Chapter Eight: Ping is growing up; Shu Ai's Last Letter
How long has it been since the Ceremony that changed it all? How long has it been since Tai Lung's rampage throughout the Valley? More importantly, how long has it been since the death of the Lion of the Valley, Shu Ai?
Ping, Shu Ai's adopted brother, is now ten
years old. Everyone was growing up. However, Ping is a changed
leopard. Shu Ai's loss has affected him greatly and shattered all
if not most of his playfulness and happiness.
Ping constantly
passed all his classes and nearly got perfect scores in all of the
exams. However, his popularity among both children and faculty was
wavering due to his changed attitude. However he maintained a
respected attitude from all of them.
"Fei, what is it you
want to talk to me about?" Ping asked Fei, one of Shu's friends
and co-workers. They were talking at the recently-added garden of the
orphanage. It was late afternoon.
"Well… I've been
thinking of doing this for almost a year know but did not know how to
tell the others… I want to retire," Fei replied honestly to
Ping.
"Retirement? Are you certain? You're one of the most
valued workers here," Ping was asking Fei if he was sure
"Yes. As you know… I'm not getting any younger and there are
new and far more capable staff members than I. I have been teaching
them, but they are progressing faster than most of the seniors'
expectations," Fei replied that he was certain.
"Well, this
is something you yourself have to decide. If it were me, I would
stay. Whatever you choose, you're always welcome here," Ping
replied, patting Fei's shoulder. He turned and walked away, leaving
his friend in thought.
He walked through the few corridors and
pathways of the orphanage. There were no classes this day and
everyone was free to do whatever they pleased. A few kids were out in
the market of the Valley with a few of the faculty. Some were taking
this opportunity to sleep in their rooms. Others were either playing
or eating.
"Hey, Ping!" Some greeted Ping as he passed them
by. He simply replied with a wave of his paw.
"Hi, Ping!"
Others greeted him and got the same reply.
Ping soon came upon
the room he always goes to each and every day. He faced the doorway
leading to the room and looked at the name tag implanted on the door:
Shu Ai.
"Brother…
Wherever you are, you are greatly missed,"
Ping thought as he entered his brother's room.
Shu's room
was as how he left it: Neat and Organized. His books were placed at a
bookshelf, his documents were placed in a few drawers throughout the
corners of his room, and the things he used for meditation were kept
in boxes of different sizes.
There were a few books that were
out and on a desk Shu frequently used: The Books on the Three
Kingdoms Era.
Ping walked over to this desk and opened a few. He started to browse through different parts of this memorable era.
"Let's see… The Coalition Against Dong Zhuo… Lu Bu kills Dong Zhuo… Hmmm…" Ping knew that these were a few of Shu's favorite times during the Three Kingdoms Era.
"Maybe I'm just not as enthustiastic as Brother is," Ping admitted as he skipped a few stories. Hethen came upon a piece of paper that seemed to be used as a bookmark. It was folded and looked old and aged as some of its color was turning from white to light brown.
"Hm? What is this…?" Ping wondered why no one had noticed this before. He carefully took the piece of paper and unfolded it.
When Ping first noticed the handwriting, he began to show something he hadn't showed in a ling time: tears. The handwriting belonged to only one individual: Shu Ai, the Lion of the Valley. Ping started to start to cry because he saw that it was a letter addressed to him. He began to read it.
Ping,
My Beloved Brother,
Someday you'll open this book and find
this letter. I'm guessing though the Three Kingdoms Era won't
interest you as it did me. Ah well, can't please everyone.
Why did I write this letter to you when I could just go to you and
tell you? It's actually simple. Or is it?
There will come a
time when I won't be around to protect you. I wish that time would
not come though. You'll need to learn how to fend for yourself. I
want you to be able to handle yourself, because we all know how life
can do some nasty things.
Brother, on the off-chance I DON'T
come back after tomorrow, you can have my room and everything in it.
I was going to give it to you anyway.
This is hard for me to
write. I thought long and hard on what I wanted to say.
Ping,
don't go near Tai Lung until you are ready. You do know I compared
him to Lu Bu and Guan Yu. Did I mention that? Anyway, Tai Lung is a
very strong fighter.
I remember the first time I saw you. Heh, I bet you do, too. Anyways, I asked the teacher where you got your name and he did not know. I'll tell you now I believe it comes from Guan Ping, the son of Guan Yu. Why? I've read that he has a bright future. He's young, confident, perseverant, never lacking honor and the good qualities, and strong. I want you, Ping my brother, to find your inner Guan. Be strong and balance your mind and heart.
I love you, Brother.
Shu Ai
Ping
held back his tears successfully. He held the letter close to his
chest and heart.
"Brother… I love you too… Now,
yesterday, and forever. I won't let you down," Ping said and did
something he had not done in a long timw: smile.