Wei Meilan walked over to Fu Jun and Fu Jin as they sat by the stone wall, arguing over a piece of wood.
She sat down beside them on the low bench, trying hard to keep her voice light and calm. "What are you two making over there?" she asked gently.
Fu Jun held up the carved piece of wood proudly. "A sword! When we grow up, we're going to protect the whole compound just like Father!"
"It's going to be the strongest sword ever!" Fu Jin added, puffing out his small chest. "Nobody will ever bother our family again!"
Wei Meilan reached out, her hand shaking a little as she smoothed Fu Jun's messy hair and wiped dirt off Fu Jin's round cheek. She looked deeply into their bright eyes… the same eyes she used to look at when they were just little babies.
"Is that so?" she asked softly, her throat feeling tight. "You want to be brave like your father?"
