Wonton’s Affection/Fondness Backstory

Wonton’s Affection/Fondness Backstory

Chapter 1: The Son
I am Wonton. My Master Attendant summoned me when he was just a child.
When I opened my eyes, a rosy cheeked boy stood in front of me. He tried his best to put on a serious face but couldn’t hide the excitement brimming in his eyes.
A pair of chubby hands reached out for me and in the end, he couldn’t help but break into a smile so sweet and pure.
‘From this day on, I will protect you!’
I chuckled as I looked at him - this little one barely fresh from weaning in all his earnestness - and knelt in front of him. I grasped his hand and looked into his clear, shining eyes.
‘Good. Please protect me.’
Dressed in luxurious robes and adorned with expensive accessories, I knew as clear as day that my Master Attendant was of noble birth. He did not come from an average household.
Little did I know that his family background was far more esteemed and prestigious than I imagined.
Standing at the top of the hierarchy in this country was his father – the Emperor.
He had about 10 or so brothers from different mothers-imperial concubines/consorts in the palace.  A boy as young as him didn’t understand why his mother would look at him sometimes with a worried expression.
My Master Attendant had always been captivated by stories of market festivals with their lively atmosphere and goods on display. On a day when the festivities were in full swing, those sparkling eyes full of wonder and curiosity made me reach out for him.
‘Since you are so interested, shall I bring you to have a look?’
Bright street lanterns, throngs of people, and a colourful array of knick-knacks and trinkets dazzled him, the sights and smells of the festival market a whole new experience to this little boy who had never left the stifling confines of the palace.
Looking at his brilliant smile, the corners of my mouth naturally curved upward as well.
Suddenly, his small hand left mine, and the next moment my Master Attendant, dressed in his finest clothes, was using his body as a shield to protect a beggar, glaring angrily at those bullies who were jeering and kicking him.
‘I know this is dangerous, but I can’t just walk away!’
Under his determined gaze, I knew better than to stop him and stroked his hair.
The festival lights burned till late into the night. We walked around for a long time until he got tired, and sat by the lake, dipping our feet into the tranquil cool waters while watching the river lanterns float away into the distance.
‘Right…what did you wish for earlier?’
‘Ah, aren’t we supposed to keep it a secret and not tell anyone or else it won’t come true? I-I’d prefer not to say…’
‘I am your food soul, not another human being. Try me, who knows – I might be able to help you realise your dream.’
‘Wonton, you won’t be able to.’
‘…Just tell me’
‘I…I thought it would be nice if we could find a place to build a sanctuary, whisk my mum away with me to secretly live there. My friends could come and visit now and then, and if I got bored, I would go to the markets…no need to fight with my brothers over the throne, no need to worry about Father’s disapproving gaze. To pass the days peacefully and quietly. To live my own life.’
I would never forget his expression as he told me his wish, the innocence and romanticism behind it as pure and blissful as any other child.
But such feelings of happiness were short-lived.
When we got back to the palace, Master Attendant’s mother was waiting for us. It was the first time I saw such a look on her face – her usually gentle features contorted into a mask of fury. Even so, her anger could not hide the unmistakable worry in her red-rimmed eyes. She dismissed the servants and made Master Attendant kneel before her.
She used a ruler to whack his legs soundly. Even when both her shaking hands could no longer grip the ruler properly – once, twice – still those hands refused to stop. Until her tears streamed down her face as she cradled her son against her, both legs so swollen from the beating that he could hardly walk. She broke down and cried loudly, her makeup completely ruined.
‘Mother knows, it’s mother’s fault that you were born into this life, that you have no other choice. But as a prince in line for the throne, mother is really afraid…so afraid…take it as I’m begging you…please don’t pursue the dreams of common folk. Be a good boy, please…’
Master Attendant’s mother had always been tender-hearted, she tried to do her best to give him whatever the common children had and was even reluctant to address him using titles that would give away his stature.
But even at that moment as I stood in the doorway witnessing this, I learnt that a brother of his had died at the hands of his fellow siblings, caught up in a web of politics and a succession struggle with no regard for family bonds.
