Chapter 2 - The first day in a Japanese family
**Date: September 3, 1995
Time: Late Morning**
**Location: Nanjing Museum - Theatre Hall**
A large crowd gathered for the premiere of the war film, "My Mum Was a Top Spy." Wei Ting stood at the entrance, warmly greeting guests when he noticed two familiar figures approaching him.
"This is your sister, Wei En. She was born in 1948, just months before our mother's life was tragically cut short. We've brought along our father, Kanijiro Kenji," Wei Guang explained.
Wei En gently pushed a wheelchair occupied by an elderly man.
"Hello, Wei Ting. I long to see Yan Ting once more. I heard the director found an actor who resembles him; I miss him dearly," Kenji spoke softly.
"Yes, the actor bears a striking resemblance to our mother. Let me assist you to your seat," Wei Ting replied.
Thirty minutes later, the premiere commenced. Wei Ting took to the stage to deliver a speech.
"Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the premiere of my novel, 'My Mum Was a Top Spy.' Before we begin, I would like to share a brief introduction of my work. This is a true biographical account of my mother, a renowned courtesan and spy in Nanjing during World War II. She was intersex, possessing female reproductive anatomy, which was exceptionally rare at that time. Consequently, many assumed Xia Yan Ting was a woman. I, too, am intersex and have a loving family. My twin sons are now 30 years old, and my husband and I have decided to make Nanjing our permanent home. Enjoy the film, and thank you."
As the movie began, Wei Ting sat beside Kenji.
"You resemble your mother when she was young," Kenji remarked.
The film opened with a scene of a five-year-old Xia Yan Ting traveling by train to Kyoto, Japan, with his parents.
**Date: January 5, 1920**
**Location: Train from Nanjing to Kyoto**
Five-year-old Xia Yan Ting sat beside his mother, nibbling on biscuits.
"Eat! What a useless son I have!" Xia Ming exclaimed in frustration.
"Come now, Ming, our son is hungry. Let him enjoy his food," Wang Ping interjected.
Two days later, the Xia family arrived at the Takeshita residence.
**At the Takeshita Residence**
Wang Ping brought her son, Yan Ting, to meet her master.
"Konnichiwa, Masuta. Watashi wa Chugoku Nankin kara Wang Ping. Kare wa watashi no musuko desu, Xia Yan Ting," Wang Ping greeted, introducing her son.
"Don't worry; we all understand English. Kenniji! We have a guest," Kanishita replied.
Kenniji rushed downstairs, his gaze fixed on Yan Ting.
"Wow! This girl is stunning!" he exclaimed.
"I... I'm a boy. My name is Xia Yan Ting," the young boy replied shyly.
"Otosan, can he join me at school?" Kenniji asked eagerly.
"Of course, why not?" Kanishita consented.
From that day on, Yan Ting attended primary school alongside Kenniji, who was a year older. Wang Ping also enrolled Yan Ting in a Chinese opera and geisha school to cultivate his artistic talents when he turned six.
After morning classes, Yan Ting trained at the opera house until 6 PM, followed by geisha lessons until 10 PM. By the age of nine, he delighted in performing for the Takeshita family, who grew fond of him and embraced him as their godson when he turned ten.
At thirteen, Yan Ting and Kenniji attended the same secondary school, albeit in different classes.
**Date: February 3, 1928, Evening**
Kenniji and Wang Ping occupied the audience seats, eagerly awaiting Yan Ting's geisha performance.
**In the Fitting Room**
As Yan Ting donned his outfit, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his lower abdomen, followed by a distressing stain of blood on his attire.
"Mummy! Mummy! Help me!" Yan Ting cried out in pain.
Students and teachers rushed to the dressing room, with one student sent to fetch Wang Ping. A Eurasian teacher named Judith understood the urgency of Yan Ting's situation.
"Does anyone have an extra pair of underwear or a sanitary pad?" Judith inquired.
Fortunately, a lady had spare underwear.
"Excuse me, what is a sanitary pad?" Emiko asked, puzzled.
In that era, few were aware of sanitary pads; women typically used belts and cotton for protection.
"A cotton belt for menstruation. Use this for now; I'll rush home to fetch a pad for him," Judith assured.
Yan Ting continued to sob in the changing room as Wang Ping and Kenniji knocked on the door.
"Ting! It's okay! Open the door! It's Kenniji and your mum!" Kenniji called out.
When Yan Ting opened the door, he threw himself into Wang Ping's arms, crying, "Mummy! I want to go home!"
"Let him go home first," Emiko suggested.
Just as they prepared to leave, Judith returned.
"Are you going home? Allow me to accompany you; I will explain what happened," Judith offered.
Judith followed Wang Ping, Yan Ting, and Kenniji back to the Xia residence.
**At the Xia Residence**
Xia Ming arrived home to find Yan Ting stained with blood.
"What on earth is happening to him?!" he yelled angrily.
"He's experiencing a... woman's issue," Wang Ping replied softly.
"Nonsense! What woman's issue?!" Xia Ming shouted, striking Wang Ping.
Yan Ting pushed Xia Ming away defiantly.
"That is my problem! If you want to hit someone, hit me!" he retorted angrily.
"Who says I won't hit you? From the very beginning, I knew you were a useless son! So short, always gasping for breath, and speaking like a woman!" Xia Ming shouted, kicking Yan Ting.
Kenniji stepped in, confronting Xia Ming.
"Leave Yan Ting and Aunty Wang alone!" he yelled.
"Quickly, take Yan Ting to his room," Judith urged.
Xia Ming stormed out of the house in a fury.
**- End of Chapter -**