Death Flute
Towards Ginseng Island

Mr. Ouwyang's entourage had been traveling for two days and they finally arrived at the idle waterfront. They rented a boat from a fisherman who lived not far from the beach.

“Wouldn't sea air endanger Sister Wan's health?” ask Kui Fang worriedly.

“No, Kui Fang. There will be nothing,” said Mr. Ouwyang soothingly.

“Kakek sure? Isn't Sister Wan's lungs a problem?” ask Ouwyang Ping.

“The milk we rented has a closed space. Chien Wan won't be exposed to too much sea breeze,” says Mr. Ouwyang.

Siu Hung cheering. “Hore! We'll take the boat!” exclaims happily. Face shines. “I've never been to the beach, I've never been on a boat, I've never been to Ginseng Island,”. Then he ran and grabbed Mr. Ouwyang's arm. “I'm so glad you brought me, Cake. It turns out you are so good!” rayunya.

Mr. Ouwyang was delighted to hear that. But he pretended to sneer. “You say I'm good only when you're happy!” his grunts while patting Siu Hung's forehead.

Siu Hung grinned as he rubbed his forehead.

They immediately boarded the sailboat and headed for the high seas. They did not want anyone else in their company, so they refused the help of boat owners to drive their boats. Mr. Ouwyang who is a pure land person turned out to be very proficient in sailing. Sen Khang helped him. He knows nothing about sailing. But with Mr. Ouwyang's instructions, he became proficient.

The lower cabin is quite spacious and consists of three rooms. The smallest room is used as Mr. Ouwyang's room. The room next to it for the Chien Wan and Sen Khang beds. While the other room is used by the three girls as their room.

The trip to Ginseng Island takes a long time. This made Ouwyang Ping and Kui Fang uneasy. They were worried that Chien Wan would feel tormented and suffer.

Kui Fang continued to accompany Chien Wan inside the cabin. Mr. Ouwyang won't let Chien Wan out, especially at night. Then Kui Fang accompanied her inside. Fortunately, no one among them experienced seasickness even though no one had ever sailed, other than Mr. Ouwyang of course.

The restless Ouwyang Ping was strolling on the deck of the boat. He looked up at the high seas. Her long and beautiful hair fluttered backwards as she stood against the wind. His clothes were waving impressively as if he was hovering.

Sen Khang saw it. “Ping-er.”

Ouwyang Ping looked over. “Sister Luo, what are you doing?”

“It is precisely I who should ask. I myself was tasked by Grandpa Ouwyang to keep the boat steering straight. Why are you out? Night wind can damage your health,” reprimand Sen Khang seriously. He walked closer to the girl.

Ouwyang Ping shook his head. “I can't sleep,” he said with a sigh. A pinch of hair covered his face. When he faced Sen Khang, his body was in the direction of the wind so that his hair waved covering his face. He didn't realize he looked so charming.

Sen Khang looked at him with admiration. He had known Ouwyang Ping for almost three years. During that time he never felt fascinated when he saw it. He never gets tired of looking at his smile.

“You... think of Chien Wan?”

Ouwyang Ping nodded. “Travel to Ginseng Island takes a long time. I'm worried that Brother Wan will get sicker by the pressure of the sea breeze. After all... I'm not sure if the Medicine God wants to treat Brother Wan.”

Sen Khang smiled cheerfully. “You don't worry. The internal injuries were indeed quite severe, but Chien Wan's life was not in danger. You also don't think that's not about the God of Medicine. I'm sure he wants to treat Chien Wan.”

Ouwyang Ping turned around and looked back at the ocean. “Does Sister Wan still get to blow the flute, huh?”

Sen Khang frowned. First Grandpa Ouwyang, now Ping-er, he thought. Why is it that everyone in Nada Valley is more concerned about Chien Wan's musical ability, rather than her recovery?

Ouwyang Ping could feel the astonishment of Sen Khang.

“Blowing flute is Big Brother Wan's happiness. I know him. If his ability to blow the flute is lost, his life won't matter anymore. Sister Wan will never be happy again. Though I want him to feel happy.”

As Sen Khang understood, he exhaled.

“What's up, Brother Luo?” asked Ouwyang Ping astonished at the gloominess of the young man's face.

“Chien Wan is really lucky. He is loved by many. Many want their happiness. Many people tried desperately to defend him. Many people are willing to sacrifice themselves for their happiness, including you,” Sen Khang said with a sad face. In his heart he felt envious of Chien Wan.

Ouwyang Ping shook his head. “Don't say that, Brother Luo. There are indeed many people who love and care for Sister Wan, but there are also people who hate her. And that hatred resulted in suffering that not only had to be borne by Sister Wan herself, but by the people who loved her as well. Including both of us.”

“Yah...”.

“And the one who hurt Brother Wan the most, also all of us, is Chi Meng Huan!”

