A few more years passed. The sisters grew up, and Mo Xiaoyun reached her coming-of-age ceremony. After the ce…
A few more years passed. The sisters grew up, and Mo Xiaoyun reached her coming-of-age ceremony.
After the ceremony, matchmakers came with proposals.
Xiaoyun knew this wasn't something she could decide. But her parents had always doted on her, so surely her future husband wouldn't be too bad.
Only, that day, Xini was very unhappy.
When it was time to extinguish the lamps, Xini still sat on the bed sulking, hugging her quilt.
Xiaoyun said nothing, quietly removed her hair ornaments, let her hair down, and lay down in her clothes.
After a while, Xini huffily blew out the lamp and lay down with her back to Xiaoyun.
For so many years, the sisters had been inseparable, sleeping together like when they were little.
"What's wrong? Jealous that your big sister is getting married and will have a husband?" Mo Xiaoyun decided to break the silence. "Don't worry. When you come of age, Mom and Dad will find you a good husband too."
"Big sister... if you get married, does that mean you can't... spend New Year's Eve with me anymore?" Xini's muffled voice came after a pause.
She turned over. Two lines of tears fell onto the pillow.
"We're a family who lives together, sleeps together... how do we suddenly become outsiders?"
Mo Xiaoyun didn't know how to answer. She could only pat her sister's head.
"It's always been this way since ancient times," she sighed softly.
"But has it always been right?!" Mo Xini jumped up from the bed and stomped out.
The night was deep. Mo Xiaoyun threw on an outer robe. Pushing the door open, she saw her sister sitting in the courtyard, twisting and breaking a blade of grass.
"Big sister, I..." Discovering Mo Xiaoyun behind her, Mo Xini looked up, tears still shimmering in her eyes.
"Big sister knows." Mo Xiaoyun sat down too, taking her sister's hand, just like when they were little.
"Mom and Dad say he doesn't live far, in the same district."
"If you miss me, you can come find me."
"You'll have to look after the family from now on. Listen to Mom and Dad."
"Be happy on your own too. Morning clouds and evening glories—joy without bounds."
Mo Xiaoyun rambled on, completely unaware her sister had already fallen asleep leaning on her shoulder.
A single, heavy tear fell from Xiaoyun's eye into the night.