Chapter 1: Is It Destiny?

It was a cold night, the scent of the burning incense was still stuck on Yue’s clothes. The thin silky robe he wore was not enough to keep him warm, he wrapped his arms tightly around himself trying to fend off the biting chill. The echoes of his last song still rang in his ears, but the noise of the district had faded behind him. Now, only the soft murmurs of the quiet town surrounded him.

The silence felt deafening, pressing in from all sides, so he began to hum softly, the quiet tune distracting him from the sound of footsteps as men emerged from the building, possibly following him.

His steps quickened into long strides as he huffed and slipped through the archway. There, he spotted the triplets huddled together, their small frames trembling under the night sky. A spark of sympathy warmed his heart—he couldn’t just leave them there. Then his gaze shifted, catching sight of a man with a hunched back, eyes glinting with lust, stalking toward the girls.

Yue couldn’t stand the thought of what might happen if he walked away. The risks of taking the children with him flickered through his mind, but the weight of guilt pressed harder. His heart surged, ignoring the warnings of his mind. Without another thought, he broke into a run, driven by instinct, unable to leave them behind.

He gently took the hand of one of the triplets, and she flinched, her wide eyes filled with fear. Her body stiffened as if expecting the worst. Yue leaned in, his voice low but urgent,

“Let’s leave. It’s not safe here for you three.”

She glanced back at the others, and the taller one took his hand while the other two clung to his clothes. Together, they hurried away, their footsteps quick and silent. Yue glanced over his shoulder, checking to make sure the man wasn’t following. Seeing no one, he led them to his house, carefully using the back door and making no sound as they slipped inside.

Hearing the familiar sound of his mother’s snores from the other room, Yue sighed in relief. Quietly, he guided the triplets to his small room, where he motioned for them to sit on his makeshift bed–-a simple mattress with a single pillow resting on the floor. The cramped space offered little comfort, but it was safe, and for now, that was all that mattered.

One of the triplets opened her mouth, trying to speak, but Yue quickly placed a finger to his lips, silently shushing her. With gentle hands, he pulled a small box from under the mattress, taking out a thin stick of incense. It was one he had brought from the district, known for its calming scent, meant to bring peaceful sleep. He lit the incense, letting the soft, fragrant smoke swirl through the room. The triplets watched him, their wide eyes slowly softening as the scent filled the air.

Yue moved quietly, spreading out a thin blanket over the mattress and motioning for them to lie down. With some hesitation, they huddled close together, their small bodies curling into one another for comfort. He sat down in the corner of the room, his back against the wall, keeping a respectful distance to show them he meant no harm. His presence was calm, reassuring, as he watched their eyelids grow heavy, the gentle smoke lulling them into sleep one by one.

One of the triplets opened her eyes and gazed at him while still nestled against her sister for comfort. She mouthed a quiet thank you, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, as if the weight of the world had finally begun to lift. Slowly, she sat up and crawled over, her small frame inching closer to him. She settled next to Yue, seeking solace in his presence, her tiny hand brushing against his as she found reassurance in the safety he provided.

Mei nodded, her gaze dropping to her lap as she fidgeted with her fingers. “I’m sorry you have to trouble yourself,” she said, her voice tinged with both relief and lingering fear.

Yue smiled warmly at her, and for a moment, Mei felt the weight of the world lift from her shoulders. “You can’t sleep?” he asked gently, noticing her wide, awake eyes.

She shook her head, the look in her eyes suggesting she felt guilty for taking up his time.

“Then how about a lullaby?” he offered, his voice soothing and kind. Mei’s expression softened as she looked at him, as if she owed him something yet again.

With a tender smile, he patted her head and motioned for her to sit next to him. As she settled beside him, she felt a sense of comfort wash over her.

Yue began to sing softly, his voice wrapping around them like a warm embrace:

Close your eyes, my dear, let dreams take flight,

The stars will watch over you, through the quiet night.

Drift away on clouds, soft and light,

Safe in the arms of the moon's gentle light.

The soothing melody filled the room, and Mei closed her eyes, letting the lullaby ease her worries and guide her into a peaceful slumber. With each note, the tension in her small frame melted away, and soon, she was lost in a world of dreams, safe and sound beside the kind-hearted man who had shown her compassion when she needed it most.

As Yue sat against the wall in the quiet darkness of his room, watching the triplets sleep peacefully, a sense of hope filled his heart. He thought about their bright futures, imagining the possibilities that lay ahead for them. They deserved a life free from fear and hardship, a life filled with laughter, joy, and opportunity.

He knew that taking them in might mean sacrificing his own happiness, his dreams of a carefree existence in the bustling streets of Pingkang Li might be lost. But in that moment, he realised that the weight of their happiness would be worth any burden he had to bear. If he could provide them with a safe haven and a chance to thrive, it would bring him a sense of fulfilment he had never known.

Yue envisioned the day when Mei, Lin, and Xiu would grow up to be strong, confident young women, perhaps even leaders in their own right. He imagined them laughing, learning, and achieving things he could only dream of. It would be his greatest joy to see them shine, even if it meant stepping back from his own desires.

With a quiet resolve, he promised himself that he would do everything in his power to ensure their future was as bright as the stars that twinkled outside his window. Their dreams would become his own, and he would face whatever challenges lay ahead with unwavering determination.

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