“Nan, I’m off!” I announced and she came out of the kitchen in lightning speed with a pout on her face. She was holding a cloth, wiping cream off her hand.
“Already?”
I nodded and walked up to her with my backpack slung over one shoulder.
“I’m sorry but I only have two weeks to train and I don’t think it’s going to be enough so every second counts. Thank you for letting me spend the night.” I kissed her cheek and gave her a hug.
“Not even for cookies?” I hesitated but shook my head. The cunning woman knew that was my weakness. Dammit.
“Alright, you be careful then. You’re taking the bike right?” I nodded once more before hugging her and opening the door.
“See you, Nan!” I shouted over my shoulder and shut the door behind me. I jogged to the small garage beside the house and took out the bike that I used to ride on whenever I visited. My feet barely touched the ground the last time I was on it so it’s perfect for my height now.
I slung the other strap of my bag onto my left shoulder and got on the bike. I rode along the small path that led towards where the trees gathered.
The house I was looking for was on the foot of a hill nearby, it was supposedly surrounded by trees. Bryant would take me there sometimes when we visited grandma. He showed me how he tracked his way to and from the house and although it’s been 3 years since the last time that we went, I could vaguely remember his directions.
Finally, after an hour of searching and cycling around the area, I got to a familiar crossroad that had a small rectangular wooden sign protruding out of the soil right in the middle of it. There was a blue arrow that was drawn on it. I knew I was close then, all I needed to do was simply track my way on the opposite direction of the arrow.
My brother’s ex-teacher wasn’t stupid. He knew how to manipulate things to stay safely hidden in these woods. He was a master at teaching what he teaches and God knows how many people might be after him for that. At least that was what Bryant told me.
I brought my foot onto the pedal and started cycling to my right where the track sloped up a bit for a while before it started sloping downwards. In the distance, I could see a small cabin in the middle of the meadow. It was surrounded by tall trees. The leaves acted as a canopy that sheltered patches of the ground from the glare of the sun.
I carefully made my way down to where the cabin was. Once I got to a big tree, I kicked the bike stand and got off it. I walked up to the cabin’s door, about to knock, when a voice came from behind me.
“Stop right there!” The voice called out from the small distance. It was raspy but firm as ever. The sound of it halted my next steps and I placed my foot back down to where it was. “Who are you?” He said aloud.
I turned around slowly, hands raised on either side of my head. An old man that seemed to be in his late 50’s stood before me with a bucket that seemed to be full of water in his hand. There must be a source nearby where he got that water from.
He was wearing a grey, worn and frayed shirt along with a pair of trousers. He had a beard that reached just above his collar and greying hair that was tied into a bun. He was drenched in sweat, his corded muscles in his arms bulged and his veins were visible.
He shifted his footing, still carrying the bucket. He was a master in the martial arts, anything was a weapon to him and I’m pretty sure if it ever came down to it, he wouldn’t hesitate to throw that bucket and its contents at an enemy’s head.
“I’m searching for you, Shī Fu. Nĭ jì de wŏ ma (Do you remember me)?”
His eyes skimmed my appearance for a moment before a huge grin broke through his confused expression. “Cassandra Johnson. Qīn ài de (Dear) Xiăo Fú, it’s been a long time since I last saw you!”
He settled the bucket of water on the ground and walked towards me. He laid his hands on both of my shoulders and took the chance to take a close look at me.
Up close, I could see the sheen of sweat covering his forehead and the sweat stains on his shirt. I could see how he had aged by the wrinkles that have grown more visible since the last time I saw him.
I smiled at the nickname he used. Xiăo is a term of endearment in Chinese that also means small, usually used to call someone who is young and Fú means blessing or good fortune.
When I was younger and visited him with Bryant, he looked into my eyes and told me that I was going to receive a lot of good fortune in the future; that I was going to be a blessing to the people around me and to those who needs my help.
