1 Prologue (2/2)
In the morning Jiao Yu started the day with cleaning their entire house, feeding the poultry, watering the vegetables, chopping woods and cooking her father's favorite dish. Though she doesn't know what time her father would come today, she couldn't keep herself from doing things in advance.
And all the villagers seems to do the same thing as her, as they come running back and forth doing things and when she tries to lend a hand everyone would turn her down, which was strange but because she, also has things to do, she didn't keep it in mind, which was a big mistake.
When night time slowly approaches her aunt went to her to give her the red dress she made for Jiao Yu, she wanted to ask why and what is the importance of her wearing this dress but her aunt just told her that it was something they hadto do for the happiness of everyone in the village. Jiao Yu thought that her aunt's words were just her saying that tonight would be a happy occasion for everyone since her father is coming, the benefactor is also here and because it was also her birthday, so she went along with it.
And on the way to the top of the mountain Jiao Yu could not hope but feel a little bit skeptical as she walks alone on the bumpy road with a red muslin veil, a red dress, an ornament on her hair and a red shoes. Just like the bride she dreamed to be.
Jiao Yu saw lights coming from the torches and silhouettes of people from a distance and felt excited as she tried to fasten her pace to reach them but she could not keep herself from musing as she asked herself, Why do we need to celebrate this day here at the top of the mountain? Why do I have to wear all red just for tonight while everyone is wearing their normal wear? And why in the heavens does this place looks like a wedding? But for who?
'Me?!'
Jiao Yu's mind reeled back to the way she's dressed and to the way everyone acted this morning. She thought this was not happening to her and the possibilities of her being married off was close to nothing and yet here she was, standing still far enough for her to see and hear their hushed voices and waiting silhouettes from a distance.
Cold sweats started to fall from her cheeks and her dress was already wet since the time she started her journey to the top of the mountain.
And before she knew it her tears slowly flowed from her eyes blurring them and her body moved faster than what her mind could think of what she should do.
Then she ran away.
The wind during summer night was usually nice to feel, but at this moment because of the tense atmosphere building up, the night's air became even thicker and unsightly to breathe.
Jiao Yu kept her breath steady as she ran while holding her skirt up to her waist, she had long ago thrown the veil that was blocking her sight and left the red shoes on the way to not burden her from running fast. The ornaments on Jiao Yu's head was also left behind except from the small knife she usually tuck in inside her sleeves which she uses daily.
Jiao Yu secretly scolded herself for not bringing her other small daggers as she treats them useless before, yetJiao Yu could not help but wish she had not treated them useless now that she needed them more than anything else.