Chapter 8
Eight
Gossip Girl
Tony and I have just finished a basket of xiaolongbao when Gigi sweeps into the tearoom at the Lake Heart Pavilion.
He immediately stands, slams his fist into his palm and bows low. ‘Ten thousand years of good health to the noble Lady Gi.’
‘Hey, you forgot my ten thousand years of good health!’ I say, miffed at the immediate blessing he offers her and not me.
He smirks, gifting me a single dimple in his left cheek.
Bowing low, his voice goes sultry. ‘Ten thousand years of good health to my heart, Lady Jing.’ When he rises, the look he gives me makes my brain judder and I can no longer hear my thoughts.
Lady Gi laughs, a bright tinkling sound.
‘Your face, Jing. You’re bright red! Close your mouth before any flies land in there.
’ She turns to Tony and bows demurely. ‘This one of the Celestial Realms arrives before Mr Lee unharmed.’ She collapses into one of the remaining two chairs at our table.
‘Oof, I’m starving. I love visiting the Celestial mountains, but no one makes xiaolongbao like Old Zao.
Jing, what is this about Lord Yang? Big Wang sent a message to my father.
He said there was some kind of emergency and Ah Lang and I should come home to help you? ’
I tear my eyes away from Tony. ‘It’s a long story, but the point is I have to escort Lord Aengus to Paris, and Big Wang won’t let me go alone. Would you and Ah Lang join me and Tony? We can spend a few days in Paris before heading back.’
‘I’ll ask Ah Lang, but I can’t see why not. It’ll be fun,’ Gigi says.
Old Zao bustles in with another high stack of bamboo steamers. ‘Little Gi, how was your visit to the Celestial Realms?’
She bows her head. ‘Ten thousand years of good health, Old Zao. It’s good to be home.’
They raise their eyebrows at this. ‘So the rumours are true, you have decided to make your home here permanent?’
Gigi’s been living in yin Shanghai for the last few hundred years; her father, the Jade Emperor, exiled her as punishment for neglecting her duties.
After the recent incident with my grandmother, when she and Ah Lang were instrumental in saving me and Tony Lee from her murderous schemes, Big Wang convinced the Jade Emperor to end her punishment.
I turn to Gigi, my eyes suddenly hot. ‘Truly? You’re not moving back?’
She pats my cheek. ‘I would miss your ugly face, Jing. Ah Lang said he wanted to live in yin Shanghai for a while. So he’s arranged a ministerial position here.’
She smiles so brightly I can’t help but mirror it in return. My thoughts turn to Tony, and the fact that mortals can’t live in yin Shanghai. My smile goes brittle.
Gigi tilts her head. I know that look. She’s about to nosy into my business.
Before she can start, Old Zao says, ‘Eat before the food gets cold.’
I stuff my mouth with bao. ‘Didn’t you say you missed Old Zao’s cooking? Eat!’ It comes out more like Inn-oo-whay-you-ihh-oh-ow-oo-ing? Ee!
‘You are so uncouth, Jing,’ Gigi says. ‘Stop talking with your mouth full. I don’t want to see your half-chewed food.’
I open my mouth wide. ‘Ahhhh.’
Old Zao tsks and slaps my head with their water sleeve. ‘Little Jing, behave yourself.’
Gigi rolls her eyes, and Tony laugh-coughs into his fist.
‘Enough stalling. Tell us about Lord Yang and why, suddenly, he needs an escort to Paris,’ Tony says.
‘This sounds juicy,’ Old Zao says, pulling up a chair.
Bullhead, who has been hovering in the kitchen, joins us with his own bowl and chopsticks.
Bullhead’s motto in life – It is what it is – underpins a stoicism that keeps him at arm’s distance from others. He’s also incredibly shy.
‘Old Zao has put a lot of effort into these bao,’ he says, noticing my surprise. ‘It would be rude not to eat and enjoy this noble gathering.’
I nod approvingly. Even Old Zao smiles like a proud mama hen.
After topping up everyone’s tea and scarfing down a few more xiaolongbao, I lean my elbow on the table and recount to my rapt audience the last eighteen hours that led to Aengus being stuffed into a Ming vase.
There are times, like now, when my life feels unreal to me. A year ago, I would never have imagined sitting at a table surrounded by friends, friends who make me feel like what I say matters, who laugh and cringe at the same things I do. It’s enough to make my eyes suddenly well up.
Tony, of course, notices. ‘Jing, what’s wrong?’
I quickly pull at my eyelashes, embarrassed by my show of emotion. ‘I have something in my eye.’
He leans close, his breath warm on my cheek, and looks carefully at my eyes. It’s all I can do not to lean forward and take his bottom lip in mine. I swallow, holding myself very, very still.
‘How the mighty have fallen,’ Gigi says. ‘If past Jing could see you now, she would probably gag, then tell you to get a room already.’
Tony pulls back, spluttering, gaze darting between Old Zao and Bullhead. ‘I was only looking to see if she had something in her eye. I meant nothing untoward.’
Flustered Tony makes my insides go warm and squishy. A giggle tries to escape but I press my lips together. I don’t want to give Gigi any more reason to tease me.
Bullhead starts. ‘Aiya, it’s nearly dinner. How is it riru already? I need to head back, Lord Ma will be expecting me.’
Gigi says, ‘Jing, did you say Queen Mother of the West is here?
‘Yes – she was here this morning. I’m not sure if she’s still at the hotel.’
Gigi stands too, patting her hair and her clothes. ‘It’s been years since I last saw her – she never leaves Mount Kunlun. Baba would be angry if I missed the chance to pay my respects. Lord Nioh, I’ll come with you.’
Tony is the next to stand. ‘I should head back to the Cathay Hotel as well. I have matters to discuss with Yan Luo Wang regarding the Bank of Hell. I’ll see you tomorrow morning Jing, bright and early.’ He bows deeply to Old Zao. ‘Abundant gratitude for the meal, Zao Shen. Stay your noble steps.’
Bullhead and Gigi head out, but Tony hangs back. Old Zao busies themself in the kitchen, leaving Tony and me alone in the tearoom. Tony leans down, kisses me.
When he pulls away, it’s like he’s stolen all the air from my lungs.
‘Sleep well, my heart,’ he says, before leaving.
In the quiet of the tearoom, leaning against the window, I watch my Tony lope across the zigzag bridge with the grace of a panther, easily catching up to the others.
Long after they all disappear from view, I’m still smiling and giggling to myself, giddy for our Paris trip and being able to spend all my days, maybe even all night, with my favourite person in the world.