After many calm days, we finally had some free time. Today Sherry invited us to Century Park for a self-serve barbecue. The two girls lay in the tent dodging the sun while Er-Ge and I were kept busy. Er-Ge brushed oil on the drumsticks and sprinkled chili on the potatoes; my job was flipping them.
Er-Ge's hands didn't stop and his mouth didn't either. "Fa-Ge, how's it going with my sis? How far have you gotten? When are you bringing the betrothal gifts to her family?"
I gave an embarrassed smile. "Don't point fingers at me—how about you and Sherry? Did Captain Fang nod his approval yet? Want me to put in a good word for you?"
Er-Ge made a miserable face. "I'm doomed. Look at Fang's circle—guys like Qin the God. Does my little charisma even register with him?"
"You're fine. The fact we're all in this job means Fang trusts you. Me? Old Daoist Zhang says I'm a 'Heavenly Death Lone Star'—tough luck!"
"You gotta tell me what that old Taoist is about — always acting mysterious. Can he fly on a sword or what?"
I stroked the Pixiu at my chest; its warm smoothness was oddly comforting. "Next time, ask him yourself."
We were mid-banter when an anime-styled girl walked over holding flyers. "Two handsome guys, interested in the Japanese Cherry Blossom Cultural Exchange Festival?"
Er-Ge and I exchanged looks — the word 'Japan' now made our pulses spike — and we waved her off: "No thanks, no thanks."
The girl persisted. "Come on, there'll be lots of pretty girls. Scan the QR and the ticket's free — super easy."
Sherry and Liu Siyu emerged from the tent. Sherry, as always bold, reached for the flyer: "Let me see how many pretty girls there are."
The girl eagerly handed over two flyers. "This event happens in many cities simultaneously, so it's legit — no scams."
Liu Siyu glanced at the flyer and then, coldly: "We'll look ourselves. You can go." She gave off a 'strangers keep away' vibe so strong the girl scurried off.
Er-Ge thumbs-upped Liu Siyu, then handed each girl a drumstick. "Try my cooking!"
Sherry munched and sneered: "What's with these Japanese folks — playing political games on one hand and holding culture festivals on the other?"
Liu Siyu's face shifted. She took the flyer again, stared, and then her expression turned serious. She met our eyes and said quietly, "What Sherry said — there's something off here."
The four of us exchanged a look — this wasn't something to discuss out loud. Er-Ge: "Sherry, head home first. We've got things to take care of." Sherry nodded. "Go on — leave it to me."
Back at the Ministry's meeting room, we dragged Qin the God away from his Sudoku with some difficulty. He was petulant. "Weren't you supposed to be out today? Can't even let me play in peace?"
Er-Ge: "God, we've got work. Let my sister explain."
Qin's expression shifted to serious. "Alright, talk."
Liu Siyu produced the flyer and pointed to the festival locations. "Check these cities on satellite maps."
Qin pulled up the maps like it was second nature. "Shanghai, Ningbo, Rizhao, Wenzhou, Fuzhou, Xiamen, Qingdao, Yantai, Lianyungang — just normal place names. What's the problem?"
Liu Siyu instructed: "On the satellite map, connect Yantai, Qingdao, Rizhao, Lianyungang, Shanghai, Ningbo, Wenzhou, Fuzhou, Xiamen in that order, then overlay a map of Japan and look."
Er-Ge studied the drawn line on the map. "Huh — that looks kinda familiar. It kind of mirrors a geographical pattern from over there in Japan."
Liu Siyu nodded at him approvingly. "Exactly. It's a replica of Kyushu's regional layout. My gut says this is no coincidence. But I can't pinpoint why it matters."
"We need to report this to Fang immediately."