Another Note : It has been more than three weeks since I've uploaded chapter 26, and as I said, this chapter will be the last filler before I can start with the next story arc. And also, thank you all who read my story during the time when my third of middle school has started. So I just wanna say that your support and love will always be gratefully appreciated and damn... where do I even begin, this story has managed to surpass 100K words, I never knew my hands could go THAT far in writing?! Now with that's being said, the story ( or this filler ) shall begin now!
Chapter 27 : Cook-off Battle
Today was Sunday, the final day of the weekend. At this moment, I'm in my room doing some double checking on the minigun I've created. Right now, I'm just inspecting the tubes, the structure and overall the whole thing just in case for it not to backfire on me, but I mostly imagined how this awesome thing gonna work if successful, as you can see, this minigun can now held twenty Roman candles now as I did some few modification again, but I need an extra ten Roman candle for maximum functionality of this bad boy I made. I soon finished the double check and covered the minigun with the white blanket on my working desk beforeI slide the door of my room open and exited my room while sliding it closed back. I continued my morning walk and eventually found Po chilling at the Hall Of Warriors as he stares at the morning sky. I then quietly approached him from the behind and flick him at the back of his head.
"Ow! Master Shifu! What was that fo-" He exclaimed while he ceased his sentence as he noticed me. "Oh morning Lukas! Why you did that?" He asked.
"Well you looked so focus, so tapping your back or shoulder might not work, so I choose a little brutality to solve this for me." I jested. "Anyway, are you excited for the finest chefs in the Valley Of Peace to have a competition at today's night?" I asked.
"Oh you know it, this my dad we're talking about, I haven't seen him went all out cooking for a while." He exclaimed excitedly. Wait? I never seen Mr. Ping went all out on cooking before too. The noodle he made regularly is simply very delightful, but if he goes out all on cooking, I may gonna have multiple foodgasm at once if any of those food lands on my tongue.
"Who do you think is gonna win?" I asked.
"My dad mostly wins a lot of competition back then, but I do hope he still has his skills as he was young back then." He said.
"I don't know Po, I'm getting this feeling that your dad's old rival Chang might have a BIG surprise or a trump card for the competition this time." I spoke worriedly.
"Even he does, my dad will always be victorious not matter what!" He propounded confidently.
"If that's what's you think... then I wish good luck for your dad at his competition." I said before giving Po a fist pump and head down to the Valley's village as I descended down from the long stairs. Taking a good walk can certainly calm your mind and body down, but what caught my eyes was when I approached the center of the village, I could see a two large wide table placed vertically with some fresh ingredients placed on the bowls on the table and has another two table, but these tables are shorter and being placed horizontally, which I do not know what's that's for, I might think it's there preparing for the competition, I'll see for tonight.
I continued my walk as I decided to go somewhere else. While enjoying the lively view of the snowy village, what makes this more relaxing was I heard a dou band of musician playing some music on the side of the road, it sounded really good and relaxing, like its candy for my ears, the music consisted a well mixed of the instruments the erhu and the pipa, I smiled softly at the relaxing music and continued my walk. I thought of a great idea, what should I do. I thought that I should play some cards games, but I have absolutely do not know ancient Chinese cards games are, so I let see... AHA! Another idea just came up to my mind.
I continued my walk and eventually made my way to a nearby store. Before I enter the store, I take a good look of the outside of the store it looks a big common Chinese house with a curved roof and navy roof tiles. After taking a good look of the outside part, I entered the store. The inside also too looked common as the whole place is made of thick wood and has few red lantern hanging on the roof, the lantern was not lit up due to sun giving us light for rest of the daytime. I walked to counter before a young pig with dark yellow robe widens his eyes as he saw me.
"M-Master Lukas! What a surprise to-" I soon cut him off.
"Please drop the word "master' would you sir, call me Lukas instead alright?" I asked politely. He then calms and continued speak.
"A-Alright, What can I assist you with, Lukas?" He asked while being reluctant as he called my name without the word "master" on it. What is up with everyone calling me a master even though I'm not a master yet, I'm just a fricking student of the Jade Palace.
