That Muse.. and Destiny

Open Sky

The mahogany desk in Mr. Li’s study had belonged to his grandfather, a man who had turned a small silk trade into a global empire. To Mr. Li, every scratch on its surface was a testament to discipline. He sat in the dim light of the evening, the blue light of his laptop screen reflecting in his glasses as he looked over the expansion plans for the Li Group’s newest tech hub. But for the first time, he had no interest in the numbers before him.

His mind kept drifting to the confrontation with Mei. “Heart songs are not what life is about,” he had told her, his voice a hammer striking an anvil. Yet, the look in her eyes—that radiant determination—worried him the more everyday. He knew his daughter was a ‘curious bird’. He had watched her excel in her archeology studies and rise to the top of her class, proving herself a worthy successor to the Li name. But this "Africa fantasy" was different from her previous interests. It wasn't just mere curiosity; it was a pull that seemed to threaten the very foundations he had built for her.

Now Mr Li was not at all ignorant regarding Africa; every forward-thinking business individual knew it was a place which had great potential for resources and expansion strategies. Fēizhōu— Africa, was known to the common man as the land of a primitive race. But a learned man such as himself knew better. Yet, that didn’t mean that the lands of Africa was a place for his daughter. She’d simply be putting her life at risk and he would have none of that for any member of his family.

He leaned back, rubbing his temples. He wasn't a cruel man, he told himself. He was a guardian. He saw the world as a series of calculated risks, and a young woman of her status traveling to "strange lands" like Ghana or Nigeria was a variable he could not control. And what about disobedience to his word; he wouldn’t such rebellion in his house.

Later that night, the silence of the master bedroom was heavy. Mrs. Li sat at her vanity, slowly removing her jewelry. Through the mirror, she watched her husband stare out at the Beijing skyline.

"You’re thinking about her," she said softly.

Mr. Li exhaled, a sound of weary frustration. "She speaks of 'freedom' and 'destiny' as if they are things found in a suitcase. She doesn't understand that the Li name is her freedom. It’s what protects her."

Mrs. Li turned on her stool, her heart aching for both of them. "She said we don't know what makes her heart sing, Baolin. Perhaps we have been so busy trying to secure our children’s future that we haven’t given anything else much thought."

"She is twenty-one," Mr. Li snapped, though there was no heat in it, only worry. He climbed into bed, "At twenty-one, I was already managing a factory. I didn't have time for 'heart songs.' I had a legacy to protect. And so does she."

Mrs Li moved over to where he sat and looked lovingly into his eyes, “And we’re all so proud of you. Mei loves you wǒ ài, and sees a great role model in you.”

He gave her a kiss, and turned away from the light. But as he closed his eyes, he couldn't shake the image of Mei standing on the balcony, looking toward the horizon as if she could already see a world he refused to acknowledge.

…

The university grounds were more populated than usual. As people milled about, the atmosphere was quite different; there was a special kind of excitement in the air. It was graduation day and on such occasion the college hosted parents, friends, and well-wishers in droves. Yueyang International University accommodated the crowd more than adequately. It's expansive grounds and grand halls were big enough for the huge influx of people.

The graduands, in their robes and caps, were clearly distinguished from the others. Most of them were smiling or laughing amongst themselves and families; their joy was palpable.

During the ceremony, Mei felt the significance of every moment. She watched as her fellow graduates walked across the stage to receive their certificates, all of them with smiles on their faces. Why not? They'd looked forward to this day since their last semester began. Finally, being in that robe and hearing the roll call was something to be grateful for.

Mei was nothing short of grateful, but with a bit of apprehension. This was a crossroad for her. She'd come to the edge of where a new chapter would begin, one that would either be destiny's road or a foolish adventure.

As she stood in the wings of the stage, her heart was a mix of anticipation and foreboding. Today was the culmination of four years of perfection. She was graduating with First Class Honors and was this year’s Valedictorian. Out in the audience, she easily spotted her family. Her father sat in the front row, his posture impeccable, his face an expression of comfortable pride for his daughter. Beside him, her mother looked radiant, her eyes misty with joy.

Mei’s gaze shifted to the side, where Lian sat. Her brother caught her eye and gave a nearly imperceptible nod. He was her only real confidant now. He had spent the last week helping her secretly put things together for her trip. Lian was the only one who knew that Mei would walk across that stage only to disappear by nightfall.

