Well you had just finished up your cleaning. You set up your sleeping bag and drawing stuff. You placed down your bamboo mats.
You rushed over to the closet and pulled out a small case.
You opened the case to reveal a small guitar like instrument. Snake skin was wrapped around it's base. The pegs were wrapped too in snake skin.
"Chang'e: old man Zhao's favorite Sanxian."
You looked over to it's side. Finding a few finger picks. You slid one of them onto your thumb. And held the instrument by your side.
Your fingers ran up the spine of the instrument. You took the pick on your thumb. And gently plucked at the three strings.
Your left hand moved up and down the spine. Holding onto the three strings.
While your left hand plucked away. The sound was sour and dry. And definitely out of tune.
"That old man left me with this?"
You groaned pulling your fingers up to the pegs. Your left plucked at the top string. You tuned each string to get a perfect pitch.
"Remember Érzi. Though this may not be as flashy as those other instruments. It doesn't mean that it's awful."
"What do you mean old man Zhao?"
"Well look at that store over there."
Zhao pointed over to a fairly large store with many bright and flashy signs.
"Now look at my store."
His was the exact opposite. All there was, was a big white ign with the words store.
"That store over there sells some of the worst things. Yet by all those signs people think that it's better. Me look at my own. I sell many things."
You nodded understanding the man. Before he would say anything else. He pointed at the instrument in your hand.
"Like Hou Yi here. May be a little ruff. Yet the sound that comes from him is divine. And Chang'e. Though she's pretty her sound is a bit quiet. The two together however."
You both began to pluck at the strings and you followed his movement's.
The sound that exited was a sweet yet fierce melody. He would stop while you continued.
Hearing the missing sweetness.
You turned over to the smiling man.
"That is why I named them as such. Chang'e the goddess of the moon. And Hou Yi the sun destroyer. Forever distanced yet their love always combines into something beautiful."
You looked back down at the instrument.
"She misses her other half."
You continued to pluck at the strings.
You finished up your practicing. And pulled the case back. You placed the instrument inside. And placed it inside your closet.
You got up and slipped into your night wear.
And walked over to your restroom. And Brushed your teeth. And washed your face.
So clear was your face. And you hardly ever did anything for it. Anyway you finished up and walked out to the living room. Where your mother sat on the floor.
She finished up setting up the shrine.
"I was worried that it had broke."
"Yeah me too. I always wanted to move it around. But your dad used to always get mad at me if I tried. And you knew how that ended."
"Him on the ground begging for mercy."
You both laughed. You sat next to her and looked at the statue of Buddha.
She pulled out a small gourd from her side. And pulled out two small cups.
"Huangjiu."
"Your favorite son."
"First time I drank it. I looked like Jackie Chan."
"Your drunken fist was pretty impressive."
"Heh yeah."
"Well let's drink in Buddha's favor. And ask for good fortune and prosperity."
You nodded and took a cup from her hand. You took it all in. And leg it run through your throat.
"I better stop before we start fighting."
She laughed taking the cup from your hand. And then placing it in front of the shrine.
"Well good night son. I pray you have a good first day."
"Alright good night mom."
You got up from your sitting. And kissed her forehead gently.
You walked away into your room. And basically fell into your sleeping bag. Drinking, standing on one hand, and moving in, and everything else today added to your exhaustion.
Your eyes closed. And you drifted off into dreamless sleep.
Your eyes shot open at the sound of your alarm. Miguel wanted you to get up early. For what? Who knows.
You got up lazily and fixed up your sleeping bag. You headed over to your shower. You got cleaned up and dried.
Then you threw on some clothes.
Denim jeans a white shirt. And your darker denim jacket. You pulled on your fancy brown loafers.
You dug around in the duffle bags pockets.
And you pulled out a ring.
It was wooden and rather boring. Yet it was carved with the letters A+L.
You slid it onto your pointed finger.
You pulled on a wooden ball bracelet. That was given from the temple.
You stood up and walked out of your room. And into the restroom you brushed your teeth and washed your face.
You walked out into the living area. Where your mother sat already prepared. In her hands was a large straw box.
"Your favorite bao and rice cake. Also congee dumplings for the morning."
"Thanks mom."
"Oh yeah green tea is in there."
"Thanks mom. Even though I don't know where you got that stuff from."
She laughed.
"Well got it from downstairs. I've made enough for you and Miguel."
"Thanks mom."
She nodded and walked over to you.
"Good luck. And remember no fighting unless needed."
"Yes'm."
"Now go on, your dates waiting outside."
"Alright, alright."
You walked out and headed downstairs. Your eyes were drawn to Miguel. Who sat outside his house. Staring at his phone. You let out a laugh.
"Everyone always has one of those."
"What do you mean?"
"Everyone has a phone. Also what did you want to show me?"
"Oh yeah I wanted to show you around but. We're on foot and we'll it's a big city."
You laughed a bit. Before pulling up a chair next to him.
"We can have these to eat."
You placed the basket on the ground between you. You pulled out the congee dumplings.
"Sweet Congee Dumplings. My mother's special breakfast food."
"How does she even."
"No idea. It's one of those mom things. Here."
You passed over a single dumpling. He examined it. Before taking it into his mouth. He began to chew. And would nod his head in enjoyment.
"That's pretty good."
"Usually is."
He nodded and took out his phone. He would deal out.
"We better hurry the bus is going to be here."
"Ok then. Here"
You handed him another dumpling with a smile.
"T-thanks."
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