The red garment

The next few day, Hu Li walk around the compound to see everyone busy. There are some red cloths drape allover the house. Whatever they ask or say to her, Hu Li just smile and nod her head. She just simply don't understand what is happening. 

She walk to the ancestor room. After the door is close, the light floaters appear in their human form. They bow deep. 

"Now the tiger is gone. You should not worry about Sheng Qin anymore."

"Yes, thank you master."

"Since everything is settle. I will leave in a few days time."

The couple look at each other then back to Hu LI gravely. They bow

"Master... did you realise that you have make a promise to Sheng Qin. "

"What promise? Oh about going home? Yeah i will go home when i am ready to. Now the tiger is gone, i am ready to go home."

"Master... you are getting marry within a month."

"Oh yeah i just remember that. Yes marry. it's not a big deal. I am still gong home."

"Master, getting marry is a big deal."

"It is a promise to heaven and earth that a man and woman to stay together for life."

"Yes he did say that..."

"Master, you agree to stay with him for his life time."

"Yes i remember that. I can be his friend for a life time."

"Master, i think you have mistaken what Sheng Qin means."

"Explain."

"Master, what he means is that he wants to be a family with you. More than friends, more than siblings. A man and woman can have children later after marriage."

What rings in Hu Li's ears are the word, children. Her eyes dart around and keep blinking non stop. Sheng Qin's parents look at each other and feel worry for the new bride to be. 

"Children? i am a child myself... how man i going to have children?"

"Master, in the eyes of the human world, you are a young adult. A person suitable to be marry and our Sheng Qin happen to start to love you. He never gotten into a relationship with any girls. You are the first one and will be the last one."

The couple bow again. 

"Did you both realised that i am not human? How can i ..."

"Master we don't know that. We will consult the elders on this."

"Elders? Those?"

She point to the rest of the tablets on the table. The gloomy tablets stay still in the silence room with Sheng Qin's parents nod their heads. 

"We will consult them when they are awake."

"Do you have to? I need to go home soon. There is someone i have to meet."

"Master, a promise is a promise."

"I will talk to Sheng Qin about this... Is this why there are red cloths and lanterns around the house???" 

That night when Sheng Qin and Hu Li take walk around the neighbour hood, She brings up the matter that she needs to return home. Sheng Qin offer to follow her home. He hold her hand tightly. 

"I am afraid..."

"I promise you. I will come back when i am sure the animals are still safe."

"For how long will you be gone?"

"I am not sure... I will return here."

"i... I don't have the heart to let you go so far alone. What if you get lost and can't find the way home. What if..."

"There is no what if... I have my way around this place. "

"Is there someone else you are meeting?"

"Yes, I hope ... he is my family."

"Are you bringing him to our wedding?"

"I am no sure. He have a lot of important things to do. When he is free, he will drop by to check on me. "

Sheng Qin at that point feels pain in his heart. He crunch down.

"What happen Sheng Qin! Are you in pain?!" 

She try to lift him up. He stop her and looks gravely at her. 

"I fear that you won't be back after you are gone. How am i going to find you?"

Hu Li stare at him and wonder why does he think so much about her disappearing and not able to see her again. 

"Don't worry. I will come back. I promise." 

"Let's marry first. Then you can go home."

Hu Li nod her head. He gets up slowly like an old man and stare at her as they slowly walk back home. He hope to see her face clearly one day. 

The next two days, Hu Li is trying on a red garment and different hairstyles to go along with it. The elder ladies are excited about it. Another week pass, Hu Li finds herself in a red garment in the morning. They comb her hair while saying some lucky couplets. Outside the sky is suppose to be sunny as the time pass, it gets darker and darker. Eventually it starts pouring when the ceremony starts. Even thunder and lighting race across the sky. Hu Li feels that the cosmic is unhappy. She is too unsure how to tell Sheng Qin what is she. Where she comes from. How is she created. Whatever bad the weather is, the ceremony goes through without interference from humans. The spiritual tablets in the ancestor room is moving slightly while Sheng Qin's parents are not where to be seen. 

That night, Hu Li is inform to sit on the bed with the fan covering her face. She sits there to wait for the fan to be remove. She plans to leave after that. Till mid night Sheng Qin did not appear in the room. Hu Li is starting to be worry. She gets up from the bed and walk around to stretch herself. Sheng Qin walk in with the help of the elders. He is drunk yet happy. Hu LI walk up to help him. He look at her and whisper. "I can see the red wedding dress but why i just can't see you!" He cry as the elder put him on the bed. 

"Dont worry about that Li'er. When a man is drunk, he will cry!" 

"Let him cry tonite. After to nite there is no tears! Instead there will be courage for the later part of your lives!"

"Come let's go out! Let the couple have alone time!"

The two elder men walk out happily and singing in their loud voices. 

Hu Li tuck him in the bed. Hu Li use her magic to change out her garment at that moment his parents appear. 

"I am leaving now. I will come back when i see the person i miss most."

"Master... Sheng Qin won't understand. Don't leave."

"He is safe now and i have other things to do. I promise to return when i am ready."

They watch in sadness as Hu Li jump out of the window and leap into the air. They watch as she disappear. They turn to look at their son who is peacefully asleep. The red wedding dress flatter in the wind gently on the folding screen. While Sheng Qin who is sleeping actually have tears rolling down from his eyes.