Hi: This is a longer than usual chapter. It lays the groundwork for our story.


Chapter 8

She gets a small

The two feuding figures played out their scene in front of the small shop's window. Rows of glass jars and small burlap sacks dominated the small display. A chart wedged against the edge of the exhibited natural remedies and a sheet of glass listed names and prices. This unusual confrontation continued unobserved. The morning rush of women anxious to select the best fruits and vegetables available from the many wooden carts dotting the area were preoccupied. Even the farmers that staff the warped vehicles that hold their wares were nowhere to be seen. The Blessed Brew sat desolate and alone on the abandoned street. This reason, cause for the two sisters' animated spat.

"Bai, you are being ridiculous." The younger sibling's annoyed tone increased with her sister's reply.

"We should be invisible. My sweet Mei Me, please?"

A head full of elaborate braids shook as the slim right arm of the younger sister flapped over her head in disgust.

"My name is Bai Suzhen." Snapping her free flowing hair, the older sister continued. "And you are Xiaoqing. "Bai stood five feet four inches, enough to hover over the smaller frame of the one once named Lu se. "We must never use any other name. And leaving our shop to gawk at some foreigner will not do us any good."

"But Bai?" Correcting herself, "Bai Suzhen."

Looking out the window onto the empty streets, Xiaoqing batted long lashes over the twinkle in her eyes. "Even the vendors are missing. Everyone wants to see the new teacher. He must be a scholar from the West." Presenting a serious expression as she continued to act the excited child did cause her elder sister's anger to subside.

"My sweet precious child, in Fujian there are many that believe in shape shifters such as us. We must never let our guard down."

Bai put her arms around the slender shoulders of Xiaoqing. "Why must you wear such scandalous tops?" Referring to her younger sister's halter. Yellow spaghetti straps crisscrossed from around her neck connecting a covering over erect, petite breasts. Skin-tight black jeans fit around her waist a few inches below her belly button.

"Jie Jie," Xiaoqing swooned nestling her head onto Bai's neck. She moved a lip-glossed mouth to her stern sister's ears. "I need a man. I have urges below my stomach. I can not explain. It is as if an itch between these human legs calling for a man's fingernail to ease the urge."

"I fear little sister; it is not a fingernail you need to scratch that tingle."

Xiaoqing's arms encircled the grinning Bai. The young woman meshed against her elder's white collared blouse, as her hips slithered against Bai's black trouser pants. A gift from Xiaoqing after internet shopping from the Gap, Bai returned the tight fitting garment for her proper size.

"Please, dear Xiaoqing. My sweet Mei Mei. I know of the ache in your soul. I feel it too." Bai lifted her sister off the ground. Looking into Xiaoqing's sparkling eyes, "I feel the emptiness in my heart."
"Heart?" Xiaoqing jumped from her sister's embrace. A split tongue five times larger than any other from a human's mouth whipped through the air. "Sweet Bai Suzhen," she laughed between words. "My heart is not the empty place that needs to be filled," now the humorous feeling spread to a smiling Bai. "Dear sweet Jie Jie," the mirth simmering at the top of their souls exploded.

Amid giggling that taxed, Xiaoqing's breath. "You want me to point out the target I want a man to it."

The sisters' boisterous sound of laughter crammed the medicinal shop. They kissed each other on the cheek and after Xiaoqing promised to put on another top, the two decided to join the rest of the village and spy on the foreign visitor.

"Please Xiaoqing, the light blue one from Hollister is very stylish and respectful." Bai stroked her hair placing the long silk-like threads over one shoulder.

"Respectful?" The younger one replied. "I will wear it, but no bra." Xiaoqing went to the back of the shop. Bai remained standing with rolling eyes.


At the new school building

"Zhe ge shi women de xin lao shi." Tao spoke in a straightforward manner in introducing, their new teacher.

Towering over the throngs of parents and grandparents bowing, giggling and locked on his foreigner's form, Angelo could not help but notice the lack of men in the welcoming multitude. Two slim and bent in stature grandfathers represented the males of the area. The pair too old to continue work in the fields or labor construction on the numerous revitalized roads found time with growing grandchildren an excuse to continue living.

