Zhao Li made her way back to the village. The wolf pup newly named Xiao Hei nestled in her arms, against her chest. Each step she made dissolved her anger, replacing it with nervous anticipation.

  The lights from Susu’s hut flickered in the distance. Relief washed over Zhao Li which made her anxiety wash away instantly. Home. The word resonated within her, foreign yet familiar. Snow Rabbit Village had never truly felt like home before, but tonight, with Xiao Hei’s warmth against her heart, something had shifted.

  The wooden steps creaked beneath her feet as she stepped up the stairs. The scent of congee still lingered in the air, a reminder of the meal she had abandoned in her haste.

  She pushed the door open with her shoulder, cradling Xiao Hei carefully. Susu sat exactly where Zhao Li had left her, as if time had stood still in her absence. Susu’s face showed no emotion, no anger, no disappointment, no relief. She simply watched as Zhao Li entered, her eyes drifting toward the wolf pup in her eyes. “I’m sorry,” Zhao Li said.

  She stepped closer, allowing the light to illuminate her face—and the small creature she carried. ‘I shouldn’t have spoken to you that way. I don't know why I acted like that.”

  Xiao Hei stirred in her arms, his nose twitching as he caught Susu’s scent. The pup’s eyes were bright and filled with curiosity. “I found her in the forest, she was alone. I couldn't leave her there.”

  Susu’s expression softened as she rose from her seat. She approached slowly. She reached out to Xiao Hei, placing the back of her hand to pup’s nose. The wolf sniffed her fingers then began licking them. “Her name’s Xiao Hei,” Zhao Li said, “That’s what I want to call her.”

  “ it suits him.” Susu said, then eyed Zhao Li, “I will warn you before hand Wolves are not easily trainable. They have a free spirit; you can train them…but don’t expect them to obey. Understood?”

  “Yes Ma’am.”

  Zhao Li exhaled, not realising she had been holding her breath. Susu gestured for Zhao Li to sit, and the girl obeyed, carefully settling Xiao Hei in her lap. The pup yawned, revealing its teeth. “You know…when I was your age,” Susu said, “I ran away from home at least three times.”

  Zhao Li’s eyes widened from the surprise; she couldn’t believe it.

  “Yes,” She laughed, “I was very much like you. I wanted to learn martial arts, but my master was against it and just like you, I would storm off.”

  She paused, then traced her fingers across the wood patterns on the table. “Eventually, I got tired of hearing no and ran away. I was missing for three days; it was the dumbest thing I’ve ever done. My martial brothers searched for me high and low. Your father, Uncle Bo Ying, and Uncle Heng Guo.”

  Susu wasn’t one to talk about herself or the past. She would recite some of her adventures in the Jianghu to Zhao Li before she went to bed, but Zhao Li never asked questions, she just lied there taking in the stories before she fell asleep.

  “They tracked me down following my trail through forests. When they found me—hungry, tired, and too proud to admit I was afraid—they never scolded. They simply brought me home.”

  “I miss father and Uncle Ying,” Zhao Li said stroking Xiao Hei’s fur, feeling her body rise and fall from breathing.

  Susu met her eyes and for a moment, Zhao Li saw pain within them. She’d never seen that before. “I miss them as well, especially your uncle Heng Guo, I haven’t seen him in over twelve years.”

  “Twelve years?”

  “Yes, he’s very reclusive. Shy, but with a big heart. He helped me develop the Dance of the Scorpion Maiden.”

  A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  “He helped?”

  “Yes, he’s one of the best swordman I ever fought against. Him and his Dance of the Willow Tree.”

  Zhao Li didn’t say anything, she just stared at Susu, watching her smile as she stared at the ceiling reminiscing.

