She woke up in the middle of the night with a bad feeling. She knew that something was wrong. The air felt stale and there was a bad taste in Hualing’s mouth. Turning to the left side of the bed, she tried to wake up her Grandma. Her Grandma was a light sleeper. Usually even the smallest creak from the roof would wake her, but not this time. Hualing called out to her.

“Grandma? Wake up… Are you pretending?”

Hualing was on the verge of tears. She had already lost her mother two years ago, how could she handle another death at ten years old… She slowly got up off the bed and went to go turn on the lamp in the room. Hualing tried to find her Grandmother’s pulse, but right when she touched her icy cold skin, she knew. She had lost another important, dear, family member. All she had left in this world now was her father.

Two Years Later

“Father! Welcome home!” Hualing said with a big smile on her face.

“Hualing, I’ve got a very important announcement for you.” He said cheerfully.

“What is it?” Hualing asked. He picked her up in his arms and hugged her.

“You won’t be alone anymore. I’ve met a woman named Minglí Xiao. She has two daughters just about your age, and a son a few years older. She will be your new mother in a few days.” He said, happily smothering her with a bundle of hugs.

News that should’ve been happy turned Hualing’s day into misery and anxious anticipation. She only had her father left in this world. Of course she would be happy for a family again, but she couldn’t help but just feel like something was off about this situation. Of course she was happy for her father. After all, he found someone he could love again.

A week passed and Hualing had just arrived at her stepmother's house. Apparently Minglí Xiao was filthy rich, she was a recent widow and her husband died in the army. She was greatly compensated, for all of his amazing efforts. The house itself looked pretty grand, even from just the outside. Hualing grasped tightly onto her father’s hand and he led the way into the house. Once they arrived, a beautiful woman appeared before them. She was wearing a beautiful dress and from her ears to her wrists, she was covered in wonderful gems.

“Why, hello there! You must be the Hualing that I’ve heard about so much.” Minglí smiled as she talked.

Maybe this wouldn’t be as bad as I imagined it Hualing thought to herself. She had always imagined stepmothers to be horrible people who could treat their stepchildren with no respect. However, Minglí seemed somewhat different.

“Well now that we’re done with introductions, Hualing I have some news for you.” He pulled Hualing aside and kneeled down to hug her. “I will be joining the army this year.” He said solemnly.

Hualing was surprised. “Father why do you have to join the military?” She asked.

“Actually, it seems your father is in a bit of a money shuffle right now.” Minglí replied.

“It’s true… I’m sorry I never told you anything Hualing. I love you, and I'll be back soon, I have to leave for the army today.” He hugged Hualing once more tightly and gave her a big kiss on her forehead.

“I love you Father, have a safe trip.” She whispered in his ear while reluctantly unwrapping her arms.

She watched as he was picked up by a carriage. Little did she know her words would mean nothing to his cruel fate.

Now that she was alone with Minglí, it seemed like a completely different atmosphere. The expression on her stepmother’s face had changed from a beautiful smile to an evil scowl.

“You will address me as Ma’am from now on.” She said rudely.

“Y-yes, Ma’am” Hualing stammered.

“I will now show you to your room. I know you weren’t raised properly so be sure to act with your best manners here at all times.”

“Of course, Ma’am.” Hualing replied, trying to show as little hatred as possible. Minglí was starting to get annoying.

Hualing followed her new stepmother around the house to her room. As they walked around, she noted that even the inside was very fashionable and classy. The colors were put together nicely and nothing clashed. The house itself was a masterpiece.

“Well here we are, this will be your room for the time being. Please try not to make too much of a mess, I think you’re quite informed about what the cost was for this beautiful abode of mine.” Minglí walked out of the room, closed the door behind her and left Hualing to her own devices.

She wandered around the big room. Even though her stepmother was a bit rude to her at first, she thought she could get used to it. ‘It’s all for Father’s sake.’ She kept telling herself. She unpacked the few things she’d brought with her, and got herself ready to meet the rest of the family. She had heard there were two sisters that were around her age, and a brother that was a few years older than she was. She was very excited to meet all of them because she felt that she hadn’t had a ‘real’ family in so long. Hualing was almost sick from the anticipation. Of course she was nervous about meeting everyone. What would they think of her? How would they treat her?

A few hours passed by, and Hualing made herself comfortable next to her open window. The view outside was amazing. It was completely green and there were trees everywhere. There was even a nice breeze flowing against her cheeks. Her long brown hair flowing in the wind. She couldn’t believe she was still in Taipei. Even though she was only twelve years old, Hualing was a very mature child. After all she had to be, she lost her mother at a young age, and then followed by the death of her Grandmother. Just as she was about to cry for her Grandmother again, a maid knocked on the door. Hualing cleared her mind, and stopped the tears from flowing.

“Come in.” She said, trying to act as proper as possible.

The door slowly creaked open. “Miss, everyone is waiting for you in the family room. Please follow me.”

Hualing got up from her seat and tried to walk as ladylike as possible. She didn’t want to embarrass herself on her first day living here. After a set of stairs, they had arrived at the room. The maid opened the door for her.

The room was magnificent. The sun beaming through the stained windows, the high arched ceiling, even the wooden carvings and flowers around the fireplace added an exquisite touch to the room. In the center of the room there was a circle of red couches. Each was embroidered with a different gold pattern. Minglí was sitting in the middle of the couches, directly facing Hualing. While the two sisters sat to the left of Minglí and the brother to the right.

“Well, I guess it’s time for introductions Hualing. These are your new sisters and brother.”

“I’m Lin and she’s Liu. We’re both twelve this year. Nice to meet you Hualing.” They acted very maturely, as if they’d practiced just for this moment.

“N-nice to meet you two!” Hualing couldn’t believe how happy she was. She finally had a family again.

“Good afternoon, I’m Jinhai. I’m sixteen this year. Nice to meet you, little sis.” He had a grand smile on his face.

“I look forward to living with all of you.” Hualing cheerfully responded.

“Alright, enough with the introductions. It’s almost time for dinner, the maids will call you when everything is prepared. Please try to make sure you aren’t late Hualing.” Minglí stood up and gracefully walked out of the room, followed by Lin and Liu.

“Sorry about those three, Hualing. I know it must be hard for you to adjust to something like this. Especially with your father off at the army.” Jinhai coaxed Hualing with his voice. He wanted her to feel as safe as she could. He felt like he had to protect her.

After three months of living with this new situation, Hualing received a telegram from the army.

‘We deeply regret the loss of Kang Chen. He was a valiant soldier who fought bravely for our cause. Our deepest sympathies are sent along to his family.’

Hualing’s hands shook. Tears dripped onto the paper one by one until it was a stream down her face. Now she really was all alone in the world.

‘“I love you Father, have a safe trip.”’

“What a joke those words were. Did they even do anything to protect father in the end?” Hualing began to question her very own existence.