A Rooftop Chase

Qingqing made her way to the narrow alley beside the teahouse. Glancing around to make sure no one saw her, she leaped onto the roof. This was the best way to spot that wretch. No matter which direction he had taken off to, she would spot him from above and catch up.

Her cloak fluttered out behind her and she landed on the roof with a dull thump, taking a moment to catch her balance. A faint gasp startled her and she looked around quickly to see a small child who had just wandered into the alley clutching a green bean biscuit, gaping up at her.

There was a brief, tense pause, then Qingqing crouched down and flashed her most brilliant and charming smile. "Little friend, don't tell anyone you saw me, ok?" she whispered. "Let's keep a little secret, you and me."

The baby nodded solemnly, still looking rather dazed, and watched openmouthed as she swung round and took off along the rooftop, running low in order to keep from being seen.

Qingqing scanned the streets as she ran, watching for anyone hurrying away from the teahouse. She saw the back of a man walking with a similar shuffling gait and followed him down the length of a street, then fell back with a gasp of dismay as he turned his head, and she realized it was not the person she was looking for.

"Damn it," she panted, glancing around frantically. She had told Sister Bai not to worry, that she would take care of this annoying fellow. She had no idea it would turn out to be more complicated than she thought. Frustrated, she stopped short, breathing heavily, and studied the people below her on the streets keenly.

Her eyes narrowed. There. He had donned a dull green cloak, which had thrown her off. She leaned forward, catching her lip between her teeth and gnawing it absently. Sure enough, as he turned she caught a glimpse of the face under the hood.

She swore silently. "Stupid me," she muttered, vexed. She had not given him credit to be this cunning, to have prepared a cloak to disguise his escape. Perhaps it was foolish of her, since he had demonstrated he was cunning enough to prepare the poison.

Well, he wasn't the only cunning spirit. Qingqing cracked her neck and watched as he slipped behind a pillar, glancing out warily to see if he was being followed. She lay flat on the rooftop, impatiently snorting as the dust got into her nose. Satisfied that the coast was clear, he pulled the hood lower over his head, then made his way into a dingy courtyard. The doorman seemed to know him, and opened the gate for him once he showed his face.

"So he's not that cunning after all, to show his lair so easily." She laughed softly to herself. It would be easy now. He clearly thought he was accomplished enough to blend in among the humans.

She noted the crooked motel sign hanging outside the courtyard, and leaped down noiselessly from the roof. Time to pay a visit. Qingqing pushed back her pink hood and tucked her hair demurely behind her ears, then arranged her cloak carefully so that it fell gracefully from her shoulders, and the hood framed her face becomingly.

Making her way across the street, she eyed the door man watchfully. He was a sleepy looking man who, judging from his colour, had a problem with drinking.

"I would say, five minutes." she murmured to herself critically.

Qingqing sauntered up to him and casually put back her hood, turning her profile to him with downcast eyelashes. "Uncle," she cooed. "Could you help little sister? I'm so worried."

She turned to face him, and looked up at him from beneath her eyebrows with just the slightest tremble in her voice.

The doorman opened his eyes significantly and peered at her with interest. "Uh, miss, how can I help you?"

Qingqing twisted her hands bashfully. "Uncle, the man who came in just now, do you know him?"

"Oh, you mean Ah Gui? What do you want with him?"

Qingqing's face did not change expression but inwardly she rolled her eyes. Surely that was just a bit too obvious a name?

"That's him! Does he stay here?"

The door man hesitated. Qingqing heaved a deep sigh with great feeling. "Alright, I'll tell you, even though the shame is killing me. I can trust you not to tell others, right, Uncle?" Her eyes fixed appealingly on him. Here was a certain way to have the story circulated within the week.

The door man nodded eagerly. Qingqing beckoned him to come closer.

"Our parents arranged for us to get married, and the wedding was to be two weeks from now. The gifts had all been prepared, I had finished embroidering my shoes; then suddenly, he cancelled it--saying that I wasn't a virgin!" She sniffed gently. "What a stain on my name! Ah, my parents were outraged. Can you believe it, Uncle? The cruelty of man. If he didn't want to marry me, if he thought I was ugly," she sobbed for effect, "he could at least say so without destroying my reputation. Ah, heartless creature!"

The door man studied her face admiringly. "There now, Miss, of course you're not ugly. Don't you cry. He's an unreasonable brute, he is. If anything, he's the ugly one, I've seen him," he said consolingly.

Qingqing sobbed into her sleeve. "I've come to demand justice from him, at the least an explanation," she continued pathetically. "Please tell me where I can find him. He's been avoiding me these few days, the wretch, and I only finally tracked him down to here."

"So that's why he's been so furtive and aloof," mused the door man, frowning. "What a brute. I tell you what, Missy, you should give him a good slap while you're at it! Don't let him get off easily. Do you need me to help you?" he added eagerly.

Qingqing held out her hand hastily. "Ah, Uncle, you're too kind! No, I couldn't dream of dragging you into this. I must settle this myself. Just tell me what room he's in, and I'll be eternally grateful."

"Second floor, the fourth room," the door man said quickly. "But what are you, one weak woman, going to do against him? What if he gets violent and throws you out? Are you sure you don't want me to accompany you?"

"You're a compassionate man, Uncle. The Goddess of Mercy must have kissed you at your birth." Qingqing said feelingly. She wiped her eyes daintily. "May the gods bless you for helping a poor girl seek justice. Wish me luck!"

He waved eagerly after her as she went. "Tell me if you need any help, all right!"

"Three minutes. And I liked him. Didn't expect I would, too." Qingqing said to herself, pleasantly surprised. She made a mental note to bring a handkerchief next time, which would be more in keeping with her persona than using her sleeve.

She studied the dingy building before her and mounted the steps with a firm, resolute step.