Chapter 116: Big Burger!

Chapter 116: Big Burger!

It was almost nine years ago now that I think back on it. What was that woman's name, think brain, think? I scratched my temples, pacing back and forth in the midday heat before coming to a stop.

I think maybe it was Lacy or something? I had stopped to sit on a concrete park bench before going into my Kung-Fu Club, and my recent talk with the ladies made me remember a bit more of the old details. Letting my back rest against the bench, I closed my eyes and let my mind drift back to the past.

It was about a week after I fell out of that damn tree. I had traded information with that idiot-girl Katelyn Pu to secure her safety, but when I told my dad exactly what happened, he delivered a sharp chop right to the top of my head.

"You called her an idiot-girl, but why did you not use that new cell phone I bought you to call the fire-department to rescue her?"

Rubbing the sore spot on my scalp, I looked up at his strict expression and defended my choices, explaining that I just did what he would do because I did not want the idiot-girl to fall while we waited. I noted that I was lucky to only get small injuries, making the risk worth it since the limb broke and she would have died otherwise.

My dad warmly smiled, his irritated demeanor melting away as he reached out to ruffle the exact same hair he had just chopped before handing over a crisp ten-dollar bill. He told me a hero needs a reward for being selfless, suggesting I go eat lunch at the Big Burger because they had a new BBQ Burger to die for. Staring at the money in my small palm, I frowned slightly at the thought of the menu changes.

"Those Specialty Burgers like that Deluxe you get are a bit strange, I like the Classic Cheeseburger and fries. Onions and pickles are gross, and Bacon deserves to be on the breakfast plate, not a burger, yuck."

My dad adjusted his heavy police belt and secured his tactical gear, getting ready to head out for his shift. He let out a hearty laugh at my complaints, promising that my taste buds were changing and that I would love all those flavors when I became an adult before offering to drop me off there on his way to work.

Yeah, I forgot he always called me Partner. Just like I call Mei now. Or does Mei call me Partner?

After my father dropped me off at the curb, I pushed through the local Big Burger's heavy glass front doors. The entire restaurant felt bright and clean, the polished floors completely covered in a bold black and white checkered pattern. Walking up to the ordering area, I saw a smooth white counter housing three modern registers with touch-flat-screens, which were the newest innovation in computers back then.

I stood there staring up at the massive overhead menu board, watching the moving pictures flash across the screen to showcase all of the different foods they offered alongside the monthly special.

My eyes drifted toward the children's Happy-Combos section, settling on the restaurant's cheerful mascot. It was a two-legged white-tiger character standing upright, holding and happily eating a giant cheeseburger. Back then, I had absolutely no idea that this character secretly represented the Tang Family heritage, since I just thought he was a cool, fun cartoon character. After all, who doesn't think a white tiger is awesome?

I remember calculating the math in my head, knowing I could buy a kids combo for five dollars and keep the remaining five dollars purely for the arcade cabinets. If I bought a full-sized adult combo, it would cost significantly more and leave me with less game time.

Turning around, I glanced over at the colorful indoor play area, watching a large group of kids running around and screaming. A part of me really wanted to run over and join them, but the moment I turned ten and my age hit double digits, I swore an oath to grow up and stop acting like a little kid.

That was the real reason my dad trusted me to go out alone, because I was always calm and well-behaved.

"If you want to play, why not just go and have fun before you eat?"

Hearing a smooth woman's voice suddenly sound from behind me, I turned around and looked up to find a beautiful older woman standing there. She was at least a foot taller than me, her glossy short-black-hair catching the restaurant lighting, while her deep blue eyes immediately made me feel calm, her smile inviting me to lower my guard. She wore a sharp, light-blue business lady-suit underneath a light, knee-length coat, balancing a black leather purse in her hand as if she had just stepped out of an office somewhere.

"Ah? No, I am too old for that kids stuff now, so I am here to eat my Combo Meal."

She crossed her arms over her chest, thoroughly amused by my proud declaration of being too mature to play before pointing up at the menu to ask what I was planning on ordering. My mind started floundering under her direct gaze, and I almost blurted out my usual cheap order, but since I had just claimed I was too old for childish things, I decided to shout out my dad's favorite meal instead.

"My usual, the Deluxe Combo!"

"Really? I usually just get the Classic Cheeseburger Combo. Hey, would you like to eat with me? I don't want to eat alone, well unless you are here with anyone?"

I remember thinking it was incredibly sad that such a beautiful big-sister had to sit and eat all by herself, so I quickly nodded my head in agreement.