My Master Attendant, he didn’t cry no matter how severe the punishment, no matter how bruised his body was.
But in his mother’s loving embrace and with her hot tears rolling onto him, he broke down.
He loosened his balled-up fists, clenched so tightly that the knuckles had turned white, as if he was letting go of his dreams. That head of his which was always held high now was bowed low.
Did I…did I do something wrong…

Chapter 2: The Minister
My Master Attendant grew up day by day, from a small boy to a handsome, righteous and heroic young man. That innocent and pure smile he wore on his face as a child was gradually replaced by an exasperated, somewhat resigned demeanour.
He spent most of his waking hours learning, reading, absorbing as much knowledge as he could, sometimes forgoing food and drink in the process. He was always hard at work, every minute and every second, as if he was trying his best to change something.
I accompanied him always, and the most I could do was to cover him with a warm blanket whenever he fell asleep from exhaustion at his desk.
The stacks of scrolls piled higher and higher, and the chicken soup that had been specially brewed to nourish him sat neglected at a corner of the table, the broth at the top nearly congealing over.
The oil lamp flickers by the desk, and his eyes are red-rimmed as he looks up from a single report bearing terrible news, suppressing his sorrow as best as he can.
His sworn brother and close friend had become a sacrificial pawn at the hands of his scheming brothers, and even now, my Master Attendant couldn’t even grieve or mourn his passing for fear of spies who could be lurking anywhere in the palace.
How could a small-time provincial officer hope to stand against the combined tyranny of court officials who had banded together? His friend was a victim of these power struggles, and by the time my Master Attendant received news of his death, that one dear friend whom he had spent countless treasured moments reciting poetry and having lively conversations with had already been buried somewhere beyond the palace walls.
Not able to take it any longer, I asked Wonton Spirit to dismiss all the servants in the room so that the both of us could be alone.
Just like when he was a kid, I pulled his head into a comforting embrace. Master Attendant, who had long grown used to hiding his emotions in front of others, grasped the sleeves of my robe tightly with his fingers.
‘I don’t want to become like my brothers or my Father.’
‘…you won’t. As long as I am around, you won’t.’
‘I don’t want to fight with them. I just want to protect the happiness of the common people, to protect those I hold dear to me, my friends…can’t I even do that? Why…’
‘I can take you away from all this.’
‘No, I can’t. I can’t bow my head to my brothers and admit defeat. But I hope you can watch over me, don’t let me fall in too deep. I can’t turn this country over to this pack of manipulators and schemers who would harm those who get in their way.’
Master Attendant sighed and lifted his head even though I could see that he was struggling internally. His eyes were still a little red, but his tone had never been more determined.
That boy who once cried till his eyes were swollen because he was unwilling to give up on his dream…just like when we first met and he swore to protect me...now he wanted to protect those whose names he didn’t even know.
Alas, as a prince without power or influence, he wasn’t even able to find out about his friend’s death in time.
He said – to be this country’s prince – to have privileges from birth that the common people didn’t have – naturally would come with heavy responsibilities and burdens to bear as well. He was not just his Father’s Minister, he was also the People’s Minister, and if he wished to protect them, he needed more authority and power.
The thing about power is that it’s like a devouring beast. Even if you resist it, it can overwhelm you and swallow you up.
As his food soul, I will faithfully stand by him and guard his nature and values.
I looked into his eyes and realised the child in the past who once held on to his mum and cried his lungs out like he had lost the whole world had indeed grown up.
Master Attendant has a painting of a sanctuary with beautiful scenery that his deceased friend drew. Both of us love that painting - it was as if the sanctuary in our dreams had been brought to life.
There were days when I caught him staring at the painting deep in thought, as if mourning the loss of his childhood dreams.
However, from that day on, he kept the painting locked away in a deep, dark corner of his wardrobe.

Chapter 3: The Monarch
My Master Attendant changed after that day.
I know he was never the hypocritical type, but from that day on, he learnt how to flatter others and curry favour.
