As the van ride was bumpy and the men were shouting at each other, Zhen Qing was thrown to a corner of the van, with her hands tied and a burlap sack over her head. She could not fathom how a simple plea of help had become the second worst mistake she made in her entire life.
Earlier in the day when Zeru disappeared to assist Jin, Deng Long and Se Lang came to apprehend the gang members that tried to break into Jin’s house. Yun went ahead into the bas.e.m.e.nt and checked on Zhen Qing, wondering if she was still okay.
“I knew it. I knew I should not have asked Jin for help. I should have just given money to my father…” Zhen Qing thought as she hid herself in the bas.e.m.e.nt holding a metal bat.
“Zhen Qing or erm Lynn, I am coming in. It is Yun.” Yun turned on the lights in the bas.e.m.e.nt and walked towards Zhen Qing who was weeping once again.
“I am sorry, Yun, to bring you this much trouble…” Zhen Qing looked at her with watery eyes. She was so vulnerable that Yun could not help but hugged her gently.
“It’s alright. It is alright. Do not worry my dear. We will take care of you.” Yun said as she patted Zhen Qing’s back.
“Why would you take care of me? I am a burden. I am nothing but a magnet for trouble.” Zhen Qing continued to cry, and she tried to push her away but Yun did not let go of her. it was obvious she was in pain yet felt guilty at the same time.
“Didn’t Jin promise he would help you out?” Yun tried to cover for Jin, but instead of reassuring her it merely brought up more questions from Zhen Qing.
“Why would he do that? Although I complained about the food he currently serves, it was actually one of the best things I ever tasted. I could not reach that kind of level even with the ingredients he provided me. He should just get himself a new and better chef. One who does not trouble you. Please Yun! Just ask him to leave me alone.” Zhen Qing buried her face into Yun’s shoulders and hugged her even tighter.
Despite what she said, her heart could not deny the truth. The truth of having fun in Jin’s shop. The little acts of care and concern that Jin showed her when she was too busy or too tired. The intense research she buried herself in the kitchen instance to explore the next upcoming main dish for Jin. The approval of Jin’s customers when she served her brand new revised Black Pepper Pork Buns to them.
Their happiness, in turn, gave her the motivation to continue to work hard. Yet, because of all this, she did not want to let go of this job but at the same time, wished not to burden them with her troubles.
“Jin cares about you. He sees the potential in you. I see the potential in you. Right now, you are chained down by your past. Jin is now helping you with a certain aspect of that, but in turn, you have to help yourself to get up too.” Yun said to her as she looked into Zhen Qing’s eyes.
“Now get up, wipe your tears. Forget this nonsense about abandoning you. As far as I’m concerned, you are one of us. We are going to the store, since you will be safer there with the other cultivators as witnesses. Besides, the store must continue to operate, right?” Yun smiled at Zhen Qing as she rubbed her tears away and nodded lightly.
“But before we get going, here, Lynn.” Yun took out a beautiful looking piece of stud earring from her storage ring. It looked like a drop of crystal blue tear from afar, but on closer inspection, it had the shape of a baby penguin with its adorable eyes and cute short beak.
Zhen Qing did not expect to receive such a beautiful gift from Yun, much less a penguin. “I remember you told Jin that you wanted a penguin cultivation. So he and I thought of making this for you. This earring will serve as a charm to protect you. Do not hesitate to call for help by pressing gently on it and focus your heart to it. Help will come.” Yun explained as she assisted Zhen Qing to put the stud earring on.
“I did not expect Jin to remember such…detail.” Zhen Qing felt like she wanted to cry again as she followed Yun out but this was not the time for it.
———
A sudden jerk in the van caused Zhen Qing to return back to her current situation as she was forcibly being carried around by her kidnappers. Zhen Qing smelled the scent of the forest as she got out of the Van. There were many voices but only after listening for a while did she realise there were not just Chinese voices.
“Japanese?” Zhen Qing thought to herself as she tried to listen more intently and true enough, some phrases were indeed in japanese. The kidnappers subsequently shoved her onto a sofa and took the sack off her head.
Zhen Qing suddenly saw bright lights being shone at her and she could not discern what was in front of her clearly. She heard footsteps moving towards her until a familiar silhouette towered over her.
“It’s been a long time. Lynn.” The voice spoke, and Zhen Qing could not believe her ears.
“Mimasaka Sensei…?” Zhen Qing looked up and tried to focus, despite her impaired vision. She noticed the surroundings in the room was all dark, but she could feel the presence of other people lurking around even though Mimasaka Sensei was the only one standing right in front of her.
Mimasaka Sensei. The one and only chef she had acknowledged as Sensei, the very master that taught her every nook and cranny she got to know about the kitchen. The same master, who taught her the importance of imparting their feelings in their food… and also the one she risked her life for to help orchestrate the Last Supper Scandal.
“Indeed, I am.” Mimasaka said as he folded his arms.
“Why are you here? How are you here? Why am I being kidnapped by you?!” Zhen Qing could not connect anything together. It did not make any sense at all.
“I am here to clean up my mess, but I would like to have a word with you first.” Mimasaka Sensei replied.
“What are you talking about? I have served the Daikokuten Clan with everything I have. I did what was told by you. What do you mean by cleaning up your mess…” It was at that point in time, Zhen Qing realised something. As if her brain finally found the missing puzzle after all this while.
“I am your…scapegoat?” Zhen Qing lowered her head as she said it and Mimasaka replied with a yes.
“Why…Why…WHY?” Zhen Qing still could not wrap her head through the fact that was presented to her.
“AFTER EVERYTHING I HAVE DONE FOR YOU? EVERYTHING! My love for cooking, my passion for cooking. MY LOVE FOR YOU! Was everything just a big joke to you… Just a way to manipulate me to do your bidding?!” Zhen Qing screamed at the top of her voice that from the shadows, a gangster came out wanting to shut her mouth but Mimasaka stopped him.
“WHY DID YOU DO THIS TO ME?!” Zhen Qing was filled with an intense rage as she struggled against the ropes.
“I did love you. Loved you as my child first. Later as my lover. I swear to you that those feelings were genuine and had nothing to do with what came later. You are the one and only one that truly understands me. Understands my work, my passion, my ambitions. But I need you to give me your love once more. I ask that you sacrifice yourself to complete me. So that I can present your Dantian core to my boss as evidence.”
“Your boss…? The head of Daikokuten Clan?” Zhen Qing finally realised something.
“So your entire goal is after all the complete control of Japan’s Association of Master Chefs.” Zhen Qing eyes turned dull for a moment to think how stupid she was having loved her master once for his ambitions.
“I will remember you for life. My darling little Penguin.” Mimasaka took out a gun and placed it at her head.
