Chapter 2 - The first day in a Japanese family
**Date: September 3, 1995**
**Time: Late Morning**
**Location: Nanjing Museum - Theatre Hall**
A substantial audience gathered for the premiere of the war film, "My Mum Was a Top Spy." Wei Ting stood at the entrance, warmly welcoming guests when he spotted two familiar faces approaching.
"This is your sister, Wei En, born in 1948, just months before our mother's life was tragically cut short. We've also brought our father, Kanijiro Kenji," Wei Guang explained.
Wei En gently maneuvered a wheelchair occupied by an elderly man.
"Hello, Wei Ting. I long to see Yan Ting again. I've heard the director has found an actor who resembles him; I miss him dearly," Kenji spoke softly.
"Indeed, the actor bears a remarkable likeness to our mother. Allow me to help you to your seat," Wei Ting replied.
Thirty minutes later, the premiere began. Wei Ting took to the stage to deliver his speech.
"Good morning, everyone. Welcome to the premiere of my novel, 'My Mum Was a Top Spy.' Before we start, I'd like to provide a brief introduction to my work. This is a true biographical account of my mother, a celebrated courtesan and spy in Nanjing during World War II. She was intersex, possessing female reproductive anatomy, which was exceedingly rare at that time, leading many to believe Xia Yan Ting was a woman. I, too, am intersex and am blessed with a loving family. My twin sons are now 30 years old, and my husband and I have chosen to make Nanjing our permanent home. Enjoy the film, and thank you."
As the movie commenced, Wei Ting settled beside Kenji.
"You bear a striking resemblance to your mother in her youth," Kenji observed.
The film opened with a scene featuring a five-year-old Xia Yan Ting traveling by train to Kyoto, Japan, accompanied by his parents.
**Date: January 5, 1920**
**Location: Train from Nanjing to Kyoto**
Five-year-old Xia Yan Ting sat next to 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 responded.
Kenniji hurried downstairs, his attention 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 agreed.
From that day forward, Yan Ting attended primary school alongside Kenniji, who was a year older. When Yan Ting turned six, Wang Ping also enrolled him in a Chinese opera and geisha school to nurture his artistic talents.
After morning classes, Yan Ting would train 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 by the time he turned ten.
At thirteen, Yan Ting and Kenniji attended the same secondary school, though they were in different classes.
**Date: February 3, 1928, Evening**
Kenniji and Wang Ping sat in the audience, eagerly awaiting Yan Ting's geisha performance.
**In the Fitting Room**
As Yan Ting donned his outfit, a sudden sharp pain pierced his lower abdomen, followed by distressing bloodstains on his attire.
"Mummy! Mummy! Help me!" Yan Ting cried out in agony.
Students and teachers rushed to the dressing room, with one student dispatched to fetch Wang Ping. A Eurasian teacher named Judith recognized the urgency of Yan Ting's predicament.
"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 familiar with sanitary pads; women typically used belts and cotton for protection.
"A cotton belt for menstruation. Use this for now; I'll rush home to get a pad for him," Judith assured.
Yan Ting continued to sob in the changing room while 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 only to find Yan Ting stained with blood.
"What on earth is happening to him?!" he shouted angrily.
"He's experiencing a... woman's issue," Wang Ping replied softly.
"Nonsense! What woman's issue?!" Xia Ming roared, striking Wang Ping.
Yan Ting defiantly pushed Xia Ming away.
"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 intervened, 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 rage.
**- End of Chapter -**.