Chapter Text
It was a calm early March afternoon. The sun was shining brightly, birds were chirping, and rush hour was about to begin. As the flood of vehicles suddenly emerged and funneled onto the road, they were soon joined by a shiny red hybrid minivan. In the driver’s seat was Kilik, on his way to pick up Xianghua from work. The traffic was moving at a moderate pace, and a blue Toyota followed closely behind Kilik in the center lane. The sun’s glare made its way into his line of sight, illuminating the sleek, dark interior of the car. Squinting, he loosened the grip of his right hand on the steering wheel and slowed briefly to bring down the sun visor. Just as he was about to resume driving at regular speed, he heard a loud screech as the blue Toyota that had been behind him suddenly stopped, inches away from hitting his rear. It quickly lurched over to the right as the driver - a woman with short blonde hair - turned to face Kilik, her seafoam green eyes narrow with indignation as she rolled down her window.
“Hey! If you don’t mind, SOME of us have places to be!” she shouted.
“Sorry, I ju-“
Before Kilik could even finish his apology, the woman sped off. Must be a long day for her, he thought to himself, shrugging as he refocused onto the road ahead. Apart from that small upset, the rest of the drive was uneventful, and within 15 minutes he’d arrived at the rear parking lot of the museum where Xianghua worked as security. Kilik peered at the exit door for a few minutes until he eventually saw a familiar smile beaming at him through sunglasses in the distance. The Chinese woman was clad in a simple pale pink top with high waisted jeans and a light blue windbreaker with a hot pink lotus patch; a far cry from the sharp, tailored uniform that she wore daily. Her small frame and youthful features might have fooled the untrained eye, but her fierceness and efficiency at her job were not to be underestimated.
“So, how was your day?” Kilik asked as Xianghua settled into the passenger’s side, fastening the seatbelt and hooking her sunglasses onto the neckline of her shirt.
“Eh, same old for the most part. Except for this one guy I had to escort out because he was trying to get in without a pass. He said something about being a ‘world-renowned antiques dealer’ but none of us had ever even heard of him. Really shady. Y-you- “
Xianghua stuttered for a moment, struggling to contain herself before blurting out “…you should’ve seen his mustache!”, imitating a horned shape with her thumbs and index fingers above her upper lip and erupting into high pitched laughter, contagious enough for Kilik to start chuckling as well.
The laughter was soon interrupted by the tranquil Tibetan flute instrumental that was Kilik’s ringtone. His eyes traveled downward to read the caller ID, at which they quickly shifted from their amused expression to a serious and focused one as he answered the phone.
“Hello?...Yes…I’ll be right over.”
Hanging up, Kilik reached toward the keys in the ignition. Immediately noticing the change in his demeanor, Xianghua tilted her head and looked towards him, her eyes widening with concern.
“Who was that?” she asked.
“Master. He said that he needs to speak to me about something over at the gym. If you want, I can just drop you off at home first-“
Xianghua interrupted him, gently raising her finger to his lips, declaring “I’ll come with you.”
“Are you sure?” Kilik asked reticently.
She smiled softly. “It’s fine. It’s not a big deal, the gym isn’t far from here.”
“Alright…” he paused, his face losing some of its tension as he started the car.
“…thank you, Xianghua.”
The Ling-Sheng Su Gym was a large and well-maintained facility that, at its peak, saw dozens of practitioners from far and wide. Owned and operated by a strong and enigmatic older man known only as Edgemaster, it held classes in several styles of mixed martial arts. Despite its prestige, over the years it saw a gradually dwindling attendance, to the point that Kilik was the last remaining instructor in its employment. He stepped into the building with a solemn expression, bracing himself for the worst as he headed towards Edgemaster’s office. Xianghua, walking at Kilik’s side before pausing with him outside the office door, embraced his arm tightly and said quietly “You’ll be fine.”
“I think it’s best that I go alone…” Kilik said, the first words he’d spoken since they’d been inside the car.
“But- “she started.
“Please, Xianghua…the last thing you need is to be dragged down with my problems.”
“…Okay” she replied, sighing reluctantly as her eyes shifted to the side. “I’ll wait in the car.”
