Lately, I have been walking better each day that passes by, although I'm still limping. Today, I was feeling very happy but I don't know why. It's probably because everything has been great lately.

Lien Hua and Ren Shu were packing, getting ready to go to their garden. I was already awake, doing nothing except sitting on my bed. I watched them pack, both pacing back and forth across the house, gathering what they needed.

"Do you guys think I can go with you this time? My leg doesn't hurt as much anymore, and I promise I won't slow you down," I asked, standing up. They turned to me.

"You don't want to rest?" Ren Shu asked. I shook my head.

"All I've been doing is resting. I want to do something, not nothing. Can I?" I continued, hoping they would allow me to go as well. They thought for a bit.

"Alright, you can come not to do the work, but to stay there with us. Okay? We don't want you standing up for too long," Lien Hua replied. I smiled and a rush of happiness swelled over me. I nodded and put my converse shoes on.

Today I decided to put on an elastic white short made of silk with large pockets on the side. The bottom part is elastic as well and the sides have tiny bows that were purple. The short went up to my mid thighs. My shirt was a light green t shirt and it was tucked inside the short.

When we left the house and began walking, I spotted Taoren walking ahead. She is my first female friend I ever had. She is so nice. We didn't really know each other, but she was willing to stand up for me against stupid Hundan and his friends. That perverted perv too.

"Taoren!" I shouted loud enough for her to head. She turned to me and I waved hello to her. She smiled and waved back before running over to us.

"Dani! My cute little friend! Where are you headed?" she asked, giving me a hug. It caught me by surprise and took me a short while to hug her back. Her hug made me feel happy inside, I don't know why. She turned to Lien Hua and Ren Shu. "Hello, Lien Hua. Hello Ren Shu." They smiled at her.

"I'm going with them to their garden," I explained.

"Ooh, can I tag along?" she asked. I turned to Lien Hua and Ren Shu. They smiled and nodded. I smiled and turned to her.

"Of course. It'll be more fun if you came along," I replied. Taoren held my arm and we continued walking to the garden.

Once we arrived, Lien Hua and Ren Shu had us sit down in their resting area not too far from where they were gardening. For the meantime, Taoren and I were messing around for fun.

"Do you want to play rock, paper, scissors?" I asked. Taoren's left brow narrowed down and she gave out a confused face to me. Oh, I completely forgot. This is the ancient times, of course they wouldn't know what that is. Maybe I can teach her, since it's very simple. "Or do you want to learn to play it? It's very easy!" A smile formed across her lips.

"Okay! I like learning new things! Show me how to play it!" Taoren replied cheerfully. I smiled too. This'll be fun! Doing rock, paper, scissors with Taoren.

"Alright, it's simple. You use either your right hand or your left. All you're doing is 3 things, rock, paper, or scissor. If you want to do a rock, you just make a fist. For paper, you simply show out your palm. For scissor, you keep your index and middle finger up while the other 3 is kept like a fist. Do you understand it?" I explained. Her eyes were filled with interest.

"Yeah I do. So how do you know if you win the game?" she asked.

"Oh, just remember that rock beats scissors, scissors beats paper, and paper beats rock. Okay?" I replied. Taoren giggled with excitement and nodded her head.

"Okay, I think I remember. Let's play it!" she exclaimed. I smiled and we put our hands in front of each other.

"Here we go! Rock, paper, scissors!" I shouted, each time while saying those 3 I bobbed my hand up and down, and made a fist in my hand. Taoren didn't follow along so she made a scissor.

"Haha I beat you!" she laughed. I began laughing a lot because I forgot to tell her that we had to do it at the same time. "What? Did I mess up?" I shook my head and giggled.

"No, but I forgot to tell you that we have to do it at the same time. Of course, whoever goes second will always win," I told her, and she began laughing too.

"Oh, okay! That makes more sense. Try again?" she asked and I nodded.

"One more thing, we both have to say 'rock, paper, scissors' together too," I let her know too. It seemed like Taoren understood. We both put our right hand out.

"Rock, paper, scissors!" Taoren and I shouted, each showing our palms to one another. We laughed and got ready to play again. "Rock, paper, scissors!" Taoren made a fist but kept her index and middle finger up while I made a fist in my hand.

'I won!" I said, laughing. Taoren was laughing with me too.

"Dani! Taoren!" we heard Lien Hua calling. We stopped laughing and left the resting place. The both of us went to where Lien Hua and Ren Shu were at.

"Yes?" I replied. Lien Hua was holding a bucket in her hand.