She smiled warmly, offering to treat me today as a reward for keeping her company, which made my eyes practically swim with excitement as a couple of different thoughts hit me all at once. The first realization was that I now had a full ten dollars to spend entirely on arcade games, and the second was that I wouldn't have to eat alone, but the final thought made my young mind freeze up a bit.

"B-But if you pay, is that like a date?!"

The beautiful woman immediately covered her lips with her hand, her eyes curving into perfect little crescents as she giggled at my panic, telling me I was cute but that it was just two friends keeping each other company since it was only a real date if I were her age. A wave of dejection washed over me, making me feel like I was being cheated out of some exclusive grown-up experience. Seeing my shoulders slump down in disappointment, the woman let out a soft sigh and reconsidered, asking if we could just call it a Big Burger date so I could tell my school friends about it.

"Um? My name is Rick Lee, what is yours?"

"Hmm? I met you once before 5 years ago, did you forget my name? You did not think I was just talking to any young men I bump into, did you?"

I remember completely freaking out inside, my brain working overtime as I tried to remember this big-sister and figure out where on earth I could have met her five years prior. Shaking my head rapidly, I confessed that five years ago was too long ago to remember, taking a total shot in the dark based on a Fairy Tail anime character because she looked exactly like a Lucy. The pretty woman smiled broadly, pausing for a moment to think before expressing amazement that I guessed her name on the first try, teasingly asking if I remembered her last name since it had to do with dragons.

"Long?"

"I am most definitely not one of those Long's, try again."

If she wasn't a Long, and she wasn't a Lee like me, I had to think of a different connection. My mind jumped to that old anime from the China Empire called Dragon Ball, specifically thinking about the eternal dragon Shen Long, proudly declaring that her name must be...

"Lucy Shen!"

The woman's expression filled with pure happiness at my guess, her head nodding repeatedly as a glint of moisture appeared in her eyes, looking as though she might actually cry.

The shifting emotion on her beautiful face caught me off guard, making me tilt my head in confusion. "Um, Miss Shen, did I say something wrong?"

"No, I am just happy you know my name. Now let me order for us to eat, Coke fine, sweet tea, or fruit punch?"

After confirming the drinks and placing the order for our combos, we walked over to a private booth located in the very back of the dining room. She gestured toward the vinyl seats and asked if I wanted to sit across from her or side by side, giving me the choice of the inside or outside seat. I thought about it carefully, knowing that whenever I ate alone with my dad, we always sat directly across from each other, but he always sat right next to mom whenever we brought Mary along.

"Then I will sit on the outside so men can't bother you!"

Amused by my protective instinct, she slid into the booth first to give me the edge seat. "Perfect, then you can protect me from strangers, fufu."

The two of us settled into the booth together, keeping our behavior perfectly appropriate. Not once during that meal did the kind lady ever do anything to make me feel uncomfortable, though I distinctly remember her watching me with an intense focus as I prepared to tackle my very first real Deluxe burger. I lifted the heavy burger and took a massive bite, and the complex explosion of ingredients completely overpowered my young taste buds. As I chewed, the flavors shifted wildly; one second I could taste the sharp tang of ketchup, pickles, and smoky bacon, and the next second it transitioned into savory beef, melted cheese, and crisp lettuce.

A tiny smirk crossed her face as she noticed my wide eyes struggling with the sheer scale of the flavors. "Rick, if you don't want to eat your Deluxe, you can have my cheeseburger instead, and I can eat it?"

I could tell she must have gotten the cheeseburger knowing I would have problems. But a tight grimace formed on my face as I stared down at the massive, grease-glistening burger; I was a ten-year-old man now, and I absolutely was not going to back down in front of a woman.

"No thanks. The first bite always catches me off guard, I am good."

For the rest of the meal, I gripped that heavy bun with both hands and ate that damn Deluxe like it was my mortal enemy. Shoving the final bite into my mouth and swallowing hard, a wave of profound pride washed over my chest; I had done it, and I could tell I had just taken one more definitive step closer to being a real man.

The restaurant's glass doors rattled as we finally stepped out onto the sunlit sidewalk together, the warm afternoon air brushing against us as she turned around to look at me. "Would you like to eat together again, Rick?"

I looked up into her clear blue eyes, a bright spark of excitement easily overriding my usual stoic mature persona because I had genuinely enjoyed this beautiful woman's company. "I come here every Saturday at 4 pm to eat, so I can see you next week, Miss Shen."

