Number 22: Mother Nature

Ling Tong followed Sun Ce into the restaurant, mildly appalled to see it was in fact a nice joint. Sure, there weren't any grey haired ladies with dead foxes wrapped around their shoulders, but it wasn't entirely a place for his ripped jeans and Sun Ce's leather jacket. Still, Sun Ce had a coupon and fuck the stares he was getting some lunch.

The waitress stared at them for a long moment before leading them to a table near the back. Probably hoping to keep them away from everybody else. Sun Ce of course was entirely okay with what was happening, walking with his casual strut and grinning at one of the hot waitress in the tight pants. Ling Tong wondered where he could get some of that confidence and how the hell Sun Ce pulled it off so well without ever looking like a complete ass. Looking over the menu, they each found the cheapest thing- being college students they had iron stomachs- and began waiting for their drinks.

An hour later their food finally came and Ling Tong had gone through three glasses of coke and Mother Nature was calling. Staring at the food for a moment, he excused himself and ran towards where he hoped the bathrooms were. Sun Ce didn't even look up from his plate as he waved him away. It took a moment and the help of a snooty waiter to find it.

Feeling far better than he had when he had entered, he strutted down towards his table, hoping his food was still warm. And that it was there. He wasn't sure, but Sun Ce could have eaten it. Living with Gan Ning for so long he had become paranoid over his food. If and when he ever got a girlfriend, the habits he had acquired from living with the Neanderthal could prove trying on the lady.

Giving a snort at those thoughts, he was more than mildly shocked to bump into somebody, sending them falling down onto their rump with a shriek as her tray clattered against the floor. The room suddenly was very quiet. Ling Tong instantly fell to the floor to help her, face as red as his shirt. "I am so very sorry," he said, staring over the waitress in complete distress.

"I should have been watching where I was going, sir," she said, sitting up and quickly smoothing her skirt. She must have worn them often as quickly and effortlessly as she did it. "I hope you are alright?"

Ling Tong nodded, almost in awe of her. She was a lot like Da Qiao, but different. Far more doll like. Almost eerie with her features. Her hair smooth, face seemed planned and fixed to look that way. She also had that Da Qiao look down. Which was, face perfectly still and poise, the only thing hinting at her mood was the tone and the slight lift of her head. They had to of gone to the same Ladies School, or whatever they were called.

"That is good, sir," she said with a slight upturn of her lips. Subtle features.

"Is everything alright over here, Xing Cai?" a very familiar voice said, sending a shiver up Ling Tong's spine. It couldn't be. He glanced up slowly, over the shined shoes, black slacks, ironed white button up shirt to the black goatee and soul freezing green eyes. Zhuge Liang, the Professor from Hell. Fucking shit.

She, however, turned back to him with a gracious smile. "Yes. Just an accident," she shrugged.

Zhuge Liang's gaze moved from her to him in a sort of eerie slowness that made Ling Tong choke on his own throat. Because Zhuge Liang was the sort of professor that inspired you to do the impossible. "Hn. Mr. Ling Tong, what a pleasure to see you off campus," he said with that if this conversation does not precede exactly how I want it to, you shall fall into a dark world of pain and chaos voice. Which it likely could since he and his damn banging wife were both big wigs on campus.

"Sir," Ling Tong coughed out, forcing himself to straighten and not look like the whipped pussy that he was. Off to the side he could see Sun Ce, who had probably come to see if everything was alright, only to now slink off at the sight of Zhuge Liang. Some fucking friend he was.

"Xing Cai, since all is well," he extended a hand, helping her up, "I shall take my leave. Yue Ying is in the car, and probably becoming impatient. I am glad things are going well for you now. Ling Tong, I look forward to seeing you Friday. I am sure you will do exemplary on the test."

Oh fuck, Ling Tong simply nodded smiling, rigid and refusing to breathe until he was gone. A giggle made him completely deflate, blushing a bit as he glanced over to see Xing Cai hiding her face behind her hands as she laughed at him. "You're going to hurt my ego," he said.

She calmed quickly, glancing back up at him. "My apologies than, sir. Ah, if you'll excuse me, I need to…"

"Right. Yeah, of course." He blushed more than she did, which was more humiliating then running into her, and quick walked back to his table.

"Smooth Romeo," Sun Ce said a toothpick bouncing as he talked.

"Yeah, thanks for the save Mercutio," Ling Tong said, sliding into the chair. Sun Ce just laughed, moving to cleaning his teeth with the splinter. Ling Tong moved to fix his hair. It was growing out again, his hair always grew too fast, and the ponytail was back.

"I think your foods cold, by the way." Sun Ce said with a laugh. "Going to be even more of an ass and complain?"

Ling Tong glared harder. "What happened to you being cool?"

"Stop being so sensitive. Look, you can't complain." Ling Tong raised an eyebrow, mildly confused, until he saw the black hip apron thing to his side. Glancing up he saw her again.

"As an apology," she said, serving the large plate of chocolate cake with enough icing to probably kill somebody, and then fudge to top it off. Ling Tong couldn't stop the smile. "If you want, we can recook your food," she said indicating to the plate of spaghetti to the side.

"This is fine," Ling Tong said with a smile, eyeing the cake still.

"This'll be all then. Check please?" Sun Ce said, almost ruining the moment. He would have had they not been on a relatively tight schedule to catch the subway back.

"Of course, sir," she said, giving him that polite smile. She walked off to go retrieve it.

"You going to share?"

"No." Sun Ce started to pout. Two minutes into it, Ling Tong gave in and got him a slice. Xing Cai came back, and handed Ling Tong the check, before turning on her heel and rushing to the other lady that was screaming for help with the four trays she had to carry to a large family table.

Ling Tong handed it over to Sun Ce, who shook his head and opened it. "It's for you, you damn ignorant jackass." Sun Ce handed back part of a torn napkin, barely holding back his laughter. Ling Tong reached for it, happily amazed to see a phone number on it.

So, some people wanted Shu. I'm slowly getting them in the story. I hope to see more of Zhuge Liang in the story because hellish teachers are fun! And, I'll admit, the Ling Tong x Xing Cai thing snuck up on me when I was half ass planning ahead on this story. It's been sort of there like a "eh, whatever" couple since Warriors Orochi and she's all bitchy with Ling Tong and Gan Ning, but I don't know. I think I like it actually. And, for the sake of stopping any incoming arguments/comments, I have not forgotten about Gan Ning and his little wet dream. It'll play out, eventually. I promise.

Anyway, I need your help!

Should Yue Ying be a red head or a brunette?

Any specific characters you wish to see return (a few have disappeared for a while...) or make appearance?

Any other couples that I should consider (crack or not! C'mon!)?

Winter Break is coming for our college students, what should they do for fun and relaxation after hellish finals?