"Do you have any thick papers around here, sir?" I asked. He then pointed his hoof at the left corner of the building. "Thanks." I thanked, walking over to the corner he pointed out for me to go. I looked around the big wooden shelves that between me as I could see it holds some few nice looking vases, lanterns, plates, bowls, pretty much decorative stuffs. I walked to another shelves and saw a small sign said "物料", luckily Shifu and the others taught me some extra Chinese text before I can wander around the village. I peaked closer to the shelves and found some blank white papers! "Just what I need." I uttered to myself while taking more than a handful of these thick papers. I walked to the counter and asked the clerk about the price of these thick papers.
"That will be fifteen yuan please." He requested. I search my pocket and found the right amount of currency and paid for the thick papers. He soon put all those thick papers in a small brown bag. "Thank you, have a wonderful day, M-Master-" He stopped himself for a moment and taking a deep breath before continued speaking to me. "Have a wonderful day, Lukas." He corrected himself. I waved my hand lightly as I say goodbye to him and the store as I'm going back to the Jade Palace to think of something to do with these thick papers.
"Guess that's all I need for today." I thought while staring deeply at the empty white blankness of the thick papers that I'm holding. While I make my way back to the Jade Palace, which was I'm just half way there, I accidentally bumped into someone as I fell on my ass to the cold ground while the person dropped a small wooden crate filled with scrolls as they all rolled out. I quickly looked at the person I bumped into and it was that red vixen again. She soon patted off all the dust of her same clothing that she wore and soon noticed me. Her eyes has quickly widens, her ears, her tails has perked up and also her fur is seemed to stands up, kinda looks like when she got struck by a lightning bolt.
"O-Oh my! I'm deeply sorry for not seeing you Master L-Lukas!" She apologized in stuttering manner. She released a very nervous laugh and smile. I quickly stood up from the ground and gave her a hands up. "T-Thanks." She thanked. After I helped her up, she then crouched down before she began to picking those dropped scrolls up, I stood beside her.
"No need to apologize, in fact, it was my fault for not looking." I assured. "Here... let me help you pickup these scrolls." I bended in a crouching position and started by setting the small wooden crate on a safe position on the ground and start picking up the scrolls and setting them back inside the small crate. After finishing setting these scrolls back to their rightful place, I stood up and handed the small crate to hand politely. She gave me a warm smile.
"Your quite a gentleman for a someone who's going to be new master at the Jade Palace soon." She spoke. I chortled.
"Thanks." I thanked. As I sensed the awkwardness was beginning to form and grow, I quickly light up a normal conversation. "By the way, I didn't quite catch your name back there." I asked, which caused her to gasp in excitement, but I then calmed her down with a gesture.
"My name's Xiaoli." She introduced herself. "And you need no introduction, after all your the 'Great Lukas'! More people are now talking about you, as well some there are even fans of you!" She said. I took a quiet breath before speaking.
"Hey, let's just forget about all these "formalities" and treat me as a normal friend." I assured her. Her friendly expression soon turned to a very frantic one. Which made me quite worried of her. "Hey Xiaoli, what's wrong?" I asked worriedly. She then calm herself down, but still remain a little frantic.
"Oh nothing, I just remembered something very important to do." She responded with a calm yet a little frantic tone. She start walking and start quickening her pace afterwards until she was now out of sight. I take a look down to the ground as I noticed something on the ground. I take a closer look to the ground as I crouched down. It looks a scroll... oh crap, maybe I forget to get this scroll back in that small crate of hers. I bended down a little as I picked it up and placed it in my pants pocket and I'll return the missing scroll back when I see her again. I glanced back at the way she went off as I hope I would soon see her tomorrow.
