I tear my eyes away from Tony. ‘It’s a long story, but the point is I have to escort Lord Aengus to Paris, and Big Wang won’t let me go alone. Would you and Ah Lang join me and Tony? We can spend a few days in Paris before heading back.’
‘I’ll ask Ah Lang, but I can’t see why not. It’ll be fun,’ Gigi says.
Old Zao bustles in with another high stack of bamboo steamers. ‘Little Gi, how was your visit to the Celestial Realms?’
She bows her head. ‘Ten thousand years of good health, Old Zao. It’s good to be home.’
They raise their eyebrows at this. ‘So the rumours are true, you have decided to make your home here permanent?’
Gigi’s been living in yin Shanghai for the last few hundred years; her father, the Jade Emperor, exiled her as punishment for neglecting her duties. After the recent incident with my grandmother, when she and Ah Lang were instrumental in saving me and Tony Lee from her murderous schemes, Big Wang convinced the Jade Emperor to end her punishment.
I turn to Gigi, my eyes suddenly hot. ‘Truly? You’re not moving back?’
She pats my cheek. ‘I would miss your ugly face, Jing. Ah Lang said he wanted to live in yin Shanghai for a while. So he’s arranged a ministerial position here.’
She smiles so brightly I can’t help but mirror it in return. My thoughts turn to Tony, and the fact that mortals can’t live in yin Shanghai. My smile goes brittle.
Gigi tilts her head. I know that look. She’s about to nosy into my business.
Before she can start, Old Zao says, ‘Eat before the food gets cold.’
I stuff my mouth with bao. ‘Didn’t you say you missed Old Zao’s cooking? Eat!’ It comes out more likeInn-oo-whay-you-ihh-oh-ow-oo-ing? Ee!
‘You are so uncouth, Jing,’ Gigi says. ‘Stop talking with your mouth full. I don’t want to see your half-chewed food.’
I open my mouth wide. ‘Ahhhh.’
Old Zao tsks and slaps my head with their water sleeve. ‘Little Jing, behave yourself.’
Gigi rolls her eyes, and Tony laugh-coughs into his fist.
‘Enough stalling. Tell us about Lord Yang and why, suddenly, he needs an escort to Paris,’ Tony says.
‘This sounds juicy,’ Old Zao says, pulling up a chair.
Bullhead, who has been hovering in the kitchen, joins us with his own bowl and chopsticks.
Bullhead’s motto in life –It is what it is –underpins a stoicism that keeps him at arm’s distance from others. He’s also incredibly shy.
‘Old Zao has put a lot of effort into these bao,’ he says, noticing my surprise. ‘It would be rude not to eat and enjoy this noble gathering.’
I nod approvingly. Even Old Zao smiles like a proud mama hen.
After topping up everyone’s tea and scarfing down a few more xiaolongbao, I lean my elbow on the table and recount to my rapt audience the last eighteen hours that led to Aengus being stuffed into a Ming vase.
There are times, like now, when my life feels unreal to me. A year ago, I would never have imagined sitting at a table surrounded by friends, friends who make me feel like what I say matters, who laugh and cringe at the same things I do. It’s enough to make my eyes suddenly well up.
Tony, of course, notices. ‘Jing, what’s wrong?’
I quickly pull at my eyelashes, embarrassed by my show of emotion. ‘I have something in my eye.’
He leans close, his breath warm on my cheek, and looks carefully at my eyes. It’s all I can do not to lean forward and take his bottom lip in mine. I swallow, holding myself very,verystill.
‘How the mighty have fallen,’ Gigi says. ‘If past Jing could see you now, she would probably gag, then tell you to get a room already.’
Tony pulls back, spluttering, gaze darting between Old Zao and Bullhead. ‘I was only looking to see if she had something in her eye. I meant nothing untoward.’
Flustered Tony makes my insides go warm and squishy. A giggle tries to escape but I press my lips together. I don’t want to give Gigi any more reason to tease me.
