The Demon Sparrow

In late autumn, Lu Yan found herself standing in a yard, facing a hovel she hated.

Luizhu was behind her. She was waiting for Lu Yan to take the first step and walk in.

But no matter how she tried, Lu Yan couldn't bring herself to enter the hovel.

After long minutes, Luizhu finally said, "Miss, it's cold outside. Let's go in and light a fire."

Abruptly, Lu Yan turned and walked to the stone table. She wrapped her cloak more securely around herself, and sat on the stone stool.

Her skirt got stuck between her legs, and she straightened it bitterly.

She'd picked up all of Shan's bad habits.

If only she had been born a boy!

For a moment, she seriously contemplated disguising herself as a boy and running away.

But winter was coming, and Lu Yan hated being cold.

The thought of running persisted though. Suddenly it felt like she had a way out.

If she didn't like how things turned out, she could just run away later!

She had some money, and the boy's clothes master had prepared for her. She was a physician of some skill and knowledge. If she wanted, she would never have to starve or be cold again.

Even if everyone left her, she still had her skills.

Lu Yan stood up, and instructed Luizhu, "Let's hide the clothes and money master gave us here. No one else ever comes to this little farm. If we take them to the Lu ancestral house, we might lose them."

Luizhu disappeared inside the hovel to find a safe hiding place for the clothes and money.

Having a plan made a huge difference. The heavy gloom that had settled over Lu Yan's heart since leaving the Ji family camp lifted.

She looked up at the sky, and breathed deeply.

Everything would be fine. If the worst came, she had a way out.

Smiling, she told Luizhu, "Let's finish the snacks master gave us when we left."

Luizhu pulled out the snacks, and placed them on the table.

They sat outside in the chilly air eating all the snacks.

Any time now, any time now, someone from the Lu family would be coming to pick her up.