While continuing my way back, I finally reached the front of the Jade Palace after climbing the thousand steps staircase. I head back to my room as I set scroll from Xiaoli that I forgotten to pick up as I put inside the drawer in my workbench. Put the small brown bag on my bed and take out the thick papers off the sag and put them all on my wooden desk as I soon beginning pondering ideas out of my brain for what to do with these papers. Soon a fun idea finally revealed itself in my brain. The idea was I'm gonna try making a card game. Yup, you heard me loud and clear folks, a goddamn card game that I'm gonna try to make. I took a seat on the wooden chair shifted to my desk, I opened the drawer of the desk and pick up a thin brush, a small black scissor and a very small jar filled with black ink, I began by cutting the thick papers into small card-sized and soon tipped the thin brush into the jar of black ink and began writing and drawing some few card's icon that I still remembered in my world and time.
After almost half an hours of redrawing and memorizing the symbols and numbers of the card games I played back then. The work has resulted me creating fifty-two "classic cards". I take a look at the cards I made and I gotta say it looks pretty well-drawn... the king card, queen card and the jack card is drawn less-detailed, but who actually gives a shit in ancient China anyway. I putted the rest of all the thick papers in a drawer of my desk. I grabbed a wooden crate at a very small size. I put all the fifty-two cards inside the very small sized crate and head out of my room. My ears slightly perked up as I heard my friends are conversing at their "usual spot". After making my way to the kitchen, I found everyone is chatting having a snack time. Soon all of their eyes are now gazed upon me.
"Hey guys, check what I've made." I said setting the small-sized crate on the table and opens the cover as I took three cards out and show it to them. All of their face are now filled with curiosity and interest.
"What in the world are these?" Monkey asked while he take one card from my and start inspecting it.
"Hey give that back!" I exclaimed as I took the card back from Monkey's grasp. "Be careful with these, there not made out of tough materials." I explained. But Viper slithered towards me and take a look it the cards I've made.
"Looks somewhat familiar with the game mahjong to me." Viper scratched her chin with her chain with a perplexed look on her face.
"No, it's a card game that I used to play in my country." I replied.
"What are these 'card games' you mean?" Mantis asked while he hopped closer for a better look at the cards that I've made.
"If any of you ever play mahjong, raise your hand." I asked. It pretty obvious that Monkey and Mantis has played them, Crane also raised his wing, but he said he only tried it once and what surprised me was... Po? "You play mahjong too Po?" I asked him which made him nodded.
"Yeah, I've played it sometimes or occasionally with my dad and other people I know as well." Po said.
"So how do you play this "card games" then?" Tigress asked while taking few cards from the small crate and start examining it while holding it carefully on her paw.
"Well card games can be played in lots of ways, but the one I know and played is called 'Speed'." I said. Everyone tilted their head slightly as they heard the word "speed".
"What the hell is 'Speed' supposed to be-" Before Mantis could finish his sentence, I cut off by explaining the how to play it.
I start by clearing my throat for a second before explaining. "It's been a quite a while since I've played this game in my country, say I may not gonna explain it perfectly, but I'm willing to try my best to explain how to play." Everyone nodded as they've understand. "The game speed is a card game consisted of two players sitting across on a table. To win this game, one of the player will only won by placing the card numbers above or one below so that the card as both players continue on." Monkey raised his hand dor question.
"Like how?" He aksed.
"For example when you have a five, you can place a six or a four on the five and it count for any number." They've all nodded. "Whenever the number of cards in a player's hands, paw or whatever has drops below five, he or she has to draw back up to five cards until that player's draw pile is depleted. Once we start the game with the card setup, each player will placed one card at the center of the table with it being on its back, next is each players having five cards will be dealt with five cards, while the other beside them while have fifteen, that means each player will have twenty cards, and the rest of ten will be split in five card pile that will be placed between the players as they will acted as 'backups cards' when you and your opponent's card cannot match one another, so just flip them at the same time, if not, try again and until one of you gets the correct card number and the game shall resume." I explained, pouring out the cards. "Before we began let me show the differences of each cards. Her's number 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and these are the tricky ones, here's the J card, which means the word 'Jack', which is the number 11, here's the Q card, which means the 'Queen of Hearts', which is number 12, and here the K card, which means the "King of Spades', which means number 13." Before I could finish, Po asked a question.
"But where's number 'one'?" Po asked.
