Chapter 223 - The Boy who loves her

Hua Shu Lan was dragged by her friends to the slum areas and she was getting cautious. The closer they got to the little boy's house, the more uncomfortable she was. The others who aren't skilled in fighting like her even felt uneasy.

They pass through an invisible force, weirded out by the strange touch as it was a first to them. 

"A… barrier? It wasn't here before?" said Ji Run-Ming. "Stealing money from the kid was always a piece of cake… since when was this installed?"

"What…? You've been stealing the kid's money?!" said Hua Shu Lan. Hua Shu Lan may be stupid, but she knows right from wrong and she couldn't believe that her friend has been stealing some poor kid's money.

"Tsk. you wouldn't understand. You have all the money in the world," said Ma Li-Xue, crossing her arms.

"Are you guys idiots!? I work hard for it! You guys aren't even working and spending your parent's money!" Hua Shu Lan said. 

After all, her mother didn't want her to be a spoiled brat which is why she's not as hated as the other three from the townfolks.

"Geez, chill. It's not a big deal. It won't make a difference stealing a poor kids money when they are already so poor," said Ji Run-Ming. 

Due to her ignorant mind, she only hung out with rich people since they are cleaner and better looking than some poor people. Li Feng kind of dragged her into trouble because he's jealous of her. 

Even though she's a woman, she had a better life than him. She has a strong father and mother and even a brother who is unbeatable.

Li Feng isn't as rich as her either so making friends with ignorant people will lower her reputation, hoping to make him be the good one out of the four. But tonight was a night he wished he never wanted to go through.

"Wait… I remember this happening before," said Li Feng. Remembering something happen to some commoners trying to steal some kid's money from the slums. He smiled evilly and continued to go through the barrier.

'It's some cheap barrier. What's the worse that could happen?' he thought.

The others walked through the barrier and turned to look at Li Feng. 

"I think it happened last year, which is why even the people of the slums stop appearing in this area," said Li Feng, trying to sound worried.

"Ah! I heard it too… the people got beaten up real bad-" said Ma Li-Xue. But she gets cut off by a chill that ran through their spine. 

They all turn their bodies to where the power was coming from.

Before them, stood a figure, injured, and hungry for some blood. The figure was a woman and you can feel the anger and hatred leaking around her. 

"What the hell!?" said Hua Shu Lan. 

The injured woman looked up with hatred and watched as these kids just spoiling her mood even more.

"Look! It's the ex-Chen clan head! Haha!" said Ji Run-Ming. 

He walks up to and couldn't help but laugh.

"Haha! What's it feel like to fall so low? Nah, I don't need to know since it will never happen to me!" said Ji Run-Ming. 

"Dude, stop. She's gonna-" said Li Feng but the ex-clan head just punched his face, leaving him unconscious. 

"Kyaaa!" screamed Ma Li-Xue. 

"Do something, Shu Lan!" said Li Feng.

"Like what!?" yelled Hua Shu Lan. 

"Y-you better stop! This is Huan Shu Lan! The daughter of the famous general, Hua Mulan!" said the male friend. 

This got the angry woman's attention. 

"Hua Mulan's daughter… haha… HAHAHA!" said the ex-Chen clan head.

The other three were startled by the laugh. 

"Even better," she said calmly and then headed straight to Li Feng. 

They fought for a few seconds and was knocked down. The female friend then fainted since she never has experienced something so fearful in her life. 

Hua Shu Lan was able to block many of her attacks due to her mother's training. 

'I never knew it would be useful until now….' she thought as she was finally able to get a breather. 

But it was short as the woman quickly grabbed her by the neck, stopping her from breathing.

"I see… not bad for Mulan's daughter," said the ex-head.

Hua Shu Lan has never been more scared in her life until now. The evil look the woman head sent chills through her spine and she couldn't help but piss herself. 

"Ugh! Disgusting!" said the ex-head. "You f*ucken b!tch!"

The woman was going to land a final punch on Hua Shu Lan's face but then was stopped by a voice.

"Chen Chuju, stop," he said.

"What do you want now?" said the ex-head, Chen Chuju.

"It might be more useful if we use her against Huan Mulan," said the man.

"What do you mean, Bi Gong-Sun?" said Chen Chuju.

"This is how we are going to take you to the top again," said Bi Gong-Sun. "Remember our deal, I'll help you get back to the top for hiding me and to kill that woman's daughter."

