act11mini

Your ability excels, Miss Ning.

Pleasantry.

I would never. It is my honesty.

Then I will believe you.

My grandfather called me to his study alone; we conversed of little in particular, before he asked me this one question.

He asked: 'Ciqiu, would you be willing to give your ability and learning for the country, the people, and for the realm?'

And I replied...

...You would offer your life.

Without hesitance.

Your spirit is bold, Miss Ning.

Enough, now. The story ends here.

My Lord, your tea is cold.

It's still somewhat warm.

But I notice your hands are cold now, my Lord. If you would be willing to have half this cloak back from me, 'tis not out of the question we could steep a freshly brewed pot.

Health is crucial. Wear it well. Don't take it off.

I am fine. If you do not believe, shall we test... if I am warmer than you?

My hands are cold. Don't be chilled, Miss Ning.

Aiya!

After today, I don't know when we'll find the chance to meet again.

Take more care of your health, Miss Ning. Don't let the cold tempt you.

Should...

Should you ever wish to view the flowers in future, and don't deem it too far-flung, then you needn't take it upon yourself. Have someone take a letter, and send them to me to plant.

Miss Ning?

Right, ah, um...

Well... Given you speak so, I will be straightforward too.

My Lord, how much longer are you going to keep that ribboned jewelry case in your pocket?

...Ahem. This is...

Is...?

What, my Lord? Could you have possibly intended to give that to another?

Ugh, can't stand it.

We shouldn't have taken you to him.

Shouldn't have.

Won't you show yourself?

Wouldn't work, showing myself now.

Their whole back-and-forth's more of a work of art than any stage play.

Who knew old Liang would... *sigh* Never we mind.

No... That won't do. I do mind!

Who knew after a decade and change apart, Liang would turn out like this!

A decade and change apart. It's not uncommon.

It gets to me.

At least there's still tea to drink, and a play to watch.

Well, Liang Xun, you owe me another now.

*sigh*...

One last cup of wine with an old friend really is difficult to swing.

9:35. Five minutes late.

We'd better find another place. For safety.

I don't want to spend a second more than I have to, but you know what want even less? To miss our contact.

He's supposed to come straight to us first thing after getting into Lungmen, but there ain't a single soul coming out of city gate. He's probably stuck somewhere inside. So we wait.

Too many eyes here at the city gateway. You sure you wanna stick around?

What else are we gonna do? We gotta do what the psycho bitch wants!

You remember the first thing she said after she caught us?

'Changed my mind. Let's hope you're more useful to me alive than dead.'

Not that thing! The next one!

'Don't blow this. Mess up a single time, I cut your throats.'

So, so instead of risking missin' our guy and losin' the letter, I'd rather be a little more conspicuous.

You—Whatever.

There's the crowd.

What does the guy look like again?

Don't hurt yourself trying to remember. It's not going to happen.

What do you mean?

*sigh*.

The broad never said anything about what our contact looked like or what he's wearin'. He'll come to us, not the other way around.

You remember how the meeting goes down, right?

Gambino?

The contact asks us, 'Would you like some mayonnaise teppanyaki macaroni,' we'll tell him, 'Supersize, for two,' and he'll give us the letter.

I'm impressed.

Just hearing that password makes me wanna puke. Couldn't forget it even if I wanted to.

It's 9:50. Even the last group into the city is gone by now.

Something must've gone wrong. We should move.

What if he shows and we ain't here?

Like that could happen. We can't just stand around any longer!

Maybe customs busted him?

Even if not, no harm in waitin' for him a little longer. It's his own damned fault he didn't find us. The crazy bitch can't do nothing about that...

What's the difference?!

She's off her goddamned rocker. She ain't gonna think about who's at fault here, it's all about results! If you don't move your furry ass right now, you're signing our death certificates!

Alright, let's say I do it your way. Where do we look for him?

Use your brain.

Only a Siracusan would write the looney broad a letter. Aside from Penguin Logistics, who else in Lungmen's got anythin' to do with Siracusa?

You tellin' me it's the traitors we brought with us from the old country?

Not only did they betray us, they're nabbing our guy?

Heh, guess you do still got a couple of brain cells to rub together.

Can't say for sure it was them, but they do fit the profile. They're gonna know something, at least.

Andiamo.

Those traitorous cazzi. One day, I swear I'm gonna—

Hold it!

I've been telling you since the first day we stepped into Lungmen. They got their own rules here.

Don't forget how we lost to the Rat King, and how he let us go without a scratch.

Don't need the reminder, Capone!

I sure hope so.

So, we're droppin' in on the traitors' hideout. We ain't there to pick a fight or teach 'em a lesson. Just doin' a little information gathering. You hear me?

Slow down. This is the place.

How do you feel?

Never better.

What's the plan? Grab a couple and start askin' questions?

Probably a better way.

If they're the mooks who kidnapped our Messenger guy from Siracusa, then it's somethin' their bosses cooked up. And if it wasn't them, then these small timers ain't gonna know anything.

It's times like these you actually give that brain a little workout, huh?

So, how are we runnin' this one? Like we did in the old days? You go make some noise while I sneak in?

Not so fast. We gotta case the joint a little longer. Don't take a risk if their guard is low enough.

We're working for the crazy broad. I need all the help I can get, even if you usually do more harm than good.