"Good observation Po, but we're getting there right now." I assured. "As I was saying... and this." I busted out an another card. "This is an A card, which means the word "Ace", which is number 14 and number 1 as the card A is both a high and low card, considered the card's value above a K card as well as one below number 2, so that this card will form a looping sequence in the game." I explained. "Does anyone understand while having any question?" I asked a loud, only silent answered me. "No one? Great! Let's get started!" I said pouring all of the cards that I made by myself and start randomizing it. We all start doing the "spin the bottle" test to determined who's gonna play first. Once the bottle stopped spinning, it pointed at... me... anyway. The second spinner has pointed Crane. After the two players has been decided, everyone take a step away from the kitchen's table as the match will be me versus Crane. I started by dividing the 52 cards into 26 for me and Crane. After finishing dividing the deck of the cards and explaining the whole rules about the game Speed, now here comes the "fun" part.
"Ready?" I asked. Crane smirked as he also has some few experiences like these.
"More ready than you are." Crane said in a cocky manner. While both of us has five cards on our hand... or wing for him. We soon begin the match by flipping over the two at the center. It appears I got a 5 and Crane got a 9. I swiftly took a quick glanced at my 5 card deck as I got 6, 9, two 8 and a Q... okay, not a bad start. But what makes me worried is that I DO NOT know what Crane got in his sleeves. I wasted no time and start placing my 6 on my 5, and Crane placed a 8 on his 9 and a 7 on my 6, which I took my opportunity and place my 8 on his 7 follow-up with my 9 on my 8. I quickly look at my deck and I have now two cards, I soon took three cards at a stack of fifteen cards stack beside my right hand. I look again and now I got a 2, J, 10. Dammit! I better wait for Crane to put a card and I'll see any opportunity passes. As I waited, he puts a 9 on my 8. My eyes widens slightly as I quickly put my 10 in his 9 while following up with my J and quickly putting my 8 on his other 9. Crane and I soon start picking up cards as we filled both of our deck, I took a quick glance and it appears I got a 4, 3, a A card. My luck is really itching to fuck up me up in this game. As again, I must wait for him to make a move. I soon heard him chuckled lightly as he took a quick glance at his current deck.
"What so funny?" I questioned with an uneasy felling building up inside my body as sweats starts forming and slowly raining down from my forehead.
"Oh jeez, I should've done this like few minutes ago!" Crane said as his body tensed up as he skillfully and instantaneously placing down all the cards on my both stacks, I tried to counter back or least read what card he's placing, but the placing speed of the avian was far too quick for me. I took a quick look at Crane who now holding no cards, I glanced down to the table and... my jaw dropped wide open as he finished the match in blink of an eye. I took a calm, deep breath while processing my defeat. "Hey, there no need to be embarrassed about this since a starter beaten you at this game." He teased which made me flinched for a second. I let out a nervous laugh as I heard three laughter in this kitchen.
"Oh he got you good Lukas!" Po spoke.
"Damn right he did!" Monkey joining Po by his side while Mantis hopped on his shoulder.
"You should've seen the look on your face!" Mantis added, which made Viper slither towards them.
"Hey! Give this poor guy a break would you!" Viper spoke with a slight irritation as she defended my pride. The three then soon closed their mouth quickly for good. I took another deep breath as I exhale all the frustration out of my mind.
"Yeah, nothing be embarrassed about." I muttered as I repeated Crane's words and giving him a friendly smile. "Anyway... what in the hell was that trick of yours?" I asked curiously.
"You see, I was gathering the right "rhythm" and waited for the perfect opportunity." He explained. Oh now I get it what he means. He gathers all the right cards like a "rhythm" and uses the other cards to cover-up his real strategy. We all checked outside of the window and there was no longer bright light shining down. It was now nighttime. Po's ears perked up as he remembered something important.
"My dad's competition match!" He shouted as he nearly forgotten the cooking competition from his father.
My eyes widens up as I almost forget about Mr. Ping's match tonight as well. "Then what are we waiting for?" I quickly stood out of the chair. "Let's go! We got a match to see tonight!" I raised my right hand in the air. Everyone nodded and quickly rushed out of the kitchen.
