Under the "Elite Policy" (Part Two)

The list went up three days later.

It was posted on the same wall as before, black ink on white paper, now bearing a vermilion seal. The crowd was even thicker than last time, heads pressed together, the smell of sweat mingling with the dry autumn heat. A buzz of chatter erupted from within and spilled everywhere.

"Let me see... Young Master Kagami, first on the list, just as expected!"

"Obviously. He's Elder Yuanguang's son. How could he not be up front?"

"Hey, look at this. Uchiha Honoikazuchi. Isn't his dad just an ordinary Chunin? How did he squeeze in too?"

"I heard he got full marks in the Taijutsu assessment and did solidly in chakra control too... He's got real ability!"

"What damn good does that do? There are only a hundred places, and plenty of people have ability. Look at the one crying over there-Uchiha Aoba. Ranked a hundred and first in the overall assessment! Missed it by one place! That's fate for you!"

The voices tangled together in a jumble: envy, respect, sour grapes, indignation on someone else's behalf. Then someone sharp-eyed pointed to a name toward the bottom of the list, their voice suddenly rising:

"Wait! This... Uchiha Yinglang?! The one from Lady Ning's household?"

The crowd fell silent for a moment, then erupted.

"Uchiha Yinglang? Isn't he only five? Doesn't the policy require ages six to twelve?"

"Could be someone with the same name? He's not the only Yinglang in the clan..."

"Bullshit! Who doesn't know the names of the children born in our clan these past few years? He's the only one called Yinglang! The one Elder Xuan took in a while back!"

"But he's only five! He's not even old enough! He can still get on the list?"

"Are you stupid? The rules are for us! Elder Xuan controls the places. Does he need to worry about age to give his son-in-law one?"

Those words were like a basin of cold water, silencing some of them. But others still refused to accept it. A finger slid farther down, and a voice grew shriller:

"Then what about this one? Uchiha Yutian?! Who the fuck is that? I've lived in this clan for thirty years, and I've never heard of him!"

"Yutian... Isn't that Old Yu's boy from the west side? His dad's a servant who raises horses for the clan, isn't he? I bet even his surname was only just bestowed by the family he serves!"

"A servant's son? He deserves to call himself 'Uchiha'? And he made the elite list? What a joke! Does he even have the Uchiha Clan's blood in him?"

"Rigged! This is fucking rigged!"

"Isn't Elder Xuan reaching a bit too far? Fine, he shoved his own son-in-law in, but even a servant's son..."

"Shh! Keep it down! Do you have a death wish?"

The chatter died down, turning into countless knife-like gazes that scraped back and forth over those two names on the list. Resentment, doubt, contempt, and anger at seeing the "rules" so blatantly trampled spread silently through the crowd. Yet no one dared actually step forward, point at that wall, and call it unfair.

The elders made the rules. The elders allocated the places.

Didn't like it? Then swallow it.

The news reached Uchiha Ning at noon.

She was drawing water by the well, the heavy wooden bucket digging into her palm until it reddened. Aunt Haruko from next door rushed over and grabbed her arm, her eyes wide. "Ning! This is huge! Your Yinglang! He made that elite list!"

Uchiha Ning's hand slipped, and the wooden bucket fell back into the well with a thud, throwing up a great splash. She paid it no mind and turned, her voice trembling. "R-really?"

"Of course! It's posted in black and white! I saw it myself!" Aunt Haruko slapped her thigh, her expression a mixture of envy and something more complicated. "Oh, this is wonderful news! From now on, your Yinglang will be one of the elites the clan focuses on training! Resources, teachers-all the best! Ning, your hard days are finally over!"

Her voice was loud, and the other women washing vegetables and clothes by the well all heard her. Their gazes converged at once. There was surprise and envy in those eyes, but also something that had never been there before: cautious scrutiny and appraisal.

"Congratulations, Ning!"

"I could tell Yinglang was extraordinary from the time he was little! So filial and sensible. He deserves this good fortune!"

"You'll have to look out for our family from now on!"

"Exactly, exactly! We've been neighbors for years!"

Congratulations poured in from every direction, their warmth a little excessive. Surrounded by the women, Uchiha Ning smiled, nodded, and said, "Thank you, everyone." Yet somehow, the little happiness in her heart slowly cooled. Looking at those familiar faces, she suddenly found them a little strange. The way they looked at her was completely different from yesterday, from the day before.

Before, there had been sympathy, the occasional helping hand, sighs of "It's hard for a widow and her child." Now there was something else in their eyes-flattery, calculation, and an invisible barrier that had suddenly pushed her far away.

