Re-birth: The Beginning after the End - Chapter 79

Chapter 79: ADDRESSING CONCERNS

“I remember the day you were born, during that terrible drought year. Nothing would grow in our fields; the earth was cracked and dying. But right outside our door, a single red poppy pushed through that unforgiving soil. It bloomed the very morning you arrived—small but fierce, refusing to bend even in that blistering heat. Your mother said it was a sign, and she was right. You’ve grown into someone who faces every challenge with that same quiet strength, bringing beauty and hope even in the darkest times.”

Li Hua smiled brightly and hugged her father’s arm, a rare display of affection that made both her parents’ eyes widen slightly. “Thank you, Bàba.” The words carried more weight than usual, filled with gratitude not just for the name’s meaning, but for everything—this peaceful life, this loving family, this second chance she’d been given.

Her mother bustled over, unable to resist pressing a gentle kiss to Li Hua’s forehead. “Look at you, all sweaty when it’s supposed to be a rest day. Drink your tea and then go wash up before your brothers wake. You three still planning to explore the forest today?”

As if summoned by the mention of adventure, the sound of stumbling footsteps and a muffled yawn echoed from the brothers’ room. Li Wei’s more measured tread followed, along with his usual morning reminder: “Li Hao, don’t forget your outer robe this time. We’re going deeper into the forest today.”

“But it’s not even cold!” came the sleepy protest.

“And what if we need to blend in?” Li Wei replied dryly, his voice growing closer. “Remember last time when that merchant caravan spotted your training clothes from three li away because you refused to wear proper coverage?”

Li Hao’s indignant sputter echoed down the hallway. “That was one time! And we weren’t even trying to hide!”

Li Hua hid her smile behind her teacup, the familiar morning routine washing away the last lingering shadows of her nightmare. Whatever challenges lay ahead—whether they came from fallen stars or honey-brown eyes or ghosts from her past—she would face them with the strength of a poppy pushing through stone, resilient and unwavering.

Li Hua excused herself from the kitchen, heading to the bathhouse where she splashed cool water on her face and neck, washing away the remnants of her nighttime training. When she returned to the courtyard, her brothers were already at the wooden table, inhaling their breakfast with typical teenage enthusiasm.

Li Wei paused between bites of congee to eye her sweaty training clothes. “You’re up early,” he observed, concern flickering across his features. “Everything alright?”

“Just couldn’t sleep,” Li Hua replied casually, settling onto the bench beside him. She reached for a steamed bun, tearing it into small, precise pieces. “So I practiced some forms.”

“Creating new variations again?” Li Hao asked through a mouthful of food, earning a disapproving look from their mother. He swallowed quickly before continuing, “Last time you couldn’t sleep, you came up with that amazing triple-rotation sequence that even Bàba hadn’t seen before.”

“We’ve all mastered the advanced forms years ago,” Li Wei added thoughtfully, his eyes showing understanding rather than concern now. All three siblings had surpassed their father’s expectations, their nightly training sessions on the poles becoming increasingly creative as they pushed the boundaries of what was possible. “Sometimes new movements are the only way to quiet a restless mind.”

Their mother set down a fresh pot of tea, shaking her head fondly at their casual discussion of techniques that would make most martial artists pale. “Less chatter, more eating. If you three plan to explore the forest today, you need a proper breakfast.”

As her brothers returned to their meals, Li Hua found herself studying their familiar faces, committing every detail to memory. If her nightmare’s warning proved true, she needed to be ready to protect them—all of them. Her fingers absently traced the edge of her teacup as she began mentally cataloging the deadly techniques from her past life that she could adapt to enhance their already formidable skills.

Li Hua set down her teacup, her voice carrying an unusual urgency. “Māmā, Bàba, I’d like to resume my cultivation training. I know it’s only been six months since reaching Martial Phase Rank 3, but…”

“Does this have anything to do with your nightmare?” Her father’s face creased with concern.

Her brothers’ chopsticks stilled mid-air as they turned to study her, their breakfast momentarily forgotten.

Li Hua stared into her tea, weighing each word carefully. The image of falling stars still burned in her mind, along with her sister’s twisted smile. More pressing was the knowledge that in two years, the array protecting their village would fail. Her fingers tightened around her cup. “The world beyond our village… it’s vast and often cruel. I need to be stronger. To protect—” her voice caught slightly. “I can’t bear the thought of losing any of you.”

“Hua’er.” Her mother’s voice held that unique blend of steel and silk as she placed warm hands on Li Hua’s shoulders. “You’ve always been our fierce guardian, even as a child. But remember, you’re not alone. Your brothers have their own strength, and though your father and I live as farmers now, we haven’t forgotten our own training.”

Li Wei shifted forward, brows furrowed. “Sister, if there’s something specific—”

“We’ll fight it together!” Li Hao’s enthusiasm nearly knocked over his tea.

Their father raised a hand, silencing them both. “Focus on your own cultivation first. Your sister’s already one rank above you. Speaking of which, where do you two stand now?”

“High tier, Bàba!” The brothers answered simultaneously, then blinked at each other in surprise before breaking into laughter.

Their father’s stern expression softened. “Good. Though Little Poppy,” he turned back to Li Hua, “you know why we typically wait a year between breakthroughs. The meridians need time to stabilize, to build a proper foundation.”

He exchanged a meaningful look with their mother before continuing, “However… your control has always been exceptional, and your golden core shows remarkable stability…”

“You could begin your advancement preparations today,” their mother finished, squeezing Li Hua’s shoulders gently. “But you must promise to be careful. A damaged cultivation base isn’t worth any amount of rapid progress.”

Relief flooded Li Hua’s face. “Thank you, Māmā, Bàba. I promise to be mindful.”

Her parents’ answering smiles held equal measures of pride and concern.

“Well then,” her father stood, adjusting his worn robes, “I should head to the fields. I’ll be back at the usual time.” He paused, then added, “When I return, I’ll show you three some arrays to increase the spiritual essence in your rooms. Every little bit helps.”

“Thank you, Bàba!” the siblings chorused, their voices blending in perfect synchronization.