After dashing our way down to the village, it was a very beautiful sight. Basically the large amount snow that covered the ground is still here with us all while bright red lantern are hung on houses and taller buildings as well as kids playing with each other. Once we reached the center of the village, I could see the same two large wide table at the same spot again, but it was now covered with a blank white blanket and has a goat, goose, rabbit and pig sitting on the long wide table, probably the people whose gonna be doing all the judges and determine the winner. I think we don't need find a good spot to watch the match due to the small height of thepeople in this village, but there are some few people around here that has the same or taller height than me and my friends. Then the rabbit stood up from his chair as he cleared his throat before speaking, gaining the attention of all the audience that's surrounds this whole place.
"Ladies and gentlemen! We are very pleased to see you all again from the last three years. Now that we're back! Let's these two magnificent chefs show you all what new skills they've developed from these years!" The rabbit announced as Mr. Ping and Chang walked on the opposite side of the town's road. Everyone made a clear passage for him and Chang while they've made their way to the cooking area. Mr. Ping and Chang soon meet up and exchanges few glares at each other.
"We've meet again, old friend." The flamingo in white robe greeted as he's spoke face to face with Mr. Ping. The goose then chuckled lightly.
"Indeed, I am quite hoping to win this match just like last time." Mr. Ping mentioned with a grin filled high confidence. It was that last time they've both compete, but Mr. Ping was victorious and Chang was left shattered from his utter defeat. As what my friend Po said that he thinks his dad's gonna win, but I still somewhat having a doubtful feeling about the results of this match, even if Mr. Ping is gonna win, I believe he's gonna have a good struggle for a moment.
"Let the match..." The rabbit started the countdown with his hand raised. The two chefs made a mad dash to each of their own table filled with equipments and ingredients, both shooting few more glares at each other. "BEGIN!" After the countdown as the rabbit placed down his paw ooh his table. Both chefs begin by grabbing a large dark brown pot that's been filled with water and put it on a small-sized stove made out of bricks next to their tables as they light the stove up.
They both grabbed a chopping board while placing a large variety of vegetables and ingredients. But Mr. Ping was going for his iconic and well-known noodle soup with the "secret ingredient". After chopping the vegetables and adding ingredients into the boiling water inside of the pot. They both began to stir the content inside the pot as two delicious aroma taking over the air. My nose instantly recognized the smell of Mr. Ping's noodle and this new smell coming from Chang's soup as well.
The rabbit soon stood up again. "Time's up!" He announced as the two chefs finished their cooking in time. Mr. Ping was the first to let them have a taste of his noodle soup. The goose grabs four simple looking small bowl, pour the noodle soup on each bowl with a ladle and set the four bowls on the table of the judgers with a tray. The four judger later grabbed a pair of chopstick for themselves as they grab a hold of noodle and dipping it into the soup. They all took put the noodle into their as very quiet slurping sound can be heard, there're eyes widens while making satisfying moan. "Impressive as ever Mr. Ping." The rabbit complimented while the others judgers nodded their head slowly in agreement and continued eating. Chang releases a low grunt as he heard the judgers complimented his rival, but a sly smile formed on his face. After he finished his cook by adding a final touch. Mr. Ping was shocked as his rival has made the same noodle as his, even to me and my friends watching were taken by surprise, especially Po, he has hoped his father to win but this time is completely different... Chang has a trump card.
"I knew it!" I muttered to myself. I shift my gaze to Po as his face has quite an display of agitation.
"Oh no, oh no!" Po muttered nervously. I approached him from behind and tap his shoulder. He soon turned to me. "Oh jeez, my dad is in big trouble!" He said nervously.
"Don't worry about it Po, I know your dad is in trouble but trust, have faith in him." I assured him while I pat his shoulder again and go back to my previous position. I took a glance at Po again and he seemed to be calming down now. I let out a sign of slight relief as I continued to watch. Chang pour the noodle soup into four bowl of his own and sets them in the table of the judgers with a tray. The judgers began sharing doubtful glances at each other as they're expecting Chang is gonna lose again. They soon averted their gaze back to Chang. A half-heartedly smirk formed on the rabbit as he leaned slightly from his chair before he speak.
