It had rained heavily that day.
It was as if some river in the heavens had burst its banks, pouring down from above.
So many years had passed that many of the details had grown hazy.
The only thing she remembered vividly was how hard it had rained.
It had been night. She was in her room, copying out the Qi Code. She had played herself silly all day, so she always had to make up some of her lessons at night, lest Father come home and lecture her.
Her wet nurse sat beside her, sewing a shoe sole.
Outside, the rain pattered loudly. Every so often, lightning lit up the window, followed by a rumble of thunder.
So when the urgent knocking began, she didn't hear it at first.
Only after it had continued for a while did her wet nurse get up to answer the door.
She peered out curiously too, because Father had said he wouldn't be back for several more days.
Who could it be so late at night?
She wasn't afraid of bad people. No bad people would dare come to her home. Her father made a living catching them.
The instant her wet nurse opened the door, she heard a loud bang—
A dark shape tumbled into the room.
The figure lay on its back, eyes squeezed shut, lips blue-black. A huge gash marred its neck, and the blood had yet to stop flowing...
Father was home.
Later, a pair of hands covered her eyes.
Grandpa Wu seemed to be angrily shouting something.
She couldn't hear a thing.
Her ears rang and rang; then came the rumble of thunder again.
Before her eyes was not darkness, but a deep, crimson red.
There was blood everywhere...
That bloody, savage gash had remained before her eyes