Hunan had seen better days. The land had received the least rain it had in over twenty years, crops had failed due to the arid soil, and most farmers had nothing to bring home to feed their families. The war on pests had taken a toll on the country’s agriculture, which it had promised to foster. The streets were filled with dogs, and children fainted from hunger. Thousands had been killed in neighbouring provinces due to political tensions, and now it seemed like it was Hunan’s turn. In the midst of all this, a young boy with arms thinner than sticks would have to bear an incredible responsibility.

 

Ziyou’s mother had married early. She was an astonishingly beautiful woman, coming from a destitute family. Yet, it seemed like poverty had no impact on her outstanding beauty. She had eyes like jade, teeth like pearls, a nose like emerald, her skin was as pure as the moon, and her smile as bright as the sun. She had married an old man and had fallen in love with his passion for the National Chinese Government. He would go on to be executed by the communist party officials due to his affiliations with the National Government of The Republic of China. The only thing he left behind was the name he gave to his son: “Ziyou,” meaning freedom.

 

Ziyou’s mother worked in the fields to support herself and her son, which she considered the only thing left behind by her husband. For her, Ziyou was a little version of him, and she promised herself to take care of him just as well as her husband had taken care of her.

Lately, Ziyou’s poor mother had started experiencing pain and heaviness in her chest, accompanied by coughing fits that kept her up at night. At first, they didn’t think much of it, but sooner than later, Ziyou’s mother’s condition made her unable to work. She began getting terrible headaches and shortness of breath whenever she did physical work. A couple of weeks later, she started struggling with the housework and often relied on Ziyou, who had also started working as a scrap collector to support the family. Of course, Ziyou didn’t earn nearly enough to provide for his mother, let alone himself.

 

His mother was getting worse every day at a rapid pace, and the malnutrition didn’t seem to help either. But nevertheless, Ziyou’s mother continued to keep a positive attitude so as not to scare her young son. One night, as usual, she was telling Ziyou a bedtime story, which had become significantly more difficult due to her voice, which grew ever weaker. She told Ziyou the story of the golden tea leaf, which, if made into tea, could cure all diseases, no matter how bad they were. Furthermore, this golden tea leaf could only be found on a tree at the top of a mountain.

 

Upon hearing the story, a marvellous idea struck Ziyou like a bolt of lightning. If he could get his hands on the golden tea leaf, he could heal his mother. Although Ziyou didn’t tell his mother about his fascinating idea, he had already made up his mind and was too excited to go to sleep.

 

The following day, Ziyou rose before the sun, careful not to wake his mother as he gathered what little he had—a piece of stale bread, his worn jacket, and a small pouch for the tea leaf. He set out quietly, the mountain looming in the distance, its peak hidden by the morning mist. The journey was long, the path steep and uneven, but Ziyou never faltered. The ache in his legs and the hunger gnawing at his stomach faded in the face of his determination. Hour after hour, he climbed, the cold biting at his skin, the weight of the climb pressing down on him, but Ziyou’s thoughts stayed with his mother and the promise she had made to him.

 

When he finally reached the summit, his breath caught at the sight of the golden tea leaf, glowing softly in the branches of an ancient tree. Ziyou moved quickly, his fingers trembling as he reached for the leaf, plucking it gently from its place. The moment he held it, a warmth spread through him, and for a brief moment, the world seemed still. With the leaf carefully tucked into his pouch, Ziyou began his descent, his body weary but his heart filled with quiet certainty. He knew that this was the answer his mother needed, and soon, everything would be as it should.