Tian Li's mom brought him to bed and stayed with him the whole night. When he woke up he found that his mom had made him his favorite breakfast and his dad was out in the town selling crops.
Tian Li couldn't help but feel excited about leaving his hometown and going out into the world but there was also a trace of sadness in him, because he had to leave his parents. In his entire life he had never been separated from his parents and this made him a little reluctant to leave.
Tian Li spent the next three days reading books on heroes and spending time with his parents, though his dad was spending most of his time in the town and coming home very late with a look of worry on his face that he tried to hide from Tian Li. On the second day his dad brought him some brand new clothes which he almost never got unless it was his birthday. Tian Li's mom on the other hand was preparing foods that were easily portable like dried meat, bread, and sweet potatoes. On the final day before Tian Li left for the military his parents held the best dinner he had ever seen them make, to Tian Li it looked more like a feast than a dinner.
"You better eat all you can, when you're in the military they will give you nothing but rice and stale bread."
His father said this with a loud laugh. Thinking about it made Tian Li worry that he would never see such a good meal again so he ate quickly and tried to swallow down everything he could.
"Slow down or you'll choke yourself to death!"
Tian Li's mother said with a look of worry on her face his father only laughed even louder after seeing. After they were done eating Tian Li's mother started putting away the food. His father looked both ways like he was hiding something then he took out a big jar of wine and said.
"Tian Li since you're joining the military tomorrow this makes you a man, so in honor of this we will drink this jar of wine."
Tian Li looked at his father with excitement. In the past Tian Li had heard of a few boys his age who got caught by their parents drinking wine and he couldn't sit down for at least two weeks, but now his father was offering him wine this made Tian Li feel like he was on the top of the world. Then his father looked at him very seriously
"If you tell your mother about this she will kill us both so make sure to keep it a secret."
Tian Li looked at his father and agreed without question. Then they snuck out of the house and went into the field a little bit where his father already had two chairs set up with a firepit and a decent pile of firewood. His father took out two clay cups and handed one to Tian Li. Tian Li felt excited because he was always treated as a child but now that we are about to join the military and drink alcohol he felt like a man.
His dad poured them both some wine and said
"In honor of my son who has become a man, may the heavens keep him healthy and safe!"
After his father proclaimed this toast they both drank, Tian Li after drinking the wine started to cough and gag he almost threw up after drinking. This made his father laugh heartily.
"Dont puke now son we have a whole jar to finish."
His father continued laughing. The night went on fairly quick for the both of them, before they knew it they were both drunk telling stories and laughing. Towards the end of the night they had calmed down a bit and began to look up at the endless expanse of stars, both of them looked on in wonder, then Tian Li's father told him very solemnly
"Son, I want you to promise me if we don't make it you will live freely and unburdened and live a life of adventure like the ones you dream of and settle down somewhere with a nice girl."
Tian Li looked at his father stunned, throughout this whole time he had never even thought of the possibility of his parents death and just like that it hit him and he understood that everything they were doing these last few days was to make sure he was left with a good memory of who his parents were. Tian Li choked down his tears and said
"I promise."
With that the night had ended as they both stumbled into their beds drunk.