-------

It's been a week since the incident with Chen Xing-Fu's mother and the town was still busy. Many booths were trying to get rid of the 

Lin Yu Yan, Han Bingwen and Chen Xing-Fu are in town to resupply themselves since the incident. It was way too sudden and they went out to get all the things they needed on a trip.

Lin Yu Yan in on the lookout for Chen Xing-Fu's mother but it seems Han Bingwen and Chen Xing-Fu are on another mission: To find Lin Yu Yan a present.

They know their safety is the top priority but knowing that the town is safer than the forest, they figured why not get a gift since her birthday is tomorrow.

"Did you find anything that caught your eyes?" whispered Han Bingwen.

"No, not yet," said Chen Xing-Fu.

Lin Yu Yan was thinking about something else as they were walking.

'I'm sure she would be too embarrassed being here anyway since everyone knows how she looks like. That's why she's in hiding in the first place. I'm sure it's safer here in town in the woods.'

"Whoa…" said Chen Xing-Fu. He was looking at a necklace. It was simple but it was a beautiful crimson stone. "Bingwen, look at that."

"Hmm... why did you choose that?" asked Han Bingwen.

"Well, it looked pretty. Because Yu Yan where's simple dresses and outfits, I think she will like to have something simple. Yu Yan doesn't like to stand out much," said Chen Xing Fu.

"That's not bad. Lin Yu Yan prefers something simple. I like it too. Good choice," said Han BIngwen, ruffling his hair.

"Hey," said Lin Yu Yan, noticing them talking to each other. "What are you two doing?"

"Ah! W-Well…" said Chen Xing-Fu, all flustered thinking they were busted.

"He needed to go use the bathroom," said Han Bingwen.

"Oh, Okay. I'll talk to the captain to see if we can push the date," said Lin Yu Yan.

"Alright," said Han BIngwen, pushing Chen Xing-Fu.

"Sorry!" whispered Chen Xing-Fu.

"It's okay. She's usually more observant but it seems the incident with your mother is still on her mind," said Han Bingwen. Chen Xing-Fu looked at him with a sad face.

Lin Yu Yan turns around and heads to the docks while the two go and by her the present. They walk over to the booth that has the crimson necklace. 

"Hello!" said the shopkeeper.

"We would like to get this necklace," said Han Bingwen.

"Ah! What a wonderful choice!" said the Shopkeeper. "Is it for your wife?"

The shopkeeper looked at both Chen Xing-Fu and Han Bingwen.

"Yes," said Han Bingwen. He smiled and his cheek turned slightly pink.

The girls around him who started stalking him when Lin Yu Yan left his side looked dejected. Many walked away since his face looked as if no one matter other then her.

"We have a special offer. We have a big order if jade beads. If you would like, we will throw that in for free since you seem so in love," said the kind shopkeeper.

"Ah… Jade beads," said Han BIngwen.

"Jade beads?" asked Chen Xing-Fu.

"Yes, Jade beads. If you put a little of your qi, it will help the person who holds them know if you are in danger or not. It makes your loved ones less worried," said the shop keeper.

"We'll take them," said Han Bingwen.

"That's great!" said the Shopkeeper. The shopkeeper placed the beads in each of their hands.

"Now very carefully, release a little of your qi."

Han Bingwen and Chen Xing-Fu let a little of the qi out and the beads glow beautifully as it absorbs their qi. 

"There! Now let me do the finishing touches…" said the shopkeeper. She grabs the beads out of their hands and ties them with the crimson jewel with beautiful knots.

Chen Xing-Fu looked at the other jewels in the store and notices a black one that glows a little blue in the light. 'Reminds me of Bingwen.'

Han Bingwen pays for the necklace and places it in his pocket. Chen Xing-Fu smiled and was happy they got a gift for Lin Yu Yan.

"Bingwen, Yu Yan's birthday is tomorrow but when is your birthday?" said Che Xing-Fu, remembering the black jewel.

"Today," said Han BIngwen.

"Today!?" 

"Yeah."

"H-Happy Birthday!" 

Chen Xing-fu was flustered. 'I was so busy and excited to find Yu Yan a present that I forgot to ask Bingwen…' 

Han Bingwen looked at him a smiled. He squats down to his level and pat his head. 

"It's okay. I didn't tell you so don't worry about it. Besides, Yu Yan is more important," said Han Bingwen.

"..." Chen Xing-Fu looked at him with sad eyes but gave him a smile. 'But your both important to me…'

"Let's go to Yu Yan," said Han Bingwen, offering a hand. Chen Xing-Fu grabs it and they head off to Lin Yu Yan.