[7:01pm, Uptown Lungmen]
"We've arrived!" Ch'en broke out of her meaningless trance at Hoshiguma's words.
She silently undid her seatbelt and exited the car, Hoshiguma following shortly after.
Entering the building, Ch'en and Hoshiguma were hit with the strong essence of alcohol and seafood.
"Welcome!" Someone called out from round a corner before coming into view. "Ah, Officer Hoshiguma, and Madam Ch'en, what brings you here today."
"Just stopping to get some drinks." Hoshiguma replied while taking a seat at the bar. "How's business, Jaye?"
"Same as it always is." Jaye responded. "Though, pretty quiet tonight as you can tell."
"Eh, I don't think that's because of a fault with this place itself." Hoshiguma said. "There was barely any traffic on the way here."
"Just a slow night in general, then." Jaye straightened his posture. "What can I get you two?"
"Come on, Jaye, you know my usual by now." Hoshiguma replied.
"Alright, and you, Madam Ch'en?" Jaye looked at the Chief expectantly.
Ch'en didn't reply, just kept her gaze directed at the bartop.
"Madam Ch'en?" Jaye said again.
"She'll have anything that's not alcoholic." Hoshiguma answered for her.
"A water, then." Jaye began to prepare the order.
"Ch'en?" Hoshiguma gently placed her hand on Ch'en's shoulder.
Ch'en snapped back into full consciousness and turned to look at Hoshiguma.
"What?" She said in a defeated tone.
"I'm only worried about you, Ch'en." Hoshi murmured.
"Well, don't worry." Ch'en moved Hoshiguma's hand off. "I'm fine."
"How can you say that when you look like you've been awake for a week straight?" Hoshiguma asked.
"I'm a little fucking stressed right now." Ch'en snapped. "It's draining my energy. There. Happy?"
Hoshiguma sighed then turned away from Ch'en just in time for their order to be served.
"Here, for you Hoshiguma." Jaye placed her request down. "And a water for Madam Ch'en."
"Thanks, Jaye." Hoshiguma said.
"If you want anything else, just shout." Jaye stated before wandering out of view.
Ch'en slipped out her phone and began perusing the limited amount of photos she had on her gallery until she stopped on a picture of a younger Zhang.
The internal laugh she made was bitter.
(Smiling huh...) She thought to herself. (When was the last normal day I've seen you smile, Zhang?)
Her thoughts then jumped to a quote she had seen a long time ago.
'Isn't it strange how, day by day, nothing changes, but when you look back, everything's different?'
(What happened?) Tears formed in the corner of her eyes.
Ch'en quickly closed her eyes to contain the tears and she involuntarily cast her mind back...
[8 Years Earlier]
"Zhang, I'm home!" Ch'en shouted.
Her response was the pitter-patter of rapid footsteps before young Zhang came into view and almost launched himself at her.
"Mum!" He exclaimed as they hugged.
Swire came out of the same room as Zhang shortly after and smiled upon seeing the display of mutual affection.
"How's he been, Beatrix?" Ch'en asked as she ran her fingers through Zhang's hair.
"Oh, perfectly fine." Swire replied. "No problems at all."
"Good." Ch'en momentarily smiled down at Zhang before returning her attention to Swire. "Are you staying for dinner? We're getting delivery."
"I'd love to, but my family has had a problem all day and I can't delay helping for long." Swire explained.
"I see." Ch'en said. "Well then, I won't keep you any longer."
"Okay, I'll be off." Swire picked up her belongings. "Goodbye to you both, Ch'en, Zhang."
"Bye Beatrix." Ch'en did a shallow wave.
"Bye Aunty Swire!" Zhang energetically waved.
After the door closed, Ch'en knelt down to get eye level with Zhang.
"Do you know what you want specifically for dinner?" She asked.
"C-can I look at the menu, Mum?" Zhang replied.
"Of course." Ch'en slipped the menu out of her back pocket. "Let's go to the living room."
