Li Wei's feet ached as they wandered through the crowded market streets. The sun beat down mercilessly, harsh against their silk robes, now dusty and worn from their aimless journey. Xiao Ming clung tightly to Li Wei's hand, tired and hungry. Lady Li walked slowly, eyes fixed downward, her once-proud shoulders bent with exhaustion and grief.
"Let's rest here," Li Wei suggested gently, guiding them to a shaded corner near a vendor selling steamed buns. The delicious aroma reminded them painfully of their earlier breakfast, now a distant memory.
Xiao Ming gazed longingly at the vendor's food. Li Wei felt a pang in her heart; she had no money, nothing of value left to trade.
A woman vendor noticed their hesitation and scowled. "No begging here! Move along!"
"We aren't begging," Li Wei replied quietly but firmly, guiding her family quickly away to avoid further humiliation.
They found refuge near a quiet alley, away from prying eyes. Li Wei knelt down, taking Xiao Ming's small face gently in her hands. "Stay brave, Ming. We'll figure this out."
Xiao Ming nodded, his eyes wide with trust. Lady Li sank down against the wall, tears filling her eyes once more. "How could this happen to us? We've always been loyal."
Li Wei sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her mother's trembling shoulders. "We'll find a way, Mother. We must."
As evening approached, Li Wei gathered what little strength she had left and explored the busy streets, searching desperately for any opportunity. Finally, she noticed a small, deserted corner near a busy intersection. Her eyes lit up with an idea.
"Mother," she said, returning quickly. "We still have our skills. Father taught me about medicine and cooking. We can open a small stall. It won't be easy, but we can survive."
Lady Li hesitated, then nodded slowly, hope flickering in her tired eyes. "Yes, Li Wei, perhaps you're right. Your father would want us to fight."
Early the next morning, Li Wei borrowed simple cooking tools from kind neighbors, promising to repay their kindness as soon as possible. She spent the last few coins she'd managed to find in her robe pocket on basic ingredients—flour, herbs, and spices.
Under the morning sun, they worked diligently to set up their modest food stall. Li Wei skillfully mixed dough, sprinkling fragrant herbs she knew would draw hungry customers. Xiao Ming, excited and helpful, arranged small wooden stools around their makeshift table. Lady Li slowly regained some strength, offering gentle smiles to passersby, inviting them warmly.
Yet the market was harsh. People hurried past, barely noticing the small, humble stall. Hours passed, and the food grew cold. Li Wei's heart sank slowly, doubt creeping into her thoughts. She fought back tears, determined not to show weakness in front of her family.
Suddenly, the sound of horses' hooves echoed through the street, bringing an uncomfortable tension. Li Wei glanced up sharply, heart racing. Soldiers were approaching, led by the same masked general from yesterday, General Yan Chen.
Her stomach tightened painfully. Was he here to cause them even more pain?
The general halted his horse near the stall, his gaze lingering quietly on Li Wei's anxious face. For a moment, silence stretched between them, thick with uncertainty.
"General, would you like something to eat?" Li Wei finally asked, forcing courage into her voice, hiding the bitterness she felt.
Yan Chen dismounted gracefully, approaching the stall slowly. Behind the mask, his expression was unreadable, yet Li Wei sensed a strange hesitation in his stance.
"Yes," he said simply. "What do you offer?"
"Steamed buns with medicinal herbs," Li Wei replied, carefully keeping her voice steady. "They strengthen the body and soothe the mind."
"I'll take all of them," the general said without hesitation, placing a handful of coins onto the table, far more than what the buns were worth.
Li Wei stared at the coins, speechless. Xiao Ming's eyes widened in excitement, and Lady Li looked gratefully toward the general, tears glistening in her eyes.
"Thank you, General," Li Wei murmured, cautiously meeting his eyes.
Yan Chen hesitated briefly, something softening in his gaze before he quickly masked it again. "Keep cooking," he instructed quietly, his voice surprisingly gentle. "People will come."
True to his word, as he departed with the buns, curious passersby began to gather. Word quickly spread of the general's visit and his surprising endorsement. Soon, customers lined up, eager to taste Li Wei's unique herbal snacks.
By evening, Li Wei counted her earnings carefully, relieved and grateful. They had enough to eat, enough to survive another day. She tucked Xiao Ming into a makeshift bed in their temporary shelter, kissing his forehead softly.
"Today was good, wasn't it?" he asked sleepily.
"Yes," she whispered, smiling gently. "Tomorrow will be even better."
As Xiao Ming drifted to sleep, Li Wei sat quietly by the door, gazing at the stars above. She thought of General Yan Chen, the mysterious masked man who had brought both ruin and salvation. His actions puzzled her deeply. He seemed stern and ruthless, yet today she had seen something kinder beneath that cold exterior.
"What are you thinking, daughter?" her mother asked softly from behind her.
"The general," Li Wei admitted quietly. "He confuses me."
Lady Li sighed softly. "Men like him live complicated lives. Perhaps there's more to him than meets the eye."
"Perhaps," Li Wei agreed quietly, feeling strangely unsettled by the thought. "But we can't rely on him. We must depend on ourselves."
Lady Li placed a gentle hand on Li Wei's shoulder. "You're strong, Li Wei. Your father would be proud."
Li Wei nodded slowly, feeling warmth return to her heart at the memory of her father's strength and kindness. She knew that despite their uncertain future, they could find a way forward, one day at a time.
Meanwhile, back in the solitude of his quarters, General Yan Chen stood quietly by the window, staring into the darkness. His thoughts lingered on the brave young woman at the food stall, her fierce determination stirring forgotten memories deep within his heart.
He carefully removed his mask, revealing the scarred face beneath, evidence of his own past struggles and pain. He knew he had to remain cautious, to keep his feelings hidden, but something about Li Wei continued to haunt him, whispering that their paths were destined to cross again.
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