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After endless paperwork handed down by his father Odin — a retired school headmaster — and a pile of unfinished tasks dumped on him by his infamously lazy cousin Loki, Thor finally found himself with a rare moment of peace.
Claiming he needed some fresh air, he left the Æsir Manor.
His elderly father hardly minded. Odin was far more interested in playing with Thor’s twin babies, Váli and Víðarr. Sif, as always, was busy, so the children were usually left in the care of Thor and Odin anyway.
Thor wandered into a narrow alley where many foreigners from the East had settled.
Suddenly, something stirred within him.
A voice—strangely familiar—reached his ears, though he couldn’t recall where he had heard it before.
“Gramps Lü Bu, I told you not to bet on horse racing anymore! If Pa finds out, we’re doomed!”
A young man groaned, protesting his granduncle—or perhaps another elderly relative.
“Shut it, Chen Gong! If Red Hare wins this race, Gramps’ll treat you to a brothel tour. What d’you think? Let’s see if my horse is the honored one through heaven an’ earth!”
Chen Gong looked hopelessly defeated. As he sighed, he noticed a customer standing in front of their teahouse.
“Sir, what would you like to have?” he asked, bowing to Thor with utmost respect.
For some reason, the boy felt familiar.
No—even the horse on the screen being cheered on by the old man felt familiar.
“A set of tea and snacks, please.”
“Right away!”
The young man hurried into the back room while the older one continued cheering loudly for his horse.
“HA! See? You fool! My Red Hare is always beyond heaven and earth—!”
He paused abruptly. “Oh—my apologies. Young man, have you ordered snacks?”
“Yes, sir, I have.” Thor smiled faintly.
Memories from a past life came rushing back—
a brutal death match between him and this old man.
But back then… he wasn’t this old.
“Hey, Gong! Another set for me,” Lü Bu called out. “I like this young man. He looks promising — might make a good conversation partner!”
Thor fell silent.
Does he remember me?
“Sit, ol’ boy. Have a seat!”
“Thank you, sir, but you don’t need to—”
“Nah. You just look familiar. Dunno why, but I feel like I fought you once—long ago!”
Chen Gong rushed back with the tea, hurriedly saying, “Please don’t mind my old man. He’s senile. Everyone who comes to this teahouse looks familiar to hi—whoops!”
Smack.
Lü Bu tapped his “grand-nephew” on the head with a rolled-up newspaper.
“Shut it. Go study law. If you don’t get that lawyer license this year, you’re done! Back to your ma and pa’s farm. I ain’t paying your tuition anymore!”
Chen Gong rolled his eyes. “Yeah, yeah, Gramps. Let’s see if I can stay in the capital a bit longer.”
After placing the dishes and two kettles of tea on the table, he retreated to the back.
“Well,” Lü Bu said.
Thor froze, waiting.
“Ain’t you Thor? Principal Odin’s son? That’s why you looked familiar.”
“Yes, sir. You’re correct. My father was the headmaster of Valhalla School.”
“A rich kid, huh? Not many of your type come here unless they wanna lose money on horse races. Me? Red Hare’s unbeatable. I’ve earned more from him than from this filthy teahouse.”
The old man laughed, flashing sharp teeth. Despite being well into his seventies, he looked remarkably healthy.
“You… you also look familiar to me,” Thor said quietly.
“Hah! No way Principal Odin lets his son wander into a place like this. Too filthy!” Lü Bu laughed again, taking a sip of tea.
“Anyway—enjoy your tea and snacks. My treat!”
“Wait, sir, I can’t—”
“Take it. My compliment.”
…
A compliment?
Thor was confused.
He eventually left the teahouse, quietly slipping a thousand-dollar note under a plate.
“Well…
I never thought we’d face each other again—
in such a peaceful era.
Thank you, Lü Bu… my honorary comrade.
And you too, Chen Gong. Red Hare.
I’ll have tea with you all again… someday.”