"Remember last time?" The rabbit mentioned. It was that time when Chang tried his well-known fried rice, but it didn't come close to Mr. Ping's noodle soup.
"Yes, and what about it?" Chang asked.
"I was hoping that you've improved this time." The rabbit said. But Chang merely smirking upon hearing the word 'improved'. Soon afterwards, the rabbit sat back on his chair and take the pair chopsticks and slurped. Their tongue was instantly caught off guard by the taste of this new thing. They've thought that Chang was gonna disappoint them again and lose this year. But this time, they were wrong, they were very wrong this time. Chang chucked calmly before letting words flying out of his beak.
"So how is it?" Chang asked with a nervous smile. The rabbit remains silent for a few good second before he averting his gaze back to Chang. "So how is it?" Chang repeated his previous sentence. The rabbit soon snapped out of his small trance as Chang let out a nervous laugh before signed.
"This is quite impressive." The rabbit said. "Please excuse us for a moment." The rabbit requested. After the judgers soon stood up after finishing Chang's cook. Every one of them huddled up as low whispers can be heard. They've all break the huddle and turn their gaze back to Chang with stern look in their faces. Chang's heart began to beat faster as the stares he's receiving from the judgers. He scratches the back of his head before speaking.
"S-So? How w-was it?" Chang repeatedly again as he asked in a jittery manner while stuttering. The rabbit then clears his throat as a sly smile formed on his face which made Chang more nervous while Mr. Ping was smirking at his rival that's he's standing besides to.
"I was going pick Mr. Ping to be the winner..." the rabbit said before continuing. "... but with this noodle soup of yours, I'll make an exception." Chang's eyes instantly widens as his heart skipped a beat. The phrase of "I'll make an exception" has left him in utter shock. He was frozen on his spot as he couldn't comprehend what he have heard, but he managed to snapped back to reality.
"W-w-what?!" He stuttered. The rabbit soon released a light laugh as he gave the flamingo an friendly pat on his back.
"Don't you get it? This is time, you've managed to win!" The rabbit announced the winner. Chang soon jumped in the air while flailing his both wings in the air. After the blissful moment of Chang soon ends, the flamingo approached Mr. Ping with a grinned with every drop of pride filled inside of within him.
"So Ping? How does it feel to lose?" The flamingo taunted as he expecting Mr. Ping to be upset or at least frown, but instead, Mr. Ping gave him a warm genuine smile. Chang was shocked to see his old rival smiling, it's been more than twenty-five years to the see the smile of his old rival... no it was not his old rival nor anything, but it was from his old friend. Chang was left speechless from what he's witnessing. He tries to speak but Mr. Ping went first.
"Congratulation." Mr. Ping simply said with a warm smile on his face.
"B-But you've lost the match! Are you... upset or anything?!" Chang questioned with confusion.
"No... I'm fine, plus I'm very happy for you! You've finally pushed yourself to the point that your 'more' than an equal to me." Mr. Ping complimented. Chang was still didn't understand any of these.
"I-I don't get it? Why are you happy for me? All of a sudden what has gotten inside of that head of yours!?" Chang demanded an answer. Yet Mr. Ping remained calm and smile warmly as ever which infuriates the flamingo further. "Stop messing with my head!" Chang yelled which made the whole audience went dead silent while few covered their mouth with their paws/hooves/wings. Po's body was shaking along with his paw is forming into a fist. He then took a small step and another one and another one. I soon got bad vibes if I just stand here and do nothing. I again approached Po from behind and put my hand on his shoulder.
"Po! What do you think your doing?" I whisper while yelling as quiet as I can. Po ignored my calls and kept walking, until I put grip my hand tighter on his shoulder while stopping his movement with a forceful pull. He turned around at me with a calm face, yet it i senses indignant in his facial expression. "Po! What are you doing?" I repeated my question again.
"My dad... yesterday... we've both had a talk about this competition, that he had decided to break this bitter rivalry between them both." He muttered." And this is what my father get for trying to reach out to an old rival again who was once his best friend! No! I can't take this anymore!" Po explained exasperatedly. My face soon displayed it's calculating side as my brain trying to think what to say next.
