1 Chapter 1 - Left on a bench

It was five in the morning with the sun just started to warm the air. A couple of junior monks were tasked with sweeping the temple and its grounds. The temple was small but still renowned. Many people came to visit during holidays. There was a hill right behind the main temple that was used for hiking during milder weather months. In the winter, the hill was closed because of slippery paths and snow.

It was winter now so the monks didn't have much to clean on the hill except for the top. On top was a water well as well as a small shrine for people to pay respects. There were also benches for hikers and visitors to take a break.

Luckily, there was no snowfall last night and the paths were clear enough that the monks could make their way up quickly.

For a few days, the monks found empty beer bottles and food trash. Since it was winter break from school, there were some unruly teenagers that were frequenting the hill late at night and making a fuss while drinking.

Some were even caught on the temple premises by the head priest, Master Han who gave them a stern but polite reprimand. Being a peace-loving man, he was inclined to want to solve things amicably so he would always try to talk to the teens rather than calling the police but once, things escalated badly.

Master Han was talking to a group of teenagers when one of them, belligerently drunk threw his beer bottle at Master Han's head. He started bleeding and the younger monks panicked and called the cops.

An ambulance had to be called and Master Han had to get stitches. The incident was reported by the local news station and so, teens started avoiding the hill and temple altogether. Even the police were doing more frequent patrols in the area just in case.

Master Han was revered in the community and the whole incident came as a shock to everyone around. The teenager who threw the bottle was later caught but Master Han didn't want to press charges. His parents and he came to the temple to apologize for the incident and he was forgiven.

This morning, it was Junior Monk Dai's turn to clean the shrine on the hill. He walked up sweeping the steps as he climbed up. He stood admiring the sunrise on the horizon and smiled thinking that today was a good day.

He turned and noticed something on the last bench in the corner. He walked over and thought maybe it was a small bird or animal. As he approached, he saw a little hand reach out from the bundle.

He gasped in surprise and ran towards the hand. A big pair of crying hazel eyes looked at him in sorrow. It was a really small, adorable baby girl who was crying and reaching out to him with her arm stretched.

He grabbed her at once and put his shawl around him. He was shocked because the morning temperatures were almost in the negatives. He noticed that she was crying but her voice sounded muffled.

"Little one, you have a very high fever!"

Dai held her carefully and made his way quickly down the hill. He got to the entrance of the temple and waved at the monk who sat at the reception desk to greet visitors.

"Shang, call an ambulance immediately. Someone left a baby on the bench on the hill."

"What!?"

Dai swiftly walked over to Master Han's room where he was reading scriptures.

"Master, master!"

"Dai, indoor voices in the temple please."

"Master, I found a baby girl on the bench on the hill."

"What!"

He looked up to see the bundle in Dai's arms.

He walked over, "Such beautiful eyes, little one."

He took the baby into his arms and the baby looked at him and blinked as tears ran down her face. Her skin was burning hot due to the fever.

"Master, I already called the ambulance."

"Okay, let's wait for them inside. She is really sick."

"Wen, call the police. Oh, little one, who left you here?"

After five minutes, two police officers, Lui and Bao entered the room.

"Master Han, is it true? There is an abandoned baby?"

"Yes, one of our junior monks, Dai found her on the bench near the shrine on the hill.

Bao walked over, "How could someone abandon their kid like that!?"

The ambulance came and Master Han and Dai went to the hospital with the baby. Having been found on the temple grounds, the monks felt a sense of responsibility for the little one.

Doctor Baisheng, the local doctor rushed over to them as they entered.

"Put her on the bed, Master Han."

Gently placing the baby on the bed, she started to get agitated as soon as she left his arms.

After doing a full check-up of all the baby's vitals, Nurse Mo and Doctor Baisheng came over to the cops and monks.

"Master Han, she is all right. She got a fever probably from the cold when she was left on the hill. I've given her some medication and her fever is already coming down slowly. She will have to stay overnight just so that we can keep an eye on her."

"Really glad she'll be fine," sighed Dai.

"How old is she?" Officer Bao asked.

"She is just 5 months old."

Officer Lui face twisted in anger, "Why would someone leave their child on the hill in the freezing cold like this? People these days are so heartless."

Master Han lamented, "This must be her fate."

Nurse Mo gave the cops a silver necklace, "I found this with her in her pink cloth. It says Li on the back of it."

"Are there any families with the last name Li in our town?" Bao frowned as he asked.

Officer Liu said, "There is one but they have only sons and no daughters. Plus they're all married and live in the main city. Only the older couple live here. I'm sure it's not them."

"Let's investigate tomorrow after we can the baby's housing matters in check. I'll call the chief and let him know what's happening."

"Someone must have come from out of town and dropped her off here so that we won't find them." Officer Bao shook his head in disbelief at the whole situation.

Nurse Mo asked, "We need a name for her health record."

Master Han looked at the pendant, "How about Li Hua?"

"Hua, a beautiful name."

Nurse Mo smiled, "Excellent choice because the little one has a small scar on her shoulder in the shape of a flower."

Dai chimed in, "And the pendant is a flower too."

Bao smiled too, "Okay, I'll file a report for a missing child and send it out to other towns as well. May I take a photo of her for the report?"

"Yes, come with me, Officer Bao."

Master Han looked at Officer Lui, "After she has recovered, what would happen?"

"We'd have to register her at the orphanage."

Dai looked over at Baby Hua on the bed who was sleeping having getting medication.

"Can't we raise at her temple?"

Master Han, "No, we won't be able to. She needs proper care. I would like to as well, but the temple isn't a place for her to grow up in."

Dai feeling gloomy, "Yes, Master Han."

The next day, everyone came back to visit and see how she was doing.

Doctor Baisheng frowned, "I took some x-rays after you left yesterday. I could see that there is something wrong with her voice when she was awake."

"What's wrong with her?" Master Han asked.

"There is an issue with her larynx so she won't be able to speak."

"Oh no…." Dai teared up, "That's why she didn't make crying sounds."

"Yes. She is fine now since she no longer has a fever. I think she was just distressed from the cold and being left. I'm sure she felt it."

Nurse Mo shook her head in disapproval at whoever abandoned Hua.

The warden of the orphanage in town, Auntie Mei had arrived with the necessary paperwork. Auntie Mei and her husband, Uncle Bai were never blessed with children of their own. So, they left their office jobs many years ago and built their house into an orphanage, Sunflower House.

Unfortunately, Uncle Bai lost his battle with cancer a few years ago and now, it was only Auntie Mei who took care of the orphanage.

"Good morning everyone, how is the baby feeling?"

"She's better now, Mrs. Mei."

Nurse Mo passed her the pink blanket and pendant, "These are her only possessions. Please keep it safe for her. Maybe she can find her family when she grows up."

Auntie Mei, "In my 20 years of running Sunflower House, I've seen only about 20 of my kids reunite with their families or find them in some capacity. I hope Little Hua can have that happiness," she smiled sadly as she put away Hua's things into her bag.

Master Han was holding Little Hua and her big hazel brown eyes looked at Master Han. Her little arm reached out to him and he felt his heartbreak for her.

At that moment, the desolation in her eyes felt like a knife had pierced through his heart. He wanted to take her away and raise her himself but he knew he couldn't make that decision. He was a monk who walked away from worldly matters years ago.

He could hear her sniffles as she was taken away from the hospital by Auntie Mei. Dai looked over at Master Han whose eyes were tearing up. He just stood silently as he felt sad but he hoped that Little Hua will have a good life from now on.

Written by Uner90 (R.R.)