Hunan Province, China
Chat lost Rena four times within the first hour after they arrived in the Hunan province. She would constantly dart off to booths to watch people making food, enter a shop to judge "artifacts", or wander to see what the locals did to occupy their time. While annoying to Chat, her curiosity and eagerness to talk to the people did lead them to Wang Cheng's Restaurant, people lining up to try his legendary food.
"He says Cheng Shifu is in the kitchen, if we wish to meet with him, they'll give us a table," informed Rena after speaking to one of the hosts.
"You speak Chinese?"
"You aren't the only one who reads about Ladybug. Unlike you though, I prefer her original notes that Marinette has on the archives."
Chat frowned as the host led them to a small table in the back of the restaurant. Any original notes of Ladybug he always had to look at the translated version from the university.
"Who does translate the notes at the university?"
Rena shrugged, her gaze wandering around the restaurant.
"It could be one of the linguist professors. Or Marinette," she offered.
"Marinette?"
"Her family is Chinese, she barely speaks it, but can read and write pretty well since she's a librarian."
Chat nodded as he rested his elbows on the table, drawing his hands together to rest his chin on them.
That would explain how Marinette was be able to translate the Ladybug notes. The next question was how much of the notes did Ladybug leave regarding the book? If only the book wasn't lost, maybe Ladybug would have left behind a translation guide could be put to good use, and provide them more answers regarding the resurrection cure.
"Chat." Rena's voice startled Chat out of his daze to see whom he presumed to be Marinette's great uncle, Wang Cheng.
"Cheng Shifu." Chat stood up and slightly bowed, the master chef returning the gesture before sitting down with him and Rena.
"English," asked Rena.
"Little, not very good."
Both Parisians nodded.
"Do you know Ladybug," asked Rena.
"Ladybug? Bug?"
"No, uh, woman searching for sacred jewel."
Cheng Shifu gaze them a confused look.
Considering this man was Marinette's great uncle, it could be alright to trust him. Marinette wouldn't have recommended him to them otherwise.
Chat reached into his back and pulled out the peacock fan wrapped in cheese cloth provided by the monks in Tibet, revealing enough of the jewel for Cheng Shifu to see.
"Oh, Mǎlǐ nèi tè, she was here with that. Very special mission."
Rena and Chat both leaned forward in their seats.
"Mǎlǐ nèi tè go to mystic with that. Very important she said. She came back, said she lost."
"Lost," asked Rena?
Cheng Shifu nodded.
"Well at least we know Ladybug wasn't trapped in the gem," offered Chat. Rena nodded before turning back to Cheng Shifu.
"Do you know the way to the mystic?"
"Yes, my family knows of her. But I, cannot take you. My grandson Zhang will take you, as he took Mǎlǐ nèi tè before."
"Thank you Cheng Shifu." Chat wrapped the jewel back up, placing it back into his bag.
"You are welcome, Chat Noir." One of the waiters approached Cheng Shifu, whispering something into his ear before leaving.
"For now, I insist you eat."
The waiter re-appeared with two traditional dishes, setting them before Chat and Rena.
"Enjoy!" Cheng Shifu stood, slightly bowing before returning to his domain.
"What do think Cheng Shifu meant by Ladybug saying she lost," asked Rena as she picked up her chopsticks, Chat doing the same.
"Maybe she didn't have a strong enough connection to the person inside the jewel. That would explain why father asked me to research into it."
"But if your father already knew this, why send you to Tibet when he knew you should go to the Hunan province instead."
"Unless Ladybug didn't give him all the details."
Rena and Chat looked at each, pieces of a puzzle set before them, with very few connecting pieces.
"That also means father knows Ladybug, and maybe even her whereabouts." Chat's face lit up at the possibility. Maybe his father could introduce them. Rena just looked to her plate and began to eat.
If Zhang spoke any English, he didn't bother as he silently led them to the outskirts of the village. Which Chat didn't mind so much, as Rena was raving about the food from Cheng Shifu, wanting have it at her wedding so long as they could find someone who would make it in Paris. Zhang would just smile at Rena's compliments, before resuming his focus on leading them to the mystic.
Chat made a mental note to thank Marinette for leading her to her great uncle, which left him wondering how Ladybug also managed to find Marinette's uncle. Being an archaeologist himself, he made acquaintances all over the world, so no doubt Ladybug had as well. But what were the odds that she would go to Marinette's uncle? Another piece to the puzzle.