A brilliant, radiant smile broke across her face as she smoothed down the front of her light-blue coat. "Then it is a Big Burger Date. Oh and Rick, please don't climb trees like that again, you look like you suffered. Sorry to hear about your accident."

A sheepish blush crept up my neck, and I quickly offered a vague nod, realizing she was talking about the highly modified, heroic version of the story I had invented to describe how I rescued Katelyn Pu.

Fast forward a bit, and it was already the end of our fourth Big Burger Date together. I was comfortably calling her Lucy at this point, sitting back in our usual vinyl booth after successfully conquering my fourth Deluxe burger like an absolute professional.

"So big sis Lucy, you work with computers? That is so cool to get paid to do fun computer work."

Lucy covered her lips, her eyes crinkling into happy crescents as she rested her chin on her palm. "Ufufu, Yup, I get to do battle online with all kinds of bad guys like a cyber hero. But it is more fun to spend time eating with my little nephew."

A slight pout crossed my face at the title, but I quickly brushed it off; calling her big sis Lucy while she called me her little nephew was still a lot better than being treated like a toddler, and since Mary already claimed the title of big sister, this dynamic actually sounded much nicer.

"Oh yeah? Five years ago, where did we meet?"

Lucy's smile softened, her gaze drifting toward the checkered floor as she recalled the memory. "I was at the airport when your family dropped your father off there. He had a police-training he went to for a few months, right?"

I leaned forward on the table, the old memories of his departure flashing through my mind. "Well I remember dad was gone for a while back then, and I remember when he came back, he looked sad. So it was hard training."

"Yeah, everyone in that training had a hard time. Well that one time we met was the only time I had seen you. I didn't see you when you picked him up though."

A sudden, deep shadow of melancholy settled into her blue eyes, looking exactly like the heavy sadness my father carried whenever he thought about that trip. Wanting to cheer her up, I reached into my pocket and proudly tapped my small wallet against the table. "Next week, let me buy the meal, okay? I have saved up a lot of money."

Lucy's sad expression instantly melted away, replaced by a profoundly tender warmth. "Okay Rick, then you can treat me. I love our talks."

Just as I was about to open my mouth to say something incredibly cool and mature to seal the deal, a piercing, familiar screech echoed through the restaurant, shattering the quiet atmosphere completely.

"Little Rick, found you! Hurry and come with me now! Father told me to get you and I had to stop watching my soap to bring you back, geez! And who is this lady?"

The fourteen-year-old Mary Lee stomped directly up to our booth, her arms crossed and a furious, grumpy scowl plastered across her face as she glared down at me for entirely blowing past my strict six o'clock curfew. I scrambled backward against the vinyl seat, realizing with a jolt of panic that I had completely lost track of the time.

"Ah? Big Sis, this is Miss Shen, she eats with me here, sorry for forgetting the time."

Mary completely ignored my explanation, grabbing my wrist with a firm, unyielding grip that made me look like a misbehaving toddler right in front of my date. She turned her head, fixing Lucy Shen with a freezing, hostile glare.

"I don't care who you are, old lady, stay away from my brother. He is only 10 years old, you pervert, humph!"

A wave of pure, agonizing shame crashed over me as Mary aggressively dragged me out of the booth, my face burning so hot I couldn't even mutter a proper apology to Lucy for my sister's outrageous rudeness.

Looking back over my shoulder as I was hauled toward the exit like a caught shoplifter, the last thing I saw was Lucy Shen sitting perfectly still, a soft, oddly warm smile on her lips as she watched Mary protectively pull me away. Her calm reaction completely confused my young mind, but I pushed the confusion aside, assuming she would just meet me at our usual time next week regardless.

However, the moment the restaurant doors slammed shut behind my sister and me, a completely separate conversation took place inside the booth we had just vacated...

A tall police officer standing about five feet ten inches tall stepped out from the shadows of the restaurant. He possessed thick black hair and sharp blue eyes, looking exactly like a rugged, grown-up version of the ten-year-old boy who had just been dragged away. He slid casually into the opposite side of the booth, sitting directly across from Lucy Shen with a look of heavy, anxious worry deep in his eyes.

"Little May, why are you exposing yourself? Just cutting your hair short won't fool anybody? Sure it's been a few years, but you still look young, sigh."

May Lee leaned her back against the booth, all of her playful big-sister energy instantly vanishing as she stared at her brother. "Father keeps me locked away, so I wanted to live on the outside for a bit. I just like spending time with him, is that wrong?"