Ch'en and Zhang wandered into the living room and sat with each other on the sofa.
"Here." Ch'en passed the menu to Zhang. "Pick anything you want."
For the next 10 minutes, the mother and son pair browsed the menu before finally settling on their decisions.
"...that'll be it." Ch'en said into the phone. "ASAP, please...thank you, bye."
Ch'en returned to the sofa and gently dragged Zhang into another hug.
"I have some good news, Zhang." She said.
"What is it, Mum?" Zhang inquired.
"For the next three days, I don't have to work." Ch'en explained. "Is there anywhere you wanted me to take you?"
"Hmmmm..." Zhang pondered.
"Don't stress it, you have time to think." Ch'en tenderly rubbed Zhang's back.
"I-I will think about it." Zhang proclaimed.
"Good..." Ch'en broke the hug but still clinged to Zhang's shoulders. "I love you, Zhang. Don't forget that."
"I love you too, Mum." Zhang smiled as he retorted.
[Present Day]
Ch'en rested her head on the bar table letting tears flow out of her eyes onto it.
"Zhang..." She whispered. "I'm sorry...I haven't...told you...I love you...in so long..."
She wanted to punch a hole through the wall out of frustration wrought by herself.
Hoshiguma noticed Ch'en's breakdown and slowly started patting her shoulder and back.
Ch'en suddenly lept up and yelled squeakily.
"I'M SORRY!"
Hoshiguma swiftly stood up and hugged Ch'en, trying her best to comfort the weeping dragon.
"Is everything okay?" Jaye asked, coming out of the kitchen.
[Zhang's Perspective]
I can't even sleep to try and make this horrible event in my life end quicker. My mind is too focused on my mother.
How will she react if I'm infected?
Will she still love me?
Will I be forced out of Lungmen?
Swirling thoughts and paranoid questions are keeping my mind too hyperactive.
I need to calm down.
Think...happy thoughts...
[6 Years Earlier]
Clouds line the sky without a break. A usual start to my 8th birthday.
I quickly jump out of bed and run down the stairs as fast as possible and round into the living room.
"Happy birthday, Zhang!"
"Mum!" I rush over to her and she hugs me. "When did you get home?"
"Late last night." Mum explains. "Really late. Don't worry though, worry only about this present I want you to open right now."
"Now?" I ask. "Before breakfast?"
"Yes." She answers. "It's something I know you'll like."
Mum hands the gift to me.
"Is this really okay?" I say.
"It's perfectly fine, Zhang." Mum replies. "Trust me."
"A-alright." I mutter.
I swiftly unwrap the large boxed present to reveal a...
"Compound bow and quiver..." I read. "Plus 20 arrows...Mum, thank you."
"Happy?" She asks.
"Very." I respond.
I only really care about the fact that it's a gift from Mum rather than what it actually is, but I'll give this bow a chance.
"Good." Mum looks pleased, so I'm definitely happy.
"Now, what about breakfast?" Mum asks.
[Present Day]
That was the best birthday ever.
Mum was home the whole day, plenty of presents, Hoshiguma and Aunty Swire were both there and we all had a great dinner.
How I wish for days like that to occur again...
[7:43, Jaye's Seafood Bar]
Ch'en stared at her reflection in the bathroom mirror.
"What are you doing with yourself?" She asked quietly.
She splashed herself with some water to try and help her relax.
"It's fine..." She whispered. "It's fine..."
She turned and exited the bathroom to see Hoshiguma standing to attention.
"What's going on?" Ch'en asked.
"I just received a report about a small, but violent riot happening in downtown." Hoshi replied. "It seems it's being instigated by that same syndicate."
"Right." Ch'en sighed. "Let's go."
"Huh?" Hoshiguma looked bemused.
"I may have contracted Penguin Logistics but this is an ample opportunity to conduct my own intel gathering, straight from the source." Ch'en walked past Hoshiguma while explaining.
"Alright." Hoshiguma started following Ch'en. "Thanks, Jaye!"