Long flew over the open fields as the full moon above while Din and Li Na held on.
"Nothing like a night flight to help clear your mind.", the former emperor sighed contently.
Li Na looked impressed.
"Who taught you that?"
Long turned his eyes to the heavens and paused for a second before answering.
"Xio did. I wasn't on board at the time, but treated me like someone who needed a friend. Also he offered me a week of skipping the monastery's moral lessons if I complied."
"What kind of lessons?", Din asked.
"Pretty basic ones.", Long stated, "Resisting temptations, learning to be content, recognizing those who could turn you. That kind of thing."
Long then floated down to an apple orchard where Din and Li Na started to pick some apples while Long picked some himself since he was in his wish dragon form.
"Mrs. Song sends us out for apples, and we find some without paying.", Long chuckled, "Guess being a wish dragon has its perks."
That was when Long's phone chimed and grabbed his attention.
"Uh-oh, company.", he said as he got to the ground so Din and Li Na could get off, before he shifted into his human form and answered his phone, "Hello?"
"Long, are you okay?", Mrs. Song answered from the other end, "I would think you three would be back by now."
Long thought fast.
"Oh, we had to make sure we only had the best apples for the new apple dumpling recipe I was thinking of trying out. Luckily we found some to fit the bill."
That was when a train whistle blew in the background making the trio flinch.
"What was that?", Mrs. Song asked.
Long knew he had to think fast and hang up before Mrs. Song caught on.
"Oh, look at the time!", he exclaimed, "Din, Li Na and I will be home quick!"
He hung up and quickly shifted into his wish dragon form allowing Din and Li Na back on before taking off and heading back to Shanghai at a rather fast speed. Luckily, they weren't too far away and got back home just as Mrs. Song was stepping outside. Din and Li Na came out first so Long could shift back without being seen before he came out too with the apples they had picked.
"Well, it's nice to see you three back again.", Mrs. Song said sounding a lot calmer than when she called, "Are you sure this apple dumpling recipe will be worth it?"
Long smiled.
"Mrs. Song, my cooking is always worth it."
/
Before long, the former emperor was cutting apples, adding spices and forming dumplings with the skill and artistry of a pastry chef expert which Mr. Wang couldn't help but notice.
"Are you sure you only studied sushi Mr. Zhu?", he asked skeptically.
Long looked thoughtful.
"I was in culinary school and at the top of my class. I had a feeling I should make my own desserts instead of wasting my cash on buying them so I took a bakery class while I was still in school."
After Long got his dumplings ready, he started cooking and the aroma soon filled the air. Outside, the neighbors were catching the whiff and were instantly eager.
"What's Mrs. Song cooking this time?"
"It smells delicious."
"I can't wait to taste it."
"Isn't tonight the pot luck night?"
Long was just taking his dumplings out when the neighbors had arrived with their own dishes for the family's usual pot luck night before catching sight of Long adding the final touches.
"Why Mrs. Song, you didn't tell me your new house guest could make desserts."
"No sweets before dinner."
Din and Li Na were instantly having fun with the whole group which made Long smile. He was starting to feel like he was about finished making up for the terrible things he had done in his past life which put his mind at ease. Sure he still had some dark clouds from when he was cursed, but that would have to wait. After the dinner was over, Long presented his new dumplings.
"It's pretty basic filling. Apple, cinnamon, passionfruit, and a hint of lemon."
Long was grateful he made so much cause it wasn't long before his new dish became a hit.
"You have got to add this to the menu."
"This is one of the most mouth-watering pastries I've ever tasted."
Long was tempted, but quickly thought better.
"Hey, I was just making something to show how much I appreciate what I've been given. It's kind of a personal recipe to me."
Most of the neighbors seemed to understand and appreciated Long's speech so they put the idea behind them and just enjoyed the gathering and company.
/
The following morning, Long was preparing sushi as usual which made him feel more at home.
"Thanks for the treat last night Long.", Din said as he came by with an order for the kitchen.
Long blushed.
"Hey, that's what friends are for right?"
Li Na came up and she looked a bit miffed which told the duo that trouble was brewing.
"What's with you?", Long asked as he prepared another sushi platter.
Li Na sighed.
"Guess who."
Long and Din both looked annoyed.
"Ji again?", Din guessed.
Li Na nodded.
"He's opened up another eatery on the other side of Shanghai and claiming that it has class rivaling only the best."
Long rolled his eyes.
"Well, that description made me almost throw up in my mouth."
Din tried to calm down.
"And I'm guessing he invited you and you turned him down?"
"I did.", Li Na admitted, "I was about to hang up when he said he was inviting you two as well since he claims that his "precious flower" won't go otherwise."
Long almost was tempted to jab his knives into his cutting board, but that wouldn't help so he tried to calm down also.
"Nice to know that one of the snobbiest and richest families in China is finally acknowledging us."
Din rolled his eyes.
"I guess we have to go."
Long nodded.
"We all know he's not going to buzz off until we do."
Li Na rolled her eyes and made a phone call. After a bit of talking, she hung up and turned to Din and Long.
"We'll visit on our lunch break."
Long nodded.
"I agree. It's the one part of our job where we're not watched."
/
Once the lunch hour rolled around, Long led Din and Li Na outside and into the alley where he shifted into his wish dragon form and took off after Din and Li Na got on.
"I can't believe Ji is trying to open his own restaurant again.", Long muttered, "Didn't we take him down in that televised eatery war?"
Li Na frowned.
