40 A Day In Paradise

In the late afternoon, the city of Tanggolia hummed with a symphony of sounds. Below, the market street vibrated with the distant shouts of peddlers and the laughter of shoppers, a vibrant pulse that reached Chinua even on the tavern's upper floor. From within the bustling inn, the clatter of plates and the lively murmur of conversations added to the cheerful din, creating an atmosphere of bustling prosperity. Though Chinua was unfamiliar with Tanggolian customs, she found herself captivated by this lively energy, observing the frequent smiles that softened the faces of those speaking, making every exchange feel like a celebration.

"Let's go get something to eat before we continue looking for Chinua," Naksh suggested, his stomach rumbling.

"I'm worried," Khawn confessed, his brow furrowed.

"Me too," Jeet added. "If we lose Chinua, Khunbish and Khenbish will kill us."

"Not only them," Naksh piped in, his voice grim, "but General Mönkhbat will also behead us."

"I think Chinua will be fine. She's smart enough to get herself out of trouble," Hye reassured them, looking at the worried faces. "The last time she killed someone in front of everyone, she escaped before being captured. Am I right, Khawn?"

Khawn nodded slowly, remembering the incident.

"Let's find something to eat first, and then continue looking after more people leave," Hye decided.

Jeet frowned. "I can't believe that someone bought all the peanut seeds."

Late in the afternoon, the four men returned to the tavern, sinking into chairs at a table to rest while they waited for their food to be served.

Naksh poured himself a cup of water, a frown still etched on his face. "We walked for hundreds of kilometers and couldn't find anything. What a waste of time and energy."

"I agree," Hye conceded. "But it's not in vain, because at least we can be sure that there are no peanut seeds to sell here."

"After dinner, I will go look for Chinua," Khawn declared, his concern still strong.

"We'll all go find her," Hye promised.

Sailing along the De-Lia River, watching the many boatmen selling their food and wares, Chinua was amazed by the economic success of Tanggolia. She turned to Ge Ming. "No wonder they say that Tanggolia is the land of the rich," she remarked.

"If Chinua likes this place, Chinua is welcome to stay," Ge Ming offered with a charming smile.

"Enriching the economy is a very good idea," Chinua observed thoughtfully. "As much as I love it here, my home is not here."

"This is only the east side," Ge Ming continued. "Cross the river to the west side, near the capital. There are many more people and buildings."

"Is there a more beautiful place than this?" Chinua asked, truly impressed.

"You have only stepped into a small part of Tanggolia," Ge Ming said, his eyes twinkling. "If Chinua is willing, I can take you to the very heart of Tanggolia."

"Thank you for your kindness, but this time I have to decline," Chinua replied, looking at the orange glow of the setting sun. "I think I should go back."

Ge Ming patted his fan lightly. "Days are short when you are with someone who understands you. Months are short when you are with the one you love. When you are with your confidant, a lifetime is even shorter."

Although Chinua wasn't a poetic person, her knowledge allowed her to grasp the profound meaning of Ge Ming's words. Even though she enjoyed the feeling of being with someone who spoke her "mind language," she hadn't forgotten her true intention for crossing the border into Tanggolia.

"You must have learned a lot of poetry," Chinua commented.

"I'm not an expert, but I do recite some," Ge Ming admitted with a smile.

The boatman docked the boat. Chinua and Ge Ming stepped off and walked onto the street, where they saw Wang Yong waiting with a small wagon holding ten bags of peanuts.

"These are the bags of peanuts seeds," Wang Yong announced.

Ge Ming smiled. "Thank you for spending this day with me. These are your rewards."

Chinua smiled back. "Thank you. How much is this? I can pay you back."

Ge Ming shook his head. "I told you; this is your reward for spending this day with me." He looked at Chinua. "If you don't mind, I can take you back to the tavern where you're staying."

Chinua chuckled. "Honestly, I don't know where that place is. Hye was the one who took me to the market. I'm sure they're still looking for me at the market."

Ge Ming smiled. "Then shall we go back to the trading market?"

Chinua nodded with a smile. "Well... please lead the way."

Wang Yong pushed the wagon towards the market, while Chinua and Ge Ming followed slowly behind him. Chinua noticed that Wang Yong glanced subtly sideways at Chinua and Ge Ming from time to time.

"Mind if I ask?" Chinua began.

"What's the matter?" Ge Ming asked.

"How long have you known him?" Chinua inquired, referring to Wang Yong.

"We have known each other since childhood," Ge Ming replied.

"Be more kind to him," Chinua advised, her voice gentle.

"How kind do you suggest?" Ge Ming asked, genuinely curious.

"At least when the two of you are alone, let him eat at the same table as you," Chinua said simply.

Ge Ming sighed softly. "It's easier said than done."

"Khunbish and Khenbish call me Chinua, not master," Chinua explained. "I forbid them to call me master because, to me, we are close friends who can die for each other."

"I'll try to see if I can get rid of his habit," Ge Ming mused, looking at Wang Yong.