She gave a few distracted replies, then picked up her empty bucket and left the well as though fleeing. Her steps felt a little floaty. Even on the familiar bluestone path, she felt unsteady.

That afternoon, Yinglang returned.

He did not come alone. A young servant from Elder Xuan's residence followed half a step behind him, carrying two exquisite gift boxes. Yinglang himself carried nothing. He still wore the same somewhat worn indigo clothes, his little face calm.

At the entrance to the alley, several children at play spotted him first, and their game stopped abruptly. The oldest, who used to lead Yinglang in games of war and scramble to play the "Hokage," scratched his head and grinned. He wanted to greet him but seemed unsure what to call him. In the end, he mumbled, "...B-big Brother Yinglang."

Yinglang glanced at him and nodded. "Playing?"

"Ah, yeah..." the boy answered, not knowing what to do with his hands or feet.

The other children were even more reserved, shrinking back and only stealing glances at him.

Yinglang did not linger and continued home. As he passed Aunt Haruko's courtyard, she was hanging up laundry. The moment she saw him, her face filled with smiles. Forgetting the wet clothes in her hands, she wiped her hands on her apron and came out to meet him. "Oh! Young Yinglang is back! Just look at you! You've only been at Elder Xuan's house for so long, and already you carry yourself differently!"

That smile, that tone-her warmth made Yinglang pause. He remembered clearly that before he moved away, Aunt Haruko would, at most, smile and pat his head when she saw him, saying, "Langlang, you've grown taller again." She had never flattered him with such caution before.

"Aunt Haruko," he greeted her, his tone no different from before.

"Yes! Good boy! Hurry home. Your mother must be waiting!" Aunt Haruko stepped aside. Her gaze swept over the servant carrying the gift boxes behind him, and her smile deepened.

When he reached his courtyard gate, the door next door creaked open. It was Aunt Matsuko, who used to borrow oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar back and forth with his mother and sometimes do needlework with her. She held a small bowl containing several freshly made rice cakes sprinkled with sesame seeds.

"Young Master Yinglang, you're back?" Aunt Matsuko smiled and offered him the bowl. "Freshly made, still warm. Let your mother try some too."

Yinglang did not take it. He looked at her. His gaze made Aunt Matsuko a little uncomfortable, and her smile stiffened as she explained, "Making the elite list is a wonderful occasion. It's just a small gesture..."

"Thank you, Aunt Matsuko." Only then did Yinglang take the bowl and pass it to the servant behind him. "Hold this for me." Then he took a little purse from inside his clothes, tipped out a few copper coins, counted them, and placed them in Aunt Matsuko's hand. "For the cakes."

Aunt Matsuko froze, staring at the copper coins in her hand. Her face flushed. "H-how could I take this? It's just a little food. There's no need to pay..."

"I should," Yinglang said, his voice calm. "Before, it was kindness between neighbors. Things are different now. I can't keep taking things from you for free."

With that, he turned, pushed open his courtyard gate, and went inside. The servant followed close behind, pulling the gate shut after him.

Aunt Matsuko stood outside, clutching the copper coins that still held the warmth of the child's body. Her face alternated between red and pale. At last, she sighed, shook her head, and went back inside.

In the courtyard, Uchiha Ning sat beneath the eaves mending clothes. She held her needle and thread but had not made a stitch in a long while. Hearing the gate, she looked up and saw her son enter, followed by a servant carrying things. Her gaze went unfocused for a moment.

"Mom, I'm back." Yinglang went over and crouched before her, tilting his face up to look at her. "Elder Xuan had me bring these back. Some pastries and fabric, and this month's living expenses." He gestured toward the things in the servant's hands.

Uchiha Ning looked at her son's face so close to hers. It was still the same fair, sweet face, but suddenly she could not quite understand what was in those eyes. She opened her mouth to say something, but her gaze passed over her son's shoulder. Outside the courtyard gate, at the far end of the alley, a neighbor seemed to poke their head out, then quickly withdraw.

"Langlang," she said, her voice dry. She raised a hand to stroke her son's head, but stopped halfway. "Outside... those people..."

"I know." Yinglang cut her off and took his mother's hand, hovering helplessly in the air, enclosing it in his small palms. Her hand was a little cold, her fingertips bearing thin calluses from years of work. "My status has changed."

Yinglang could not help sighing inwardly. What did Runtu call Lu Xun when he came home again? Master! Even Lu Xun and Runtu had been apart for over a decade! I've only been away for less than a year!