Work Text:
“It is a cozy little house you have,” said Eigong, stepping into the hallway. She had to bend in order to pass through the door – it was clearly not designed for someone her height. “I believe it would provide a far better environment for your experiments than that cave. Excess humidity affects electronics negatively…” She paused. “Although, had it happened here, the explosion you caused would have torn at least a wall or two apart.”
A grimace crossed Yi's face.
“I wouldn't be able to work here even if I wanted to. My parents are of the superstitious and delusional sort, opposing all science and repeating that Taoist nonsense. They didn't even know about my project… And especially now, after the incident, there's just no way…”
He sighed, trailing off. Why was he making the greatest scientist of their era listen to his complaints? It was none of her business…
Good thing mom doesn't know she's here, he thought. Xihe would absolutely make a scene and embarrass him even further.
Eigong, however, didn't seem annoyed at all.
“I understand your frustration, child. Few are granted the resources and freedom to pursue science in this day and age. Such a pity…”
Before Yi could answer, a sound of quick footsteps coming down the stairs reached his ears. Moments later, Heng appeared in the hallway. He'd completely forgotten she was even there..
“Yi!” she called, her expression bright and joyful as always. “Were you talking to someone? I think I heard–” She cut off, when she noticed Eigong's towering silhouette. “Woah…” she exhaled.
Yi felt a slight blush creeping onto his face. He turned to the older woman.
“Esteemed Sol, this is–”
Heng, however, was quicker than words. With an excited squeal, she rushed through the corridor and then threw herself at Eigong, wrapping her arms tightly around Sol’s thigh.
“Science lady from the tv!” she exclaimed. “Thank you! Thank you for saving my dear brother!”
“Heng!” hissed Yi. His cheeks must have been burning with embarrassment right now. “For heaven's sake, behave yourself! Esteemed Sol, I apologize…”
Eigong was looking down at the little girl tied to her leg, squishing her with all her might, with a combination of confusion and… endearment.
“I don't think you should be trying so hard to crush my bones in return, young one,” she said in her usual matter-of-fact tone, with just a hint of amusement.
“Hehe…” Heng grinned widely, but as she looked up at the Sol and met her gaze, her expression turned more timid. She backed away slowly – one leg of Eigong's vanilla-yellow pants had been turned into a wrinkled mess. “Sorry…”
“Stop bothering our guest!” said Yi in a sharp voice. “Or better yet, do something useful and boil some water for tea.”
Heng nodded eagerly and, as fast as she had appeared, she ran off to the kitchen. Yi nervously glanced at the scientist, but she didn't appear offended. In fact, a shadow of a smile graced her thin lips, as her gaze followed Heng.
“What a sweet child,” she mused. “She must be quite fond of you.”
“She is… A little too much at times. She sticks to me like a gecko to a wall.” Yi scratched the fur behind his ear. “Please excuse her lack of manners.”
“No harm done,” she said, straightening the leg of her pants. “Now, I'll gladly have that tea, I am absolutely parched.”
“Of course. This way.”
He led her to the living room and gestured to a small table with four colorful cushions around it. Then he walked back to the kitchen to get the tea… and Heng.
He found his sister at the counter, staring at the tea jars and apparently debating which one to pick.
“Did you have to embarrass me so much?” he asked. He walked to the counter and picked the closest jar, but Heng grabbed his hand.
“Not this one! It's too bland. We need to serve the science lady something unique!”
“Stop calling her ‘the science lady’,” moaned Yi. “Her name is Eigong.”
“But she has all those fancy titles…” Heng's eyes narrowed, as she tried to read the label on a particularly colorful tea box. “You don't call her by her name either.”
“Are you crazy? That would be rude.” He shook his head. “Speaking of being rude, we shouldn't keep her waiting. Just pick something already!”
The girl opened the colorful box and sniffed the contents. Her expression brightened.
“This one!” she exclaimed. “It’s flavored with a blend of flowers. She’s going to love it!”
“Oh, are my children making tea for me?”
Yi's heart skipped a beat as he heard their mother's voice coming from behind them. She gave them a warm smile before putting down the grocery bag she was holding. A few fresh tomatoes spilled out of it.