“I’m truly sorry for what happened to your brother. He was an excellent student, fast learner and one of the best that I have ever taught.”
I looked away when he started talking about Bryant and tried to steel my heart before my feelings gets carried away. I will not let myself cry in front of Mr. Huang and look weak. He might refuse to teach me if I started looking vulnerable.
“That’s what I came here to talk to you about. I want you to teach me.”
He simply quirked his eyebrows at my bold request.
“I need you to teach me just like how you taught my brother. I need to improve my skills or I might die.”
Mr. Huang looked at me, “Xiăo hái zi, are you in trouble? What I taught your brother was to never fight unless you are cornered and have no other way out. If you can still run, you run and don’t look back.”
I shook my head. “I’m grateful for your concern and advice, but what I need is for you to teach me. It’s more than just my life at stake. The people I love may get hurt if I don’t get better in fighting. I don’t have much time left, Shī Fu. I need your help.”
He took my hands in his and gripped it. “Are you sure you want to do this? You know that this training will not be lenient.” I hardened my gaze, trying to show him that I was sure of my decision.
“You cannot sharpen a knife just by wiping it gently with a cloth.” I saw him smile and I knew instantly that I’ve already earned his approval.
“How many days do you have?” He asked me, already lifting his bucket full of water, walking towards the cabin.
“Not long. I only have two weeks before the semester starts.” I sighed tiredly, knowing what I was asking was stupid. 14 days couldn’t possibly be enough. It was suicide.
“I know I’m asking for a lot but I don’t have a choice, Shi Fu.” I was ready to beg if I had to but he took my elbow and led me into the small cabin instead everything was clean and tidy. The floor was made of wood and the whole interior was unique. Almost everything was made of wood.
The cabin was small and everything barely fit inside. There was a hammock and a wooden rocking chair along with a small coffee table. There were a couple of opened windows that had let some fresh air in and the sun rays passed through them easily.
“Sit, make yourself comfortable.” Not knowing where I should sit, I opted for the chair. I yelped when it suddenly rocked. After a few seconds of wrestling the chair, I was finally able to tame it and direct my attention to Mr. Huang. He had this humorous look on his face that hinted at his silent laughter. I cleared my throat and tried to ignore the flush in my cheeks.
“So, Xiăo Fu, what got you into this mess?” All amusement and humor gone, I dove into the explanation I’ve prepared for Mr. Huang. His eyes visibly hardened when I mentioned street fighting and I repressed the urge to cower in shame.
“Will you help me? I don’t know who else to go to. If I don’t win, everyone I love and care about will be hurt because of my stupidity. Bryant’s death is enough to last me a life time. Please help me,” I begged. After a while, Mr. Huang finally sighed and nodded.
“If you are sure of this decision then I will help you. But remember, you must be patient and do not rush things. I know you feel like your time is not enough to help you improve but trust yourself, believe in your own strength and have faith.” I nodded mindlessly, I’ll do whatever to start training immediately.
He rose from the hammock and walked towards a small cabinet. He took out an empty plastic bottle. The cap was still on and it was in perfect condition. He came up to me and handed me the bottle, telling me to crush it using my bare hands. Perplexed, I did as I was told. I knew nothing would happen. Unlike some people, I actually did my Physics assignments.
“I see Bryant hasn’t told you about this one,” Mr. Huang spoke up. Clearly, this is a joke. What could he possibly tell me about this air-filled bottle? The answers to the physics questions relating to this scenario?
“This bottle is you and the air inside is your faith. Open the bottle and you’ll be able to crush the bottle because nothing is sealing the air in; just like yourself. Seal that leak. Believe in yourself or you’ll easily be crushed by the world. Always have some faith, Xiăo Fu. This is the first and foremost, important lesson.”
I stared, dumbfounded. Did he just teach me a moral lesson using an empty plastic bottle?
“We start in an hour. You can set your belongings in a corner and I’ll make up your spot for tonight.” I could only remember nodding numbly. Here goes everything.