"I am very pleased to meet you." Speaking Mandarin in slow measured tones he hoped to not embarrass himself. More laughter and smiles dotted the hectic scene as though understood; Angelo's tortoise-like delivery did seem humorous.

More murmured chuckles followed as the two men entered the small schoolhouse to greet the standing children. Rigid figures aside their assigned seats. With the door closing, louder queries floated about the crowd.

"Ta shi yihun ma? Ta you nu peng you ma" Was he married? Did he have agirlfriend?

As the women walked away, the previous discussions concerning their children's intellectual aptitude and future business plans ebbed as a new tide of interest rose. The cackling chatter concerned unmarried sisters or friends needing to be advised that a new, tall and handsome single man would be living in town. This intense dialogue broken as the two hustling sisters appeared and exchanged greetings.

"Oh no." Xiaoqing's tone filled with disappointment. "Are we too late? What does he look like?"

"Bai Suzhen." The words bubbled from the excited young mother. "Xiaoqing, the teacher is a tall and good-looking American."

An older unmarried sister of one of the mother's said with disgust "If I was only ten years younger?" A deep sigh as she continued, fingering her short hairstyle. A tense pair of lips showed her regret at cutting it this length. "Do you think American men like short hair? Maybe he will think I am a professional?"

"Jie Jie," her younger sister's voice answered the older woman with sarcasm. "Breaking your back in the tea fields makes you a professional?"

Turning her head from the words, she barked at the young mother. "Never mind that, I could teach that pretty young man a thing or two."

"And who's going to teach you?" Her younger sister blurted with a chuckle. "You have to remember where it is." Thrusting a slim calloused hand toward the woman's crotch, she asked. "When's the last time this thing was used?"

Bai remained expressionless at such behavior. These women comprised a significant part of her clientele. She did not want to end this moment of hilarity. People felt her disciplined nature and reserved persona intimidating. She might lose customers due to their misinterpretation of her character.

Xiaoqing on the other hand had no such fear.

"I think, women with short hair in America are prostitutes?"
"Xiaoqing!" Bai's harsh reply did not silence her sister.

"No, I'm just saying. Maybe?" Xiaoqing's slender eyebrows rocked.

"Shut that disrespectful mouth." Bai turned after her words. "Please, forgive my

sister. She is without a man and knows nothing of such things."

"No need to explain, I know her a long time." Answered the woman.

Satisfied that Bai understood, the older woman tensed her eyelids and presented a

snarled expression at Xioaqing. It was ignored.

"Does he look like someone that could bewitch a woman with his smile?" Xiaoqing's eyes began to sparkle as she spoke. Bai worried should her sister's pupils split down the middle. It would not take much for these superstitious people to react to such a sight.

"Sweet Xiaoqing, you know it is not his soul that you want to bewitch you." Added by the shorthaired older sister, seconds from her own embarrassment.

"Oh, I hear these American men are virile lovers and do all the acts necessary to please a woman." Xiaoqing's statement brought a hush to the crowd. One woman stuck her tongue out with a modest wiggle.

A voice from the snickering group added, "I want that young barbarian's head between my legs."

"I bet their tongues are as long as their…" Bai's hand engulfed her sister's lips, interrupting the graphic comment. It did not stop her high-pitched titter. "They use their tongues like…" Again Xiaoqing could not finish, as Bai tugged her toward the trail.

"Come sister," Bai grabbed Xiaoqing by her upper arm. She knew her brass sibling might demonstrate to the women the proper way to wiggle a tongue. If that would occur, their secret would be unveiled.

Moving from the noisy cluster, still buzzing over Xiaoqing's last words, the snake sisters moved to the path leading to the schoolhouse.

"Why did you do that? Bai, I was going to show that frustrated female what a tongue looks like."

"I know you were. How many times do I have to tell you? They love us now, but if they ever thought we were shape shifters…" Bai lost her breath. A flush set of cheeks caught Xiaoqing's attention.

"Bai, I am sorry. I know," stopping to look into her sister's dark eyes. "I was just going to let it wiggle, just sticking it out just a little."

"Ok, let's peak at this foreigner and then get back to the shop. I know some of these unsatisfied women might want some herbs to increase sexual drive."

"For them or their husbands?" Asked Xiaoqing.

