New World's Empress

She left home with a stiff smile under an astonished gaze from Fei Chen and walked the street to the nearest hairdresser. ''Good morning, Xiao Mei. What is going on with that attire?''

The hairdresser was an older woman but was quite good with hairstyles. She saw the young woman in the old style but quite fitting for her tiny figure. The old-style clothes with multiple layers but in a simple design without any additional embroidery was making her look simple but cute. She took out her bag a few accessories that could fit well with the clothes and smiled at the old woman.

''Can you help me make the hairstyle that fits this clothes and makeup, but not too much, I really dislike that.'' She saw herself in the mirror and smiled.

''My husband made me divorce him and give up on children. His excuse was that I am too old fashioned and would fit more in past centuries as in this one. No matter what I did it was not enough for him. Even our children despise me, feeling that I am not worthy of being their mother. Now I am on my way to the divorce court and I wanted to end this farce with this kind of attire. Isn't it the best ending. At least he will be able to see what I would look like in past time... Right?'' Her chuckle ended in short sobs, a drop of tear fell on her necklace but then she just wiped her eyes and smiled at the sorrowful looking hairdresser.

''Please help me look good but normal. I have no intention to fight for attention. I just want to look like... me.'' Her eyes cleared and she smiled now.

Hairdresser just accepted her request and started making her hairstyle and putting makeup on her face while she closes her eyes. Few other women were as well there and added some details.

Not long after that simple make up was done. She stressed that she just waned simple makeup, not one for a wedding or special occasion.

When she opened her eyes she saw cute woman looking at her with big eyes. Light make up accented her small face and her long eyelashes were just brushed lightly with mascara. All surrounded with a streak of eyeliner that made her eyes more pronounced and put a bit of pink color on the lips.

Two simple wooden clips held her hair and the brown-white robe looked perfectly contrasting her light brown eyes. She smiles lightly and two small dimples appeared on her cheeks making her look youthful.

''Thank you. I like it very much. Can you tell me how to do this? I still have time. '' Sh asked many questions as she was stunned that with just a few strokes someone could change its appearance so much.

8.55 in front of the courtroom Jiang Lao walked up and down looking nervously at the watch and hoping that she won't be late while the boys played on their phones because they felt bored.

Suddenly the main door opened and a woman in traditional clothes with ugly color rushed towards them and smile brightly. ''Still on time. Feng Hai, Feng Min come to give me a hug. I missed you so much.''

She opened her arms but got only scorning glances and huffing. ''Miss Mei Lin, please you already signed papers that you won't be our mother. Could you please refrain calling us your sons. We already have a mother. How disgraceful. We are really unlucky to have been born by such an uneducated woman like you.'' Feng Min spoke while Feng Hai just shook his head and showed disgusted expression.

Mei Lin just froze as her hands stood in the air to hug them. Jiang Lao couldn't watch that anymore and just put her hands down. ''Aiaa, Xiao Mei, these days the boys are very honest. Don't take it to your heart. You look better than before. I was really right, this kind of attire would suit you amazingly. But we live now. Let's go in. It is time we enter and finish what we have to.''

He took her by hand and brought her to the courtroom. She was asked questions and answered them automatically. But as soon it was finished and the judge spoke that their divorce is over, she woke up.

She looked at boys and made one more try to get close to them but all they did is to step back and look at her with disagree and annoyance in their eyes.

Jiang Lao just patted her shoulder in passing and hugged his suns shoulders and pushe dthem out the courtroom. She stood there frozen util one of court officer didnt ask her to leave. She just walked out with the bundle in her hands.

When she exsitet the courthouse she just stood there not knowing what to do and where to go. She stood with dazed expressions and walked slowly down the street. Jiang Lao passed her and in rear mirror saw her white face and empty eyes. He felt something might happen so he stopped and parked on the side, but when he looked at the road where she just walked he couldnt find her. His heart jumped and he started searching. ''Xiao Mei, Xiao Mei!!! Don't do anything stupid. Your life is still long. Please. Xiao Mei!''

But nothing could be fund. He contacted the police and her parents, but all he got to hear from the police is to wait for 24 hrs and from her parents, she might appear when she has no money. No one was worried. Including his own sons. Now he realized how hurt she must have been. There was absolutely anyone who would miss her. He had to admit not even him. If he hadn't seen that empty eyes he probably would just forget her.

When they arrived home everything was still there. but something was missing. He looked at the wardrobes and didn't find not even speak of her clothes. Then he realized, there was nothing left from her. Not even one clothing was left. No pictures. No personal items. Not even one hair. Like she never existed.

Only in living room was instead family picture her diploma with one sentence. ''I am still not good enough, and probably will never be.''

The boys just chuckled and left to play games in their room while he held his head. ''What have I done?''

Later, much later, when the other woman came into the house they realized how much the woman who was missing really did for them. The food, clothes, personal items, birthday presents, food, bills, trips... She did it all. But the new woman just found people that would do that an ignored everything else.

Later much later he regretted it. He never found her no matter how much he searched. She was never found. And her family? Never looked for her. Like she never existed in their eyes.

Jiang Lao then realized that the world he gave her was the one she had, the only one. And he took it away...