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** Episode 14 **

Concerned Min Jun approached her and took a seat beside her. "What's wrong?" he asked gently.

"Nothing," she murmured after a moment of silence, avoiding his gaze but definitely Min-Jun knew something wasn't right. The cheerful strong girl suddenly turned moody in a second. That was enough to tell she isn't okay.

"Are you troubled?" he pressed, but she remained silent and the silent rings it all. "You can talk to me if you want. We've been through quite a lot together these past few days; I might be able to help," he offered, trying to encourage her to open up.

After a moment of silent and constantly inhaling and exhaling, looking at the ground and figeting her fingers, she finally found her voice to speak. Her voice barely above a whisper, she murmured, "I'm just feeling disappointed at myself, again."

"Disappointed, again? Why?" he asked, genuinely curious.

She sighed, looking down at her restless fingers. Definitely contemplating if to pour her heart out to this stranger or----- but she found herself speaking just in a moment,

"Actually, I ran away from home. Not for the first time, but the fourth time, and I'm returning without achieving what I set out to do---- the only dream I so much want to accomplish."

Min Jun nodded, understanding her frustration. "Dream sometimes don't need to be chase." He said without realizing. listening to her short story, he just remembered where he's coming from, how he lost it all.

"But speaking of chasing dreams, have you ever thought about why your dreams seem to be running away from you?" He added.

"Pardon?" she replied, stunned. She had expected something else other than this but Min-Jun didn't even realize saying this as well. For a moment, he got lost.

"What does that even mean?" she asked, her brow furrowing, looking up at his face.

Min-Jun then realized he was taking it too personal and then he tried to change the topic, acting all strong.

"I think you look a bit gloomy with that frown, the winkles, you look forty." he said playfully.

"What?" she exclaimed, stunned again.

"Yeah, so please, put on a smile on." he urged, a teasing grin on his face.

She snickered, raising an eyebrow. "Do you want to die?" She said with seriousness in her eyes and her hand clutch tightly in the air toward Min-Jun. Min-Jun look at it and scoffed.

"I can't imagine those tiny hands of yours hurting a fly," he replied, his eyes twinkling as he take her hand down.

She couldn't help but giggles and Min-Jun smile when she did. "How are you always this ridiculous?" she asked, shaking her head.

"I think you look less gloomy now. Keep that smile going," he said, and her laughter grew even louder, flipping her hair backward. It wasn't the typical consolation, but it was just what she needed.

"I think that's the most reasonable thing you've said since I met you," she said, feeling her disappointment lift.

"Qing," she said suddenly.

"What?" he asked, not getting her and she repeated.

"My name is Qing,"

He smiled, just realizing they actually didn't know eachother names before. Wanting to share his name too, but then he remembered his lie about losing his memories and then he lied about not remembering his name either, feigning a thoughtful expression.

"Then I'll call you Tao," she decided, a playful glint in her eyes. "Let's go; I miss home already."

With that, they stood up together, a newfound camaraderie blossoming between them as they headed off into the heart of her small village.

Many, most especially the women, who saw her stopped and watch her till she's out of sight and she completely ignore. Definitely, she understand the reason for their staring. It's always like that with her and even worst when and disappear and then suddenly showed up again.

Min-Jun look around as they walked home. He couldn't imagine there's such an undeveloped small village in China but he's glad. Staying here, he definitely has nothing to worry about.

Qing arrived home, and her younger sister, Ari, spotted her from a distance. In a burst of astonishment, Ari dashed inside, screaming, "Ghost! Ghost!"

At just eleven years old, Ari was still innocent and easily frightened, especially when she saw her sister returning with someone, obviously not Chinese, after days away. longer than she'd ever stay before.

Ming, Qing's closest friend, happened to be nearby and quickly rushed out to see what was happening.

When she saw Qing standing outside with a stranger, her heart raced. She had feared that Qing might not return this time, as she had been gone longer than usual. Without hesitation, Ming leaped into Qing's arms, hugging her joyfully. Ari watched in confusion, her fear dissipating as she realized the "ghost" was actually her sister, who had been away for days. She ran to join the embrace, and soon both sisters were in tears.

"I've missed you, Qing," Ari cried, her voice trembling with sobbing.

"I missed you too, my little lollipop," Qing replied, gently pulling away from the hug. "Where's Mom?" She go down to Ari's height and asked.

"She's probably in her room, as always," Ari answered still sobbing.

"Qing , where have you been? We were all so worried about you," Ming said, concern etched on her face and Ari crossed her hand waiting for her answer, her eyes glistening with tears.

"I'm so sorry, Ari. I promise I'll never leave you again."

"You promise?" Ari asked, her voice hopeful.

"I promise. But first, I need to go see Mom."

"Yeah, you should do that," Ming encouraged, holding onto one of Qing hands while Ari held the other. Min-Jun trailed behind them, glancing curiously at the scene unfolding.

Reached the door, they both leave Qing hand and stepped a bit back. They dare not go with her because it going to be chaos in a minute.

Qing knew she had to go in alone. Taking a deep breath with her heart banging, she stepped inside while the others waiting outside, waiting for the next scene that's about to unfold inside.

"Aren't we going in?" Min-Jun asked, but Ming and Ari shushed him with a quick "Shhhh."

"Mom," Qing called softly, standing behind her mother, who was sitting at a wooden old chair, gazing into a medium-sized mirror just in front of her. She didn't had her usual makeover on this time.

Her mother turned hearing her runaway daughter voice again, her eyes widening in surprise and as well furry. "Qing?" she called.

"Mom!" Qing cried, rushing forward with an open arms to give her a warm hug, but her mother pushed her away and her voice rings out.

"What are you doing here!" her mother thundered foaming in anger.

"I came back. Aren't you happy I'm home?"

"Happy? I'm furious that you're back! Why didn't you stay back? Why do you have to show up here again, why did you come back?" Her mother's voice was filled with anger as she grabbed a comb from the table and threw it at Qing, at her last word. It went straight forward and hit her on the head, and she scream.

"Go back! Go back to your father!" she roared, picking up a floor brush and charging toward Qing.