"Mei Li," the Dean’s voice boomed.

The applause was deafening as she stepped forward. She felt the weight of her father’s expectations like a physical pressure as she shook the Dean's hand. When she turned to face the crowd, holding her diploma, the cameras flashed—capturing the "crown jewel" of the Li family at her peak. She smiled. She was truly happy, but her mind was fixed on the distant horizon beyond the campus walls. Still on the podium, Mei breathed in deeply and began her valedictorian speech.

“Distinguished faculty, parents, and fellow graduates. Today is most definitely a day of uncontained joy for us all, especially for us graduands. We’ve awaited this day with much patience; working hard and some harder, showing up diligently for the past four years. And here we are, relishing the moment we’ve worked hard to realise.

But much more, today’s a day of reckoning for the path ahead of us. Most of you, my fellow graduates, already know where that path leads. Some of us are yet unsure, because there lies a path and another. Which will we take?”

She looked over to her parents and saw their slight unease. Her heart convicted her. Oh, she loved them.

Mei went on, “But whether certain or uncertain, I urge each of us to look with open minds and hearts that seek not just for proud moments such as this, but for purpose.. for destiny that frees us to become who we’re meant to be. Because most definitely, the world needs people who are brave enough to stand against the odds for truth.

Seek truth, and hold on when you find it.

Thank you.”

As she walked off the stage, the audience cheering in applause, she thought, ‘I’m coming’. The words echoing in her mind like a drumbeat.

After the ceremony, the campus gardens were filled with families taking photos. Anxi, who had dragged her to a party just weeks ago to ease her mind, ran up to her, throwing her arms around Mei.

"You did it! The top scholar!" her friend squealed. "We have to celebrate tonight. No excuses this time, Mei."

Mei felt a pang of guilt so sharp it nearly took her breath away. "I... I can't tonight. My parents have a big dinner planned." It was a half-truth. There was a dinner, but she wouldn't be there to eat it.

"Always so careful," her friend teased, echoing their old conversation. "One day, Mei, you’re going to have to stop being the perfect daughter and just live."

"I know," Mei said, her voice barely a whisper. "That's the plan."

As her friend walked away to find her own family, Mei watched her go. She would really miss her friends. Nearly all of them were scholars, including Anxi; they’d spent the past four years chasing excellence together. She’d have lots of stories and souveniors for them when she came back.

Lian slipped through the crowd to stand by Mei’s side. He handed her a small, heavy envelope.

"It’s the rest of the currency you asked for," he whispered. "And the contact for the guide in Accra."

Mei tucked the envelope into the folds of her gown and held her brother’s hand. "Lian... I don't know how to thank you. Father will be furious with you when he finds out."

Lian looked at his sister, his expression a mix of sadness and awe. "He’ll be too busy being furious at the empty chair at dinner. Just... don't let the fire go out, Mei. If you're going to break his and mum’s hearts, make sure it’s for something beautiful."

She looked down at her sister the youngest of the Li family holding onto Lian. With her pretty face and bright eyes, she had no idea what was going on. Mei crouched down and gave her a warm hug with teary eyes. Why did she feel so emotional? This wasn’t the first time she would go on a trip.

Mei looked back at her parents, who were busy talking to a group of university donors. Her father was gesturing toward her, his face lit with a loving grin of pride. He was talking about her future, her career, the ‘reasonable bounds’ of the life he had built for her.

She took a deep breath, the scent of the school garden flowers filling her lungs for the last time. She thought of the cave, the clear water in the calabash, and the radiant woman she had seen in her reflection. Mei knew her father meant no harm, but she had to leave all behind tonight or she may not have another chance.

The ceremony ended, and as the crowd began to disperse, Mei didn't head for the family limousine. She lingered back, letting the atmosphere of the school library—her favorite sanctuary—swallow her one last time. She thought of Mrs Huan and remembered when she’d kindly listened to her. Emotional, Mei squeezed the letter she clutched in her hands.

“I found the open door..” She whispered and slowly dropped the letter on the office table. She would have been long gone by the time Mrs Huan would be reading it.

Walking out the university back gates, she looked at the horizon where the sun was beginning to dip, painting the sky in the same liquid gold she had seen in her dreams.

She wasn't just a bird anymore. She was a bird that had finally found the strength to fly in an open sky.