The Invitation

Tang Jing's immediate reaction was to return the hug. It surprised him when he found himself starting to put one hand on her back. Realizing what he was doing, however, he pulled away instead. He put a fist over his mouth as he coughed slightly, "Ahem…That, um."

Also realizing what she did, Lulu looked down and fiddled with the edge of her cuff. She tried to play it off, "My apologies. I don't know what got into me. I must have been shocked."

Tang Jing didn't look at her. Not knowing what to say, he repeated his earlier question, "Are you sure you're not hurt anywhere?"

Lulu shook her head to assure him she was fine. Then she asked, "What about you? You shielded me so you got the worst of it." With a concerned look on her face, Lulu started to reach out her hand as if to touch his arm, but then caught herself. Instead, she noted, "You must be in pain."

Tang Jing's heart felt squeezed when he thought she was about to touch him again. He was taken aback by his emotions and cleared his throat again. Just then, Tang Mei interrupted them and told them, "We have everything under control now. What about you two? Everything alright here?"

"Yes, we're both fine," his brother replied.

"Dr. Zhang is taking care of that guy," Tang Mei informed them. And indeed Dr. Zhang had pulled the man back in the corner and they were talking in hushed tones.

"Maybe it's best if we call it a day," said Tang Jing. "I think we've had enough excitement to last a while. I'll go make our goodbyes to the doctor and get Lulu's medicine while I'm at it."

They all nodded in agreement, but Tang Mei offered to go instead, "I want to, uh, ask the healer about, um, some wrist pain I've been having lately."

Tang Jing's eyebrows came together in a look that expressed both concern and confusion. "You never mentioned any—," he started to say but Tang Mei interjected.

"It's not a major problem, but since I'm here, I might as well…," his voice trialed off and he started heading over to Dr. Zhang before his brother could say any more.

Wondering what that was all about, Tang Jing escorted the women out the temple.

"Excuse me," Tang Mei said to get Dr. Zhang's attention as he seemed busy writing in a book.

Dr. Zhang seemed surprised and closed the book quickly. "Ah yes," he replied, "What can I do for you Mr. Tang?"

"Well, uh, I'm here to, um, get the medicine you mentioned for Lulu and to also make our goodbyes," Tang Mei stammered. His heart was beating so fast and so loudly in his own ears that he worried the doctor would hear it and think something was wrong.

The physician listened to Tang Mei's words, all the while noting that he looked very handsome. Realizing he had to put such thoughts out of his mind, the healer instead responded with, "Yes, yes, of course. Let me get that for you. Please wait here." He left with the notebook.

He was gone for a little while and then returned with some packets that were labeled. "I wrote the instructions next to the name of the medicine in each packet. If you have any questions about these, feel free to come back," Dr. Zhang offered.

"Thank you," Tang Mei said but didn't leave. Dr. Zhang looked at him quizzically until Tang Mei came to his senses and stuttered, "Well then, I, um, will, uh, take my leave now." They both bowed in farewell.

Dr. Zhang watched him leave and wondered about the party that had just come to see him. He had been watching Lulu for a while now, trying to figure out a way to get her alone so that they could talk. But miraculously, she had just walked in with her own feet. Perhaps that was a sign. He hoped so because he had been stuck there for far too long and he was sure that Lulu was the key for him to get back home. She had to be.

Tang Mei joined the others in the carriage, and they set off. Tang Jing asked after the wrist pain. Tang Mei replied, "The what? Oh, yes, my wrist! It's fine. He said it was fine and I just need to rest it."

Tang Jing sighed, "It's all that writing that you do. If it's not reading, it's writing. You should practice on the field more. I'm not against being educated, but you know what needs to be done."

"Yes, I do," was all his brother said in response.

Sensing the tension about to overflow, Xiao Chu changed the subject by asking about the medicine that the doctor prescribed for Lulu. After that, the ride back was similar to the one that took them to the temple in that Tang Jing remained mostly silent while the other three young people conversed easily. The only difference, however, was that he was surreptitiously observing Lulu the entire time.

He had many questions about her. At some point in his observations, however, he recognized that not all the questions were related to her role in the prophecy. The incident at the temple had shown her vulnerable side and that made him empathize with her. He realized that she must be feeling scared to be in a place that she is not from. "Does she feel lonely?," he wondered. That thought made him consider that her family and friends must be very worried about her. He wasn't sure why, but he wanted to pull her into an embrace and try to reassure her that everything would work out for the best, even if he didn't know that to be the case. Something about Lulu drew him to her, but he couldn't name what it could be, and that bothered him. He was a man that was always in control. Someone who knew what needed to be done, every second of every day. Lulu, however, was unlike any other woman he had ever met, and he wanted to know her better.

What Tang Jing failed to realize was that he had indeed begun viewing her as a woman, not just as a figure in some larger destiny. And, in a way, that was actually bringing him closer to his fate.

When they arrived back to the Tang Manor, there was a letter waiting for them. It was an invitation from the Tangs' uncle to a dinner that would be held on Saturday, four days hence. What was odd about the invitation was that it specified that they should bring their "guest."

Hearing that she was invited surprised everyone, including Lulu. At first, she was a little excited and remarked, "Well, that was nice of them to include me." But after seeing the looks on the Tangs' faces, she looked down, "But then again, it might not be the best idea. Perhaps it's best if I just stay home."

Xiao Chu felt bad and gave her brother Tang Mei a look with raised shoulders that asked what they should do. When there was no immediate response, Tang Mei said, "No, no, the invitation specifically invited you and it would be rude not to go. Right older brother?"

Tang Jing glared at his younger brother for a moment and then regained his calm composure. "Right. Speaking of the dinner, can I speak with you about it younger brother?" He pulled Tang Mei out of the living room and whispered, "What were you thinking just now? We can't take her."

"But she looked so sad. I felt bad for her. Plus, Xiao Chu was giving me that look she gives," replied Tang Mei.

"You're hopeless. It's a wonder you haven't been married a hundred times over the way you give in to women," Tang Jing scoffed in a frustrated tone.

Tang Mei looked away and rolled his eyes as he thought, "If only you knew, older brother. If only you knew." He replied, "Well, anyway, you didn't say anything so how was I supposed to know you were against it?"

"I gave you a look," Tang Jing said matter-of-factly.

"Then next time tell me which look means what because all I saw was your usual stoic charm," Tang Mei chuckled, trying to lighten the mood.

"In any case, we need to figure out what to do," Tang Jing noted. "If they see Lulu, they will know she is the woman from the prophecy."

"Maybe we can disguise her," suggested Tang Mei. "You know, somehow straighten her hair and darken her complexion? Women know how to do that stuff. I'll talk to Xiao Chu about it. Don't worry so much!"

Tang Jing shook his head as if exasperated, but in the end gave in, "Fine. I will leave it up to you then. Since Uncle clearly knows we are hiding someone here, it's probably better to show up with her and try to conceal her identity than to keep her hidden."