Chapter 9

Going from the human realm to Meru Palace was always slightly jarring but it was even more so because Id gone back by myself with just the memory of Mei to keep me company.

I put our bag of groceries on the table when I entered my chambers, trying not to think about how lonely and big they were. It was pristine and Id owned everything in it for a long time but was it really any more personal than her hotel room? Suddenly, I wasnt so sure.

A little forlorn, I checked my phone, annoyed at myself for looking at the device every five minutes. But as I expected, there was no reply from Mei yet. She did say she was very busy with work so that was probably the reason why she hadnt messaged back yet. I hoped.

I typed out another message, only to delete it before I could hit send. I didnt want to be needy and desperate just because I couldnt stop thinking about her. If last night meant as much to me as her, she would find time to reply. And if it didnt...

With a sigh, I put my phone away and went over to the wall with my instruments displayed on it. They were the only thing of worth in here, but most of them hadnt been touched or played in centuries.

I picked my favourite liuqin from its stand and strummed my fingers over the strings, drawing notes from the instrument that had been quiet for so long. It was understandably out of tune but a bit of tweaking sorted that easily.

My fingers remembered the movements like Id played the song this morning. The melody of the old folk song filled my room and I lost myself in the playful but longing tones. It suited the strange mood I was in and I couldnt remember why I ever stopped playing in the first place.

While I played the chorus, I thought about Mei. Her voice and reverence for the song had awakened something inside me that had nothing to do with her beauty or our chemistry. It was all to do with the music.

I let the last notes linger, savouring them before the silence returned. Before it could, a soft clap came from the door opening and I turned around, surprised to find Duowen watching me.

I cant remember the last time I heard you play, he remarked with a strange expression on his face.

What are you doing here? I asked, putting the liuqin back on the wall mount instead of responding to his remark.

Duowen came into my room without an invitation. Were going to need to set up some extra coverage for the banquet on Sunday, I need you to call in a favour to get someone who can do that.

I frowned. What are you thinking?

Someone with a camera and a few big screens.

What are we expecting to happen at the banquet? I asked, trying to keep my surprise under control.

Apparently this Mimi-person we booked comes with quite the fan base. Since it became known that shes playing at our banquet, weve had three times as many RSVPs from immortals and gods. I think some from the other pantheons are even making an appearance.

Thats quite a big deal then, I replied, although I couldnt say I really cared. My thoughts were still with Mei, our night together, and what I could do to see her again. I should be able to call in a favour with Baal. Last I heard, he was only doing animal photography these days, but Im sure hell have the contacts needed. Unlike us, the head of the Canaanite pantheon had found himself something new to do.

Duowen nodded. It is a big deal, but you missed all that. I came by yesterday to tell you, but you werent here.

I had an unexpected trip to the human realm, I said, not in the mood to talk to Duowen about this. Is that all?

He nodded and wandered further into my room, looking at the instruments on the wall. He paused in front of the two-stringed erhu and smiled. What was that song that you always used to play when we were younger?

I dont know what youre talking about, I replied stubbornly.

Yes, you do. You used to play a song like it when you were sulking that I beat you at Go. It used to drive me nuts. I wished youd play something more upbeat but you were always bothering us with that melancholic crap. What was it called again? Something about Summer?

Summer flowers bloom and wilt in one night, I answered. Another song I hadnt thought about in a long time.

Duowen nodded. Thats the one. I hated that song with a passion.

I glared at him. Thanks?

He reached out to the guqin but stopped himself before he touched it. I remember the day you decided you didnt want to play the erhu anymore. I was glad at first that I didnt have to listen to that song. But then you put down the pipa, the dongxiao, and eventually, even your guqin. And it was only when the silence set in that I realised I missed that stupid song and the era that you played it in.

I felt myself soften at his unexpected vulnerability and honesty. It had been a long time since Duowen had said anything that wasnt a command or an order. He sounded like the old friend I used to know again.

With a few steps, I joined him by the wall and looked at my collection of instruments and the stories and memories they held. I had neglected them for far too long but it was hard to create music when there was none inside of me. I never imagined Duowen was paying enough attention to notice, but it felt good that he did.

I think Im going to start playing again, just to annoy you, I said, feeling myself smile. Especially Summer flowers bloom and wilt in one night.

Duowen clapped my back. Sounds awful. I could beat you in Go again to put you in the right mood.

You could try. I gave him a shove. Now get out of my room.

Gladly, I have stuff to do because unlike you, I dont go philandering in the human realm when Im bored. He paused at the entrance and turned back at me, looking younger than when he came in. Try to look alive at the banquet, will you? The music master does his best to pick musicians that he thinks youll like, but you never even smile.

Ill be better. What did you say was the name of the artist again?

Mimi. You should at least look her up so you can give her a compliment or something, Duowen replied. The banquets in a few days. Make sure you get that equipment sorted.

And his commands were back.

Ill get it done, I promised.

Great. Now I need to go see to the food, the kitchens arent going to be happy about this. Remember how they grumbled when Guangmu got the numbers wrong for his birthday party.

That was three hundred years ago, the kitchen staff have changed since then, I pointed out. But yes, its good to give them a heads up.

Once he was gone, I made myself comfortable on a chaise by the open window. The scent of flowers blew in from the garden, reminding me of Mei. I checked my phone, but there was no reply from her. I was being foolish if I thought there was going to be more. Last night had been special, but shed been clear going in what she wanted. It must just have meant more to me than her.

With a disappointed sigh, I decided to follow Duowens advice and look up this Mimi. He was right, I had been checked out with what went on in the Palace and that wasnt very fair of me. Especially when these banquets were thrown to please and entertain us. And the rest of the gods and immortals who attended.

Multiple videos of live recordings popped up in my browser and I tapped on the first one. The sound of the cheering crowd came through the speakers, sounding tinny in quality. The song started with a few notes from a guitar and I froze as the woman started singing.

Id recognise that voice even on the worst sound system available.

Mei.

The quality of the video was terrible, especially compared to the demonstration I had yesterday while she was wearing nothing more than a shirt and her hair in disarray from the night we spent together. I didnt even need to see her face to know that Mei and Mimi were the same person.

Suddenly, a lot of things made sense, including her vague comments about work, the expensive suite, and why shed been just as clueless at the supermarket check-out as me. I hadnt questioned it because I was too busy hiding my own status.

I felt excited and giddy all over again at the prospect of seeing her again and what it meant for us. Maybe shed just wanted one night where she could be herself, or maybe she thought she couldnt have more than that with her job. With her fame, it was perfectly reasonable for her to worry that the person she dated wouldnt know how to handle it but that wasnt the case for me. I knew all that came with being in the spotlight, even if that had faded over the years as fewer people had believed and worshipped me. I would have no issue with her popularity or who she was.

But would she have an issue with my status? It was impossible to predict but I was determined to talk to her so we could clear the air, and perhaps pick up where we left off. For once, I was more than a little interested in the coming banquet, and Id be counting down the days until I could see Mei again.