Colors Of Feelings

She never talked to him again.

After their short encounter, he was always out her her sight. Conveniently, she also had no need to talk to him. For the rest of the day, the two people politely went out of their ways to avoid the other.

Once they arrived in the capital, the two carriages separated in opposite directions. Shen Mohua waved to Kong Yunru before his carriage disappeared around the corner.

As Shi Yang drove the carriage towards the Shen Manor, Shen Mohua peeked at the streets. Ping Jing was the capital city in the kingdom of Shou.

The women's dresses were sophisticated. Their fabrics were made of silk and had delicate embroideries. Beads and pearls dangled from their hats, dresses, waist belts, and shoes. Those who didn't have on a hat had their hair styled and adorned with shiny hair accessories.

Their faces were powdered, their eyebrows drawn dark, their cheeks blushed with rouge, and their lips were colored in varying shades of red.

The men were dressed just as fancy and colorful. Some had their hair up while others let down their hair freely. Some wore colorful hats with furs and beads. On their waists, precious pendants dangled proudly.

Shen Mohua found herself awestruck with how different Ping Jing was compared to her small village. The differences were so vast she felt like she had entered a new world.

"A'mo, you're quite surprise, right?" Grandma Shen laughed at Shen Mohua's innocent face. "Don't rush yourself in learning so many things at once. Just focus on having fun."

She pulled the curtain closed and nodded in embarrassment. 'Were her train of thoughts so obvious?'

"A'mo, we're here," Shi Yang announced quietly.

Shen Mohua put on a hat with a veil to hide her face. As she went up the steps to the gate, she didn't miss the crowd gathered in the streets.

The second young miss of the Shen family's name had been spoken before, but no one had seen the face yet. Neighbors on the block had been curious so they came out to watch. To their dismay, their excitement quickly vanished as Shen Fai came out.

Shen Fai, despite his handsome appearance, looked coldly onto the nosy crowd. Wordlessly, he pulled his sister away from their sight.

Without a glance back, he gestured for the gates to close immediately.

"Mother! Father!" Shen Mohua ran towards her parents, who were waiting for her.

Shen Mohua's father was a kind healer who constantly travelled throughout the country for his job. For those who were wealthy, he asked for a fair price. If his patients were poor, he gladly helped with no charge.

Because of the circumstances of her father's job, it was rare to see him. When they were young, they stayed with their mother and grandma. Once they could take care of themselves, her mother also accompanied their father.

Shen Fai decided to join his parents because of his love for adventures. He wanted to travel the world, he wanted to see everything.

Shen Mohua chose to stay with Grandma Shen in the countryside, quietly accompanying the elder woman.

Meng Jia had tears in her eyes at the sight of her daughter who had grown up beautifully. "A'mo, welcome home. We've been waiting for you."

Shen Mohua looked at their teary faces and she, too, became emotional. She felt warm and loved, as always. "I've missed you both."

Shen Liu saw his daughter's tired state and knowingly suggested, "Let A'mo take a rest first. Wife, prepare for a large dinner tonight to celebrate our family's reunion."

Grandma Shen didn't forget to gossip, "On our way here, we encountered an interesting gentleman."

Shen Mohua almost rolled her eyes in exasperation. 'Oh Nainai, how lovestruck are you?'

"Interesting man? Who?" No man was a gentleman in Shen Liu's mind until he met and judged for himself.

Shen Mohua dreaded having to explain the situation from beginning until end. Her father was a very protective man. 'If he hears of Thief Man and Bald Man, they'll be dead.'

Thankfully, Shen Fai could read the atmosphere right away. He pulled Shen Mohua's hand. "I'll show A'mo to her room."

Shen Mohua was more than happy to escape. She hurriedly ran off, tagging behind her brother through the large opened courtyard.

Shen Fai made a series of turns before stopping. He excitedly pushed the large doors. "A'mo, this room is yours."

Nothing else caught her attention more than the comfy looking bed. The first thing she did was jumped onto the soft mattress and laid down.

Shen Fai laughed as he settled into a chair by the table opposite the bed. He poured himself a cup of water, feeling satisfied and proud.

A'mo loved to be surrounded by nature. Thus, he placed many potted plants articulately in the room, so she could feel relaxed. He chose a variety, ranging from tiny succulents to small trees and hanging flowers.

Her favorite color was green. He chose green curtains and bedsheets. He even assured that there were a couple shades of green dresses for her to wear when she arrived.

Because everything else was simple, he hung long strings of colorful beads all over the walls to brighten up the room.

"Everything is beautiful..." Shen Mohua sighed helplessly at the small details her brother thoughtfully added, "A' Fai, I'm so spoiled. What to do?"

Shen Fai laughed. "Naturally, just let others spoil you."

---

Ou Junsan sat on the balcony of his home, listening to the sounds of the bustling night.

Occasionally, he drank the cup of tea in his hands. When the chill of the night made him feel cold, the hot tea brought warmth back into his body.

"Go sleep, how long are you staying out there?" Kong Yunru yawned and walked to where his friend sat. He tried to pull Ou Junsan, but he couldn't make the man move even an inch.

Ou Junsun stubbornly refused to move. "You're not going home?"

"Kicking me out already? Come on, buddy. It's not even one night."

Ou Junsun shook his head in surrender. "Tomorrow you look for your mother, she's waiting for you."

"Deal, but first, I'm sleeping here tonight!" Kong Yunru raised his hands in celebration as he ran off to bed.

Ou Junsan sat by himself for a long time, waiting patiently for his heart to lighten up.

The moon went to sleep and the sun woke up. The dark sky became a world of colors.

It didn't happen. The weight in his heart never lifted.

His broken heart remained unchanging.