"Apparently it wasn't enough."
Din looked a bit worried.
"And if this eatery is going to be for "only the best", then there is going to be a dress code for only fine tailored and nothing else."
Long shrugged.
"That's what I would've done back in my day."
Li Na was worried also, but she clearly didn't show it.
"I don't think it's worth it to waste a wish on the proper attire.", she stated, "Just sounds lame."
"And the fact that I agree.", Long put in.
Eventually, the trio soon caught sight of what looked like a grand building of only the finest decoration which told the trio that it was the place.
"If the brat insults me even once, I will hurt him.", Long promised as he set Din and Li Na down in a nearby alley and shifted into his human form.
"Just try and keep the martial arts to a minimum.", Din told him, "We don't want Ji to catch on."
The trio walked up to the entrance hall where it came as no surprise that Ji was waiting with his usual snide smile.
"Well, if it isn't my favorite social flower and her minor coworkers."
Long frowned.
"Watch it bud.", he growled.
Ji however didn't seem to hear or pretended not to.
"I was going to brag that Father is having his newest building established and Mother is having her newest fashions displayed to the social elite today, but a lunch date with the lovely Ms. Wang was too much to pass up."
Din almost had to hold Long back from clobbering Ji, but Li Na's words beat Long to the punch.
"Save your flattery Khan.", she said firmly, "I've told you time and again that I don't have to marry you anymore. Dad and I are getting by just fine."
Ji looked surprised.
"You'd rather spend your days with that penniless dead-end joint instead of with me?"
Long smiled.
"Guess Ms. Wang isn't moved by your wealth Khan."
Ji then looked complimented.
"Come inside so you can be in proper attire.", he said before looking disgusted, "That tacky style is making me sick."
/
True to form, Ji's eatery was top class. After Din and Long reemerged in fancy suits and Li Na in a fancy dress, Ji led them into the main hall where fancy fountains, polished stone floors, and even some ancient carvings in the walls with crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. The tables were clearly hand crafted by professional crafters and the staff on hand was top notch, but Long looked unimpressed.
"Well, this just screams desperation.", he muttered, "My old summer house's bathroom had more class than this."
Ji didn't hear him and looked complimented.
"I spared no expense, but where are my manners? We better get to our table."
Ji led the group to a table near the center of the room though a lot of the rich clients were hardly even noticing. Din pulled out a chair for Li Na, but before she sat down, Ji pushed Din aside so he could. Long then seated on Li Na's other side with Din both looking appalled.
"Well, that would be when I'd order his execution for intruding where he shouldn't.", Long stated firmly.
Ji just seated close to Li Na while mentioning towards the menus in the center of the table. The moment Din looked at it, he was a bit shocked.
"A hundred bucks for just the main course?", he asked, "Forty-five for an appetizer?"
"Like I said, only the best.", Ji said proudly, "Though I'd lovely pay for Ms. Wang's lunch."
Li Na frowned.
"If I'm eating for free, so are they.", she said firmly mentioning towards Din and Long.
Long smiled.
"Well played."
Ji sighed.
"Fine. Just order."
Long looked over his menu and his smile grew bigger.
"Since I'm eating for free, I'll start with the pricey stuff all the way up to dessert and topped with an extra-large bag of shrimp chips."
Din couldn't help but roll his eyes comically.
"Long, do you ever get tired of shrimp chips?"
"Nope.", Long said proudly.
Ji however looked insulted.
"Why would I have such a common food among royalty?"
Long's frown darkened.
"Why wouldn't you?"
/
Once the lunch was over, Long flew Din and Li Na back a bit slower than usual.
"Man, I'm stuffed like a sumo wrestler."
Din chuckled.
"I can't believe you ate sushi, onion rings, a salad, and a chocolate soufflé."
Li Na sighed.
"It's too bad Ji still thinks he's engaged to-"
She paused and smiled.
"Hey Long, could you make Ji forget about ever being engaged to me?"
Long looked interested.
"As in make him forget he ever knew you?", he guessed.
Li Na nodded and Long turned to Din.
"So, you're okay with this?"
Din smiled back.
"If he does, he won't be bothering us anymore. I'm okay with him forgetting us."
Long's face lit up instantly. Finally, a wish he could get behind.
"One forgetfulness spell coming up.", Long said snapping his fingers and then dusting his hands, "Done and done."
Din and Li Na felt like a ton of bricks were off their shoulders as Long took them back.
"So, a wish to get some apples, and now a wish for Ji to forget about us.", Long stated as he took his place behind the sushi counter in his human form, "Wonder what the last wish for the day will be."
Din looked thoughtful.
"How about conjuring us some of those dumplings you made last night?"
Long waved his hand and faster than you can wink an eye, a huge tray of Long's dumplings appeared on the counter which Din and Li Na escorted to the main house and made it back just in time for the lunch hour to end.
"Making the most spoiled and snobby rich boy around forget about me.", Long chuckled to himself, "Why didn't I think of that months ago?"
He got back to his sushi, but now he was more than happy to put more effort into it mostly cause he was so happy.
"Oh yeah, Ji is gone.", he thought snidely, "Never mess with a wish dragon."
He then noticed Ji's car pull up outside for a second which made him pause and then it sped off which made him smile again.
"I still got it.", he chuckled.
By the end of the day, Din, Li Na and Long were eating Long's dumplings and sharing laughs.
"Nice to know that someone bugging us is no longer going to.", Din said as he bit into his third dumpling.
"You said it.", Li Na agreed.