Like a Flower in Bloom

11 years later...

"Look at our dear Xiao Li! Huifen, your daughter is really beautiful."

"Oh, let me see? Is that the beauty of Xhuan Jin? She really is a rare sight!"

"I never know that we have a goddess here among us. Look at her, even the goddesses in heaven will have to compete with her."

"Huifen is really beautiful! It is not really questionable that she will have a beautiful daughter."

"She is really a sight to behold!"

"How beautiful she is! She looks like she descended from heaven! She is truly the envy of the goddesses."

"So pretty! I can't even hold a candle to her exquisite beauty! Oh, such grace!"

"Aiyo, I want her to marry my grandson. She will be the perfect wife for him." an old woman exclaimed happily. She was wearing a huge smile on her face - two teeth missing in front.

"Aiyoooo! Old Ling, you must be dreaming! Such beauty is not match to your grandson!" an old man, sitting at the side, spouted at her.

"You!--"

The two continued bickering with one another as they raised their hands in argument.

Xu Jia Li couldn't help but smile. 'These two! So funny!'

The people in the nearby village took turn to compliment and appreciate Xu Jia Li's beauty. She was with her mother to visit an old friend. When she asked her the reason of their visit, Xu Huifen just smiled at her.

During their short visit, her mother asked her to stay behind as she talked with her friend. Xu Jia Li walked outside and admired the garden with a small fish pond in it.

Afterwards, she walked to the side and sat on the wooden swing. She was quietly singing to herself as she looked at the sky.

It had been 11 years but her dream still remained.

She was already 16, her imminent grace and unparalleled beauty shined without comparison. She grew more and more beautiful as the day passed. Even top models would get envious of her. Her skin as white as jade and as soft as silk was sure to ignite one's admiration.

At her age, she was already 5'8 tall and her body was blessed with all the curves in the right places. She was not too thin nor too voluptuous. Her eyes were like the color and warmth of autumn. Her gaze left one feeling drawn back in the deepest part of her soul. They were full of life with mystery on them. Those eyes were also paired with long flickering eyelashes. Her cheeks were smooth and were the colour of roses. Her long curly black hair flowed on her back like a crown of ebony in a winter night.

She was truly a sight to behold!

When her mother's visit came to an end, they said their farewell to her friend. Xu Huifen and Xu Jia Li walked hand in hand. She looked at her mother, she seemed quiet and not herself. Xu Jia Li wanted to ask Xu Huifen but she decided not to. Instead, she hold her mother's hand to asure her that she would always be right there.

Xu Huifen only gave her that serene smile of her.

Along their way, Xu Jia Li tried her best to smile at the friendly people who greeted them as they walked back to their village. The townfolks stopped what they were doing when she passed by them.

Some had even given her fresh flowers and fruits. She tried to refuse but they were very eager and full of vigour that they even accompanied them to carry the gifts back at home.

"Xu Huifen, Xiao Li is growing up to be a very beautiful girl. You are indeed lucky to have a daughter like her." an elderly woman chatted with her mother while she excused herself and went directly to the kitchen.

She arranged the fresh flowers and put them in a vase while she kept the fruits in a basket and placed it on the table.

As she passed by the door, she heard her mother chuckled, "Yes, like a flower in bloom indeed."