Gradually, the treacherous court officials whom we had snubbed in the past got roped in as well.
There came a time when his political maneuverings caught his brothers by surprise. Before they had time to react, those siblings who had underestimated and bullied him could no longer compete on the same level.
Even his own father the Emperor, who stood above all else in the country, changed his disapproving gaze to one of admiration.
Most will think that his current disposition now - with his resourcefulness and willingness to develop the right connections - is so much more pleasant than his strict and serious demeanour in the past. Only I know that in his sleep, those deeply furrowed eyebrows never once relaxed.
By his side, I witnessed how he could adapt to any circumstance, how he treated others like pawns on a chess board, sealing their fates and seeing how they could fit into his grand plans.
He no longer paid any attention to the weak, and I watched as his once clean hands began to be tainted.
In my mind’s eye, the once straightforward and honest young man had now become one with muddied intentions. You could no longer tell at a glance what was going on beneath the surface.
If not for the fact that I could see his hesitation and fear under that mask of composure, I would have left him like the rest did a long time ago.
I watched with eyes wide open how my Master Attendant gradually earned the adoration of the masses.
I watched with eyes wide open how he grew to become the very kind of person he hated in the past.
I was powerless to stop him from going down this route because he chose this path for himself.
Eventually, the Emperor passed away of old age, and even his brothers had been reduced to powerless petty small-time villains who amounted to nothing.
He traded his familiar light coloured robes for luxurious finery and a heavy crown, making his way to the esteemed throne step by step.
I looked at the stewards in front of me, who broke into uneasy smiles.
‘What did he say?’
 ‘His, His Excellency said, you have been by his side for so long, now that the throne is his, he no longer has any use for you. On account of your years of friendship, please leave and never come back.’
 ‘...That’s all?’
‘...Sir, listen to my advice, just leave. You know too much, to let you go just like that without repercussions is already His Excellency’s mercy.’
‘Ok, let me see him one last time.’
I stood before my Master Attendant - soon-to-be crowned emperor in the ceremony tomorrow - staring down the raucous crowd sitting on the steps half laughing and half crying. Just like when we first met, I knelt and offered him my hand.
‘I’ll take you away, ok?’
I wasn’t sure if the drunken masses even heard what I said. He grabbed my sleeves and lowered his head, as I felt little round droplets drip dark spots into the soft fabric of my shoes.
It was as if he mourned for himself. It was as if he mourned for his dead friend to compensate for the time he couldn’t do so.
‘In the end, I became like my father and brothers.’
‘Let me take you away.’
My Master Attendant, after crying like a baby, lifted his head. Those black orbs still wet from shed tears were shining, his smile brilliant.
‘Wonton, I’m letting you go.’
In the end, I never got to see how he looked like sitting on the throne.

Chapter 4: The Friend
I didn’t get very far from the palace when one of his close attendants approached me reverently.
He passed me a cloth bag that had already been neatly packed in advance. The bag contained a thin stack of currency notes.
This meagre sum of money was all that he had saved before he got his hands dirty. Enclosed in the bag was a thick letter as well.
I found a nearby inn, and before I could step in, the waiter had run out to greet me.
‘Sir, a guest official has already arranged the best room we have here for you, and he asked me specifically to wait here for your arrival.’
‘Oh?’
‘He also wanted me to tell you this-‘
‘What is it?’
‘He wanted me to tell you that he now has the ability to protect his friends, and asked you not to worry about him. He is happy.’
‘...Thank you.’
As I walked into the room he had prepared for me, I noticed that all the furnishings were exactly like how my old room was back in the palace, right down to the familiar fragrance I loved wafting from the incense burner, which must have been hard to procure.
I sat at the table and opened up the thick letter.
In the letter, he was still the Master Attendant I knew from the beginning - the little boy who sat side by side with me as we dipped our feet into the river waters, washing away any false appearances that he had tried so hard to maintain.
The one who stood up for a little beggar so impulsively; he never changed.
The long letter described in detail all our time spent together since we first knew each other. Things that even I had forgotten, he remembered. However, those nostalgic memories evoked by the warmth of his words were abruptly cut short.