“Mom!” Heng immediately forgot about the tea and rushed into her mother's arms.
“You're back early…” said Yi.
“The market wasn't too crowded today. I got everything I needed.” She looked at him over Heng’s head, her expression souring. “You don't seem too happy to see me. What stunt have you pulled off this time?”
“Uh, nothing! Stop assuming the worst from me,” he snarled. “I just wanted to tell you that we have a guest.”
Xihe raised a brow.
“A guest?”
“It's Eye-gong, the science lady from the tv!” said Heng with a grin.
Her mother clearly did not share the enthusiasm. Yi felt her gaze become icy.
“Oh? And what is that freak of nature doing in our house?” she said.
Yi’s eyes widened. Even though it wasn't directed at him, he took it as a personal insult.
“How can you say such a thing…? She is one of the greatest minds of our generation, show some respect!”
“I have no respect for those who desecrate Mother Fusang and make hair decorations out of Her Roots,” hissed his mother. She gently pushed Heng away and grabbed a broom that was standing against the wall. “Where is she?”
Blood drained from Yi's face.
“You wouldn't dare–”
Before he could finish, Xihe stormed out of the room. Heng shot Yi a worried glance, but the boy barely noticed. Panic rose in his heart as he quickly followed his mother to the living room.
He found her at the doorway, leaning against the frame, clutching the broomstick in her one hand. Her eyes were like two shining daggers, ready to pierce Eigong's internal organs.
“Well, well,” she spoke up, a little too loudly for it to sound natural. “My son didn't tell me we were expecting guests.”
Yi snuck a little closer and was soon joined by Heng. They scooted around the corner, watching the scene unfold.
Eigong was standing with her hands clasped behind her back, looking through the window at the courtyard. She turned around – even if she saw the disdain in the other woman's eyes, her own expression remained neutral.
“Mrs. Hou,” she said, giving a polite nod. Xihe was expected to bow: she did not. “By all means, it was not a scheduled visit, your son was simply kind enough to offer me a cup of tea. Although, now that I'm here, I would like to have a word with you.”
Xihe’s eyes narrowed.
“About what, exactly?”
“Oh, I believe you already know.” Eigong raised her chin a little bit. It was a small movement, but, coupled with the fact she was already towering over Yi's mother by at least two heads, it made her look even more imposing. “I still haven't received an answer to my letter.”
Xihe gave an annoyed snarl.
“I thought a genius like you would've figured it out by now. But if I really need to spell it out to you, then my answer is: no. I will not let you turn my son into one of those psychopathic warlords.”
The corner of Eigong's lips twitched ever so slightly, yet she remained perfectly composed.
“I don't know where that prejudice is coming from, but I think your perception of the Council is warped. We have no need for constructing weapons, our focus is solely on improving the lives of our fellow solarians.” She sighed. “Your son has the potential to do just that. His designs could one day revolutionize–”
“I think I've made myself clear.” Xihe cut her off, tightening her hold on the broomstick. “He isn't going anywhere. Now get out of my house and never speak to my children again.”
Eigong raised a brow. Yi could tell her calm demeanor alone was enough to make his mother's blood boil.
“Is this the gratitude I'm receiving for saving your son's life?” she asked.
“How dare you?!” growled Xihe. She took a few steps towards Eigong, her breathing heavy and her fangs bared. “You are the very reason he got injured in the first place! He was doing those vile experiments just so that he could impress you, and he almost killed himself and Heng in the process! I don't think you deserve any gratitude for that!”
A tiny crack appeared in Eigong's mask of composure. Her eyes narrowed.
“I think you're forgetting who you're talking to,” she said coldly.
“Oh, I know very well who you are, you wretched heretic!”
In that moment Yi saw something break in his mother. He watched in horror as she overstepped one last boundary of reason by raising the broomstick and all of a sudden charging at Eigong, aiming at the scientist's head…
A flash of bright green light almost blinded Yi, as he heard a sound of wood shattering combined with two overlapping screams from his mother and Heng. Splinters – all that remained of the broomstick – cascaded onto the floor.
