Reunion: The Guardians of the Five Elements

Chapter 9

She's growing up well and fast, Piao Piao. I'm sorry if I get her, both of you, into this. But, for the first time, I saw our Xiao Mei smile like that. It's priceless. I'll do everything to protect that. And her. If you're looking down at us right now, help me protect our daughter. Pang Zi thought, prayed to the most beloved woman in his life as he was looking up at the sky, feeling the afternoon breeze as if answering his prayers. "Hey, Pang Zi. Aren't you suppose to help me stick these? Why are you just standing there? You look more like a fat tree log flatten on a wall." Kan Jian said earning him a smack on the head. "It's Pang Zi Ge to you, you hyper-muscle boy. And, I am helping you. What do you think I'm doing? Sheesh." Pang Zi said, feigning his anger at the younger who made face at him as they both continue their planned task.

After a weird and slightly awkward lunch, and half an hour later, the quartet set off after Liu Sang and Bo Sying did their shift. Pang Zi and Kan Jian are assigned to stick tracking devices and mics on the other guests to get their identification and information while Xiao Mei and Jia Le walk around and observe. "By the way, did you feel the tension a while ago? I can't even swallow my food well." Kan Jian said while giving Pang Zi his set of trackers and mics. Pang Zi snorted at him. "You're still young. Of course, you wouldn't understand. Let me explain it to you. Black Glasses Ge and Chu Chu have a thing for one another." He said emphasizing with his two forefingers from his left and right hand and continued as the younger listens intently and nodded eagerly like a little boy,

"This is the perfect opportunity for them to talk and catch up. And, it's a big relief that she's alive. I think you have an idea about them. Black Glasses Ge is devastated since Thunder City because he still blames himself for Kezi's death although we didn't blame him for it. You know our line of work. Death, yours or others, is inevitable. Now, Liu Sang and Miss Bo Sying. They are a very odd pair. I could see that the girl cares for everyone and is very sensitive to everyone's well-being. Especially to our sassy-hearing friend. Maybe because they are partners? But, I can tell something changed between them. When Mei Mei saw both of them together on the second-floor sitting area, the lady was very careful in walking and speaking, very. No one would do something like that. And now, here's someone being so considerate and caring. There is something. I can tell." Pang Zi said hinting that the odd pair have something going on and Kan Jian caught on and they giggled like school girls when a call shocked them out of their little chat.

"I don't care whether you talk about me or not. You're wasting time fatso. You haven't set up the trackers and mics as expected from a snail-pig like you. Chief and Wu Xie are waiting for you. Just do your job." Pang Zi didn't even get a chance to talk back when he answered his phone and Liu Sang drop the call after speaking. Kan Jian laughed his heart out at him which another smack on the head was earned again from the older. "I'll get that spoiled princess when I get my chance." Pang Zi muttered as he and Kan Jian, who are still laughing at the older as they split up and do their tasks.

On the other side of the hotel area, Xiao Mei and Jia Le ventured into the garden in the far east away from the cabin area and almost near the mountain where tourists are allowed to roam around. "Isn't it beautiful? The mountain, the sky, the trees, everything is so beautiful." Xiao Mei said smiling and looking everywhere. "You haven't been on a field trip before? Usually, in schools, they conduct school trips to places like this." Jia Le asked utterly curious about her. "Well, I always get sick a lot. Bleeding spells, faint spells, dizzy spells, you name it. Mama doesn't want me to, neither are my teachers and doctors. At that time, I have no choice. Now, thanks to this, I feel better, much much better." Xiao Mei said, happily as she ran ahead to look at the majestic mountain. Jia Le chuckled at the little girl as he closely followed her. He did promise to watch over her for Pang Zi while doing their tasks. As they walk around, Jia Le noticed people, following them and being constantly surrounding them. Carefully, he snaps pictures where Xiao Mei would stand and pose as if she knows what he was thinking. "There are people here who are following and watching us. I'm not sure if they are armed but I think we need backup. Just in case." Jia Le muttered intended for Liu Sang to hear. Then, Xiao Mei walked towards him and held his hand. "Let's go there, Gege." The little girl suggested, still portraying a brother-sister act just to avoid them getting noticed. Jia Le smiled at her and walk ahead, not forgetting to hold on to the little girl's shaking hand tight. A gesture telling her that he will protect her and that everything will be okay. She returned the gesture by smiling up to him, saying I'm okay.

When they reached the border, Xiao Mei got a little carried away and drag Jia Le with her as she excitedly looked at the mountain. As she was about to touch the barrier, someone grabbed her hand and gently pulled her away from the barrier. "You're here as well, Huo Dao Ge?" Jia Le said, surprised to see the doctor again after the incident in Warehouse 11. Huo Dao Fu smiled at Li Jia Le and ruffled his head like a big brother which the other grumbled for treating him as a kid although he didn't mind the affection and then looked at the little girl. "It's better to be safe. Some are watching, waiting for you to touch the barrier." The doctor said softly, enough for the two, or three, to hear him. Discreetly, Jia Le tried looking around and accidentally drop his pen that he has been holding as his weapon, for emergencies. As he was about to pick his pen, he looked around again to get a closer look at the people who were waiting and looking at them. "I can't believe you're here, sour dumpling. Did Naive's aunt sent for you?" Pang Zi came with Kan Jian striking his usual conversation and name-calling as he carried his daughter high making the little girl laugh while the doctor rolled his eyes at him and ignored him as his answer for his question. Fortunately, the doctor doesn't have to answer the other when their other friends joined in. "How are you doc? Why didn't you leave your things in the cabin?" Kan Jian said, striking a conversation as he took some of his things while Jia Le helped as well. "When I saw them, I thought of accompanying them sightseeing. I might not get a chance later anyway. I'll be sleeping all night for tomorrow." Huo Dao Fu said at them as the group walked towards their cabin, taking all their surroundings into account while they talk to not get suspicious of them. That they already know that they are being watched.