The Wang house felt like mission control on Saturday evening. Ethan—Zihan when Mom was feeling particularly parental—stood in front of the hallway mirror, tugging at the collar of his clean hoodie for the third time.
*It's just dinner,* he told his reflection. *Not a proposal. Chill.*
But his stomach was doing cartwheels. Cat. Freckles. That laugh that made his brain forget how words worked. He'd caught glimpses of her at school—once in the hall with a quick wave, once at lunch laughing with Ji-eun—and each time his pulse had decided to audition for a drum solo.
Downstairs, Mom (Auntie Mei to the neighborhood) was wrapping spring rolls like she was prepping for the apocalypse.
"These are my special recipe," she announced, sealing the Tupperware with military precision. "Crispy outside, juicy pork inside. They'll love them."
Dad Wang, suburban polo-shirt legend, leaned against the counter, arms crossed. "Mei, it's an Italian-Indian-Irish fusion house. They might not even eat pork."
Mom waved a wooden spoon at him. "There are veggie ones too. And backup congee in the thermos. Good guests bring food. Great guests bring *extra* food."
Xuan appeared at the bottom of the stairs, dressed in his signature loose tunic and pants, looking like he'd just stepped off the set of a wuxia drama. Ethan had once tried to get him into jeans. Xuan had politely declined, citing "optimal qi circulation." Tonight he stood with that serene, almost otherworldly calm.
"Ready, Xuan?" Ethan asked, trying to sound casual.
Xuan inclined his head. "I am prepared. This visit aligns well with my current objectives."
Ethan snorted. "Objectives? It's pasta and spring rolls, not a covert op."
Mom swooped in, straightening Xuan's collar like he was her own kid.
"You boys look handsome. Remember: polite, help with dishes, no phones at the table."
Dad grinned. "And if they offer seconds, take them. It's rude not to."
The walk to the Valenti house was short—three doors down in their quiet Markham cul-de-sac. The air was crisp with early-fall bite, leaves crunching under sneakers. Ethan's palms were sweaty.
*What if I spill sauce on my shirt? What if her brothers decide I'm public enemy number one? What if Xuan starts talking about qi and they think we're weirdos?*
They rang the bell. The door flew open to a wave of garlic, laughter, and warm light.
Vinny Valenti stood there, apron smeared with red sauce, dark curls wild.
"The Wangs! Come in, come in! Nina, the neighbors are here!"
Nina appeared from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a tea towel, smile bright as summer.
"Mei! Henry! And the boys—Ethan and Xuan, right? So glad you could come. Shoes off if you want, or keep them on—we're casual."
Mom thrust the Tupperware forward like a peace offering. "Spring rolls! Fresh-made."
Nina's eyes lit up. "You're a lifesaver. Vinny's pasta is great, but we need appetizers. Kids, coats on the rack—dinner's almost ready."
The living room was cozy chaos: mismatched cushions, shelves crammed with books on veterinary science, Celtic folklore, Mahabharata epics, and Italian cookbooks. A faint whiff of incense lingered. Cat's brothers were already in position: Zuane (17, artist slouch, sketching on a tablet), Cillian (15, brooding in an armchair with headphones half-on), and Ishaan (11, Lego fortress in progress on the floor).
Zuane looked up, eyes narrowing like a detective. "Oh hello! Welcome to the circus."
Cillian smirked without looking away from his phone. " I'd have preferred pretty neighbor girls"
Ishaan glanced up from his Lego and smiled,
Cat emerged from the hallway, rolling her eyes, hair in a messy ponytail, wearing jeans and a faded "Save the Animals" hoodie.
"Ignore the trolls. They're mostly harmless." She smiled at Ethan. "Hey, welcome to our home"
Ethan's brain blanked for a second. "Uh—yeah. Your dad's making pasta?"
"Trying to," Vinny called from the kitchen. "To the table! Pasta alla Norma—eggplant, tomatoes, ricotta salata. Nina's butter chicken on the side. And Mei's spring rolls—perfect fusion!"
They settled around the long dining table. Plates clinked as everyone served themselves. Mom dove right in.
"Vinny, this pasta is divine!" she said, taking a bite. "Reminds me of that trip to Rome—Henry, remember? We got lost and ended up in that tiny trattoria with the nonna who yelled at us for not finishing our secondi."
Henry nodded, mouth full. "Best meal ever! But this pasta is almost as good."
Nina laughed. "Flattery will get you everywhere. But seriously, Mei—these spring rolls are crispy heaven. How do you get them so perfect?"
Mom winked. "Double fry. And love. Lots of love."
