Her Captain, The Gamemaster

I Want To Leave / I Never Want To Leave

I thought I promised myself that I wouldn't run. That I would stand up for myself. Pathetic.

I sigh as I catch my breath behind a terminal. I pull my hat down and pull up my mask right to my sunglasses as I tap my feet impatiently while I waited for the plane to start letting people in.

By the time I reached my seat, I was absolutely exhausted. The sky was dark and I checked my watch. It takes about 4 hours to get there so I'll probably arrive only 24 hours after Li did. I pull my hat to cover my eyes and groan as I cracked my shoulders and neck, stretching my elbows.

Li hated it when I do that.

It's not like she can talk though, seeing as she goes on for years without stretching. I roll my eyes at the thought, letting a smile go onto my face as I thought of the pretty dark-eyed girl. 

Beautiful.

*Li's POV*

Grandma drags me through a familiar street to reach the same hotel we always celebrate at. We don't stay at the hotel but the food there is amazing so we just eat there. This hotel was famous for hosting the richest tourists or business workers but Grandma was a large start-up investor so we always get free food.

Funnily enough, it's the rich people who love free stuff. Or maybe it's just us.

Just as we were about to reach the entrance to the hotel, Grandma steered me away from the large doors, almost tripping me over. 'Grandma!?! Where are we going???'

She only laughed as we enter a hidden alleyway to which opens up to a secret restaurant.

Wow.

I looked up at the name of the restaurant but I've never heard of it before. '台山品尝,' I read.

'Let's see if Taste of Taishan has anything good to offer,'

I push open the door only to be greeted by the darkness. 'Hello? Anyone home?' I yell out, half-sarcastically.

...

'SHE'S HOME,' came a yell followed by more screaming and just like that, all the darkness disappeared and I was surrounded by the warmth of my family. I smiled as I attempted to envelope my people's hugs. I saw the faces of the people that surrounded me growing up and I felt tears at the corners of my eyes. 

I quickly wipe them away and choked back a sob. 'Hey everyone,'

From behind me, I saw Uncle Bo ruffle my hair and Aunt Sun pat my shoulder as they dragged me to sit at the front table of the now-revealed dining hall. It was covered in gold and red and had modest chandeliers and the typical white tablecloths to which I smiled.

'Everyone's here,' I smiled.

'Of course,' Aunt Sun hmphed. 'Did you really think we would miss out on your graduation party?'

'I wouldn't want to bother anyone. Aren't some of you working in the main Guangzhou city?'

'Pfft, crazy child,' she scolded, laughing at me. 'We are Taishan people,'

I smile again at the sight of the whole town inside one restaurant.

'I never knew there was such a nice restaurant hidden behind the hotel,'

'Yea, this restaurant it new. Construction finished 4 months ago and renovation finished last week,'

'Oh. Wait, what?!? It opened last week?!?'

'Yes, child. That's what I said,' she stared at me like I was crazy while sipping her Pu'Or tea.

'How do you guys know if it's a good restaurant then?'

At this point, she looked like she was going to slap me. I was confused as heck.

'CHILD, THIS IS YOUR AUNTS RESTAURANT. WHAT DO YOU MEAN IF I KNOW ITS GOOD?!? OF COURSE ITS GOOD,' she yelled and all of a sudden it made sense. I mentally slap myself, holding in a laugh as Ah Lan laughed at me from the table behind us.

'Right,' I bow a little.

'What are you, Japanese or something? The hell you bowing for?'

'Right,' I put on a smile and she laughs, starting conversation with my grandma who was talking to her about the menu.

Meanwhile, I take me chance to look around me. Everything about this was perfect.

This room of noble and famous families who thrive in small luxuries. Everyone in here had XinShan education and are all amazing in their own ways, yet none of them wanted to go to university until my generation. They all are in love with living in small apartments and prefer large parks than large shopping malls. 

Our shopping district is also filled with surrounding trees and the whole city blueprints where designed by our people. Funny how they choose to give it to my family though.

They have complete trust in my family when it comes to running our town and my grandma has been offered several political jobs but we only need to take care of our people. As her descendant, I make it my mission to do the same, starting with my generation. I've decided to be the first person from Taishan to attend university since my great ancestor who lived almost 500 years ago. 

From there on, I intend on leading my town to even greater heights, having this generation follow my steps into university. Taishan is famous for their economy, minerals, healthcare, education and basically everything. 

However, I intend on spreading our culture. Our dishes, food and language which is overlooked and downgraded and squeezed into the Hong Kong and Guangdong categories.

That's my duty for my people.

And this all starts with my success.

No pressure though.

I smile at the familiar faces of my town's barbers, who used to play with my hair and tell me jokes, the taxi community and everyone in my town. Here, everyone knows everyone and I love that.

This new restaurant with my favourite colours and decorations, supported by my community and invested by my grandma. I just know it. It's my home.

I spot Aunt Zheng taking out dishes and I spot many familiar and beloved dishes, each of them with their own history and let out a smile.

Somewhere, I know I should feel guilty but I can't seem to figure out where and why especially because I'm so happy right where I am.

This is my home.

Author's Note:

im sry but this entire chapter is basically a tourism commercial for taishan-

im just supporting my hometown 😤😤😤

thxx.