Da Qiao stands at the edge of the training grounds, her iron fans clasped gently in her hands, the delicate flower patterns catching the late morning light. Nearby, Xiao Qiao spins and twirls with boundless energy, her movements as carefree and bold as her personality. Da Qiao watches her sister’s fans cut through the air with ease, each gust of wind carrying a mix of strength and elegance.
She’s so confident… fearless, Da Qiao muses, biting her lip. Her sister’s laughter rings out as she lands another intricate maneuver. I wonder if I could ever move like that. No… I don’t have to. I just need to find my own way.
Taking a steadying breath, Da Qiao steps into the open space, positioning herself with practiced precision. She lifts her fans, feeling their weight, and begins her routine. Her movements are slower, more deliberate than Xiao Qiao’s, but there is a calm grace to her strikes. The wind stirs around her as she jumps lightly into the air, her fans guiding her descent with a soft gust.
As she lands, her thoughts drift back to her training sessions with Sun Shangxiang. “You’re stronger than you think, Da Qiao,” she remembers Shangxiang saying one afternoon. Her sister-in-law’s fiery spirit had always been a source of inspiration—and intimidation.
The memory of Shangxiang’s firm but encouraging voice echoes in her mind. “You hesitate too much. Strength doesn’t come from second-guessing—it comes from trusting yourself.”
Da Qiao had been unsure at first, fumbling through the more rigorous drills Shangxiang had insisted on. But Shangxiang never let her quit. She’d stood at her side, correcting her stances, cheering her on when she landed a move perfectly. Da Qiao had even laughed once, much to her own surprise, as Shangxiang teased her for being too polite with her strikes.
“Pretend the enemy’s insulted Sun Ce,” Shangxiang had said, grinning mischievously. “That should get you fired up!”
A small smile tugs at Da Qiao’s lips as she recalls the memory. Her steps quicken slightly, her movements growing smoother. She leaps again, this time landing with more confidence, the wind swirling powerfully at her feet.
“Not bad, sis!” Xiao Qiao calls out, her voice ringing with approval. “But you’ve got to loosen up more! Watch this!” She launches into another dazzling display of twirls and strikes, her energy as infectious as ever.
Da Qiao pauses to catch her breath, wiping a strand of hair from her face as she watches her sister. Despite their differences, she feels a warmth in her chest, a pride in Xiao Qiao’s fearlessness and joy. She pushes me in her own way, just like Shangxiang. They both believe in me... I need to believe in myself too.
Raising her fans again, Da Qiao steps forward, her gaze sharpening. “I’m not done yet, Xiao Qiao.”
