12 Time exists in me 1 (1/2)

A scene Mao Lu never expected to see came into view as he was swept through the door.

A woman with gorgeous silky black hair and clear eyes that sparkled like diamonds was tiptoeing around a room.

She nimbly jumped behind a large black leather sofa, her eyes darting left and right as she searched for something. When she couldn't find it she slowly walked around a large glass coffee table, her hands on her hips, and a playful expression on her face.

With her cherry lips she grinned mischievously and yelled, \”Hmmm I wonder where Xiao'er[1] is hiding hmmm. I really can't find you. What should I do, you're too good at hiding. Where are you Lu?\”

From behind a large white curtain barely disguised giggles could be heard. The curtain shook slightly and a small figure could be seen hiding inside it.

Just as the small figure tried to quieten their laughter, the gorgeous woman jumped towards the curtain and snatched him into her arms. Immediately all kinds of shrieking and laughter filled the room.

\”I found Zhang Lu!!!\” the woman yelled in victory as she spun the little boy in her arms. He squealed in uncontrollable laughter.

\”My little Lu is so good at hiding that mummy thought she lost you for a second there, but yay mummy found you.\”[2]

Zhang Lu stared at her with his large warm black eyes. \”Mummy again, again!!!\” he chanted.

\”Oh so my Xiao'er wants to play again.\” she laughed. \”Then we shal-\”

\”What are we playing exactly?\” interrupted a deep voice from the other end of the room.

The moment she heard it, Zhang Zi's[3] face became impossibly brighter, her eyes sparkling madly as she ran to the tall handsome man holding a briefcase and wearing an expensive suit.

Zhang Hou[4] laughed as he took Zhang Lu from her and hugged him. \”Have you been a good boy today, not giving your mother any trouble I hope?\”

\”He's been brilliant as always Hou.\” Zhang Zi smiled.

\”Is that so.\” Zhang Hou grinned back at her as he placed Zhang Lu gently on to the ground and embraced Zhang Zi.

\”And how has my wife's day been?\”

Zhang Zi blushed pink, \”It's been fine.\” she mumbled into his chest.

Little Lu grabbed onto Zhang Hou's trouser leg and tugged it. \”Let's play. Daddy, let's play.\”

Zhang Hou scooped up Zhang Lu and spun him around, \”Alright alright!\” and more laughter and happiness filled the room.

Mao Lu couldn't bear to watch, he felt tears threatening to spill from his eyes.

He was so young back then, it was such a distant memory, but now that the scene was right before his eyes he could remember this day clearly. This was before his Father got so busy with the company that he barely had time to come home. This was before they got really strict about his education and obviously it was before everything went to shit.

Of all the things he thought he would see, he had definitely not expected this.

\”I thought you were going to show me time, how is this time exactly?\” he asked. But there was no response from Gates.

Where was Gates? Mao Lu looked around him but there was no doorway anymore, he was now just standing in the living room of his old house like a ghost as he watched his parents chase a younger him. Laughter and happiness all over the place.

\”In what way was this time exactly? Was it saying time only exists in your memories\” he wondered, \”Or is it saying that time is when you're happiest?\”

As he thought this the scene changed.

It was a hot sweltering summer, the sound of insects buzzing amongst the heat and the casual chatter of students sitting in the fields could be heard.

\”THWHACK WHACK WHACK\” was the dull thudding sound of arrows continuously hitting a wooden target.

On a wooden platform with a bunch of other archers in traditional uniform, stood a teenage Zhang Lu. His silky black hair was slightly long and tied in a bun behind him. He had a firm grip on his bow and perfect posture as he strung another arrow, pulling his arm back with professional form. As he let go of the bowstring it hummed slightly as the arrow embedded itself in the centre of the target.

The other archers on the platform clapped.

\”Do you see Zhang Lu\” the instructor pointed towards him, \”His form is perfect and to the textbook, you should all be following his example.\”

\”Yes teacher!\” the other boys on the wooden platform chanted.

When the teacher turned his back they all glanced between each other and gave Zhang Lu dirty looks.

On the grass nearby some female students were eating their lunch. \”Isn't Zhang Lu just dreamy!\” one of the girls exclaimed loudly, her voice carrying to the wooden platform. Making some of the boys frown.

The group of girls burst into laughter and squeals. \”Oh my god Ou Mai, what if he heard you omg!!!\”

\”I don't care, let him hear me!\” Ou Mai brazenly proclaimed.

\”Hey don't say that.\” One of the girls near her nudged her and pointed to a very pretty girl sitting beside them, \”Don't you know Zhang Lu and Lee Heri have been betrothed to each other by their parents since they were young, you can't say that in front of his future wife.\”

Ou Mai paled, \”Sorry Heri, I was just complimenting him.\”

Lee Heri was reading a book and didn't bother even looking at Ou Mai. \”It doesn't matter. It's not like I'm interested in Zhang Lu, and I'm sure the marriage agreement will be called off soon anyway.\”

\”What really? How comes, what's happening?\” Many of the girls asked at once, leaning forward in curiosity.

Lee Heri put her book down. \”His family went bankrupt recently, didn't you hear about it? He can't even afford to pay this schools tuition any longer. The board are only letting him stay due to his outstanding grades, he's basically on scholarship. Someone like that is basically trash. He's far below me now Ou Mai, so if you want that trash you are very welcome.\”

She said this rather loudly so it carried to the wooden platform. Causing the other male archers around Zhang Lu to smirk a little. Zhang Lu's expression turned ugly and his next arrow missed entirely and hit the tree next to the target.

He clenched his fists but he didn't shout or complain he just reloaded again, calmed his breathing, and began to shoot.

Mao Lu remembered this. It was a week after his family went bankrupt. A lot had happened in that first week. Rumours spread across the school, Zhao detong and Fei Bing Bing were too ashamed by their parents actions to face him.