[-] As Bamboo Cloud's representative, picking a side could get us into trouble. I should stay quiet and see how Magical Dream handles the situation.
[-] To my surprise, Yuan Feng gives me a pat on the arm.
[Yuan Feng] This is your chance.
[player] Huh? What?
[Yuan Feng] From your divination. Go and seize it.
[player] Why?
[Yuan Feng] If you let Magical Dream owe you a favor, wouldn't that open the door to negotiations?
[-] Realizing this opportunity, I promptly rise to my feet.
[player] Let's all calm down and talk this over.
[Mr. Zhao] And just who might you be?
[player] Ahem, um, I represent Bamboo Cloud.
[Mr. Zhao] So, you're the blasted source of our problems!
[Yuan Feng] Mr. Zhao, don't tell me you've forgotten what the feng shui master said when you had your tea house's feng shui assessed? Good karma starts with the words you speak.
[-] Standing next to me with a smile, Yuan Feng uses his fan to shield me from the clear liquid spraying at me like a shower from Mr. Zhao. He then tosses the fan nonchalantly onto the table.
[-] Looks like he won't be wanting it anymore.
[-] I'm guessing you didn't come here just to torment a young lady. This must be about something else, surely?
[San Niang] My apologies. Zhao here can be rather blunt, I hope you won't take any offense.
[-] Having kept silent until now, San Niang stands up. She reaches out and tugs at Mr. Zhao, then smiles and passes me a red envelope.
[San Niang] The real reason we came here was to deliver this.
[player] An invitation... to a "tea competition?"
[San Niang] As Mr. Yuan said, we didn't come to pick a fight, but rather to forge a friendship with Magical Dream by way of a tea competition.
[San Niang] In all these years, Magical Dream has never partnered with any other tea houses on Champion Street, nor has it joined the tea association. For it to suddenly attract Bamboo Cloud's attention, it must be exceptional indeed.
[Yuan Xiao] But that doesn't mean we have to compete with any of you.
[San Niang] You're mistaken, my dear. The truth lies not in any quarrel between us, but in people's hearts.
[San Niang] All of a sudden, Magical Dream has seized the biggest order on Champion Street. Aren't you afraid you'll face a lifetime of criticism if you can't convince the rest of us that you've earned it?
[-] San Niang's gaze circles back to Yuan Xiao and I before landing squarely on Yuan Feng. Yuan Feng, however, maintains an air of indifference.
[San Niang] So... we devised a foolproof plan--for Bamboo Cloud's old supplier, New Moon, to engage in a tea competition with Magical Dream.
[Mr. Zhao] Haha, a bit of friendly competition, that's all. Hahaha.
[San Niang] Should Magical Dream win, it will naturally quash discontent on Champion Street regarding Bamboo Cloud's choice, as well as put a stop to the rumors encircling Magical Dream.
[Yuan Xiao] Easier said than done. And if we lose?
[San Niang] Should Magical Dream lose or back down from the challenge, then... Deary me.
[-] San Niang covers her smile with her hand and says nothing further. Instead, it's the onlookers drawn to our dispute who begin to murmur amongst themselves.
[Tea Drinker A] That would mean that New Moon's right, and there's something fishy about the deal with Magical Dream.
[Tea Drinker B] What? There's gonna be a tea competition?
[Tea Drinker C] And it'll be between New Moon and Magical Dream?
[Tea Drinker D] Ohoho, time to start placing bets!
[-] One after another, the surrounding tea drinkers join in the commotion.
[Yuan Xiao] (whisper) I... The boss just said to deal with any trouble that comes in. He didn't say anything about a big scene like this...
[-] Funny, my boss didn't say that anything like this was in the cards either...
[Yuan Feng] Everyone, our friend here from Bamboo Cloud and Miss Yuan Xiao are simply acting on their bosses' orders. Only their respective employers can agree to this, wouldn't you agree?
[Mr. Zhao] This guy isn't as blind to the situation as he seems...
[Mr. Li] (whisper) Zhao, not everyone who wears sunglasses is blind.
[player] ...
[Yuan Feng] That was a bit uncalled for, Mr. Zhao. Why don't you propose a time, and these two can discuss it with their superiors?
[San Niang] That's acceptable.
[-] After casting Yuan Feng an appreciative glance, Yuan Xiao and I shuffle off to separate corners.
[-] But... who should I contact?
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