Wings of a Flying Tiger by Iris Yang

Author:Iris Yang [Yang, Iris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781948598064
Publisher: Open Books
Published: 2018-06-12T11:41:39+00:00

Jasmine picked up the bowl of herbs while Daisy helped Danny sit up in bed. Without a word, the younger cousin slipped her body behind his back to support him.

“Are you sisters?” rasped Danny. Moving made him dizzy and short of breath.

“No, we’re cousins,” Jasmine replied and lifted the bowl up to his lips.

“No wonder you look so much alike,” he said before drinking the medicine. It was bitter and unpleasant, but he didn’t question what was in it. Only afterward he made a face, sticking out his tongue, “I’ll be damned. Liang yao ku kou. I understand the phrase now.”

“Good medicines do taste bitter,” agreed Daisy. “Personally, I prefer Western pills.”

Jasmine offered a cup of water for him to rinse his mouth.

“Forgive me if I’m being nosy.” Danny wiped his lips and pressed his fingers together beneath his chin. His gaze bounced between the two women with open curiosity. “You girls don’t look or act like typical country gals.”

“You’re right,” Daisy answered as she helped him lie down again. “We’re from Chungking, you know, the wartime capital. Jasmine was in college, and I was in high-school before the bombing forced us to quit.”

“How did you end up in Tao Hua Cun?”

“My father sent us here to hide us from the war. He’s a colonel in the Chinese Air Force,” explained Daisy with pride in her voice. “He sent my brother to the front, but he doesn’t want us to have anything to do with the war.”

“Your father is right. Young ladies like you have nothing to do with this war.”

“He calls this place Shi Wai Tao Yuan.”

“Shangri-La?”

“Yes, it’s a haven of peace and happiness shielded from the hostile outside,” Jasmine said, tightening the blanket around him.

“How did he find it?” Danny’s interest was piqued. He couldn’t wait to see the village with his own eyes.

“Years ago Doctor Wang saved him when he was lost in the nearby mountains. Since then this remote village has been part of his life, and ours. My brother is crazy about this place. Mom loved it, too. The flowers…she loved…” All of a sudden, Daisy’s smile faded, leaving only sadness in her almond-shaped eyes.

Jasmine reached out and caressed her back.

“What’s wrong?” asked Danny.

“Nothing.” Blinking rapidly, Daisy dredged up a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “You must be starving. Shitou made rice porridge. I’ll get it.” She hurried out of the room.

“Is she okay?” asked Danny, concern written on his face.

“Daisy is tougher than she looks.”

“What happened?”

“A year ago her mother, my aunt, was killed during a Japanese bombing.”

Danny cursed under his breath. The pain of losing Jack rushed back.

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