AN: Sorry guys for not updating for a long time, I have recently started a new drama (Flowers in Fog aka Fleur et Brumes) It's really good and I am addicted :) I am also starting to get writers block, so I am writing less than usual because I don't wanna use up all of my creative juices. Fact: If you have dimples, it means you have something wrong with your face muscles. I have something wrong with my muscles lol

Chapter 9

On the road to Dali: ZW, EK, LQ, LH and JS

They were half way through the journey and ZW was growing tired. It was harder for her to travel since she was pregnant. EK would often check on her and let her lean on his shoulders if she felt really sick. Sometimes, they'd tell LQ and LH to stop the cart because it was getting really bad. It was a long tiring journey, but they knew it was going to be worth it. When they were only a few miles from Dali, JS also started to feel nauseous.

LQ: "JS, what's the matter? You look all pale"

He frowned at her with concern. They were in a nearby inn, resting.

JS: "Oh, it's nothing much, probably to do with all the travelling"

She gave her husband a sickly smile and walked off. After a few steps, she started stumbling.

LQ rushed towards her before she collapsed on the ground.

The Week before the Wedding: The Bird Household

XYZ: "AHHHH! Look at all these ribbons!"

She threw them happily in the air.

YQ: "Don't mess around with them, hang them up!"

He pinched her nose. She giggled and carried on throwing them into the air.

QE: "XYZ, come on, we still need to stick up lucky posters, sort out the sedans, dancers, wedding dates and nuts and puddings…"

XJ: "Don't worry, QE. We are all hands on deck at the moment and I am sure it'll get done on time"

QE looked at him, doubted. XJ sighed and laughed.

The Inn near Dali: ZW, EK, LQ, LH and JS

The physician took JS's wrist and sat there holding it for e few seconds. When he finally got up, LQ demanded to know her state. Everybody was in the room, waiting eagerly.

Physician: "Gong xi, gong xi (congratulations, congratulations"

He put both of his hands in a ball and placed them in front of his chest.

"Your lady is bearing a child, she just has morning sickness and some rest and herbal medicine will heal her in mo time. Please do try to look after her well from now on; she can easily get hurt with a baby inside of her"

EK, ZW, LQ and LH couldn't believe their ears. As they thanked the Physician, they couldn't stop beaming. LQ quickly rushed to her side and held her hands. JS stirred and her eyes fluttered open, everything was still blurry and she could still see a few stars here and there.

She rubbed her eyes.

JS: "What happened?"

She tried to get up, but LQ pushed her back down.

LQ: "You have to look after yourself and not get sick, now that you're having our child"

JS felt confused.

JS: "Child? What child? Who's child?"

LQ: "OUR child, silly!"

JS couldn't believe it either.

JS: "What? Really?"

LQ pulled JS into a bear hug.

LQ: "We are finally going to have a child" he whispered into her ear.

JS: "I love you"

LQ: "I love you too"

EK also pulled ZW into a sideways hug; both of them were remembering when they found out that ZW was pregnant.

EK looked over at LH.

EK: "When are you and Gao Ming (GM) going to have a baby?"

LH blushed, "Mind your own business, EK"

Everybody laughed.

JS: "I hope it's going to be soon!"

They were back on the road, taking plenty of medicine for JS and ZW.

Before they knew it, they were at the entrance of Dali.

ZW ran out into the open air, mesmerised by the picturesque landscape.

ZW: "I haven't seen such beautiful views since being in the Sea of Flowers!"

EK walked to her side and slipped his arm around her waist, cradling her round stomach.

ZW smiled and pecked EK on the cheek before returning to the carriage.

The people of Dali were very friendly and quick to greet them. They had to ask directions to XJ's house, but eventually they got there.

The Bird Household

QE knew ZW, EK and the rest had arrived. She was in the market looking for wedding food, when she heard people muttering about new arrivals to the small town. She quickly paid for the deserts and took XTY's hand and ran to the town centre.

There, in the midst of the crowd, was EK and ZW with JS, LQ and LH. It had been may months since QE had seen them. Tears immediately brimmed over QE's eyes. She picked XTY up and made her way towards them.

EK and ZW's

The market was busy and smelt really nice. EK took the luggage and swung them over his shoulder. They were walking when he saw a woman holding a child of about one year old, hand. He thought it couldn't be QE as he didn't know she had a son. But then, as she came closer, he could make out her features, and it turns out, it was QE. QE picked up her son and started running to them. ZW, JS, LQ and LH hadn't spotted her yet as they were too concentrated on some street performers. EK threw the luggage at LQ and ran towards QE.

Finally, the both were face to face.

QE: "Er Kang"

EK: "Qing Er"

The others had caught up with EK. Once ZW saw QE, she threw herself at her, nearly knocking XTY out of his mother's arms.

ZW: "Is it really you?" She put her hand on QE's cheek.

ZW looked down towards the baby. ZW immediately clocked that it was QE's baby.

ZW: "Oh! Congratulations!"

QE and ZW started sobbing in each other's arms.

XTY wriggled uncomfortably and wanted to be put down. QE pulled away from ZW and set him down on the ground. He ran towards EK and started pulling at his robe. EK laughed and picked him up tenderly and tickled him.

QE: "It's been so long! You guys have so much to catch up on!"

They were all filled with smiles.

LH: "Does XJ, YQ, XYZ and BJ know we're here?"

QE hesitated: "Well, you see; only XJ knows. And BJ is no longer here"

JS: "What? Has he…" she gulped, "passed away?"

QE: "No! Of course not!"

LH: "What happened to the foreigner?"

QE: "He's… left. To Great Britain"

ZW: "What?"

QE: "I told you guys you have a lot to catch up on. We'll go find an inn for you guys"

LQ: "Aren't we going to your place?"

QE: "It's gonna be a surprise for XYZ and YQ. They are the only ones who don't know you're here"

EK: "So when are we going to meet them?"

QE: "On the wedding day"

The friends nodded understandingly and together, they left for the nearest inn to QE's house.