The Hug

The next day, the foursome took a carriage to visit the Suns. This particular carriage was larger and fancier than the one the two women had taken on their earlier visit. Since they would be making a public appearance with Tang Jing, and he had a reputation to uphold as the minister of the region, everyone was dressed very nicely. Lulu was wearing another one of Xiao Chu's dresses that had been altered to fit her. This one was a peach ensemble with white and yellow flower motifs. Xiao Chu was wearing a blue dress. Both carried large hats on their laps, which were designed to conceal their faces when outside.

The ladies sat opposite the gentleman with Lulu sitting across from Tang Mei. During the ride, Tang Mei, Xiao Chu, and Lulu made small talk while Tang Jing listened.

When they arrived at the bakery and entered inside, the women took off their hats. Mrs. Sun gave Lulu a warm hug while Mr. Sun formally introduced himself and his family to the Tangs. After greetings were exchanged, everyone was invited inside the bakery/home for some refreshments. Mrs. Sun served them all tea, while Tang Jing began the main conversation. He turned to Mr. Sun and politely asked, "Can you please tell us how you came to find Lulu and what happened from that time to the time that she came to live with us. It's important that we don't miss any details that might be important for…for Lulu to try to remember where she's from, that is."

Mr. Sun nodded solemnly at the request and started, "I had gone fishing with my son. It was about mid-day and we were taking a lunch break. We were looking for a shaded spot when I happen to see Lulu lying at the bank of the river. She looked like she had drowned but when I moved her with my foot, she coughed so I knew she was alive. I put her on her side, and she coughed some more, and water came out of her mouth. I sat her up and she slowly started waking up. She asked where she was and I told her, but she looked confused. I helped her up and carried her on my back to the bakery. Sun Xu wasn't very happy at first. Do you remember, Sun Xu?"

Seeming a little embarrassed, Mrs. Sun replied, "Yes, well, she was a stranger then and a foreigner at that! And those strange clothes were a sight to be sure." She patted Lulu's arm as she continued, "She had a high fever though, so we took care of her and then when she was better, we sent her to the temple." Mrs. Sun said the last part quietly.

"The temple?," Tang Jing asked with one eyebrow raised. Then looked at Lulu with furrowed brows.

Lulu had put her hand to her mouth upon hearing the part about the temple. She said, "Oh I forgot about that! Yes, I did go to the temple but just for a couple of days. Then the Suns came back for me, and I lived with them until Tang Mei took me to your house."

Mrs. Sun interrupted fearing that she had gotten Lulu into trouble, "We regretted sending her immediately and brought her back immediately."

Tang Jing's features relaxed a bit at the thought of having another lead. He gave a nod and asked, "And which temple is this? Let's go there after we are done here."

They all stayed and chatted for another half hour or so before heading over to the temple at which Lulu had briefly sojourned.

During the drive to the temple, Lulu and Xiao Chu were once again sitting opposite the brothers but this time Lulu was across from Tang Jing. She looked at Tang Jing and in a voice that expressed regret, she said, "I'm sorry that I forgot about my time at the temple. My head just seems to have holes in it sometimes. I think maybe it's because I don't really want to remember my time there." She paused, then continued, "It wasn't very pleasant."

"What do you mean?," asked Tang Xiao Chu, looking at her intently, trying to read her facial expression, which seemed sad.

"Well, it's where the sick go for free help from the physician there but it's also where a lot of the homeless like me go. Let's just say, I didn't receive a warm welcome," replied Lulu as she touched the side of her face as if recalling a painful memory.

The rest of the ride was in silence.

When the couples arrived at the temple, the ladies wore the hats again to conceal their faces. They were greeted by a woman who indicated to the Tangs that she was a helper to the healer. She took them over to meet the doctor, who she introduced as Dr. Zhang Hao. The doctor was a young man of about 25 years, 6 feet tall with hair a few inches below his shoulders. It was tied in the back in a half ponytail currently, but some hair had escaped and framed his face. He was wearing a light green robe with a rounded collar and a white shirt underneath. There was no ornamentation on the robe, but it was clean despite the work he engaged in on a daily basis. His apron, on the other hand, could have used a good wash—and it would get one at the end of the day.

The Tangs and Lulu formed a half circle with Xiao Chu at one end, followed by Lulu, then Tang Mei, and finally Tang Jing at the other end. Dr. Zhang was standing in front of Tang Jing. After introductions were made, Tang Jing asked the doctor, "Can you please feel this woman's pulse and tell us if you notice anything strange?"

They needed a way for the healer to touch Lulu and this was the way that Tang Jing had come up with. He didn't mention to the others that he was also genuinely interested if there was something different about her that could be known medically.

Dr. Zhang looked at Tang Jing, slightly squinting as if trying to see if there was more to the request. In the end, he knew he had to comply and so he took Lulu's pulse.

"Her heart rate seems a little elevated and there appears to be an internal heat," Dr. Zhang said, trying to hide his surprise at the findings. "I have some medicine I can give her. If you'll follow me."

Tang Jing quickly stopped him, "Before we do that, I have to ask you a question." Dr. Zhang stopped and looked at Tang Jing who asked, "Do you remember this woman? She would have been here about 4-5 weeks ago?" He gestured toward Lulu as he spoke and she parted the veil on the hat so he could see her face.

Dr. Zhang looked at Lulu quickly, said no just as quickly, and then looked back at Tang Jing.

Lulu walked closer to him and said, "But don't you remember I came here and that man right over there in the corner hit me my first day here? I got a cut and you put ointment on it?"

"Wait a minute," Tang Jing interrupted before Dr. Zhang cold reply. "How can you not remember something like that? It's not like she's easy to forget."

She wasn't sure why, but Lulu felt as if he had complimented her and blushed a little.

Just then, the older man in the corner that Lulu had pointed out, flew into a fit of rage and stormed at her, yelling something about her being an evil omen. Tang Jing grabbed Lulu instinctively and shielded her from his fists, which landed on him instead. Tang Mei and Dr. Zhang also leapt into action and pulled the man off of Tang Jing. Xiao Chu didn't know what to do and just stayed back to avoid getting in anyone's way.

While Tang Mei and Dr. Zhang were taking care of the older man, Tang Jing held onto Lulu's arms with both his hands, looked straight into her eyes and asked, "Are you alright? Did he hurt you anywhere?"

She shook her head. Her eyes started watering, so she looked down. He took one hand and placed it on her back, stroking it as a gesture to calm her, but she took it as a different kind of gesture, leaned in, and gave him a hug.