Chocolate Chili

Ch1. How to save a life in four steps

14 Years Ago

Lan Zhan had always loved winter. The serene beauty of the falling snow usually brought him joy, but today, the heavy flakes blurred his blue eyes, making it difficult to find his way. After accompanying his mother to the store, they had become separated by a bustling crowd near the mall entrance.

Nearly an hour had passed since he first lost sight of her. He had wandered inside, outside, through the parking lot, and around the resting place. The cold was beginning to seep through his clothes, but he was determined. His mother must be looking for him, too.

Then, he heard a laugh. Turning towards the sound, he saw a boy in a red jacket, black jeans, and boots making a tiny snowman. The boy was sitting in a usually small garden, now a snow-covered square with benches and a frozen fountain. The boy noticed his footsteps, turned around and smiled. Lan Zhan's heart fluttered, and he walked towards the boy.

The boy had honey eyes and handed him two small branches. "Would you like to give him his arms?" he asked. Lan Zhan took the branches and carefully inserted them into the snowman's torso.

Both boys smiled at each other, satisfied with their creations. "What's your name?" the boy in red asked.

"Ah-Zhan. And you?" Lan Zhan replied.

"Ah-Ying," said the other boy.

"What are you doing here?" asked Ah-Ying.

"Looking for my mom. We were shopping for presents, but I got lost. And you?"

"I'm waiting for dinner time. Come with me."

Ah-Ying took Lan Zhan's hand and led him to a nearby RV.

"Mom! Mom!" Ah-Ying called out as they approached.

The RV door opened, and a young woman stepped out. "Honey, what's happening, and who is this boy?"

"Ah-Zhan is my friend. He's lost. His mom disappeared."

The woman had the same heart-shaped face as Ah-Wing and the same eyes. She placed her hand on Lan Zhan's forehead, her expression darkening with concern. "You're freezing. Wait here for a moment." She returned to the RV and brought two cups of a hot beverage. She handed the drinks to the boys, who sipped gratefully.

Lan Zhan didn't recognize the drink—it was dark brown, bittersweet, and slightly spicy, but the warmth spread through him instantly. He exhaled contentedly as the chill left his body.

The woman gently wiped his face with a warm towel and smiled. "Let's go find your mom together." She closed the RV door and took both boys' hands, one in each of hers. They walked together to the mall's security office.

Twenty minutes later, it was clear Lan Zhan's mother had been frantically searching for him. Unable to find him, she had gone to the police to report him missing. Fortunately, she had left her phone number and address with the authorities.

The guards were kind enough to let the woman call the number on the paper. Soon after, she led the boys back to the RV. "Your parents and brother are waiting for you at home. They're worried. Come on, I'll drive you there."

It was Lan Zhan's first time inside an RV. Accustomed to a large, luxurious house, he never imagined such a small space would feel cozy. The kitchen was adjacent to a table, and a bunk bed and bench occupied the back of the vehicle.

Ah-Ying led him to his bed and handed him a toy. When the car stopped, they played happily with the tiny planes and vehicles until the woman honked the horn twice.

"We've arrived. Come on, boys, time to say goodbye."

Lan Zhan hesitated, reluctant to leave the tiny bed, but Ah-Ying hugged him and said, "Friends never truly separate. We will meet again." He grinned.

Lan Zhan nodded, holding Ah-Ying's hand tightly as he got up.

Outside, another boy with a dog was waiting. He took Lan Zhan's free hand. "Ah-Zhan, we were so worried. Come on."

As the warmth of Ah-Ying's hand slipped away, Lan Zhan turned to see the woman and Ah-Ying standing by the RV, waving goodbye.

Soon, his parents arrived and hugged him tightly. They bowed and thanked the woman before heading home. That night, even as Lan Zhan lay tucked in bed, he stared at his palms, feeling the lingering warmth of Ah-Ying's touch and the comforting heat from the drink that made him feel like a furnace.

"Ah-Ying, we will meet again," he whispered before falling asleep.