The Solution (2nd Edition)

Xen

"Xiōngdi, what do you want?" Chon started.

    I knew straight away I'd have to be confident and sure of myself if I was to make any headway with him, and I took my chance as soon as I could. "Chon, there's no need to be like that, and you can't still be mad at me, surely?"

    He shook his head in amazement. "Xen, you really are something else."

    "Chon, I'm human!" I said. "What, am I not allowed to make mistakes?"

    "Yes, you are," he sniggered, "just not stupid and frowned-upon ones! Honestly Xen, how can you expect me to be positive towards you, especially over the coming days?"

    I gave it my best shot. "Chon, I expect it because it happened months ago. It's long forgotten, and I've changed and refocused. I expect it because we're brothers - the Double Dragon - not to mention the fact you're a professional journalist who's hardly ever phased by anything! Last of all, I expect it because The Solution will be a beacon of positivity. So please, just give the scandal a rest."

    "'Give it a rest'?" Chon repeated, probably vexed by my dismissive mindset. "It's not forgotten at all. Not for me, Suki, or fùqīn's spirit! And don't use my reserve as an excuse to think I've ever been okay about it. You're clearly too selfish to respect what it's done to us all! So, for the record, don't preach to me about The Solution and positivity. If you really cared that much, you never would've stepped foot in Boudoir! So back to my original question, which I'll only ask one more time, what do you want? I'm busy too so get on with it."

    My little brother was just as angry now as he was when I got exposed, and trepidation began to creep in on me. "Look, Chon, I want a serious reason why you won't fly with me."

    For a good five seconds, he just stared at me over holoscreen. "Xen, you're still asking? Listen, thanks for the continuous offer, but no thanks. It'll just draw unnecessary attention and fuel more controversy. So, as planned, I'll ride coach with my crew."

    "Why are you being so funny about it? Give me a proper reason," I said. "C'mon, look at me."

    Chon scowled. "Xen, did my explanation not give you a fucking clue, or a hint? Honestly, with everything that's happening we've got a lot of things to be concentrating on, so your small gripe about my flight choice shouldn't be one of them. I'm going now, bye."

    "Chon, talk to m-"

    "-Goodbye!" he snapped and a moment later, he cut the link. I knew he'd consider me a pest if I tried to communicate anymore, but I had to remind Chon of the bigger picture. And so, I left him a mind-message.

    'Chon, you might not want to talk right now, but you will, soon enough. I stick to my vow that soon, something big, something huge, something epic is going to happen...'

    I left it like that, blocked him out as best I could, and got back to what I did best...