Rick senior ran a hand through his dark hair, a sharp scowl tightening his expression. "Don't be stupid. It is not wrong, but if you are exposed, things will get ugly for our family. The other faction thinks you are dead, remember? And with my traitor status, you know they watch me, and thus will find you, that is why you need to stop seeing little Rick."

May clutched her hands tightly in her lap, her voice trembling slightly with a mixture of anger and guilt. "But you were framed, it is not even fair. It was my fault you are in trouble. I should not have been selfish. You taught me to not care, but I just was spoiled."

Rick senior reached across the table and delivered a sharp, affectionate flick right to her forehead, breaking her somber mood. May instantly pouted, covering the spot with her hand as her brother let out a gentle, reassuring smile.

"I taught you to not care, not be heartless. Your choice to help that little girl is a kind act only a good person can do. I have no regrets. I felt better knowing I helped a kind child. Hopefully, one day I can meet her again and see how she turned out."

May let out a slow breath, her expression shifting into a formal, serious mask as she leaned closer across the table. "I was supposed to tell you 4 weeks ago, but father said he had something very important for you. I don't know what it is, but rumors online say it's the other traditionalists wanting you to take over for Father. But this is contrary to kicking you out, branding you a traitor, and trying to kill me?!"

Rick senior leaned back against the vinyl seat, a cynical, humorless chuckle escaping his lips. "It is because you are dead, so they don't want their child to take over due to him being restricted. They want me to be a restricted clan leader where they can let their child grow stronger. That pompous ass is hoping his 4 year old son will awaken as the Yellow Emperor. It has been longer than the 400 year mark, almost 475 years now, so they are praying for a miracle."

May slammed her small fist lightly against the table, her jaw tightening in pure disgust. "These traditionalists were so sure you were the Yellow Emperor and the moment you passed your 18th birthday, they turned on you when you were deemed empty. Fuck them. So they thought their son was the next Emperor and pushed you into a corner with a shit marriage and all of their crap! Then when he was found to be empty they just shrug and ignore you."

Rick senior looked out the window, his eyes watching the distant traffic as a heavy, weary sigh escaped his chest. "I pray to the Dragon every-night, to not let Rick be a reincarnator. It only ruins and corrupts the Li. They forget the Yellow Emperor is not for them to control, but to help the world. The ugly secret of why China Nobles revolted against the Li in the first place, and history repeats itself."

May followed his gaze toward the window, her voice dropping to a quiet whisper. "Then if you go back, what will you do?"

"I will have to ask my father what we need to do, then make up my mind, but after losing Sally, I don't want to go back to that lifestyle anymore. I am just happy raising and teaching Rick. I met a good woman who loves Rick, and her daughter, well you met her, she is a bit over protective."

A genuine grin finally broke across May's face as she thought about Mary's furious tirade, her head nodding in appreciation. "Yeah, she really loves him, and I am glad, since I can't, sigh."

Rick senior rolled his eyes, a dry, teasing smirk replacing his grim expression. "Sigh, May, I think letting you read those manga and specialty novels was my one mistake in life? You know you have an unhealthy obsession with Rick, right?"

May vigorously shook her head, her blue eyes flashing with an absolute, unshakeable conviction. "No, you don't believe me, but he is him! I felt it five years ago, and I have felt it every time we are together. You have to teach him well brother. I know it in my heart, he is him. I won't let the world take him from us."

"You and Father and all the other clan members also thought I was him, but I am me? What if Rick is just normal like me? Will you not be disappointed?"

"I promise, even if he is not the Yellow Emperor, he will always be my Yellow Emperor. I will make sure his adult life is as smooth as possible. But, my heart feels it."

Rick senior abruptly stood up from the booth, adjusting his police uniform as his eyes swept the restaurant interior for any watching faces. "I need to leave before they spot you. I know it is hard, but please don't come to Rick. At least wait till he is an adult. I want him to be forgotten, hopefully forever. But when that 4 year old turns 18 and Rick has awakened, life will become tumultuous. And that is when he will need you and me the most, when Rick turns 24. Even if he is not the Yellow Emperor, the traditionalist will believe he is no matter what, and he will suffer my fall."

May Lee grabbed him tightly, burying her face into his uniform as she hugged him goodbye. Sadly, this was the absolute last time the two siblings would ever meet in this life...

My heart raced violently as the forgotten memories of my childhood meetings with Lucy Shen flooded back into my brain all at once. Sitting on the concrete bench, I pulled my smartphone from my pocket with trembling fingers and immediately dialed her number, the line ringing only once before connecting.

