Chapter 7: Making a Decision
The next day, Tigress and Viper headed to the village, to have their girl day. Po was busy washing dishes and getting ready to make dinner for them in a few hours. "Okay, so how do we go about asking Mr. Ping, our question?" asked Viper.
"Easy, we just say we overheard, Po talking about Sam's operation, which is true and we are trying to show our appreciation for all of his hard work, want to help him out," Tigress said.
"Hope Mr. Ping believes it, it is the truth in some ways, but still I wish we asked Po, first," Viper said.
"He doesn't have to accept the money, but hope he does," said Tigress. They walked towards the village and most villages saw them. Looks of shock and awe spread as the two female warriors passed them. Most weren't shocked to see Viper, the snake was often in the village browsing at merchants shops, or watching children play and dance in the street. Tigress was never seen in the village, unless some bandits were causing havoc. To see the Master of Hard Style out of the palace was a true shock.
"Now if I remember, correctly Mr. Ping's shop is just down this way," said Viper. She led Tigress down the road and took a sharp left. A delicious smell entered her nostrils and Tigress got a dreamy look on her face.
"This has to be the place, I remember this smell anywhere," said Tigress. They followed the smell and saw a bunch of people sitting in chairs, eating from dumplings to noodle soup. A grey goose in red robes and wearing a funny red hat, was serving people. He looked up and saw Viper and Tigress, come in.
"Oh my goodness Master Tigress and Master Viper, what an honor," Mr. Ping said bowing to them. All the customers bowed as well in respect.
"You all don't have to bow, it is fine," Viper said smiling at them. She had been a Master for many years and still wasn't used to people bowing to her.
"How may I help you? Would you two like some soup or some nice dumplings?" asked Mr. Ping happily.
"Actually sir, is there someplace private we can talk?" asked Tigress, not liking all the stares she and Viper were receiving.
"Of course, follow me," Mr. Ping said and led them into a small kitchen. A small pot full of delicious smells was in the back. To the right were shelves of spices and ingredients. Pictures of Po and Sam, growing up were plastered on the wall. "Sorry for the mess," Mr. Ping said trying to straighten up the place.
"It is fine sir," Viper said smiling.
"So, how is Po doing at the palace, my little Sammy, said she visited him and he seemed to be doing fine," Mr. Ping said smiling.
"Oh yeah, he is doing a remarkable job," said Viper.
"Which is why we are here, um I met Sam, as well," Tigress began.
"Isn't she a wonderful girl and Po such a wonderful boy? A father couldn't ask for a better son or daughter," said Mr. Ping.
"Oh yes, they wonderful," Tigress agreed, wanting to get to the point. Yet, Mr. Ping continued to talk.
"It only seems like yesterday, when I adopted them, such sweet kids," he said.
Many years ago
Mr. Ping walked up to Sun Set Orphanage. He was a very lonely goose and really wanted to have children. Yet, no woman caught his attention, so he figured adopting would be a good choice. After all lots of children need love and he had plenty of love to give. The orphanage was like many others. A caregiver showed him all the kids but none seemed to click with him. Just then in the back of a dark corner, he saw a black wolf dancing and a black and white panda playing a tune on a simple flute. A smile came to Mr. Ping, as he walked toward them.
The boy panda stopped playing and the wolf girl quit dancing. They just stopped and looked at Mr. Ping. "Hello," he said gently.
"Hello," said the wolf girl.
"Hi," said the panda boy.
"My name is Joseph Ping, what are your names?" he asked.
"My name is Sam and this is my brother Po," the wolf girl said and the panda nodded.
"Oh brother and sister huh, that is nice, I have one question for you two?" Mr. Ping asked.
"Um okay," Sam said nervously and Po held her paw.
"Do you two like noodles?" he asked.
"Well yeah but not if they are rubbery or uncooked, the noodles taste like rubber bands," Sam said.
"If you add some salt they are not that bad," Po said, finally speaking. Mr. Ping's face lit up and he turned to the caregiver.
"I want to adopt them," he said happily. The caregiver looked shocked as did Po and Sam.
"Wait, you want both of us?" Sam asked, not understanding his words.
"As in you want me and her?" Po asked pointing to himself and Sam.
"Yes, I would like to adopt both of you. Would you two like to come home with me?" he asked. They exchanged looks of surprise but broke out into smiles.
"Yes," they both said.
"Well then come on kids, we are going home," Mr. Ping said leading the kids away from the orphanage and towards their new home.
"Fine memories," he said smiling.
"I can see why," Viper said smiling at the sweet story.
"Yes, very nice um Mr. Ping the reason why we are here is we overheard about Po wanting to pay for Sam's operation," Tigress said.
"Ah, yes a sad time happened over a year ago, Sam caught this horrible disease and it left her blind. The only cure for it was a red ruby flower, sadly it cost so much. Po and I have been scrapping and saving to earn the money to buy the plant so the healers can use it to give Sam back her sight," Mr. Ping said sadly.
"How much money does Po need? We want to um help as a way to show our appreciation for all of his hard work," said Viper.
"Well, last time I checked the operation cost 5,000 gold pieces. The flower cost only 3,000 but the tools and time needed is 2,000. Po from last time he told me earned 2,000 gold pieces and I will give him the other 2,000 on his next trip here. So, all he needs is a 1,000 gold pieces," Mr. Ping said. "It so, nice of you and the other masters to help my children," he added.
"Of course, we consider Po a friend, thank you for your time Mr. Ping," Tigress said.
"Well, stop by again, and so, glad Po could meet the tiger that loved his soup all those years ago," Mr. Ping said smiling.
"Um, yeah it is really nice," Tigress admitted as the two females headed back to the palace. Once they got back they scrounged up all the money they had saved, from saving the village. Some villagers were often grateful and gave the five gifts from food, clothes, or sometimes money.
"Okay, I counted up the money and we have 1,000 gold pieces, now just to give it to Po," said Viper smiling.
"Hope he takes it," Tigress said.
Po was cooking dinner, the offer at the imperial palace, still weighing on his mind. It was a good idea to take the offer, but working for the emperor may not be so good. His freedom would be way limited, if he stayed at the palace, he could come and go as he pleased. Plus he didn't want to be so far away from his dad and sister. His dad would give him the other 2,000 he needed. Yet, at this rate he wouldn't make the 1,000 gold pieces he needed to pay for the operation. So, what should he do?
"Hey Po, can you come in here for a second," called Tigress.
"What is it Master Tigress?" Po asked. He saw the five all there and wondered what was going on.
"Um, we overheard that you wanted to pay for Sam's operation," said Tigress. Po was about to say something till Viper cut him off.
"If we overstepped a boundary, we apologize," Viper said.
"It is just you are the best chef we ever had," Mantis said.
"We just wanted to show our appreciation, for all your hard work," Monkey said.
"So, when we heard about what you wanted to do for your sister," Crane said.
"Viper and I went down to the village to ask your dad, how much more money you needed. Then once we learned we came back to see if we all have the money. And here it is the 1,000 gold pieces," Tigress said holding out a small bag of jingling coins. Po's eyes widened, there was the amount he needed to pay for the operation. Sam could see again, but should he take it? He had a huge decision to make.
Author's Note: Hope you all enjoyed this chapter and please review.
