‘Thisis why you are supposed to count to ten,’ he says. ‘Recite your calming mantras.’
Trying to look contrite, I press my lips between my teeth.
‘Lies do not become you, Little Jing. You look like you need to dabian.’
‘Fine.’ I rock back on my heels. ‘I’m trying, okay? I need your help and am asking nicely.’
He watches me a little longer, no doubt weighing my sincerity. Finally, he gestures to an empty chair. ‘Join us,’ he says.
The mortal stands suddenly, then bows so low I get a clear view of the back of his head. His hair is slicked back with what smells like Big Wang’s dragon beard pomade. ‘This lowly one gives a multitude of thanks to the exalted and glorious Lady Jing of Mount Kunlun.’
I make a gagging sound. The red glow in Big Wang’s eyes burns brighter, reminding me that Mr Lee is his guest. I close my eyes, count to ten, then say in the most neutral tone I can manage, ‘The flowery language of formal court makes me extremely uncomfortable. Please stop.’
Another of Big Wang’s lessons. If I cannot bring myself to tolerate out of politeness, a calm, forthright admission can push the burden of tolerance onto the other party. Big Wang almost smiles. I wonder if this is what Old Zao meant by giving him face.
The mortal blinks at me. I put my breakfast baskets on the table and sit. The mortal follows. He watches me with a thoughtful expression and I curb an impulse to spit in his eye, since Big Wang probably wouldn’t approve.
‘Are those roosters in the bag?’ Horsey asks.
‘Never you mind,’ I counter, not wanting him or Bullhead to join the conversation.
His frog-frown returns. I suck my teeth at him. Of course, Big Wang frowns. Of course, I ignore them both, as I usually do. Taking the lid off my xiao long bao baskets I pop one of the bite-sized blood dumplings in my mouth. Mixed with food, the blood rush is almost unnoticeable. I chew, swallow, then grab another.
‘Can you fix them, Big Wang?’ I ask through half-chewed dumpling.
Big Wang settles his black gaze on me, the red glow now a mere pinprick in his pupil. ‘How did they get so small?’
I try not to fidget like a child and fail spectacularly, so I go with diversion. ‘The stray rooster population is out of control. They are like delinquents, roaming the streets. It’s not sustainable.’
Big Wang slurps his tea, then says, ‘I have noticed there seem to be more roosters than normal these days.’
‘That one followed me home after I extricated it from the Hall of Harmony. It’s too much. The ghosts abandon them here; they don’t take the creatures across Naihe Bridge with them when they leave for their next lives. If we don’t do something, we’ll end up with more roosters than ghosts.’
The mortal says nothing. He butters his croissant, then spreads kumquat jam over the soft flaky pastry.
I rub at my fingers, glancing at Bullhead out of the corner of my eye. Out of the three, he’s the one I dislike disappointing the most. Though he’s not looking at us, he’s no doubt listening. I lower my voice and nod at the bag. ‘They follow me around. I can’t leave them like that.’
‘Will you stop bothering Lady Soo? She said you intentionally provoked her last night—’
My face heats. ‘She’s a two-faced lying—’
‘She claims you were spying on her. Even after I told you how important it was for you to not cause any trouble.’
I slam my hand on the table making the tea cups rattle. ‘I was not spying! I was trying to get out of there before I could bump into her!’ My voice comes out more shrill than I intend.
‘You were seen by all the Council brawling on the ground like a common criminal. Lord Black had to restrain you. Lord Black, of all people!’ Big Wang’s nostrils flare as he speaks. ‘Lady Soo is a minister representing the Hulijing Court. She is not only your elder, and a handmaid to your grandmother, but as an attendee of the Ministerial Mahjong Council, she is here in Hell as my personal guest. As my ward, you owe her courtesy, no matter her provocation.’
My face burns. I wasnotspying. But Big Wang never takes my side. ‘Indentured servant more like,’ I mutter.
‘Lady Jing!’ Horsey stage whispers. Subtlety is not a strong suit.
‘We’ve been over this. You are, and always have been, my ward,’ Big Wang’s voice is firm.
I pick up another xiao long bao, the hurt making me catty. ‘I’m pretty sure one doesn’t buy wards. They areentrusted,not sold.’
Big Wang’s gaze glows red again. His words come out slow and deliberate, a sure sign that my barbs have landed. ‘How many times do we have to go over this? You are my ward and that is all there is to it.’
I look away. ‘I know you bought me and the dragon pearl so my mother could pay her debts and buy herself a ginormous diamond.’