"Can I bother you two to get some waters? The one that we use to garden? I'm sure now where it is, right Taoren?" Lien Hua asked.

"Yes, of course I remember. Let's go, Dani," Taoren said, and I took the bucket from Lien Hua.

"We'll be back in a little bit then," I replied to Lien Hua. She smiled and Taoren and I began walking the way that Taoren led.

"Hey Dani, have you considered working in the capital? The carriage that is picking up the people who want to work is coming soon," Taoren told me. Working here? I have not even thought about working while in the ancient times.

"Um… I don't know. I didn't even know that people worked at times like this. What kind of jobs are there?" I asked. Taoren's eyes grew wide with shock.

"You don't?! Everyone knows that people can work! I don't exactly know which work there is, but I plan to go. You should too," Taoren continued.

"I don't know… We'll see if I decide to or not," I replied.

"So, I was just wondering, how did you end up living with Lien Hua and Ren Shu? Not that it's any of my business but my curiosity strikes," questioned Taoren as we were walking. I thought about how I ended up here and it ached my heart.

"It's complicated…," I began, trailing off for a while. She turned to me.

"You don't have to tell me yet, if you're not ready. I don't want to force you," she told me, but I shook my head. Taoren's my first friend here. She must be curious where I'm from. Hopefully nothing changes.

"No, it's okay. You have every right to know. I can understand your curiosity. So, long story short, I'm not really from here, like from China or from this year," I began, and she seemed lost, "I know, it's weird and I sound like a complete idiot right now, but it's true. Put it this way, I was getting pursued by bad guys and I jumped off the cliff. When I woke up, here I was. Heck, I didn't even know that I went back in time, nor do I really understand why or how I am here. I should be dead but I'm not. Or maybe I am and this is but a dream," I told Taoren sincerely, looking down. Taoren wrapped her left hand around my shoulder.

"Hey, you're here aren't you? I can touch you so you're not a ghost. I know that I'm alive and if I can touch you, you're alive. I think you being… From the future is actually the coolest thing I ever heard in my 15 years of living. If it makes you feel better being here, personally, I think you being here had made life more interesting for me. Life was always dull and boring until you showed up. I mean, I got to beat up Hundan and hit that pervert, but the best thing is that I made a friend who is super kick ass but at the same time so sweet and cute. I mean, I have friends here and there, but it's different with you. I have a good feeling that we're gonna be great friends," Taoren told me.

It really touched my soul hearing her say that to me. Never in my whole life has any female ever told me that before, and it made me emotional.

Tears swelled up my eyes and dropped down. Before I knew it, I began crying softly. Taoren turned to me and saw me crying. She topped walking and got in front of me.

"Dani… What's wrong? Did I say something to upset you?" Taoren asked, with worry in her tone. I chuckled and shook my head.

"No… It's just that it really touched my soul when you told me that. I never had any female friends and to hear you say that made me really happy. I'm crying out of happiness only," I replied, and sighed before smiling and hugging me. I hugged her too.

"You are too cute, Dani. We're gonna be great friends! Don't disappear back into your time, okay?" Taoren told me. I nodded.

"I'll try to stay here for the rest of my life," I told her. I wiped my tears away and we continued walking side by side and arm in arm to where Lien Hua requested us to go…

Huo Hundan and his friends, Bell Saphir, Yue Jun Jie, Xiahou Li, and Zhong Kai were taking a stroll through the garden area where people were farming. Hundan was still upset at Danina and Taoren for beating him up and making him look bad. His arms were crossed on his chest and his lips arched up towards his nose and his brows arched down.

"I can't believe you're still mad, Hundan. Why?" Li asked his angry friend.

"I… Hate… Them…," Hundan replied, his voice very grouchy. Kai, Li, Jun Jie, and Saphir laughed. They have never seen Hundan so grouchy before.

"Well, Dani and Taoren sure did make an impact on him, huh? Why don't you just go make amends with the 2 girls? I'm sure they'll forgive you for being mean to them. Don't you always apologize to your victims?" Jun Jie told Hundan.

"Yeah, the only difference is that Hundan became their victim instead. He ended up getting beat up by 2 girls that were smaller than him!" laughed Saphir.

"Which is why you don't pick on people small. Haven't you heard not to mess with the little ones? They're the feistiest ones," Kai added in. Hundan rolled his eyes. They haven't even got hit by that stupid little Dani girl. Her strength is beyond her height.

