Their year in China was over and Dee and Manchu were preparing to leave.
Because they had, overall, been excellent students, the Gotham Elders had
allowed them to stay for the New Year celebrations before returning. The
household celebrations had included a going away party for the two with
a feast that included all their favorite foods.
Each child was presented with a memento of the time they had spent. Li Rong
had made them each a scroll in her neat calligraphy with the Chinese characters
for the values and attributes they had achieved.
Manchu's scroll read "Strength, Reasoning, Friendship."
Dee's scroll read "Strength, Intelligence, Teamwork."
It had been an interesting year, both for the children and the household.
With the antics of Manchu and Dee, the household had learned just how unpredictable
a child could be. Though Quon Wing had tried his best, he still had not
managed to instill discipline in either child. Manchu had learned more of
discipline than Dee had, however, and it showed in his restraint during his
practicing.
{You will come back and visit us, won't you?} Li Rong asked as the children's
luggage was packed into the car to take them to the airport.
{Only if you promise to visit us,} Dee smiled.
{And bring plenty of melon rind! She eats it all!} Manchu added, pointing
at Dee.
She elbowed him and laughed. {If I don't eat what I can, you'll stuff it
all into that big mouth of yours!}
{Then it's a good thing we purchased these for each of you,} Quon Wing said,
holding forth large decorative tins. {Go ahead and open them.}
There were cries of delight as the children pulled the lids off to reveal
a selection of items from the seed shop. Inside was everything from flavored
pumpkin seeds to candied ginger to their beloved melon rind.
{Please make certain you give these to Jiaoshu and Li Mei,} Li Rong said,
handing over two wrapped tins.
{What's in them?} Dee asked shaking the tins for her and Manchu to listen
to.
{Presents that are not for you!} laughed Quon Wing. {Now come say your goodbyes.
It seems that everything you two have gathered here managed to make it into
the car.}
After tearful goodbyes from Li Rong and many members of the house, the children
left for the airport. They had mixed feelings about going back to Gotham.
The year spent in China had given them a taste for travel and they enjoyed
the different scenery. However, they longed to be back in Gotham with Jiaoshu
and Li Mei. Dee especially missed Gotham. No matter how she had been treated
at the orphanage and on the streets, Gotham still was, and always would be,
her home.