Unfolding Clay

 Meanwhile, at the village's small bus stop, Li Mei stood quietly with her cane and a small leather bag slung over her shoulder. Her family had seen her off at the gate, none of them questioning her decision to go to the city alone. She had told her family she was heading to the city to order raw materials for her pottery shop.

Li Mei's pottery shop was settled near her family home, had become a quiet part of the community. She had started it five years ago, inspired by her childhood on the farm. After losing her sight, working with her hands gave her a sense of purpose, a way to create and express herself.

Initially, the pottery shop had been a modest venture, catering to the villagers' practical needs—simple bowls, pots, and vases. But as Li Mei's skills grew, so did her reputation. 

Her family thought it was just a small business, a way for her to stay occupied. They didn't know about the growing demand for her pieces in the nearby city or that some of her work was even sold in boutique stores under a pseudonym. Li Mei kept these details to herself, wary of the expectations and questions they might bring.

This trip to the city of Lanhua wasn't just about ordering supplies; it was about fulfilling larger orders for her expanding business. She had carefully planned the journey, down to the last detail, even refusing Li Jun's offer to accompany her.

Li Jun had offered to accompany her, but she'd insisted he stay back. He had his own responsibilities, tallying accounts with the village chief's accountant to settle their farm's debt.

Li Xia, of course, had scoffed at the idea of enduring the dusty, overcrowded bus ride to the city. "I'd rather wait for a carriage," she had said, flicking her perfectly styled hair over her shoulder.

Li Mei's lips curved into a small smile as she thought of her siblings. Their lives were so different from hers, yet she loved them deeply.

As the bus pulled into the stop, Li Mei smiled faintly and adjusted her scarf and stepped aboard, choosing a seat by the window. The bus rattled to life, leaving behind the familiar sights of the village.

To her family, she was just a potter running errands. But as she boarded, clutching her bag of carefully prepared documents and samples, she knew the truth. She wasn't just shaping clay.