"Well that's because you guys haven't got hit by that Dani girl before. She's no ordinary one. I don't know. She's strong for her looks and height. And frankly, that Taoren girl just got lucky. They both did," Hundan commented. Li recalled getting slapped once by Dani.

"Oh yeah, Dani was really strong! Did you guys remember when she slapped me? The force on her hand to my cheek sent me twirling and made me fall!" Li explained. The thought of Li twirling that day made Hundan laugh.

"I thought you did that for show!" Jun Jie laughed.

"No! I really did do that from her slap!" Li said, laughing. Hundan was smiling when he heard 2 familiar voices close by. He turned to the river down the rocky path they were walking.

"Dani, when we go back, can we play rock, paper, scissors again? It was so fun!" a girl said.

"Of course, Taoren! Why not? I can teach you other fun games to play!" another said. Hundan slowly turned to the voices and spotted Taoren and Dani getting water from a bucket. Those 2 again… Maybe I can get revenge today.

"Look, it's the 2 stupid girls. I guess today is my lucky day for vengeance," Hundan told his friends. The rest turned and saw Dani and Taoren begin to walk towards them. Zhong Kai shook his head. He never listens.

"What are you gonna do? I think you should sneak up on them from that tree right there," Saphir suggested and Hundan thought it was a great idea.

"Good idea! Those 2 will never suspect it!" Hundan said, quickly running and climbing the tree. They will never be able to spot me from here!

"Let's surprise attack them!" Saphir said, running and hiding behind the giant rock close by. Oh, this'll be fun!

"Do we really have to?" Kai said boredly.

"Oh, come on, Kai! It'll be fun!" Li persuaded. Li ran to the tall grass and ducked down. Good thing I'm small and they won't see me here.

"Guess we have no choice, huh Kai?" Jun Jie said, and quickly climbed on the other tree. I guess it doesn't hurt to play along. Kai sighed and walked to the bushes and layed down. This is so pathetic and stupid. They are not gonna fool anyone. They waited for Danina and Taoren to come to them…

While I walked with Taoren, I was examining the area. I turned to a pretty tree with rich, green leaves. What a beautiful tree! It's so healthy! Wait, is that someone's leg? It's definitely someone's leg! I stopped walking and looked around more carefully. On the other side of the path, there stood another tree, and I saw someone's foot nearly sticking out. What is this? Is someone trying to sneak up on us? I looked around and over by the grass, someone's hair was sticking out already. When I shifted my eyes, I saw someone's legs sticking out from behind the bush. The thought! Someone IS trying to sneak on us! Well too bad I saw them already! I saw a large grey rock but in the middle, there was something black that was circular. It looked like an afro. After seeing the afro, I realized it must be Hundan and his minions. Those annoying boys! I normally would happily beat them up but I still need to bring the water to Lien Hua. I guess this time I can play it safe.

As we were walking, the boy from the tall grass popped right out in front of us.

"Prepare for trouble!" he shouted with a cute, angry face. Taoren and I didn't flinch though. We turned to each other.

"Make it double," said another voice calmly from behind. We turned and it was another boy who had jumped down from one of the 2 trees. He was smiling in a handsome way. This is so stupid! The afro from behind the rock jumps in the air, as we saw Hundan's friend. He somersaulted in the air, landing in front of the rock.

"To help Hundan get his way with the 2 of you!" he shouted passionately, raising his left fist in the air. It became all quiet, only the sound of the winds playing in our ears.

"Um?" Taoren murmured, being confused. The boy who popped out from the grass stopped making an angry face and turned to the bushes.

"Kai!" he shouted. From behind the bushes, we heard someone sigh and the bushes began rustling. The boy they called "Kai" got up and began walking to us.

"This is pointless. What's he gonna do?" he said, seeming bored. From behind, someone touched me and Taoren's back once. This is so stupid! They're all making rhymes with their lines each time they popped out.

"Boo!" shouted a voice. I knew that voice. It was stupid Hundan and the thought that it was him made me angry. How dare Hundan and his minions try to scare us? He's really gonna pay now! I turned to him and splashed all the water in the bucket on him. He became soaking wet. He too made an angry face. Taoren began laughing a lot.

"Shut up, stupid Taoren! It's not even funny!" Hundan shouted.

"Don't tell her to shut up, stupid! This is all your fault! Now I have to walk and get some more water!" I shouted angrily.

"You shut up!" the afro haired guy told me.

"You shut up, microphone!" I yelled back.

"Microphone?!" the smallest guy asked. Someone snickers, and we turn. It was Kai who was snickering. He inhaled, then exhaled as he stopped laughing but he still had a smile on his face.

