Through the town we come. Trudging, starving. Our homes are destroyed, our crops ruined, our animals dead. Everything we had is gone. Father was still not well, and refused to eat. Big Brother is trying to stay strong, but everyone know he is soon to break under pressure. Second brother, stubborn and annoying, is the only one who can keep up. He is keeping us all up.
It had been less than 3 days since we had gotten home when he first came.
He had slight buck teeth and a tight braid going down his back. His eyes were a little far apart. Or where they close together? I couldn't tell. I didn't care. He was beautiful.
What am I thinking? This can't be. I am not attracted to this imperfect human with his little flaws.
No. I'm done. I don't want this. I am going to marry a beautiful girl and she is going to give me many sons. No.
"Cooking oil for sale!" He shouted. His voice came in a crystal wave, drowning me, causing me almost to fall to the floor.
My knees buckled.
"Little Bao," Second brother said, punching me, waking me from my trance, causing me to topple, "there's a crowd gathering. Let's go."
Indeed there was a crowd. You would never guess who was in the middle. Gramma Crooked, yelling at this beautiful stranger. Why I though Why would you ever yell at him
I must stop. I cannot be attracted to him. My father would be… No. Just no.
I only heard snippets of the conversation. "...flood….no offence…." Suddenly, the stranger turned his head to Gramma Crooked. He looked at her in an indescribable way. A kind way, a way in which he showed he cared. I wish he looked at me like that. NO! There were many reasons I couldn't be attracted to him. 1) He was also a boy. 2) He was older than I, about 2 years. 3) Why would he ever notice me? Why would he take a second look at a village rat like me? I wish…. No. I don't wish. I am fine with him not bothering to even notice me. But the way he looks at Gramma Crooke-
JAB! Ouch. Two of his slightly bent, calloused fingers jabbed Gramma Crooked in the neck. I cringed. Pop. Gramma Crooked's bad eye fluttered open. She stared at him in disbelief. "How..I… I haven't been able to open this eye for years!", she exclaimed, "Young man, tell me your name so I can thank you properly."
"Red Lantern Chu."