At the end of the Gourmet Club case, it took a week to deal with the aftermath. We finally confirmed thirteen victims, all of whom were young people. We couldn't bear to inform the victims’ family members and only sent an official letter informing them of the ongoing investigation of their disappearance. Many called in, cursing and swearing at the police for being irresponsible. Hearing Xiaotao’s constant apologies gripped the heart.
Xiaotao and I were finally cured of our condition by a professor from the Chinese Academy of Sciences using blood serum therapy. The first thing we did was indulge in a feast of meat. The vegetarian life was truly excruciating!
There was also the invitation letter by the Crazy Six Tao Chef. According to the lab analysis, there were certain electronic components and a signal receiver within the card itself.
The program was very simple, with only a few codes and no activation.
I figured the card would send out a signal when the Six Tao Banquet began. Thus, I kept it with me the entire time.
My thoughts flitted back to Yang Xingdong–perverted by all standards, yet just a mediocre man before the eyes of the Crazy Six Tao Chef. What would his “tao” be like? Just the thought of it made my skin crawl.
In order to show his gratitude, Mr. Huang invited me out for lunch. Upon hearing of another meeting with Mr. Huang, naturally, I resisted.
Xiaotao chuckled, "Don’t worry. It’s just lunch, relax!"
Our “casual” lunch was held in the most luxurious hotel in Nanjiang City, the Star Era Grand Hotel. The way the minds of the wealthy worked was truly contrary to that of ordinary folk. A meal priced at ten thousand yuan was considered a casual lunch while serving up several stir-fried dishes at home was deemed a formal meeting.
In order to please Mr. Huang, I did my homework in advance. Having heard about his fondness of chess, I purchased several books and brushed up my knowledge on the subject matter.
Before our food was served, I played against the old man in our private room while sipping on Longjing Tea. Amused with my two-out-of-three victory, Mr. Huang laughed, "Amazing! Your superb chess strategies amaze me! Did you practice from a young age?"
"Yes, Grandpa taught me,” I replied.
"Come on, let's have another go!" Mr. Huang’s eyes flashed with an eager gleam.
"Dad, I’m starving!” grumbled Xiaotao. “If you want to play, wait till we’re done eating."
"Xiaotao is right, let's eat first!"
A while later, all sorts of exquisite food were served, half of which I had never even heard of. In good humor, Mr. Huang seemed to have a lot to say so all I had to do was listen. Our lunch was fairly harmonious.
Halfway through lunch, I had to use the restroom. As soon as I exited the restroom, I happened to bump into an acquaintance. Song Xingchen stood in the hallway with his Tang Sword in his arm.
I walked up to him and said, "What are you doing here? You don't have to constantly protect me. It’s just lunch."
"Uh..." His eyes flashed with an emotion I had never seen on him.
"I’m sorry, young master. I mentioned your lunch in a slip of the tongue."
It wasn’t a big deal. So what if he told others? Just as I was pondering his strange behavior, I noticed a woman approaching in a hurry. She wore a white double-breasted traditional pair of black trousers and styled her hair up in a bun. Her air of dominance seemed to deter passing waiters who immediately got out of her way.
I stared with eyes as big as saucers. Wasn’t that Aunt Song? Not my paternal aunt, but Song Heting, my aunt from the Martial Songs.
"Song Yang, did you miss me?"
Song Heting leaned in for a hug which I had no chance of avoiding.
"Song Yang-gege, Xingchen-gege," greeted Song Jie as she jumped out from behind Song Heting.
"Aunt Song, Song Jie, what are you doing here?" I asked in amazement.
"We planned to visit you,” answered Song Heting. “Xingchen didn’t even bother to inform us of the trouble you met on the road! I was sick with worry! I was afraid there’d be more trouble on your side, so we came to visit you after briefing the family.”
"Don’t you have classes, Song Jie?"
"Taking a few days off is fine,” Song Jie waved. “After all, college isn’t like high school."
Arms akimbo, she quipped, "What’s the matter, are we not welcome?"
"Of course you are!" My forehead dripped with cold sweat.
Song Heting got straight to the point, "Xingchen said you were meeting your girlfriend's father. Why didn't you tell me about something this important? If you are alone, you’ll be bullied. As your elder, I have to meet your future father-in-law."
My bitter smile seemed to match Song Xingchen’s look of embarrassment. Although Song Xingchen was usually cool and calm, in front of Song Heting, his usual momentum was nowhere to be found.
"Aunt Song, I'm not a child. I won’t be bullied so easily," I protested.
"No, since we’re here, I have to meet her parents! What if they’re shady folk? How can I safely hand you over to this girl?" Song Heting persuaded.
"Yeah, I’d like to see what my sister-in-law looks like," echoed Song Jie.
I couldn't stop these two busybodies at all. Despite the fact our private room was on the sixteenth floor, they headed straight for the stairs.
Perhaps these martial arts practitioners didn't like taking the elevator. By the time I arrived upstairs, the three were waiting for me outside the elevator.
"What took you so long?" complained Song Jie.
"Aunt Song, don't mess things up,” I warned.
Song Heting arched an eyebrow, "Who do you think I am? A parent from old feudal society? Don't worry, if she’s a good girl, I will definitely support the two of you!"
We entered the private room with the loud racket announcing our arrival. The smile on Mr. Huang’s face instantly solidified. Perhaps Song Heting's domineering aura gave the impression she was here with malicious intent.
"This is..." Mr. Huang started politely.
After I introduced them one by one, Mr. Huang stood up and held out his hand, "Hello, I am Xiaotao’s father. I’m a businessman."
"I am Song Yang's aunt. I’m a housewife!"
Song Jie stared wide-eyed at Xiaotao, mumbling a low 'wow' under her breath. "She’s beautiful, just like a movie star!" whispered Song Jie.
"Good-looking girls are all unreliable!" Song Heting shot daggers with her eyes.
"What would you like to eat? Please, go and ahead and order whatever you like. It’s my treat," Mr. Huang endeavored to defuse the situation.
Song Heting turned a deaf ear. “Stand up, young lady!"
"Why should I!" argued Xiaotao.
Sizing her up, Song Heting said, "You’ve got nice, big buttocks. You shouldn’t have a problem giving birth."
Spewing a mouthful of tea, Mr. Huang quickly wiped his mouth with a napkin. I was so embarrassed I wish I could disappear.
Song Heting pulled up the chair across Mr. Huang and asked, "What does your daughter do?"
"She’s an officer ... What are you..."
Song Heting gestured for Mr. Huang to keep his mouth shut. Suppressed by her domineering aura, Mr. Huang widened his eyes in utter disbelief.
"Your job puts you in too much danger. I hope that you’ll quit after getting married and concentrate on raising your children. It’s bad enough that Song Yang risks his life. I won’t agree to both husband and wife taking such risks."
Xiaotao slammed her chopsticks against the table, "Who the hell are you to tell me what to do!"
"Xiaotao!" Mr. Huang motioned for her to sit down.
Despite assuring me she wasn’t here to fight, we seemed to be on the brink of one.
Leaning into her chair, Song Heting raised three fingers, "If you want to marry Song Yang, I have three requirements!"
The absolute principle underlying the universe, combining within itself the principles of yin and yang and signifying the way, or code of behavior, that is in harmony with the natural order.