Chapter 14: Shu Ai and Ping talk to Shifu about the New Kid; Shu's last Night before going to Work

"You got accepted as guard into that prison?" Ping asked his older brother Shu Ai who still goes by the name Zhang Liao. They had left Shu's home and were on the way to the Jade Palace.

Now that Ping was with someone older and trustworthy, he could go to the Jade Palace. Although technically Shu did not reveal himself yet so Ping was cautious.

"I need the money, Ping. I hear they pay a lot now due to well you know him being there," Shu told Ping. He had worn his iron mask once more.

"Why not reveal yourself or work at the orphanage again?" Ping asked curiously.

"That's a pretty good question! Honestly I do not have the answer," Shu told him as they neared the Palace.

"He needs someone to talk to, doesn't he?" Ping guessed as he looked at Shu and grinned.

Both of them reached the steps of the Palace.
"Hm, been a while since I've been here," Shu noticed.
"Don't worry, only four years have passed!" Ping teased.
"Hah, as usual you seem to always find a way to make me sound old!" Shu grinned as they both walked up the steps to the Jade Palace.

"Hey, you never told me her name! Or what she is!" Shu talked to Ping about the new kid.
"Tigress. You can probably guess what she is from her name," Ping replied.
"So, do ya like her?" Shu asked, teasing.
"I told you she's too young!" Ping replied, embarrassed by his brother's teasing.
"So why are you defensive? You must have feelings for her!" Shu continued to tease his brother.
Ping looked at his brother before starting to laugh.
"Four years I haven't been able to tease you and here you are giving me something to tease you about! Hah!" Shu laughed with him.
"To be honest, she seems like a good person. Someone you can get along with," Ping nodded honestly.
"Well, be her friend! She probably just needs someone to talk to or something!" Shu suggested as they reached the closed gates of the Jade Palace.

"Bad luck, looks closed," Ping said.
"Well too bad we're going in anyway!" Shu grinned as he knocked hard on the doors.
"Hey, open up! Official business!" Shu called.

"Who's out there? We're closed today," A voice that Shu recognized as Shifu's called from the other side.
"Zhang Liao. I have brought a leopard from the Orphanage. We wish to discuss business," Shu went back to using the name Zhang Liao.

Silence followed for a few minutes before the doors opened. There stood Shifu. Shu looked at the old man and noticed seriousness. He had lost his cheerfulness or some sort of happiness that he had when Tai Lung was still training under him.

"Zhang Liao, I am honored that such a prestigious individual such as yourself would visit the Jade Palace. Please, come in," Shifu allowed them to come in as he walked away.
"What, I'm not important?" Ping grinned as he followed Zhang Liao who followed Shifu.

"So, what is this business you speak of?" Shifu asked.
"I'm just the guardian, Old ma-er… Master. This leopard of the Bao Gu Orphanage bears a message," Zhang Liao nearly called Shifu Old Man as he previously did as Shu Ai.
Shifu stopped and turned to face Zhang Liao then Ping.
"What is it, young one?" Shifu waited for the message.

"Uh… the Bao Gu Orphanage has requested that you personally come and take a look at a new kid. She has a temper that scares everyone," Ping delivered the message.
Shifu looked like he was in deep thought as he took the message.

"She is a good kid, yet she uses this temper in combination with claws, fangs, and strength," Ping finished.
"This is the official message? Surely Zhang Liao here can handle it," Shifu seemed to reject coming to the orphanage to look at the new kid.

"But, Master…" Ping started.
"Enough! Surely you know the way out," Shifu sent them away as he turned to face away from them.

"Ping, let it go. You delivered the message. Thank you, Master," Zhang Liao bowed to Shifu and Ping reluctantly did afterwards as they left.

"Well, that went well," Ping said as they walked down the steps.
"Seems as if the old man wants me to check her out. Interesting," Shu said.|
"Now don't tell me you like her!" Ping grinned at Shu, teasing.
"Eew if she's too young for you think about me! I'm nineteen!" Shu playfully punched his younger brother's shoulder.
"Shu?" Ping looked at his older brother.
"Yeah?" Shu looked at his younger brother through his iron mask.
"May I stay with you tonight? I've missed sleeping in the same room as you," Ping admitted he missed some of the nights where Shu would share rooms with Ping.
"Of course! This is after all my last night here before I go to work!" Shu said, forgetting that he didn't mention that he would be going to work the following day.
"What? You're leaving tomorrow?" Ping sounded and looked sad as he looked at his brother.

"Aw don't worry, I'm sure they'll allow me to visit you! Besides, we'll keep contact through letters!" Shu reassured his brother and patted him on his shoulder.
"But… What of Tigress? Don't tell me I'll have to deal with her alone!" Ping said, sounding concerned.
"Ha! So you do like her! Seriously though I'll drop you off there and see who she is before I go," Shu said.

"Thanks, Brother," Ping answered.

It was now night and Shu and Ping had returned to where Shu lived.
"I'll tell the Orphanage tomorrow you were with me, Zhang Liao, all night so don't worry," Shu had an answer for if the Orphanage wondered where Ping went.
Shu had once more taken off his mask and placed it on his desk. The room where they would sleep in would be in the second floor.

"You sure have a lot of room here, Brother," Ping looked around as they went upstairs.
"Well, you know how I love reading. You never know when I'll need the space," Shu answered with a grin.
"How has your study on the Three Kingdoms been?" Ping asked as Shu led him to the bedroom with no beds.
"I'm actually done with the Three Kingdoms," Shu admitted.
"Where's the bed? And the lights?" Ping asked curiously, looking around the room.
"The lights come from the window. If we're lucky the moon will be out tonight. The beds? We sleep on the floor. I didn't have enough money and still don't," Shu admitted, scratching his head.
"Spent it all on books, right?" Ping grinned, teasing.
"All of it went to the construction of this house and the stuff in the study," Shu replied honestly.
"Well, I don't mind. I am with you after all," Ping smiled.

Shu got out the sheets he usually slept on. He had an extra but he did not know why he had. He gave that to Ping.
"Sorry for the inconvenience," Shu grinned.
"No worries brother," Ping replied.

Shu laid down now with his head looking towards the windows.
"It's been a while since the both of us looked at the stars," Shu replied.
"Yes, brother, I've missed those times," Ping answered. He had lain down as well beside Shu on his own sheet. He looked at the stars with his brother.
Shu soon sat up and looked at Ping.
"Are you sure you don't like her?" Shu teased once more.
"Shu!" Ping laughed as he lunged at his brother playfully as they wrestled like children after a long time of separation.
Shu won of course as he pinned Ping down as both of them laughed.

"Time to sleep Ping," Shu finally let him up.
"Yes, Shu!" Ping nodded, laughing slightly and lay down on his own sheet.
"Good night, little brother!" Shu said as he kissed Ping's forehead.
"Night. I love you, Shu," Ping smiled and closed his eyes to sleep.
"I love you too, Ping," Shu replied honestly as he laid down and started to sleep.