At the end of a field, they came to a small house, big enough for only one person. It was made of wood, so probably constructed in more recent years for the mystic who lived inside.
Zhang gestured towards the house, Chat leading the way to the door, Rena following behind.
"Wait, we didn't get the mystic's name," Chat whispered to Rena. Rena turned to ask Zhang, only to find him several feet away, out of whispering distance.
"I don't think he likes this place," commented Rena as she turned back to face the door. Chat sighed, shaking his head as he turned to the door, knocking a few times.
The door opened for a tiny old woman, Chat not sure if she was smaller than Master Fu or not. She eyed them both suspiciously, shutting the door a little more when Rena stepped forward.
"Nǐ hǎo, wǒmen lái hé nǐ tán tán mǎlǐ nèi tè hé nǐ tánle shénme."
The woman looked between Chat and Rena, the door not budging.
"Show her the jewel." Rena elbowed Chat, who quickly reached for his bag and pulled out the jewel, revealing a portion of it to the old woman.
"Wǒmen yǒu wèntí."
The old woman nodded, opening her door to allow them in, quickly shutting it upon their entrance.
"Yīnwèi wǒ suǒ zhīdào de, cūnlǐ de rénmen dōu jiào wǒ fēngle," the woman began speaking as she led them into her hovel.
"The people of the village call me crazy because of what I know," Rena translated.
"Nàgè nǚhái zhīqián dàizhe yīgè nǚhái lái dào zhèlǐ. Zhèyàng de xīwàng."
"A girl came here before with that thing. Such hope."
"Zhǐyǒu yòng wǒ dehuà lái fěnsuì tā."
"Only with my words to crush it."
The woman sat at one end of a fire pit, long burnt out, Chat and Rena taking seats opposite of her.
"Nǐ xiédài de bǎoshí, rúguǒ lànyòng, jiàgé fēicháng kěpà."
"The jewel which you carry, if misused comes at a terrible price."
"Wǒ de zǔxiān céngjīng fúyìguò, zhǎngwòguò lànyòng zhūbǎo de rén, shǐ tā de jūnduì bèi shìfàng."
"My ancestors once serviced a master who abused the jewels, costing him his army to be freed."
"Ask her how we free a person from it."
Rena nodded before turning to the woman.
"Xūyào shénme lái shìfàng yīgè rén?"
The woman sighed, shaking her head.
"Yīgè rén yào bèi shìfàng, lìng yīgè rén bìxū tìdài tāmen de wèizhì."
"For a person to be freed another must take their place."
Chat felt right then the wind sucked out of him. Ladybug couldn't free his mother before because she would have had to trade places. His father probably had thought his love for his mother would push Chat to sacrifice someone, whether it be himself or his faithful companion, Rena.
He could feel Rena place a hand on his back, knowing she was trying to comfort him, but it made him feel worse knowing his father assumed Chat would be so willing to sacrifice his dearest friend. Maybe if he was the one to explain the situation to his father, he would see reason.
"I see," came Gabriel's voice over the phone at the Cheng's restaurant. Chat and Rena had returned a little over an hour ago, just as the restaurant began to close. Wang Cheng offered them a place to stay for the night, which Chat accepted. He just needed to explain the situation to his father first.
"As much as I miss my mother, I'm not going to sacrifice my mother or anyone here. I know she wouldn't want that."
Chat could hear Gabriel's labored breathing on the other end, trying to accept the news as best as he could.
"You did your best Adrien. I'm sure she would be proud."
"Plus we have all the great memories of her. That should be what matters."
"You're right. I'll let Nathalie know and have you on a flight out tomorrow morning."
"Thank you Father."
Gabriel hung up the call before goodbye could be exchanged, Chat reluctantly placing the phone the receiver.
"How'd your old man take it?" Chat looked up to see Rena approaching, dressed in traditional Chinese sleeping wear.
"As well as could be expected. It will probably take some time for him to accept she is really gone."
"And you?"
Chat sighed, "I solved her mystery. I just only wish there was another way. If we had the book-"
Rena cut him off with a hug, Chat slowly hugging her back. Then Rena began to squeeze tight, Chat eventually having trouble breathing.
"Rena… air," Chat gasped, Rena letting go a few moments later.
"Just a reminder to live," she teased before retreating to the main house behind the restaurant. Chat smiled, patting his bag where the jewel was nestled. He was still alive, and he still remembered his mother well and the good times they shared. That would be enough.
I apologize if the Chinese is incorrect. I used Google translate and you know what they say about Google translate and context.