"What's a microphone?" asked the guy who said, "make it double" and I turned to him. I completely forgot that they wouldn't know what a microphone is.

"A microphone is him!" I yelled, pointing to the afro haired man. I was sure his name was Saphir Bell or something like that. The smallest one is Li, the handsome one is Jun Jie, and the one that seems the most mature is Kai. They were Hundan's minions.

"Shut up, Dani!" Hundan told me.

"You!" Taoren replied to him.

"Shut up, I wasn't talking to you!" he told Taoren.

"You shut up!" I replied to him.

"You want me to tell Mao on you?! If not then you best shut up and go away!" Taoren told him. I saw the fear in his eyes, even when he was giving Taoren and I dirty looks.

"Whatever! I'm not leaving because I'm scared. I'm only leaving because I have other stuff to do!" Hundan yelled, walking off as his friends followed behind. Taoren and I watched them leave.

"Better be scared for he knows what's good for him," I told Taoren and she laughed. We walked down to the river once again and I swooped up plenty of water with the bucket. It was heavy, but I could manage. I felt that I should carry it, since I live with Lien Hua and Ren Shu. We made our way back up and headed to Lien Hua and Ren Shu.

"Here's your water you asked for," I told Lien Hua, handing the bucket to her. she took it.

"Thank you, Dani and Taoren," she thanked. She began pouring some on their plants while Taoren and I walked back to sit down.

"Hey, can we play that rock, paper, scissors game again?" Taoren asked and I nodded.

"Okay!" I replied. We put our right hands out in front of us.

"Rock, paper, scissors!" we shouted.

When we went back home, Taoren had to leave back to her house so I was with Lien Hua and Ren Shu by myself. Lien Hua was going to cook and I offered to help her. We chopped up some raw pork that Ren Shu bought from the market. Lien Hua began looking for something.

"Hmm… Now where did I put that cabbage?" Lien Hua muttered to herself. I turned to her. I wonder what happened? Did she forget it?

"What's wrong?" I asked.

"It seems I forgot the cabbage I was going to cook with the pork. I may have to go back and get it," Lien Hua told me.

"I can go. You can get started on cooking. I promise I won't take long," I said.

"I don't know… Your leg hasn't healed completely yet," Lien Hua replied, being worried.

"I think Dani will be fine. It's not that far away. She should get as much exercise on her leg, but not overwork herself. Don't be gone too long, okay?" Ren Shu said. I smiled.

"Okay! I promise I will be quick," I replied and left.

I began walking towards their garden. The wind was blowing gently, and the trees swayed left to right. This is so nice. I can finally enjoy the breeze and feel at peace. I held out my hands vertically and closed my eyes while smiling and walking. I inhaled, then exhaled, smelling the fresh scent of soil and grass. I opened my eyes and looked at the blue sky with white puffy clouds as birds soared high in the sky. I put my hands back down and continued along the trail.

When I arrived at their farm, I saw the cabbage sitting on their resting place. I giggled to myself. Lien Hua is funny. She forgot it here. I walked to it and grabbed the cabbage with my left hand. It was a cute circle shaped cabbage. How cute. Okay, now to get going before Lien Hua and Ren Shu worry about me.

I began walking on the trail back home. As I as walking, I couldn't help but feel like someone was following me. I stopped walking and turned. There was no one. What the heck? I think I am tripping now. I turned back on began walking again. This time, I swore I heard someone else's foot tapping alongside with mine from behind. I quickly turned around and didn't see anyone. I knew there must be someone following me, but slick enough to hide just right before I turn to see them. I turned back and there was a man in front of me. It caught me off guard so I ended up screaming.

"Ahh!" I screamed, taking a few steps back, bumping into someone too. I turned and there was also another man there. "What do you guys want? I'm in a rush to get back home!" They came closer to me.

"Your cabbage… Give it to us," the man in front of me said. He was filthy looking and skinny like he was starving. They want the cabbage?

"No way! I need it!" I replied. I heard the sound of a blade being taken out. I turned to the man behind me. He too was filthy and skinny. He was holding a knife in his right hand. My brows arched down meanly.

"Give it up or I will kill you right here on this spot," he warned. I wasn't scared though. I've been through tougher situations before. This was nothing. I shook my head.

"I will not give it up! I am not afraid of you," I told him. He swung the knife at me and I ducked and the other man hugged my body from behind. I was still holding the cabbage and I struggled to free myself. The man with the knife came close to me and I used my right leg to kick the knife away from his hand. I swung my head back and it hit the man holding me on his face.

