It might be said:
A/N: Mei Ying, Pang Su, and Gan Xing are my OCs. Dynasty Warriors is designed by Tecmo Koei.
Word spread fast about the two brave generals of Han Zhong, Pang Su and his wife Gan Xing, having a daughter. Many even wondered how the old couple even had a child so suddenly.
It had been five weeks since Mei Ying joined Shu. She was still having trouble adapting to the new environment and faces around her. Nonetheless, she embraced Hanzhong and its people close to her heart.
It was a sunny day which means it was a busy day for the people in Hanzhong. Farmers were attending to their crops and merchants were wandering here and there.
Passing by the busy farmers, Mei Ying skipped her way back home after Gan Xing sent her to buy certain ingredients for dinner tonight. She doesn't know when, how or why but the little girl grew an obsession toward Gan Xing's cooking- especially Gan Xing's special meat buns. Pang Su was right; Gan Xing's cooking is irresistible.
On her way, she hummed a lullaby. She swung the bag within her grasp with every skip. She passed by many farmers who would wave at the little girl and grin. She would excitedly wave back.
Suddenly, she came to a full stop as she heard a loud growl. Mei Ying's eyes widen with fear. Was it a wild animal? Another growl was heard.
"I-Is there a t-tiger….near?" stuttered Mei Ying, too afraid to move. She slightly looked around her to see if there was any wild animal near but found nothing. The growl was heard yet again. Was it getting closer? Another faint growl was audible.
Wait. She placed her hand over her stomach. Her stomach vibrated as another growl escaped her stomach. Her "wild animal" was her stomach all along. She giggled feeling silly.
"I am hungry…." She whispered as her stomach growled again. "I hope we are having meat buns tonight."
She resumed her way back home running. She held the heavy bag with both hands and hoped that she doesn't drop it as she picked up her speed. Her short ponytail flew crazily around with the wind.
Her steps, however, slowed gradually as sand was blown inside her eyes. She tried to keep her eyes open but wasn't able to. Eyes closed, her hand rubbed hard against her eyes. She didn't even stop in her tracks but rather kept running.
Mei Ying, eyes closed, didn't notice the figure standing before her. She collided with the figure's back and fell backwards.
"Ooooow…" she moaned as she rubbed her back. All her items got scattered around her.
The figure turned his head but found nothing. He looked down and there she was.
"Oh, I am so sorry."
The mysterious figure knelt down and started collecting the scattered ingredients in her bag. Mei Ying was finally able to open her eyes after no more sand was in her eyes. She looked up to see a man collecting her stuff inside her bag.
"HEY! These are mine!" she yelled as she snatched the bag from the mysterious man who looked rather surprised. She had a deep frown upon her face to try and scare him off but the man found it rather cute. She struggled to hold the heavy bag as she stood up. Before she went, she looked once more at the green clad man and stuck out her tongue before wobbling home. The man placed both hands on his hips and silently laughed.
"I never saw this girl around before. I wonder who she is."
"Mei Ying, dear! You brought the ingredients with you! Good girl!"
Oh how Mei Ying loved it when Gan Xing praised her like that every time she does a good job or when the woman patted her head gently with the sweetest smile she had ever seen.
"Thanks to you, dear, I am going to prepare my special meat buns for dinner."
Drool was visible at the edge of the little girl's mouth from hearing the word "meat buns". She just loves them. Especially if they were made by Gan Xing.
Mei Ying left the busy woman alone in her kitchen and turned to leave to her room. On her way, Mei Ying took a peek inside the room beside hers. There she found Pang Su, swinging his weapon around as he trained. Mei Ying could sit hours just watching how skillfully the older man manipulated his weapon. Maybe one day she can be as strong as he is.
She left Pang Su and entered the next room which was currently occupied by Mei Ying. She found Bunny peacefully lying down on the soft bed fast asleep. She feared waking up the animal so she tip toed inside. Bunny's ears twitched as it felt the girl's presence. The rabbit opened its tiny eyes and stretched.
"You are the cutest bunny ever!"
Mei Ying felt like squeezing the rabbit to death. She was once going to do so if it wasn't for Gan Xing who saved the rabbit's life.
She lay down on the bed beside Bunny. She watched as the animal licked its hand over and over again and wiped it across its face. She actually wondered why some animals do that.
Gan Xing rolled a piece of dough on a counter repeatedly until it became extremely soft and smooth. She proceeded with dividing the dough into many pieces and filling each with barbequed meat. She finally closed each piece on the top and started cooking them. After she made sure they were done, she placed the fresh hot meat buns in a bowl and on top of a table. She made sure they were up high or else she is sure to find some meat buns missing. She left the buns to cool down as she cleaned around the kitchen a bit.