[Hello Rick, miss me already?]

I took a deep, centering breath, my voice echoing with absolute gravity through the receiver. "You were my Big Burger Date, right?"

[Yup, you finally remembered, huh?]

"You were the one that talked me out of killing the Long, right?"

[Bingo, I knew you would eventually figure it out.]

"You sent me Mei? And does Vicky know who you are?"

The steady sound of crunching gravel from behind caught my attention, forcing me to turn my head. I watched as a thoroughly smiling Lucy Shen lowered her smartphone, clicking the screen off before sliding into the empty space on the bench right next to me.

"I indeed sent Mei to you because I trust no one else to protect you. No, Victoria only thinks I am a normal employee. She hired me to protect you from the Long, so I have stayed there finding her to be a lovely woman that loves you."

Lucy leaned in closer, wrapping her arms securely around mine with a brilliant smile. The sudden physical contact left me feeling as though the rug had been completely pulled out from under my feet. This woman had been actively orbiting my entire life, and she possessed full knowledge that I was the Yellow Emperor. She had spent years quietly cleaning up all of my chaotic messes from the shadows, and not once had she ever raised a finger to hurt me.

"Who are you really?"

"Lucy Shen, your number one most loyal and loving supporter, for both you and your identity. I will burn the world to make you happy. But... Right now, I cannot tell you too much of my background yet. Just know I am a dead person to the world, but your guardian angel, Rick, name it and I will do it!"

Holy crap, looking straight into the terrifying depth of her blue eyes, I could tell she was dead serious. She was undoubtedly one of those special, hyper-focused women you read about in novels. Suddenly, a wave of profound realization washed over my mind as my father's old warning replayed in my ears. Dad had known her entire deal from the very beginning, and that was what he had really meant; she wasn't a danger to me at all, but she was an absolute nightmare to anyone else who dared to step out of line.

Catching the sudden shift in my expression, Lucy instantly pouted, her eyes narrowing slightly. "You are not having bad thoughts of what your father told you are you, Rick?"

A cold sweat broke out across the back of my neck, and I quickly burst out with an answer, knowing my guilty face was probably screaming the truth anyway. "No, but you knew my father, and why did you not find me when he died?"

The playful warmth completely vanished from her face, her expression twisting into something incredibly dark and murderous, as if someone out there desperately deserved to die. "I was held up in a closed community after I met you back then, and only was recently allowed to leave due to your awakening. I could only watch you online. My existence is taboo."

"Were you in prison?"

Smack! She delivered a soft, stinging hit right against my forearm, her voice laced with pure irritation as she glared at me. "No, I was being shielded from our enemies. You and I are on the same team, and all those that want you dead want me dead, because I support you, get it?"

I offered a rapid, submissive nod to placate her before shifting to the ultimate question that was burning a hole in my chest. "Lucy, who are you really protecting, Me or the Yellow Emperor?"

Her eyes locked onto mine, her deep, serious expression boring straight into my soul. "I would like to lie and say it is the Yellow Emperor, but It is you, I am protecting. See, sounds creepy now you hear it, right?"

I let out another slow nod, completely frozen by the weight of her words, which caused her to instantly cover her mouth and break into a melodic laugh at the sheer absurdity of my silly expression.

"Yes, your father knew about my obsession with you, but he did not care. Just know anyone that loves you or is your friend, I would never ever harm. But if they try to hurt you, I am very dangerous like your father said, is that alright for you?"

A heavy shiver ran down my spine as I processed the fact that she had just casually and straight up confessed her massive obsession with me. How on earth was a normal man supposed to handle a revelation like that? Oh, wait, I knew exactly how to survive this; never, under any circumstances, reject an obsessed woman, or I might find myself forced to permanently hide in a locked bathroom stall for the rest of my life.

"I think I can live with that, so please keep my family safe."

Lucy's terrifying aura completely dissolved, replaced instantly by her normal, playfully cheerful smile as she stood up and gently pushed me off the concrete bench. "Go to class. You are late sitting here talking to me. Just keep my identity a secret. One day, I will confess everything to you, Rick. Just know you are my world!"

I offered her a brief wave as I quickly turned on my heel to head back toward the university buildings. Walking down the path, I couldn't help but sigh heavily at the absolute madness of my life; a whole new, terrifying can of worms had just been dropped right into my lap, and the crazy thing was, it had all started at a local Big Burger restaurant.