"I think for both." They chuckled at the thought of fatigued men toiling in the hot sun coming home to amorous wives.

"That outfit in Victoria Secret is better than any of our potions." Xiaoqing's body slithered as she spoke. "I know should you wear it for a man," halting her speech to flash a devious smile. "He will spread your human legs and your sadness will disappear." Her lips receded revealing pure white teeth.

Bai tensed her facial muscles in an attempt to show her displeasure at Xiaoqing.

"That outfit is not for someone like me." She protested the thought of wearing the lacy halter baby-doll. At first, Bai thought the deep turquoise color would blend with her milk-like skin. Fujian summers grew hotter as the years pass, the stretchy material and sparse support of her breasts could be a welcome addition to summer sleepwear.

"Oh please," a blast of air followed Xiaoqing's annoyed tone. "Those panties will entice any man." Referring to the matching string thong.

"Never! A woman cannot truly entice a man leaving nothing to the imagination." Bai stood stern after her words. A gentle breeze rustled her raven hair as she turned toward the open window of the classroom.

"Sister, what is this?" Bai asked after hearing the sound of a man's voice.

"What is what, dear Jie Jie?

Bai stood motionless, her lips parted by the deep sigh. The woman could not speak.

"Bai, what is the matter? You look like the breath has been taken from you?" Xiaoqing's head shook as she spoke. This behavior from her older sister confused the young woman. She stepped back from the awe struck figure to her front.

The sound began to take shape, as Bai moved closer to the small window.

"Hello, I am…" The male voice resonated through the stale humid air of the classroom. Initial greetings were to be reviewed on the first day. A chorus of children's voices answered their new instructor. Slurred, broken and indistinguishable English filled the air, as the students tried to mimic their teacher.

The foreign educator wished for each child to introduce themselves with the limited English they already possessed. He chose to be an example.

"I am Mr. Ciello. I come from America."

Bai scraped her lower lip with chaste white teeth. Xiaoqing knew this to be a sign of stimulation.

"Sister, I think you caught that burning itch I have?" She smiled at the sight of the serious Bai so overwhelmed.

"Do you not hear his words?" A solemn expression took control of her face. "The pain, the sadness, can you not sense his damaged heart?" Bending down alongside the bleached white window frame, Bai moved her head till one eye peered into the room.

"Sister?" Xiaoqing grabbed her shoulder repeating the plea. "Sister, what are you doing?"

"Shh," the request from Bai. Returning to her position of surveillance she gazed at the tall American speaking in even tones to the dozen children sitting in a state meshed with wonder and fear.

"Why are the children so scared of him?" Bai asked turning away from the window as a breeze sent her free mane twirling about her beaning smile.

"Maybe because he is so tall and a foreigner? You know everyone is afraid of American men?"

Xiaoqing pulled her sister from the dirt track surrounding the outer walls of the school. "I think their own women do not like them? I read articles on the internet about them. Many American women, some professors and professionals told of the terribleness of American men." Grunting after seeing Bai's blissful expression. She continued. "The straight white ones are the worse. They make war on their women." Xiaoqing nodded as she reported her findings.

"War? Do not be silly." Bai's slim eyebrows tensed. "What is the death toll?"

"It is true. I hear it when there is one of their many elections." The younger sister's volume rose to stress her point. "Maybe that is why they marry so many Asian girls?" Xiaoqing glanced at a mesmerized, Bai. "No one else will marry them."

"What," The older sister needed clarification on one of her Mei Mei's descriptions. "Straight, like those with good posture?" The older sister's face contorted at such an ideas. " Xiaoqing, you mean standing upright men are dangerous?"
"No, Bai. The ones that like girls." Xiaoqing shook her head at the older sister's lack of worldliness. "Every article I read tells of their eternity of sins against the world."

"My sweet child of a sister. That internet of yours is worse than a gaggle of frustrated women gossiping as they do laundry." Bai looked back at the bland colored building. "You are still growing. Not only your powers but your maturity must ripen."

Bai ignored her sister's tug back onto the path leading them toward their shop, and continued. "You are too young and inexperienced to see inside his soul. His suffering is great." Stopping her stride, Bai spoke. "He carries many scars. The deepest inside."