I flipped to the next page, where a huge black ink blotch had seeped its way into the edges of the paper, and some of the writing was obscured by tear streaks.
It was as if I could see the man who was afraid of ending up alone, one hand writing this goodbye letter to me, the other hand trying to hold back his tears.
He once lost a dear friend because he was powerless, but now he had the power and authority to protect everyone he wanted to.
Rubbing my eyes to prevent my tears from falling, I let out a sigh and continued reading.
It turns out I wasn’t as good at hiding my feelings as I thought - he had seen right through me long ago. Just as I had caught him staring deep in thought at that painting on many occasions, he had noticed I had the same faraway look in my eyes when I looked at that same painting.
He’d already kept me chained to his side for too long, now was the time to finally set me free.
In this life, my Master Attendant wasn’t fated to search for the sanctuary in his dreams. He could no longer pursue his wishes of seeing the mountains and the rivers, but he could at least grant his food soul who shared the same dreams the ability to do so.
‘You must remember, even though you roam carefree out in the open world, please watch over me, being all alone here I’m afraid I might end up like them (my Father and brothers) one day.’
I couldn’t control my sadness. Drop by drop, my tears spilled over onto the pages, until everything was a blur.
‘Yes, I will. I definitely will.’

Chapter 5 (Epilogue): Wonton
It was said that near the country where Wonton was summoned, was a place called Light Kingdom which had a huge expanse of land. There were large rolling mountains and picturesque scenery for miles, and the area was home to many hidden sanctuaries.
If it was up to Wonton, he would never have chosen to appear in the strict confines of a palace.
Yet not only was he summoned there, but there in that dry and dull environment he stayed, guarding the conscience of a little boy, guarding it ever so faithfully for over 20 years.
That boy who was meticulously taught by his mother, and under Wonton’s guidance, grew up bit by bit into an Emperor worthy of the respect of the masses.
He used lightning quick decisive measures to rid the country of parasitic forces, extracted the poisonous tumours that were embedded in society, and weeded out the rotten roots of greed and corruption amongst the ranks.
Nobody knew that this stern and astute Emperor whom nothing could escape his eyes was also once a little boy who yearned for the outdoors and nature, and a normal life.
The child who had grown up into a responsible youth was observant. He saw Wonton sprawled out in the courtyard daydreaming on many occasions and clenched his fists. He knew if it wasn’t for him, Wonton wouldn’t be confined to a place like this, gazing wistfully at the seemingly endless skyline and clouds.
Everyone around him except for Wonton was gone, and as much as he had grown attached to Wonton, he made up his mind to set his friend who had accompanied him for over 20 years free.
What surprised him was the fact that after Wonton left, he would still send that stealthy round wonton spirit over from time to time with letters and peace reports, or even simple snacks and confectionery. And at the end of every letter, Wonton sincerely told him that the outside world was made a little better because of how he ruled.
Days turned to weeks and turned to months and years. The youth became an adult, the adult gradually grew old. Sometimes it would take half a month, sometimes 3 days, but the exchange of letters continued.
Sometimes, the Emperor would also write about interesting happenings in the palace around him, and right up to his passing, he still had traces of ink on his hands, but no more letters to be sent.
Perhaps it was to fulfill the Emperor’s past request in his letters, but the both of them made an unspoken pact to never meet again in person. The image of his Master Attendant in Wonton’s eyes would forever be the young boy who sat by his side near the river just kicking at the water.
Wonton patted the sad wonton spirit gently, comforting his companion who had curled up by his side, as he held the half written letter that was never finished. He lifted his head to look at the bustling festival market that had grown much livelier after his late Master Attendant succeeded to the throne.
Suddenly, a long-haired man dressed all in black came into view. The man wore a slightly exasperated and helpless expression as he tried to pull along a little girl who was bubbly and all smiles.
Wonton couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight as he turned and left the market.
Sensing someone’s gaze behind him, the man in black turned around to look, but he didn’t notice Wonton who was already walking away.