sexpression grew serious. “I’ve thought about that too. You want to be a craftsman, to create beautiful things and share them with the world. What if the war takes that away from you?”
“I don’t want to think about it,” Wei admitted, running a hand through his hair in frustration. “It feels so unfair. I’ve spent years honing my skills, dreaming of the day I could become an apprentice and eventually open my own workshop. Even women can get drafted it they have a strong enough affinity, I am worried about you being drafted too, everything is now uncertain.”
Hua Mei reached across the table, placing her hand over his. “You’re more than just a craftsman, Wei. Your skills and creativity are part of who you are. Even if you’re forced to fight, that doesn’t change the dreams you hold inside.”
“But what good are dreams if I can’t pursue them?” Wei replied, his voice thick with emotion. “If I’m out there, on the battlefield… what happens to the future I envisioned?”
Hua Mei squeezed his hand, her eyes shining with empathy. “You’ll find a way to hold on to that future, even in the darkest times. Look at what Granny Feng is doing—she’s using her skills to bring people together, to create hope in the face of despair. You can do the same.”
Wei considered her words, but doubt still gnawed at him. “And what about you? You have your own dreams too, Mei. What if you’re drafted? You want to learn more about sewing and maybe open your own shop someday.”
“I do,” she said, her voice steady. “But I also know that I can’t just sit back and wait for things to happen. If the war continues and we’re called away, I’ll still hold onto my dreams. I’ll make sure to keep practicing, even if it’s in small ways.”
“Do you really think you could keep your passion alive like that?” Wei asked, impressed by her resolve.
“I have to believe I can,” she replied. “Art, creativity—they’re part of who we are, and even if we’re separated by circumstances, they can still thrive within us. We can inspire each other, no matter where we are.”
Wei felt a sense of warmth wash over him, appreciating her strength. “You’re right. If we believe in our dreams, they can become our guiding light, even in the darkest times.”
“And who knows?” Hua Mei continued, her expression brightening. “If we do get drafted, maybe we can find a way to support each other in whatever roles we’re given. We’ll find ways to keep our dreams alive, even if it means being apart.”
He nodded slowly, feeling a glimmer of hope. “I want to believe that. It’s just hard to see a future when everything feels so chaotic.”
Hua Mei smiled softly. “We have to take it one step at a time. Let’s focus on what we can do now, for our village and for each other. Together, we can create a ripple of change, no matter how small.”
As they shared their hopes and fears, Long Wei felt a renewed sense of purpose blossoming within him. The war might threaten their dreams, but as long as they stood together, they would find a way to keep their passions alive, to craft their futures in whatever ways they could, and to support one another through the trials ahead.
After finishing their conversation, the morning sunlight poured into the kitchen, illuminating the worn wooden table where Wei and Hua Mei sat. As they cleared away their bowls, Wei glanced out the window, noting the distant silhouette of his mother working diligently in the fields.
“Your mother is incredible,” Hua Mei said, following his gaze. “She’s been so strong during all of this.”
“She has to be,” Wei replied, a hint of admiration in his voice. “With Dad gone, she’s carrying the weight of everything. I wish I could do more to help her.”
Hua Mei placed a hand on his shoulder. “You’re already doing so much just by being here for her. And once I gather more supplies from Shu Village, we can come back and help her together.”
He nodded, appreciating her encouragement. “What do you plan to bring back?”
“More food, blankets, and maybe some seeds. If we can help the women here keep their farms running, it might make a difference,” she said, her eyes brightening with determination. “We have to be resourceful and support each other.”
Wei felt a swell of pride for Hua Mei. “You’re right. I’m grateful you’re willing to help. It means a lot to our family—and to the village.”
“Of course,” she replied, smiling warmly. “I’ll do whatever I can. Just promise me you’ll take care of yourself while I’m gone.”
“I promise,” Wei said, though he couldn’t shake the sense of unease in his gut. “But be careful, Mei. The roads can be dangerous with everything happening.”
“I will,” she reassured him, gathering her belongings and tucking a few leftover buns into her bag. “I’ll be back as soon as I can. And remember, you’re not alone in this. We’re in it together.”
As she stepped outside, Wei walked with her to the edge of the property. The air was filled with the scent of earth and growing crops, a stark reminder of the life they were fighting to preserve. He watched as Hua Mei adjusted her bag and turned to face him, her expression resolute.
“Keep an eye on your mother, Wei. She needs your support now more than ever,” she said softly.
“I will,” he promised, feeling the weight of her words. “Just be safe.”
With one last smile, Hua Mei set off down the path toward Shu Village, her figure gradually disappearing into the distance. Wei stood there for a moment, feeling a mixture of hope and concern swirl within him. The world felt fragile, but with friends like Hua Mei, he knew they could face the challenges ahead.
Turning back toward the fields, he took a deep breath and prepared to join his mother, ready to lend a hand and face whatever came next. He hoped that together, they could navigate this storm, supporting each other and the village through the uncertainty of war.