Sen Khang clenched his fists furiously. “Chi Meng Huan!” it means revenge. “Man is ungrateful! How foolish I have ever believed him, ever considered him a virtuous man. Turns out he's an animal. I have to kill him! For the spirit of my parents, for Ting Ting, and for Chien Wan!”

Ouwyang Ping's delicate finger touch surprised Sen Khang. How warm and tender the palm of the girl was! Instantly the tension subsided. The soft girl's fingers that had captivated her heart, tightly grasped it.

Ouwyang Ping just let his fingers be grasped. He felt a warmth begin to pour over his heart. He saw the gaze of Sen Khang who was full of love, making his cheeks blush. Sen Khang's love so touched his heart. He began to be able to accept it as a reality, although he has not been able to repay it.

Smile happy Sen Khang. All the hatred and resentment that had possessed his heart vanished along with the hue on Ouwyang Ping cheek. He knew that it was not easy for the girl to return her love so soon. But he will wait patiently. His waiting will not be in vain.

Meanwhile, in the cabin room, Chien Wan was sitting accompanied by Kui Fang. They both don't talk much. Kui Fang knew how difficult it was for Chien Wan to speak due to the blood clots in her lungs.

Chien Wan did his regular activities, cleaning his flute with silk cloth while thinking. Usually by doing that activity, his brain will struggle with various problems and bring out brilliant ideas as a way out of the problem. But once he did not think about the problems that burdened him. He thought more about the existence of this girl in front of him.

He feels so blessed. Just by looking at Kui Fang's innocent and warm face, his feelings became calm. When he separated from Ouwyang Ping, he found it impossible for him to fall in love again. But it turned out that his heart was captured by Kui Fang who was completely different from Ouwyang Ping.

Kui Fang was chin-backed and looked at the young man before him gently and lovingly. In his view, there was no one better than Chien Wan. Although Chien Wan's face was not as handsome as Sen Khang or Fei Yu or Meng Huan, it was everything to him.

Chien Wan raised her face and saw that the girl was looking at her. For a while their views met and locked onto each other.

Tok tok!

Quickly Chien Wan broke off their eye contact and turned to the door.

“Log in,” says Kui Fang.

The cabin door opened and Mr. Ouwyang was accompanied by Siu Hung.

“Sister Ouwyang, Kui Fang!” Siu Hung greeted cheerfully. “Sorry, disruptive nights. This ignorant Grandpa made a fuss coming here!” he said while glancing at Mr. Ouwyang.

Mr. Ouwyang patted Siu Hung's head.

“Basic brat brat!” meaning annoyed. “Again, who told you to come? Go there to your room!”

Siu Hung sneered.

Kui Fang stood up. “Let's sleep, Siu Hung,” take him. He looked at Chien Wan and Mr. Ouwyang. “Kak Wan, Grandpa, we'll excuse you. Sister Wan, if you need anything, just tap the connecting wall of our room, huh?”

Chien Wan nodded.

“Yes! Bring the wayward boy. I'm dizzy to see that I can't keep quiet!” ask Mr. Ouwyang.

Siu Hung had already opened his mouth about to reply to Mr. Ouwyang, but Kui Fang closed his mouth and dragged him out while laughing. He knew if left unchecked, the quarrel between the two could last all night.

“Why Grandpa hasn't slept?” ask Chien Wan slowly.

Mr. Ouwyang sat on the chair. “How does it feel now, Chien Wan? Does the sea air bother you?” he asked without ignoring Chien Wan's question. In his heart he felt much more anxious than he showed. However Chien Wan was his first granddaughter, his pride, his hope. If anything happens to Chien Wan, he does not know if the Nada Valley can survive.

Chien Wan smiled soothingly. “I'm fine, Cake,” she replied in an equally soft voice as before as she endured the tightness and pain in her chest.

“Our journey is two days away. Sleep!” get Mr. Ouwyang serious.

“Good, Cake.”

Then Mr. Ouwyang left Chien Wan's room. He was not sleepy at all, so he intended to go to the deck to chat with Sen Khang who was on guard duty. But he canceled his intention while watching Sen Khang being alone with his granddaughter. They spoke while looking at the high seas. Occasionally Sen Khang checked the steering wheel nearby to make sure they did not turn a direction.

Mr. Ouwyang smiled happily. He likes Sen Khang. The figure of a young man who is intelligent, independent, calm, authoritative, full of charisma, and not easily give up. These few months were very difficult for him, but he did not give up. He lost control and could not think long. However it is natural for someone who has just experienced loss and painful trials. No human is perfect.

However, Mr. Ouwyang strongly agreed that his granddaughter was in a match with the young man. He believes Sen Khang can definitely protect and make his grandson happy. After all, Sen Khang is handsome and dashing, very harmonious when side by side with Ouwyang Ping who is beautiful and graceful.

Mr. Ouwyang returned to the cabin and entered his room with pleasure.

***