110 With Effort, Comes Success

Xiao Mao really puts all his efforts in studying. Although there is still 300 years before he can fully become a demon, he is too intelligent, so smart that even Blue Feather Goddess says he can attend the demon school in advance. The problem was that the demon school located in the Heavenly Realm was quite a distance away from the Mortal Realm thus Xiao'lin suggested for him to temporarily stay at Xuan Qing Palace so it would be more convenient for his studies.

I was very unwilling, however, Yin Zi said that a good mother mustn't selfishly tie their child to oneself otherwise it would do more harm than good. Xiao Mao could become spoiled and influenced into bad behaviours such as robbery, pedophilia, and bullying. Hearing these words, I instantly nodded in approval for him to go study; my only request, for him to visit once a month.

Xiao Mao had no interest in the Heavenly Realms, pitifully crying to me, "Mother, I don't want to go to the Heavenly Realms, if you're not by my side, I won't be able to sleep."

Hearing these words made my heart tremble. I flew out in the middle of the night to have Mo'lin prescribe some sleeping remedies for him to bring along and went out in search of a three coloured calico cat like myself for him to hug in his sleep.

On the second day, Xiao Mao seeing all the preparations I did, let out a large grin. His eyebrow twitched several times, and then said, "I'm afraid Mother will be lonely at home all by herself."

Ao Yun coincidently arrived at this moment, smiled and said, "How can that be possible? Your Mother has me to accompany her so how can she be lonely?"

Yin Zi recognized his scent, and then immediately grabbed a broom to get rid of him. He roared ferociously like an angry kitten, "With me here! Your Mother who only knows how to sleep and eat! Won't ever be lonely!"

Jian Nan also came out to the commotion, smiled and said, "Xiao Mao, you're such a kind child. If you stick to your Mother so much, the other students will laugh at you. It's not like you won't be coming back to visit so the next your Mother sees you, she'll miss you to death."

Everyone gave their opinions to persuade Xiao Mao. The only thing left was for him to quickly pack his belonging and go study. Not allowed to return without completion.

Xiao Mao angrily rolled his eyes and then ran into the hall. I was going to chase after him, but Yin Zi held onto my arms telling me that children mustn't be spoiled too much. Although Xiao Mao has quite the clever brain, he doesn't think for others, and so going to Blue Feather Goddess would be necessary.

I held back my heartache. And nodded at Yin Zi's teaching.

Unexpectedly, in the middle of the night after lighting an incense for the Buddha, I discovered a little lump on the top of my bed. I lifted the covers, finding Xiao Mao lying inside and then laughed, "Do you want to sleep with Mother tonight?"

Xiao Mao didn't reply. Only sobbing sounds could be heard.

I was a little surprised. I held him in my arms and coaxed, "What's wrong?"

"Mother…..doesn't want Xiao Mao anymore….." He raised his head, and then rubbed his eyes. Tears began to fall down his face.

"Not at all! Not at all!" I quickly shook my head, "After Xiao Mao goes to the Heavenly Realm, you will be with Ao Yun and Xiao'lin, and forget all about Mother!"

Xiao Mao raised his head up and loudly complained, "Your memory is so bad, you will definitely forget about Xiao Mao."

"No definitely not! In my heart there is only your father! Ao Yun and them are so ugly so why would I bother remembering them!" I hurriedly explained.

"There's only Father?" Xiao Mao squinted at me.

"I'm serious, Mother wouldn't lie to you….." All the hairs on my back were raised as I desperately tried to think of what I said wrong.

"There's only one?" Xiao Mao's tone worsened, and then suddenly, he took a vicious bite onto my tail.

Under this pain, it dawned upon me that I've neglected the thought of the very person before me. I immediately hugged Xiao Mao.

The gloomy Xiao Mao held onto my tail and fell asleep in my embrace. Not long after, a quiet whisper was heard, "When the water droplets fell the great stone, will Father really be back?"

"He will." I said firmly.

The little kitten no longer spoke and just stared at me strangely. Early next morning before dawn, he got up and left the doors to pray for luck.

I let out several yawns, and then waved my paws at him reminding him to come back home before they departure tonight.

Xiao Mao smilingly agreed, and soon disappeared from the morning.

I slept and slept until the sun was round and bright high up in the sky, transformed back into a cat to lick my furs, and then back again into human form so I could wash up and go eat breakfast.

Although the Hua Residence didn't have too many rules, this was a completely different story in Xuan Qing Palace. Many of the servants and maids have been replaced, their cleaning becoming relatively sloppy. This didn't matter as long as my treasure trove of food and Yin Zi's stash of gems were untouched.

As I was happily enjoying my breakfast, from the outside suddenly came the urgent footsteps of Jian Nan. He ran towards me with a face full of panic, and then stammered for a long time before any words formed in his mouth.

This was a rare scenario coming from him thus I prepared to let out a laugh. From his mouth the words shook out, "That great stone…..the stone…..has finally been fell by the dripping water!"

"The stone…..broken through?" I stuffed the fish from my hands into mouth, hastily swallowed and processed the information in my brain, and then immediately jumped over the table asking, "How did this happen?"

"Aiya, Master Miao Miao, you'll understand once you see it." Jian Nan gave me a thrust with his legs and kicked me forward.

I instantly pushed him onto the ground, running to the location of the stone.

Luo Luo's expression was fearful as she repeatedly fidgeted with her dress. I didn't mind her and went on to see what had happened. The entire mountain side had collapsed, fragments of rocks and debris were everywhere, and the great stone had vanished along with scenery.

Seeing this, my mind went blank. I slumped to the ground as if my soul had been taken out of me, neither able to speak nor cry. It was as if the world had suddenly turned upside down disappearing in my eyes.

Since when did I return to my room? I don't know, I just lie on top of the bed staring at the ceiling in a daze. I was unwilling to look at and imagine the possibilities.

The stone is broken, my heart is broken, the 500 years promise has been broken, and my world has broken apart.

I do not want to face reality.

"Mother, Mother." Xiao Mao called for me in dismay, "Even if the stone is broken and Father won't return, you still have Xiao Mao!"

I did not want to speak.

"Mother, don't be like this.….I was wrong." Xiao Mao anxiously cried out, "I'm sorry.…."

"This is a good thing ah! Congratulations Miao Miao," Yin Zi led Luo Luo into the room, sat atop my bed, and then said with a smile, "Since the stone has broken, that must mean your Shifu is coming back."

My world once again is brimming with colour, my hope finding its way back as well. At this moment, Yin Zi's radiance appeared as if it had overshadowed the Buddha's.

Digesting these words and understanding them, I immediately sat up. Without even thinking, I jumped off the bed, grabbed onto Yin Zi, and asked, "Where is Shifu? Where is he?"

"Let go ah! You're strangling me to death!" Yin Zi loudly screamed, "These kinds of situations aren't going to happen just because you want them to, you must be patient and give it some time! Who knows, your Shifu might even be on his way here, perhaps in a few days."

"That's right, he needs time to come here, but how long will he take? Miao Miao wants to wait for him by the door!" I quickly let him go, radiant and full of excitement. My smiling mouth did not close hearing the wonderful news that Shifu is coming back.

Yin Zi sighed, and then tapped Xiao Mao's shoulder to lead him outside.

Dinner was eaten by the entrance. I suddenly discovered while eating, as I repeatedly told Luo Luo about what I'd say to Shifu when I see him again, that Xiao Mao had returned with a large imprint of a hand on his face. I quickly asked who had bullied him, but he only silently kept his head low and strangely agreed to go to Xuan Qing Palace to study.