Chapter 2: Just a Little Longer, That's All!

Early the next morning, sunlight filtered through the window of the woodshed, casting a glow upon Huan Ya.

She stirred her aching body and slowly opened her eyes. When she caught sight of that sliver of sunlight, the corners of her mouth curled into a smile.

"Hiss." The sharp pain made her recoil instantly, yet the light in her eyes was brighter than the warm sun outside.

She had survived!

Bang!

The door was kicked open, and Huan Ya hurriedly lowered her head, curling her body into a ball.

Mother Hua took one look at her bruised face and knew exactly what had happened the night before. She didn't care, simply remarking, "I spent two taels of silver to buy you, hoping to make a little profit, but you’ve proven yourself ungrateful. Very well, I am not one to force things. If you are determined to throw your life away, I cannot stop you."

"But mark this: if you cannot be sold for five taels of silver today, don't blame me for turning heartless! The Orchid Pavilion will be your next destination!"

Huan Ya shivered at the mention of the name and huddled further into the corner. She knew of the Orchid Pavilion; her aunt used to scare her with it. Her aunt had claimed that all the local thugs lived there, and that women who had grown old and withered in the brothels were all sent there to entertain guests. Once she stepped foot in that place, her life would be truly over.

Huan Ya shook her head. She could not go to the Orchid Pavilion! She must not!

"You two, change her clothes, apply some medicine, and take her out to the street to see if anyone wants her."

Mother Hua stepped out the door, calling back, "Remember, I am not to sell her for a penny less than five taels."

After Mother Hua left, the two matrons curled their lips in dissatisfaction.

"Five taels? If her face weren't ruined, maybe, but with those bruises, who would want her?"

"Exactly. Oh, forget it. Let's finish this quickly and get out of here; it's dreadfully bad luck."

The two matrons applied medicine to Huan Ya and tossed a barely clean garment at her to change into. Huan Ya gasped as they manhandled her, but she dared not cry out. She knew that since her mother passed, no one would pity her for feeling pain.

"Alright, Old Five! Old Five! Come here and take her out to be sold."

One of the matrons shoved Huan Ya out the door. A sturdy, muscular man approached. Seeing his fierce, fleshy face marked by a long scar, Huan Ya shrank back, clutching her arms tightly. This man was not one of those who had beaten her last night; perhaps, she thought, perhaps it might be a little better?

The man walked up to her. "Can you walk?" His voice was rough and laced with impatience.

Huan Ya nodded hurriedly. "Yes..."

"Then you'd best not run," the man said, casting a cold glance at her injuries. "If you dare to run, I'll kill you on the spot!"

Huan Ya pulled her head into her shoulders, whispering that she would not run. She did not want to die. Her mother had told her she must live a good life.

Huan Ya was taken to the street. The man plucked a weed from the corner of a wall, stuck it in her hair, and hung a wooden sign around her neck that read "Five Taels of Silver."

Many people stopped to ask along the way, but as soon as they saw the injuries hidden beneath her hair, they turned and walked away. As the sun began to dip, Huan Ya’s heart grew cold. She did not want to go to the Orchid Pavilion; she did not want to die!

Huan Ya raised her head, looking desperately at the people on the street. But everyone hurried past, no one noticing her. The crowd thinned, and by the time the last rays of sunlight vanished, there was no one left on the street but her and the burly man.

The light in Huan Ya’s eyes faded along with the sun. Yet, as the man grabbed her by the collar, she could not help but plead, "Sir, please wait a little longer, just a little longer!"

"Someone will come! Someone will come any minute now!"

If only she could wait for one more person—just one!