“Thank you for understanding. I’ll be back soon” Kilik said with a strained smile as he turned forward, hand twisting the bronze doorknob open and stepping inside.
“You wanted to see me, Master?”
Edgemaster had been standing with his back facing the door, gazing outside the window of his office with a pensive expression. As he heard Kilik’s voice, he quickly turned around. Briefly closing his eyes, he bowed, the gesture of respect mutually returned by the younger man.
“Kilik…” he began.
“I believe you know why I’ve called you over here. Things have been slow for a long time. Very slow.”
“And so, it is with a heavy heart that I must tell you…” he sighed.
Kilik swallowed, hands beading with sweat and clenched into tight fists as his gaze shifted downward in anticipation of those two dreaded words.
“I’m retiring.”
“W…what?” Kilik stammered, his body loosening from all its tension as he blinked in disbelief.
“I am an old man, Kilik. I do not have much time left on this earth, and I want to make the most of the rest that I have. Travel, meet people, see the sights the world has to offer…I never thought I’d say it but there is more to life than fighting and training, and I want to experience it as much as I can.”
“So…you’re not laying me off?” Kilik asked with a puzzled expression.
Edgemaster chuckled. “No…quite the opposite, my boy. I have a proposition for you.”
“Okay…and that would be…?” said Kilik, one eyebrow raised skeptically.
“How would you like to take ownership of this place?”
Kilik’s eyes widened in bewilderment. “Me?...Master, with all due respect, I’m not quite sure about this idea.”
“Why not?” Edgemaster asked, a gruff tone to his voice. “In all my years, you have been my best and most dedicated student. This gym needs new blood, and I believe you are just the man for the job.”
“But what would I even do? I’ve never been in charge of a business. I can’t just magically make more people want to come here.” Kilik said, gesturing with his arms.
“I have an idea!” a high pitched voice rang out.
The two men instantly turned their heads toward the door, and were greeted by the sight of Xianghua, who’d burst through the office door suddenly.
“Xianghua, what are you doing here?! You said you were going to wait inside the car!” Kilik said with a stern expression.
Blushing, she glanced to the side and sheepishly replied “I know”
“I’m sorry for eavesdropping, I- I couldn’t help it”, she continued. “You just looked so tense and I wanted to do something to make you feel better…I’ll leave if you want me to.” With her head lowered, Xianghua turned slowly and stepped toward the door. Just as her hand was about to turn the knob, she was interrupted by a sudden, gravelly “Wait!”
Xianghua turned around with a look of surprise as Edgemaster beckoned forward with his hand. “Let us hear what you have in mind.” he said, his wizened face stirring with intrigue.
“Well…” she started, “I was thinking about maybe turning the gym into a yoga studio.
“It’s super trendy right now, and a lot less intense than MMA. So many people are under a lot of stress these days. I think yoga would be a nice way for them to relax, unwind and clear their minds for a bit.”
“Sorry, I know that sounds so cheesy…” Xianghua said with a wince.
“You’re wrong, Xianghua,” Kilik began, “It's...a great idea!” he exclaimed, his features softening into a warm smile. “Master, I think we’ve found a compromise! So, what do you say?”
The room went quiet as the older man held his chin in contemplation. After a moment, he opened his eyes and smirked. Breaking the silence with a single, thunderous clap of his hands, he exclaimed “Very well! Sounds like a plan to me.”
Gesturing towards his desk, Edgemaster sat down with a small stack of paperwork for the two to read and sign. Once the final signatures were made, he produced a small envelope from his hands and slid it over to them, with an expectant look on his face. When they opened it, they gasped in unison.
“Master, this is-” Kilik began.
“- twelve thousand dollars?!” Xianghua shrieked.
“To help maintain the business. Think of it as a parting gift from me.” the older man said softly as the two bowed and thanked him profusely.
“It has been an honor to have you as a student, Kilik. I know this place is in good hands and I wish you nothing but success going forward.”
“Thank you, Master.” Kilik said.
“I am not the only one who needs to be thanked.” Edgemaster replied in a low voice. He leaned in and whispered into the younger man’s ear. “That woman, Xianghua…I can see that she cares about you very much. Make sure to cherish and appreciate her in return.”