"You little shit!" he yelled, grabbing my arms. He unknowingly grabbed my wound and pain rose from my right arm. I yelled out in pain and the other man tried grabbing the cabbage away from me. I shook the man off my shoulders and back kicked him, making him walk backwards. The man was still trying to steal Lien Hua's cabbage but I held on to it.

"Give it to me!" the man shouted.

"No! Let go! It's not yours!" I yelled, holding on to the cabbage as tight as I could. The other man grabbed a hold of the cabbage too and began to try helping his accomplice snatch it away from me. I can't let them take it away! I won't let! I was about to knee the man doing tug a war with me until someone pulled him away…

Marc Rodia was walking along the trail back to his village. He went on a 3 day journey to visit a meditation master. He stood 5 feet and10 inches. He had Short, messy, dark brown hair, mid-thick eyebrows, dark brown eyes, light-tan skin, small mouth, clean face with a small cheek, a defined jawline, naturally stern but expressionless face, and a toned, muscular body. Marc was on his way back home when he heard people yelling. What is going on? He went to see what was going on.

There he saw a girl and 2 guys fighting for a cabbage. He recognized the 2 men. They were thieves who steal from other people for their own personal gain. Those 2 again. I am sick of see them try to snatch innocent people's stuff.

"Give it to us!" they shouted to the girl.

"No! Let go! It's not yours!" she shouted meanly, but it was only cute. She had bluish grey hair, which he found odd but nevertheless, he went over to them. He saw one of the was about to trip her. He pulled that guy away and picked him up. Then he lowered him and set his left leg into a 90 degree angle and made his knee whack the man's back. Marc let him go and he rolled onto the floor.

"Ow, what the hell? You wanna die?" the man shouted to him, getting up quickly. These 2 really have no shame in what they do. Perhaps I have no choice but to teach them a lesson. Marc rose his hand in a circular motion vertically, slowly breathing and made praying hands. He was getting his chi ready to attack them.

"You 2 give me no choice but to teach you a lesson in stealing. Not just that, but also for attempting to hit women. Do you have no shame in your life? Have you 2 gone so far below that you have no guilt in what you do?" Marc asked.

"Silence! You shall face the wrath of the scorpion brothers!" he yelled, running to attack him. Marc smiled. Scorpion brothers? That name is too good for them, considering how starving they look. When he came close and swung at Marc, he grabbed the man's fist and twisted it backwards. "Ow, ow, ow!"

"You dare?!" the other man yelled. He charged at Marc and tried to uppercut him, but his hand did not reach Marc's face. Marc swung and gave the man a good, hard punch, causing him to fall and roll 4 times. He turned to the man whom was still held by him.

"Consider this a warning. I better not see you 2 doing despicable acts such as thieving off others anymore, you got that?" Marc warned, his brows arched downwards, giving off an intimidating look to him. The man nodded his head.

"Okay! We won't do it anymore!" he shouted. Marc let him go with a hard shove and he and his friend ran off and disappeared. Once they were gone, he turned back to the girl, who was looking at him. He walked to her, his intimidating face becoming calm and normal again…

"Are you alright?" the stranger asked me. I nodded. He had Short, messy, dark brown hair, mid-thick eyebrows, dark brown eyes, light-tan skin, small mouth, clean face with a small cheek, a defined jawline, naturally stern but expressionless face, and a toned, muscular body. This man just helped me out. Perhaps he is a good guy?

"I am fine, though my cabbage isn't. I could've taken them on myself, you know," I replied to him. He managed a warm smile and I returned the smile.

"I'll take that as a thank you then. My name is Marc Rodia. Who are you? I haven't seen you around here before," he told me.

"I'm Dani. Danina Riyeuo. I guess you can say that I'm new here, and thank you for your help. I don't often get people's help anymore. It truly means a lot to me," I replied to him. He messed my hair up, the same way Mako did to me. Pain rose in my chest, but I didn't let it show that I was hurting.

"In that case, if you need any help, I'll always be there for you," Marc told me. I managed to smile.

"And if you need help, I will always be there for you," I said. We both laughed. Marc took out a cabbage from his bag he was carrying and made my right hand hold it, surprising me. He sure is a good guy. "Um, why are you giving me a cabbage?"

"Yours is ruined, isn't it? I told you. If you need help, I'll be there for you," Marc said.

"But what about you? Don't you need it?" I asked. Marc shook his head.

"I'm okay. You have it. Where are you headed, Dani?" he questioned.

"I live with Lien Hua and Ren Shu," I replied.