Xiaoqing's answer, "have you lost your mind? I hear the children's words. They are petrified of this foreign demon."

"Nonsense my silly Mei Mei, if he is a demon? We are real women." Bai giggled and then flashed a smile. "His soul is pure and full of love. The little ones do not understand yet. But they will."

Xiaoqing renewed her tugging of this hard to move object. Bai's body swayed as if a small tree at the mercy of a strong wind. The usual serious woman showed no interest in doing anything other than floating, which she began.

"Are you crazy? You scold me for such behavior in private and now in public." Xiaoqing grabbed her sister's body as it drifted off the ground. Looking to all corners of the area, she felt relief that no one witnessed this sign of their true identities.

"Xiaoqing, I don't know what came over me." Breathing in rapid succession, Bai hoped to return to her serious nature. "I'm alright now." Clammy skin tightened keeping the rush of color from her face. Constricted muscles brought a rigid stance to the woman. There would be no hue of embarrassment that human females exhibit when so distracted. Her ivory white skin showed no signs of stress. Perspiration is the curse of the humans. It brings about that certain odor that the entire animal kingdom recognizes and dreads.

"Remember your warnings about the teacher, Li Tao?" She asked.

A mild-mannered and polite man, he often would glimpse a second or two longer at either of the sisters than would be deemed appropriate. Bai knew of his devotion to Buddha. A man such as LI Tao would never ogle a woman.

"You are right, my sweet Mei Mei." Bai's tome turned serious. "There is nothing more dangerous to an immortal," biting her lower lip. "Then a pure soul." Her sigh filled with sorrow. An immortal possesses many powerful traits. Li Tao possessed the one most sought after.

"Oh, sweet Bai." Xiaoqing placed her hand on the distraught woman's shoulder.

"Enough of this nonsense." Bai's shoulder shook her sister's hand into the air. "I know the poor women of Fujian suffer so much from the shortcomings of humans, especially men." Bai stated with confidence. Arms entwined as the sisters walked in regular fashion through the small hamlet that borders Zhenghe and their shop.

"I know that worse than the sweat from labor and worry is the liquid that falls from their eyes." Bai spoke showing no regret at the statement. "Often the result of wasted love on a human man."

Xiaoqing continued to tilt her head eyeing her sister as they strolled along the beaten path. She still remained confused at her senior sibling's unusual behavior in front of the school.

"We are so lucky my sweet Mei Mei. We can never cry. Our spirits are too advanced to suffer from such distraction or pain." Bai grew silent after her declaration. Though every few steps she turned her head to gaze in the direction of the schoolhouse.

"Jie Jie, I see a group of women waiting in front of our door. No doubt they want some help with their libidos." Xiaoqing waited for her sister to react with a smile, grin or giggle. There would be none forthcoming. The stern expression that had become part of Bai's character returned, the warmth of the past few minutes dissipated.

Oh no, my spinster sister's heart grows cold again.

Xiaoqing knew how to rekindle the fire that the foreign demon set to blaze.

"Bai, will you deal with these sex-starved wives?"
Opening the door, the sisters entered the shop escorted by five villagers of various shapes, sizes and ages. Their needs did not require an explanation. Bai Suzhen reached for a number of labeled burlap bags and set them next to the scale. Her attention to the task and continued polite conversation with her customers shielded Xiaoqing from her view.

Entering the back room, the precocious sister picked up the catalogue lying on the small table.

"Yes, here is the website." Sitting down on the small metal folding chair, she picked up her laptop. "Now let's see," using one hand to control the black device balanced on her skintight jeans. "Yes, that blue is perfect for Bai." Grabbing her hair, Xiaoqing swung the long braid as if a whip. It circled about her head as a deep sigh of relief left moist, slim lips. Wiggling her tongue, jade colored eyes glittered from the advancing sunlight sneaking into the back room.

"Now what size. Oh yes," a smirk erupted on her mouth. "Yes, XS?" Green eyes sparkled as the young woman decided to order two. "XS for me," her snort filled with envy. "And big tits Bai, she gets a small."

Fingers raced over the keyboard. Dark green pupils split down their middle.


Note to reader:

Our couple will soon meet. But, wait...what about Janet?