She heard the creaking of a chair. She turned around to find Mei Ying climbing on a wooden chair to try and reach for the meat buns.
Gan Xing cleared her throat which grabbed the girl attention. She playfully raised her right eyebrow at the girl who slowly slide down the chair and went out of the kitchen.
Pang Su was covered all in sweat after an hour of training. He entered the living room and found Mei Ying already in it playing with her stuffed doll. He sighed slowly as he sat on his soft large chair. He could smell the seducing aroma of the meat buns. He had a huge urge to go in and eat the whole bowl but knowing Gan Xing, he restrained himself. His growling stomach mixed the little girl's.
Finally, Gan Xing came in with the huge bowl filled with meat buns. Both Mei Ying and Pang Su sat up properly and waited anxiously for Gan Xing to give them one.
"There you go, dear."
Gan Xing gave Mei Ying the first meat buns. She took a deep breath of the meat bun, drool sliding down her mouth and eyes sparkling with excitement. Pang Su as well received one and Gan Xing took one for herself.
Just when the trio were about to take a bite, a banging was heard on the door. All three sighed. It's like whoever came knew exactly when to interrupt.
"I'll get it," sighed Pang Su, making his way to the door.
With a bored expression, he opened the door."Yes, what do y- Oh! Master Liu Bei!"
At the door stood none other than the king of Hanzhong himself. The kind hearted and giving Liu Bei.
"Master Pang Su, may I come in?"
"O-Ofcourse! Please do come in!"
"Thank you," said Liu Bei. He entered the house before Pang Su did.
"Mei Ying, don't eat just yet," whispered Gan Xing.
"But I am hungry!" The girl pouted as hunger ate away at her stomach.
"My dear, who is- Ah! Master Liu Bei! What a pleasant surprise!"
Gan Xing was taken aback when she saw the ruler of Shu entering their living room.
"Lady Gan Xing, long time no see."
Mei Ying ignored all the commotion and opened her mouth to take a bite when Gan Xing took the bun from her grasped, returned it in the bowl and presented the bowl to Liu Bei.
The girl felt like crying. She was starving!
"Master Liu Bei, care for a meat bun?"
"Why yes. I heard your cooking is the best, lady Gan."
Gan Xing was flattered by the nice comment. On the other hand, Mei Ying had her back turned to their guest with her arms folded over her chest.
"Master Liu Bei, is there a reason for your visit?" asked Pang Su.
Liu Bei swallowed a bite from the meat bun before replying. "Yes, I wanted to discuss our next war council. I-"
Liu Bei paused as he finally noticed the girl sitting aside.
"Is this your daughter? I heard that you both have a child now, is that true?"
Pang Su rubbed his beard." Not quite, that is Mei Ying. We took her in after her parents left her."
"The poor girl"
"Mei Ying, dear," called Gan Xing," come and welcome our leader. Master Liu Bei, king of Hanzhong."
Mei Ying very slowly stood up and dragged her feet behind her with her head lowered and toward Liu Bei.
When she finally looked up, a strange filling filled the girl. Like she had met him before.
"Wait," gasped Liu Bei," you are the little girl from earlier."
How can she easily forget? He is the same man that she bumped into and tried to "take away" her stuff!
Gan Xing raised her eyebrow," Master Liu Bei, you saw her before?"
"Yes, lady Gan. She was carrying a bag full of food on her way here. She fell and I went to help her."
So, he wasn't trying to steal them from her? She felt embarrassed.
Liu Bei placed gently his hand over Mei Ying's head as the girl looked up with eyes filled with worry."Take good care of her, lady Gan. She is a sweet and kind girl. A treasure."
Mei Ying's eyes widened. Did he call her…sweet,kind, and a….treasure?
So, he wasn't going to tell on her? How rude she was?
Liu Bei placed little Mei Ying on his lap and grabbed a meat bun. He placed the bun near her mouth and she gladly took a bite. He kept feeding her a bite after another.
Liu Bei. A name now she is sure she won't forget. She never met once in her life someone as caring and kind-hearted as he is. No wonder why Gan Xing and Pang Su look up to him.
He is now her influence for being as kind and caring with people as he is. She wants to be like Liu Bei. The kind ruler.
A/N: End of chapter 3 ^^ any comment, go ahead and let me know. And if you have any OC by any chance you want to add here, PM me. Ta-Ta! :3