"Ah, I see. I'm headed that direction as well. I'll walk you to your home to make sure nothing happens to you," Marc offered. I smiled and giggled. He turned to me. "What? Is there something on me?" I shook my head.

"No, it's just that you're really nice and sweet, that's all. Thank you," I replied. Marc smiled and his face flushed red. He gently scratched the back of his head with his left hand.

"T… Thanks. That's the first time anyone's told me that," Marc told me.

"Well, a good guy like you deserves to be flushed with compliments," I said, smiling. My second friend I made. I hope we can become good friends like Taoren is a good friend to me. Marc and I began walking to Lien Hua and Ren Shu's house…

"Alright, we're here," Dani said cheerfully to Marc. She smiled and turned to him. She is very small. I must be 10 inches taller than her. She is very cute.

"Okay, well I hope to see you around often, Dani. Until then," Marc said to her. Dani waved goodbye to him.

"Bye, Marc. See you around," she replied and walked inside the house. Marc couldn't help but smile. He had a good feeling they would become great friends, just like him and his friend. Okay, now to go see my friend.

Marc went to his friend's house. He knocked on the door 3 times and the door opened. It was Zhu Zhou, his best friend. Zhu Zhou was surprised to see his friend.

"Marc, you're back?" Zhou asked, giving his pal a brotherly hug. Marc hugged him back and they went inside Zhou's house "How was your trip there? Anything worth mentioning?" Marc thought about it. His trip was the same as usual.

"It's just the same as usual, but something did happen today. I was heading here and those 2 well-known thieves were trying to steal a cabbage from this innocent girl," Marc explained. Wow, I can't believe they wanted to steal a cabbage from a girl. That is so low of them. "I helped her out and you know what she told me? She said she could have handled them herself. She was really short and cute." Ugh, why does that remind me of that stupid Dani girl?

"So, was the feeling mutual? Who is she?" Zhou asked. Why would Zhou ask such an awkward question? Marc blushed in embarrassment.

"Don't ask me such questions, Zhou. It'll be awkward if I see her again. Oh, her name is Dani," Marc replied. After hearing Dani's name, Zhou nearly flinched. Zhou made an angry face. Tch, the girl Marc rescued is only that Dani? Ew! The feeling better not be mutual! I will never permit to Marc being with stupid Dani!

"Ew, no! Marc, you best stay away from her! I do not like that girl at all! That stupid mermaid got me high jump kicked and called me a pervert!" Zhou exclaimed. Marc was so surprised at how Zhou was being after he told Zhou it was Dani. Mermaid?

"She's a mermaid?" Marc asked sarcastically.

"Tch, yeah! She doesn't even blend in with the rest of us! We don't know where she's really from and she hits pretty hard! She's obviously a mythical creature! I don't care, Marc! Do not talk to her or her stupid friend!" Zhou snapped. He sure does want me to stop talking to her. Perhaps he is interested in her but doesn't want to make it obvious?

"Zhou… Do you by any chance… Like Dani?" asked Marc out of curiosity. Zhou felt his anger rise when asked such question. Tch, me like Dani? Never!

"Marc, how can you ask such a disrespectful question? I will never like her! She has a bad attitude!" Zhou replied. Whoa, I can feel the heat rising from Zhou. maybe I should switch the subject.

"Alright then, I guess I can tell you my trip now," Marc told Zhou calmly…

"So, Dani, did you have fun with Taoren coming along with us today?" Ren Shu asked, once we were finished eating.

"Yes, I did. When we went to get water, she asked me about heading to the capital to work," I told them.

"Working in the capital?" Lien Hua asked. She smiled. "I remembered when I used to work there. I was a kitchen lead maiden until I retired from working. It wasn't as pleasant, but I got by. I met Ren Shu there."

"I was a guard at that time. it was hard to see Lien Hua but we would sneak out from time to time. What did you tell Taoren?" Ren Shu asked me.

"I told her I wasn't sure if I should or not. I think she does want me to go," I replied, "What do you guys think? Should I go work there?"

"I think you should do whatever makes you happy. It'll be better for you to live in the capital than here. Since you are young, you could begin working and earn higher ranks. You could even become as high as prime minister," Lien Hua told me.

"Yeah. I think it will be a good opportunity for you to work there, not that we're trying to pressure you into working or making you think we want to get rid of you. We just want what's best for you. After everything you have been through, you can decide what you want," Ren Shu added in. Decide what I want? I don't think working will be that tough. It's just a job, right? What's the worst that could really happen?