  “Li’er,” Susu said calmly. “I know you believe yourself to be at a standstill, but you are not. You’ve done everything I’ve asked of you. You have made a solid foundation, not just physically but also mentally. The treatment that you received from the villagers is cruel and

  hate ever fibre of it. If I could, I would punish them myself, but I have to remember my master’s teaching. Patience. Endure. Understanding. I know what I asked of you was too hard for you, you’re a child, but you handled it well…far better than I ever did and for that, I am proud of you.”

  Xiao Hei stirred in Zhao Li’s arms and yawned as he looked at Susu. The pup tilted his head, as if he understood Susu’s words.

  “Tomorrow,” She continued. Susu said, her voice firm but kind, “We head up the Snow Jade Dragon Mountain, you will begin you’re training once we reach our destination.”

  “Really? You’ll teach me?” Zhao Li cheered, heart leaping with excitement.

  “I have always been teaching you, Li’er.” Susu rose, moving to the pot of congee that still sat on the hearth. “But I will warn you, your training will be harder, tougher and a lot worst than how the villagers treated you…do you wish to continue, still?”

  Zhao Li hesitated for a second, the words reverberating within her ears.

  Now, shall we feed Xiao Hei? I believe he may enjoy some of this rabbit meat.”

  As Susu prepared a small bowl for the pup, Zhao Li felt a peace settle over her. The anger that had driven her into the forest had dissipated, replaced by a quiet determination. She found a companion in the woods and she now had the path forward.

  Susu prepared the small bowl of rabbit meat for Xiao Hei. The wolf pup squirmed on the table, but once the meat’s aroma touched the air, he began whimpering. Susu placed the congee in front of Zhao Li and the rabbit meat in front of Xiao Hei. “Here…let him eat on her own. She must learn.”

  Zhao Li carefully set Xiao Hei down, watching as the pup approached the bowl cautiously before hungrily devouring its contents. Something about the sight struck her—the way the pup tested each step, uncertain but determined.

  Zhao Li’s eyes drifted around the hut. she thought. A wave of nostalgia washed over, reminding her of how far she’d come. Two years ago, she was living in a small hut within the Jiang residence. It was pathetic how small it was and how much holes it had. Whenever the rain fell, she had to hide in a corner which didn’t provide any warmth.

  Those days may have passed by in a flash, but there were still engraved into her, making her feel hopeless. , she mused. But she hated how the villagers treated her with contempt.

  The taunts from the village children, the whispers of the adults, the loneliness that had threatened to consume her. Susu had never stopped them. Not because she didn’t care. She asked herself.

  Of course…that was it.

  Zhao Li watched Xiao Hei devour the rabbit meat. She sipped her congee slowly, savouring the warmth as it spread through her body. , she thought, the realisation hadn’t settled in her mind fully, but she was satisfied.

  The fire crackled softly in the hearth, casting long shadows across the wooden floor. Susu sat across from her and her mind still raced.

  The thought came suddenly, clear as mountain spring water. “ Susu always said. At the time, the words had seemed like an excuse to delay the real training Zhao Li craved.

  She looked down at her hands—small still, but strong now, the skin toughened from work. She remembered how they had once blistered and bled when she first started carrying water, how she had cried at night when she thought Susu couldn't hear.

  Xiao Hei finished his meal and she placed him on the aground, allowing him time to explore the hut on unsteady legs. The pup stumbled, fell, then picked himself up without complaint to continue his investigation.

  So much like her own journey.

  The realisation settled deeper, taking root in her heart. Each task, each hardship, each moment of discipline hadn’t been punishment—they had been gifts.

  Susu wasn’t holding her back.

  She was building her up, piece by piece, preparing her for challenges Zhao Li couldn’t yet imagine. , she thought, feeling tears prick at the corners of her eyes.

  “Your congee grows cold,” Susu said quietly.

  Zhao Li startled slightly, then resumed eating. Even now, Susu was teaching her to stay present, to attend to the task at hand.

  She looked up Susu and smiled, she took another bite out of congee and let the words flow from her lips. “Thank You Mother. For protecting me.”