The glow faded as soon as it appeared, and the boy could see his mother kneeling on the ground, her eyes wide in shock. Eigong loomed above her with one hand held out in a defensive position. Yi noticed sparks of green energy dancing between her fingers before they finally disappeared. It couldn't be…
“Mom!” Heng rushed to their mother's side and wrapped her tiny arms around her. Xihe held her close, her hands shaking slightly.
Eigong lowered her hand. Her lips were clenched into a thin line.
“I think that's enough,” she said in a commanding, razor-sharp tone. Xihe bowed her head – not in respect, Yi realized, but defeat.
“Son,” she said, “walk our guest back to the–”
“No need. I know the way out.” Eigong walked past her, not even sparing her one more glance, and headed towards the door. Yi just stood there, completely stunned and still processing what just had happened. Only when Eigong slammed the door closed did he regain his senses. He dashed after her, leaving his mother on the floor, cursing underneath her breath.
He caught up with the scientist in the courtyard. For a while, he walked just behind her in silence, his heart still pounding and his mind a whirlwind of thoughts.
“I hope you are aware that attacking a Sol can result in a death penalty,” Eigong spoke up, looking at him over her shoulder. “I was expecting aversion, but not open hostility – especially from someone who claims that it is us scientists who resort to violence. Your mother must have been really desperate to tarnish your family's honor just to get rid of me.”
Yi bowed his head, feeling his throat run dry. He felt her intense gaze on him, but couldn't bring himself to meet her eyes. What could he even say? For years, she had been his idol and greatest inspiration, the teacher he always dreamed of having. And now that she saw potential in him, now that this dream finally had a chance to come true… It got shattered into a million pieces along with his mother's broomstick.
He just barely managed to stop his tears from falling. Minutes passed in silence before he heard Eigong sigh.
“I am not going to speak up about this incident,” she said. “I've no intention of turning two children into orphans. And besides, I still need her to sign that letter.”
Yi's eyes widened, as he finally looked at her.
“You… still want me to join the Council?” he asked in a weak voice.
“I do. From the moment you showed me your projects, I believed you would be a valuable addition to our ranks. Your mother's scandalous behavior doesn't change that.” She glanced at him, her face twitching in a grimace. “In this age of Taoism and superstition we have to get out of our way to recruit competent members. I really hope you're worth the effort I'm putting myself through for you.”
“I… appreciate it immensely,” said Yi. “And I am forever grateful.”
He could feel the weight falling from his shoulders. She still wanted him as her student after everything his mother said and did? He could not believe his own luck.
Yet, as he recalled the events of the past hour, one more issue arose in his mind…
“Esteemed Sol, if I may…” he dared to speak up. “That green glow you conjured… was it Qi manipulation?”
She nodded.
“Yes. We call that move basic energy dissipation. A parry in short.”
Yi stared at her, his amazement only growing.
“I didn't know you were skilled in martial arts…”
She huffed.
“I am a Fangshi through and through. They were not just a scientific organization, but a deadly military force as well. They brought the Jie Kingdom down with both wits and strength. They believed one's mind and body need to stay equally sharp. I, too, share that perspective.”
“Can you teach me?” Yi heard the words leave his mouth before he could stop himself. His heart was pounding in his small chest. She was not only a scientific prodigy, but also a warrior…
They reached the border of the field that connected to the main road leading to the docks. Eigong stopped and looked down at him. The coldness was almost gone from her gaze, replaced only with annoyance and fatigue.
“I could,” she said flatly. “I will think about it as soon as you convince your mother to sign that damn letter.” She turned away from him. “I'll be on my way. My transport is waiting and I have work to do back at the Institute.”
Yi lowered his head.
“Of course. I’m so sorry for–”
“Don't,” she cut him off sharply. “I won't deny, I am very disappointed in your mother. But you had nothing to do with it, child. My offer is still on the table, but that is everything I can do for you. For now… Farewell, Yi.”
The boy gave her a low bow, though she didn't even spare him a glance as she began walking towards the docks.
“Esteemed Sol…” Yi said quietly. He remained in a bent position for a while, even though Eigong was already far away. He looked at the ground below him, feeling a new sense of determination rising within him. “Your gracious offer will not go to waste.”
He would make sure of it.