"Po, remembers, have faith in your father, he knows what he's doing and it may look risky for their 'remaining shreds' of friendship, but sometime a man have to take a risk, and your gonna trust and respect him for that." I assured with a calm and assuring tone. Po then managed to calm down himself again and nodded as we both stood in this spot as we both continued watching. But this time, I'll stay a little closer to him, just in case.
"You just don't get it, do you?" Mr. Ping spoke.
"I don't get it?! NO! YOU'RE THE ONE WHO DOES NOT GET IT! You don't even know how much pain and distress you've inflicted on me?!" Chang yelled, but Mr. Ping kept smiling warmly. "And you don't even have the rights to smile at front of me!" Chang stated. Soon Mr. Ping cast away his smile and place it with a straight glare.
"Chang! Will you please listen to me!" Mr Ping exclaimed as he silenced Chang.
"But you-" Chang was then cut off by Mr. Ping.
"That's the problem! You don't listen to the advise and tips that I gave you, all because you always wanted to do things yourself without the help of another, that's the main reason why you kept losing from me when we were kids!" Mr. Ping stated. Chang opens his mouth but no words flies out if it as he lowered his head. Mr. Ping signed as he slowly approached him. "Chang... please, let just put aside our bitter past and move on as best friends again." Mr. Ping suggested. Chang reluctantly shook his head slowly. "Please?" Mr. Ping pleaded. Soon a small sobbing beginning to form from the flamingo while it soon can be heard for the audience.
"*sobbing* A-All I w-wanted is your a-acknowledgement." Chang admitted it after hiding his tears for almost more than two decades. Mr. Ping then approached him and wrapped his wing around his old friend's back.
"There, there, there's nothing to be sad about, you've got what you've wanted... my acknowledgement." Mr. Ping uttered while smiling with his eyes closed. The rabbit soon rose up from his small chair and starts clapping slowly, the clapping quickens when his fellow judgers clapping and soon the whole inhabitants of the village are clapping while shouting and then it gotten down to me and my friends start clapping as well. Mantis soon hopped on my shoulders.
"See, I told you they'll get along somehow." Mantis mentioned. I signed before chuckling at my little friend on my shoulder.
"Heh... well I'm really glad they've did." I replied with a soft and hushed tone.
After more than two hours later, everyone in village went back to their houses while some workers arrived to remove the tables and the two stoves out of the snowy ground. We've also heard that Chang was gonna invite Mr. Ping to his place to teach him, maybe even train his other chefs to cook better and hangout for their old time's sake. Me and my friends bid Mr. Ping and Chang goodnight while we all headed back to the Jade Palace and later on getting some shut-eye.
Author Note : So, what do you guys think about the 'crappy emotional' scene about Mr. Ping and his old rival Chang (*ahem* he's another OC of mine) that I've made? Well anyway, I was able to get some free time after returning from school and write bit by bit at home until I've managed to finished writing this chapter. With the fillers have finally ended, I can now move on with the next arc!
And also, my story has now reached around 14,3K views, which I didn't expect my story to reached that much! You guys are flipping awesome! By the way, if you wanna know how I write the scene when Lukas and Crane were playing the card game 'Speed'? I literally have to buy a whole card pack and fucking played it all by myself in my room... it was frustrating at first, but I was able to cope with it.
As always, any feedbacks, reviews, questions and constructive criticisms would be much appreciated and see you guys in the next story arc which I'm now planning for!
Edit September 15th 2018 : I've finally made my decision of deleting that unnecessary chapter called 'Author Note : to all guest who reviewed my story', because I think when I was writing that pointless chapter less than a year ago, that chapter was just an author of me asking guests to make account so they can give my story 'real' reviews, so yeah, I was thinking I was acting selfish and rude there back then. I even thought about this decision few days ago about deleting that pointless chapter of my past self asking for guests to do things for my crave for popularity, now I've learned that the only way to gain popularity is that I gotta keep writing and improving. Thanks you all for reading this edit, I'm just really glad that I've removed that author note that has those selfish request in it.
