idraax | Chapter 2: Plans (Reply)

Sun Xiang rubbed the account card as he looked at the report on the tenth server. One of the new players, Lord Grim, was quickly breaking all of the dungeon records. He hopped from guild to guild, helping them set records in exchange for rare materials. There had been much cursing in the world chat lately.

He wondered if Lord Grim would temporarily join Excellent Dynasty if approached, but he doubted it. Excellent Era was the one who had thrown him away so why would he help their guild? His eyes slid away from the report to the window.

Though it was day, the sky was dark and cloudy. Happy Internet Cafe's sign drew his gaze with its glow.

"Just go over there," a grumbly voice said and Sun Xiang jumped, falling off his chair with a thud. Immediately, his eyes went to the card in his hand. It was unmarred. He sighed in relief and jumped again as the voice laughed.

"You can't hurt my card that easily little Xiang."

The silence was only broken by Sun Xiang's harsh breathing. The voice sounded similar to Ye Xiu's, but deeper and rougher. It also didn't come from anywhere around him. Instead, it was resonating in his head.

"One Autumn Leaf," he guessed.

There was a feeling of acknowledgment and he picked himself off the floor, straightening out his clothes.

"You have horrible taste."

Sun Xiang looked at his jacket, a solid orange with a glitter green dragon embroidered on both sleeves. I need to go shopping.

"I thought we were going to the cafe," One Autumn Leaf grumbled in his head.

We can't show up empty-handed , Sun Xiang thought back as he finished the purchase. He had bought ingredients for chicken dumplings and a small container of loose leaf green tea.

Homemade is better, he thought as he sensed One Autumn Leaf's skepticism. He thanked the cashier aloud as he grabbed the bag and turned to step out into the cold dusk.

Excellent Era did have a kitchen, though it wasn't used much. Most of the club couldn't cook and those that could preferred to get their food from outside. He could see why. The kitchen didn't have much counter space with only one pan and a dusty steamer on the counter.

One Autumn Leaf was silent on the walk back and Sun Xiang wondered what he was thinking about.

Want to fight Lord Grim? he asked eventually.

The sensation of surprise and confusion shot through him and Sun Xiang smiled, stopping on a nearby bridge. He stared across the water as he gathered his thoughts.

The West Lake was quiet today, though there were a few boats scattered on the water. The Liefeng Pagoda on the other side was lit and he focused his gaze on it as he spoke.

Fighting Lord Grim would let you see your Master again and don't you think it would be fun to fight your little brother?

He blinked and for a moment thought he saw a large bat perched on the Pavillion. He blinked again and it was gone. Fear swirled within him. Glory shouldn't have been bleeding through into the real world, not yet.

What if they hadn't noticed? What if the bleed had started earlier and the incident in the stadium had been the catalyst?

He took another breath, unclenched his hands from the railing and continued walking.

Though Excellent Era's kitchen was a single room in the basement, it had enough counter space for him to roll out the dough for the dumplings. He had cut out several squares from the dough before he stopped, frowning.

What's wrong?

"I forgot the filling proportions," he muttered as he reached for his phone.

He needed to call his mom. When was the last time he had heard her voice? He hadn't called her much in the past, something he'd always regretted.

He dialed her number and his voice froze in his throat at the greeting. He still remembered the first time she had taught him how to make these dumplings. His dad was coming home from overseas and they had both been frantically cleaning and cooking before his flight landed. Her hands guided his small ones as they pressed the edges of the dumpling together and then lowered it into the steamer.

"Little Xiang?!"

He swallowed, feeling his face heat.

"Hi Mom"

He could hear his mother's smile over the phone.

"Are you settling in well? Are they keeping you busy? When will you visit?"

Sun Xiang leaned against the countertop and laughed quietly. In the back of his mind, One Autumn Leaf's attention focused fully on the conversation.

"Yes, I'm settling in well. We practice a lot since I'm new and I'll visit during the break."

"Ah, that's good."

His mother took a breath and before she could break into details about the latest family gossip, he broke in.

"I need your chicken dumpling recipe please."

There was laughter over the phone.

"Oh? Do you miss me that much little Xiang or are you making it for someone special?"

Sun Xiang was quite sure that his face was on fire. One Autumn Leaf laughed in his head. Sun Xiang ignored him.

"Yeah," he said. "I miss your cooking."

It wasn't completely a lie. He hadn't had his mother's cooking in years ; he'd definitely have to go back for the break.

His mother laughed again but gave him the recipe. Sun Xiang noted it down on his phone, double-checking the bag to make sure he had bought the correct ingredients. Then, he listened to her speak as she caught him up on the latest family gossip. Surprisingly, One Autumn Leaf didn't offer any commentary and it wasn't until he had put the dumplings in the steamer that his mom finished talking.

"You're calling your father right?"

Sun Xiang nodded. He remembered video chatting with his father once he had arrived in Hangzhou. It felt like a lifetime ago, was for him and he resolved to call his father again soon. He wanted to hear his voice, to know that he was still safe in America.

"Alright," his mother said. "I'll let you go. Have fun with your team!"

He swallowed again.

"Bye mom, I'll call you later."

She hung up and he stared at the phone until the steamer started to overboil. He had to scramble to rescue the dumplings, but it looked like they were mostly intact and, more importantly, edible. They'd do. Now he just had to find a container.

Later, after Sun Xiang had stuck the dumplings in a plastic container and had almost made his way out of the club, he ran into Su Mucheng, who glared at him.

"Sorry," he muttered, but she spoke before he could escape.

"Where are you going?"

Sun Xiang's eyes darted to the box, then to her and the door she was blocking.

"Visiting a friend," he said and fought back a shiver at the expression on her face. It was one that said: “I don't believe you” and “you have friends?!”

It hurt a bit, but this was a Mucheng who didn't know him, who still saw him as the interloper that had stolen her brother’s place.

What are you going to do about her?

Sun Xiang sighed and tried to step around her.

"Excuse me," he said politely.

Absolutely nothing, he thought, she's scary.

Su Mucheng glared at him for a moment longer, but then stepped aside. Sun Xiang gave her a nod and quickly escaped into the cold.

It bit into him as soon as he stepped past the door, and he tightened his grip on the container. Though he didn't look back, he could feel Su Mucheng's gaze on his back. What was she thinking? Probably that he was a coward, running away instead of facing her properly. She would be right. He was a coward. There were so many things he could have said during that meeting. For one, he could have refused One Autumn Leaf's card, but instead, he took it.

He'll be happier in Team Happy, One Autumn Leaf murmured in his head as they stopped at the intersection. Sun Xiang stopped, watching the flow of traffic for a few moments, and then sighed.

"He will be," he agreed and stepped out into the street.

How exactly are you going to explain the dumplings?, One Autumn Leaf asked as they finished crossing the road.

Don't worry, I have a plan, Sun Xiang thought back and took the last few steps towards Happy's entrance.