The Solution (2nd Edition)

Chapter 15 - The World Is Not Enough - Sarah

As night fell over Běijīng, celebrations continued. The feeling in the air was golden and the lucky color red emerged everywhere, as though it were Chinese New Year again. During the hours since Mishina's win was revealed, Chon and Gail had utilized their time back at work. They'd quickly finished post-election admin as Xen wasn't available for the second interview that Dieng had initially hoped for. Afterwards, Charlie and Gail fled, while Chon convinced Henry to help us escape the BTV campus. Once we had, we took refuge at my family home. "Ahh, finally here," I breathed, after de-isolating the door and getting a foot past the static fuzz. Then with a welcoming hand, I ushered Chon and Mikey in. "Shoes off; and if you've forgotten; the bathroom's on the right. Oh, and the three seashells are in the side cupboard. PS: if you sprinkle when you tinkle, both be sweet, and wipe the damn seat. Otherwise, my māma will know."

    "Roger-Roger," Mikey responded in a droid-like tone. "If neither of you mind, I'll head there first? My contractions are gettin' shorter and I'm seriously dilated."

    "Eeew!" I cried out, as Mikey tapped my shoulder as he passed. "Honestly, we don't need to know about your intensive labor!"

    "Big guy, just make sure you spray more than once," Chon chuckled. "Especially if it's a spicy one! And knowing Mrs. Wong, she'll probably smell it all the way from Shànghǎi!"

    That's where my parents currently were.

    As the bathroom door materialized to conceal Mikey, Chon looked my way. "Sarah, you sure it's safe to lay low here?"

    "Absolutely," I said, pointing to the window behind him. "Look. That's the latest A.I.S.U out front. Plus, my folks like me dropping in while they're on vacation to check the place. So, relax, and get comfortable."

    "Okay, good to know," he smiled.

    But after resolving safety concerns there was an awkward pause. We'd both found ourselves, speechless.

    What was Chon thinking?

    Was he building up to telling me how he felt?

    Unknowingly, was I putting some kind of pressure on things?

    As I grabbed a strand of hair irritating my neck, Chon's wrist began to tingle. Thankfully, it acted as an icebreaker and we both smiled off our joint faux pas. "Sarah, it's a four-way com-link!" he boomed after standing up.

    Based on recent events, it was either from Dieng & Co. or Lai & Co. "Xen; mùqīn; Suki! Where on earth have you all been?

    "Are you okay?

    "And have any of you seen any blossom petals?

    "Talk to me!"

    Thankfully, it was Lai & Co., and I was relieved Chon had finally heard back from every member of his family! He moved around my living room in a circle, until one of them spoke.

    Widow Lai was the first to respond - her worn face happy and glowing. "Nǐ hǎo, Chon. Well done on your work. You have helped your xiōngdi to redeem your fùqīn's legacy. But not only that. You have begun to fulfil our family's destiny. I am most proud of you."

    "Mùqīn, thank you," Chon replied, perhaps happy they were being civil and communicating again.

    "No, Chon," Widow Lai expressed. "Thank you. The glory of the Double Dragon is truly yours and Xen's, with the President now crested on top of your back.

    "Now, enlighten me," she then said with purpose. "Is Sarah with you...?"

    Instantaneously, the awkwardness returned and Chon kept his distance so that I couldn't be seen over the multiple links. I was thankful and we were both as embarrassed as each other!

    Why on earth was his mother asking after me, again...?

    Confusingly, she'd done so a handful of times in recent months.

    "Yes, mùqīn," Chon revealed. "I'm here with Mikey and Sarah at her parent's house."

    "Good, that's good," the old woman smiled. I could see her wrinkles becoming more prominent through the translucent holoscreen. On a separate note, I knew Chon would want to know why his mother had asked. But, if he knew already, it would explain why he hadn't challenged her. In the aftermath of the moment, I really didn't know what to think. That was until Chon broke away from their view for a second; mimed, 'I'm so sorry!' at me; and followed the apology up with an eyewink! Even though it embarrassed me even more, I was impressed! It made me feel as though he was apologizing for family members teasing him over a new girlfriend he'd just introduced.

    "Anyway, mùqīn, where have you been?"

    Seeing the concern on Chon's face, Suki interjected on her aunt's behalf. "Hello, Chon. Sorry we didn't tell you sooner, but we've been here in Guìzhōu, not Bangkok. And, we didn't want to risk linking you, knowing that your Dot was most likely hacked. Plus, it's been safe out here, with no signs of pink petals, either-"

    "-And, that's the way I'd like it to stay," Xen declared, interrupting Suki. "Chon, I know there are a thousand things we all need to talk about, I do. But they must wait. Your safety remains my priority. For now, mùqīn and Suki will remain where they are and keep a low profile - unless things change... Chon, I suggest you do the same."

    I wasn't an expert when it came to Xen. But I knew enough to know something was off.

    "As the world deliberates over the program, we could all be in serious danger - despite my inadvertent efforts to guarantee our safety..." Xen stressed. "Now, sincerely, I'm sorry if I've put any of us, or our loved ones in jeopardy. But luckily, Lee has offered us some level of protection via personal A.I.S.U units or squads. In the meantime, I must tell you all something..."

    More than anything, I was scared for Chon what Xen might say. So, to give Chon one less thing to think about, I'd beamed out a fibre-mesh holo-mag to distract myself.

    "In order for the program to have any realistic chance of happening...I had to make a contingency deal with the devil," Xen explained.

    Chon put his vacant hand on his head, probably fearing the worst.

    "After a lot of recalculating," Xen pressed, "I realized that the huge contribution needed from the consortium members can't be met. Not without expecting them to bankrupt themselves. Worse still, the Federal Reserve has now confirmed this with their initial estimations. So, foreseeing this, I secretly ventured into the underworld six months ago to seek out its biggest player - The Pink Lady. Unofficially, she is the consortium's last member, and its wealthiest. Obviously, we made a deal and as a result, she's meticulously targeted those I consider my loved and important ones. In other words, all of you and your friends. Using her trademark intimidation, her hope continues to be that I don't ever try to back out of it or cross her."

    As Chon inhaled a deep breath, I knew fire was the only thing that would blare out.

    Respectfully so, I left the room, and gave Chon's family their much-needed privacy.