“Of course” Kilik whispered back as he glanced over at Xianghua, who greeted his gaze with a radiant smile. The two gave their final bows and waves to Edgemaster, and made their way out of the building with their hands held tightly together, not separating until they’d made it back to the car.
“Have something to tell me?” Xianghua teased, winking at Kilik as she settled back into the passenger’s seat.
“I do. Thank you Xianghua”
“Kilik…” she whispered, gazing at his face in admiration.
“Not just for your suggestion today, but for everything” he continued, slowly closing his eyes and leaning toward her for a kiss. Xianghua smiled as she returned the gesture, giggling softly as his lips brushed warmly against hers, felt his fingers caressing her hair as she held him tightly. The two continued briefly before pulling away, blushing like a pair of awkward teenagers at the sudden sound of their rumbling stomachs filling the car.
“We should head back now. The kids are probably hungry too.” Xianghua sputtered, reaching to fasten her seatbelt.
Kilik coughed. “R-right. Let’s go home.”
“Dinner’s ready, everybody!” called Xianghua as she stepped out of the kitchen into the dining room carrying a large bowl of chicken curry, placing it in the center of the table. Kilik entered behind her with a similarly sized bowl of chana aloo, and the two dishes were soon accompanied by a platter of sauteed string beans. At every corresponding seat at the table were individual bowls of steamed rice, and a plate with a warm piece of roti.
“Yeah! I was starving!” exclaimed Xiba as he made his way toward the dining table, followed closely behind by his younger siblings and soon joined by family friend Maxi.
“Oh, it smells so good!” sang Leixia.
“I hope it’s not too spicy…” said Leixin softly, pushing his thick glasses up onto his nose.
“You’ll be fine.” reassured Maxi, patting him on the back.
They all settled into their seats and began to eat vigorously. Near the end of the meal, Kilik’s eyes met Xianghua’s and they nodded at each other silently.
“Everyone, we have some news to share.” announced Kilik.
“Lemme guess, you two’re having another kid?” asked Maxi teasingly.
“No!” they yelped in unison, blushing and exchanging embarrassed looks.
“W-we…” sputtered Xianghua “we just wanted to tell you all that Kilik’s boss is retiring, and he signed the gym over to us. We’re turning it into a yoga studio!”
“Aw man,” groaned Xiba. “No offense mom, but can’t you turn it into a restaurant instead? That’d be a way better business!”
“No restaurant on EARTH would be enough for you!” chimed in Leixia, at which everyone at the table broke into low laughter. “Anyway, that’s so cool, mom!”
“Thanks, sweetheart. Here’s to a new beginning!” Xianghua beamed. “And on that note… I just thought of the perfect name! We’ll call it…The Rising Phoenix!”
“Great choice!” said Kilik. “Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll need to make a website and social media, design a logo, get some flyers printed…”
“Let us help you a little!” Leixia exclaimed. “Leixin can deal with the nerd stuff and I’ll hand out the flyers and do word of mouth!”. Leixin raised a finger, seemingly in objection at being called a nerd, but quickly hushed as his sister briefly shot him a death glare while Xiba snickered.
“Thank you for that.” Kilik replied with a smile. “I’m not the most tech savvy.”
“And don’t forget about the renovations,” added Xianghua. “It won’t be too much work because the place is really clean, but we need to spruce it up a bit. Repaint the walls, put in some hardwood flooring, get rid of the punching bags, maybe add some decor…”
“Hey, if you guys want a hand with that stuff, I can help out for about $800.” chimed in Maxi.
“Oh Maxi, that’s so sweet of you!” Xianghua chirped.
“It’s no trouble. Anything for a friend.” he said with a winking smirk and raised thumb at the two.
“Alright, looks like we have everything planned out!” concluded Kilik with a determined smile.
“Woo! This’ll be great!” Xianghua cheered, raising a fist triumphantly.
“Uh… not to interrupt, but can we start putting away the leftovers and doing the dishes now?” asked Leixin meekly.
A brief silence passed over the table for a few seconds before everyone else started laughing. “Of course, sweetie,” Xianghua said reassuringly.
“Okay everyone, let’s clean up!”