Love in the Depths of Time (GL) - Chapter 3

Lin Xi learned martial arts entirely through her own hard work. From a young age, she was deeply interested in martial arts, inspired by the martial arts dramas and competitions she saw on television as a child. The sight of heroes leaping across rooftops and performing incredible martial arts moves fascinated her, filling her with an endless longing for martial arts.

At just five years old, Lin Xi already understood that she had to become strong on her own so she wouldn’t be a burden to others. One early morning, as she practiced on the rooftop of the orphanage, she heard an argument coming from downstairs.

“That child spends all day practicing these useless moves. Can she really make a living with this in the future?” The new caretaker spoke with a sharp tone.

The director sighed. “She needs something to hold on to…”

“If you ask me, it would be better to find her a family sooner. That couple last time was so nice, but she threw a tantrum and ran back…”

Lin Xi’s fist slammed hard against the concrete wall. Her knuckles turned red from the impact. She clenched her fists tightly, her heart filled with frustration. She realized then that she would always be seen as a burden. The moonlight stretched her shadow long on the rooftop, like a crack that could never be filled.

Lin Xi’s parents had passed away when she was very young, and life in the orphanage had never been easy. She was not in good health as a child, and since she had no money to attend martial arts classes and no teacher to guide her, she had to rely on herself. But she never gave up. She borrowed martial arts books from the library, watched various martial arts videos on television, and learned bit by bit.

Every morning, when the first rays of sunlight touched the courtyard, Lin Xi was already up, practicing. She stood in front of the mirror, repeating each movement over and over again, from basic stances like horse stance and bow stance to more complicated punches and kicks. She had fallen countless times, her body covered in bruises, but she never complained and never gave up. She believed that as long as she persevered, one day, she would master martial arts just like the heroes on TV.

The caretaker at the orphanage often watched Lin Xi practice. She felt both heartache and pride for the little girl’s determination. Sitting on a rattan chair by the door, she would wave her fan and smile approvingly as she observed Lin Xi’s training.

Lin Xi’s martial arts journey was not easy. Without a professional coach to guide her, she had to figure everything out on her own. Sometimes, she had to practice a single move hundreds of times before she could execute it properly. But she never lost heart, always believing that she could achieve her goal.

One day, the caretaker asked her, “Lin Xi, learning martial arts is so hard. Why do you keep going?”

Lin Xi lifted her head, her eyes filled with determination. “Auntie, I want to be stronger so that I can protect you and myself.”

Hearing this, the caretaker’s eyes grew moist. She pulled Lin Xi into a tight embrace and said, “Good child, I know you will succeed.”

For Lin Xi, martial arts were more than just a skill. It became her closest companion, giving her the strength to face difficulties without fear and the courage to stand up against bullies. She knew that her martial arts were earned through her own sweat and perseverance, and she was determined to keep going, no matter what.