As Chinua spoke, she glanced at Wang Yong, then moved closer to Ge Ming, whispering, "I believe the greatest gift you can give someone is your time, because you give them something that you can never take back, and they will always remember." She pulled away, smiled at Ge Ming, and raised her eyebrows playfully. "Believe me, sincerity cannot be bought by any amount of gold."

Ge Ming looked at Chinua, a profound smile on his face. "I will abide by Chinua's kind words," he promised.

Chinua looked ahead and saw that they were approaching the market. "Uh... that's the trading market," she pointed. "Thank you for sending me back. I can take it from here."

Ge Ming asked, "You don't want us to send you back to your friends?"

"It's all right," Chinua said dismissively. "I hate answering their questions and explaining to them who you are."

"When are you leaving?" Ge Ming asked.

"Tomorrow morning," Chinua replied.

"How early?"

"I don't know."

Chinua took the wooden wagon from Wang Yong. She turned to Ge Ming. "Nice to see you again. Thank you for the peanut seeds."

Ge Ming smiled warmly. "I am also very glad to meet you, Chinua."

Chinua looked at Ge Ming and Wang Yong and smiled. "Save your life then," she said playfully, "now you repay me with these peanut seeds. It is worth it. Thank you for a wonderful day in paradise."

Chinua took the wooden wagon and started pushing it toward the bustling marketplace. Ge Ming and Wang Yong stood and watched Chinua slowly disappear into the crowd.

Ge Ming then turned around and left, with Wang Yong quietly following behind him. "Let's go back to the restaurant first and let them prepare snacks and food for Chinua," Ge Ming instructed.

Chinua pushed the wagon of ten bags of peanuts, carefully avoiding the swirling crowd as she searched for her men. She wandered around the trading market for nearly two hours and finally decided not to continue walking around aimlessly. She found the entrance that Hye had taken them to that morning. She parked the wooden wagon and sat beside it, waiting for her men.

Hye, emerging from another side of the trading market, looked at the men behind him. "We must find Chinua by tonight, and we will leave on the seventh day," he urged.

Jeet looked up, his eyes widening. "Isn't that Chinua sitting over there?" He pointed to Chinua, who was indeed sitting not far away.

Khawn rushed over quickly, the other three following close behind. "Chinua!" Khawn called, waving his hand frantically. "Chinua…"

Chinua stood up excitedly when she heard Khawn's voice. She waved her hand. "Hey, guys… this way!"

Hye frantically walked to Chinua's side. "You left us behind!" he exclaimed, a mixture of relief and exasperation in his voice.

"I thought you were walking in front of me," Chinua explained, "but after catching up, I realized that it wasn't you. I was walking around all day looking for the three of you."

"Because we spent more time looking for you than peanut seeds!" Hye retorted. "By the time we got to the pier, all of the peanut seeds were sold."

"Look inside these bags," Chinua said, gesturing to the wagon. "Are these peanut seeds?"

Hye quickly opened one of the sacks and found it filled with peanut seeds. He tied the sac, looking at Chinua strangely. "How did you get them?" he asked, bewildered.

"I met a really nice guy who was willing to help me find it," Chinua said with a casual smile.

"Who?" Hye pressed.

"People from the past," Chinua answered, dismissing his curiosity. "Don't ask again. Are those peanut seeds?"

Hye sighed, a grudging admiration in his eyes. "They are."

"Good," Chinua declared. "We can leave tomorrow morning."

As morning approached, Chinua and the other five began to leave the tavern and headed towards the city gate. Approaching the gate, they saw two figures standing not far away. One of them held a lantern, and it seemed they were the only ones waiting in the hazy morning light.

When they got close enough, Chinua saw Ge Ming and Wang Yong waiting for them. Ge Ming smiled warmly at Chinua. Chinua dismounted and stood in front of Ge Ming.

"What are you two doing here?" Chinua asked, surprised.

Ge Ming glanced at Hye and the other men. "I'll see you off," he said. He handed Chinua two large bamboo baskets with covers.

"What's inside?" Chinua inquired.

"Snacks and two beggar chickens," Ge Ming replied.

Chinua took the basket and handed it to Khawn, who was sitting in the wooden wagon.

Ge Ming then took out a bamboo flute and handed it to Chinua. "This is for you," he said with a smile. "A parting gift."

"I don't have anything for you," Chinua said, genuinely touched. "If I come here next time, I will prepare some fermented mare's milk for you."

Ge Ming smiled gently. "I like that."

Chinua got back on her horse and looked down at Ge Ming. "I'm leaving." She suddenly remembered the bangle her mother gave her, which was still on her wrist. She quickly dismounted, took off the silver bangle, and placed it on Ge Ming's left wrist. She looked at Ge Ming with a bright smile. "I don't want to owe anyone." She hopped back on her horse. "Thank you again."

Ge Ming looked at the silver bangle on his wrist, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Safe journey," he called out.

Chinua and her men charged their horses out of the city gates, heading towards the border of Hmagol.