Vinny leaned back, twirling pasta on his fork. "Love's the secret ingredient. That's how Nina got me. Nina and I met because I slipped on black ice in London—cracked my ankle. She was the nurse. Got a pity date-picnic with her, she brought her famous masala sconces filled with her love and I was just done! Pity date turned into forever."
Nina swatted his arm. "Pity? You didn't give me breathing space.."
Ethan glanced at Cat across the table, trying not to stare. "That's sweet. My parents met at a dim sum place in Hong Kong. Dad spilled tea on Mom's dress. Classic rom-com."
Zuane grinned. "Spilled tea? Sounds like drama."
Cillian, eyeing Xuan, finally spoke. "So, Xuan—you're from China? Sponsored student? What's that like?"
Xuan paused mid-bite, polite as ever. "It is… disciplined. Life here is different from that of monastery."
Xuan didn't mention sect information and Wang family was cautious about that as well. Who knows if people will mix up sect with cult!
Ishaan's eyes went wide. "Monastery? Like Shaolin Temple and kung fu? Can you break bricks?"
Xuan considered seriously. "With proper focus, yes. But I find no benefit to it, I'd rather not dirty my shirt."
The table erupted in laughter—thinking it was a joke. Vinny slapped the table. "Love it. I was a big fan of Bruce Lee and loved all those brick breaking videos but never thought of the dress dirtying part. Hahaha, you're a hoot!"
Nina rolled her eyes fondly. "Vinny, don't start. But seriously, Xuan—China? We've never been. How is it from where you came from? "
Xuan's expression softened slightly. "Mountains like sleeping dragons. Mists that hide secrets. Very… peaceful."
Cat tilted her head. "Sounds beautiful. You miss it?"
Xuan nodded once, looking at her in seriousness. "Every dawn."
Ethan jumped in, trying to steer things back to normal. "Xuan's a beast at video games though. Beat me at Fortnite without even trying."
Zuane perked up. "Fortnite? Respect. I'm more Skyrim—dragons and all."
Cillian smirked at Ethan. "So, Ethan—you play basketball? Cat mentioned you talking about it at school."
Ethan swallowed. "Yeah. Pickup games at the park. You guys play?"
Ishaan bounced in his seat. "I do! But Cillian sucks—he trips over his own feet."
Cillian glared. "Shut it, turtle boy."
Nina laughed. "Boys. Always competing. Mei, Henry—how long have you lived in Markham?"
Mom smiled. "Since Ethan was born. We love it. Diverse, good schools, great neighbors—like you!"
Vinny raised his glass of sparkling water. "To good neighbors and fusion food!"
Everyone clinked. Dessert arrived—Nina's tiramisu, Mom's red bean paste buns. "This is world domination through dessert," Vinny declared.
As plates cleared, Xuan turned to Cat with complete innocence. "Cat, may I see your room?"
The table froze. Forks clattered. Zuane choked on water. Cillian's eyes narrowed to slits. Ishaan giggled. Vinny blinked slowly. "Pardon?"
Nina's smile froze. "Her… room?"
Mom—Auntie Mei—went scarlet. "Xuanlin! That is not… appropriate!"
Dad—Henry—coughed into his napkin. "Kid, timing. Timing."
Ethan wanted the floor to swallow him. *Oh god. He actually said it.*
Cat stared, mouth half-open, half-amused, half-horrified. "My room? Why?"
Xuan, utterly oblivious, "I sensed something from your window the other night, that I'd like to check. I must confirm."
Zuane leaned forward, voice low and dangerous. "Wow creepy ..Like a ghost or something ? Or are you hitting on my sister in front of the entire table?"
Cillian cracked his knuckles. "Bold move, man."
Ishaan whispered loudly, "How does he even know where Cat's room is?"
Vinny cleared his throat, trying to stay calm. "Xuan, son… we appreciate directness, but asking a girl to her room? That's… forward.."
Nina nodded, eyebrows sky-high. "I may not have been to China and may not know all cultural facts there but I don't think going to a girl's room on a first visit to a house is something that's okay?"
Mom buried her face in her hands. "I'm so sorry. He's… I don't think he is thing that.."
Ethan stammered. "He doesn't mean it like that! Xuan's just… into all astrology and Feng Shui and all that..Not… romance. Right, Xuan?"
Xuan frowned, confused. "Romance? No. This is a spiritual matter. As for how I know it's her room, I saw her earlier in the evening sitting at a desk near that window - it was a logical conclusion. If it's someone else's room - apologies but can you take me there?"
The table exhaled collectively. Vinny wiped his eyes, laughing. "Spiritual? Alright, Feng Shui man. You had us for a second there."
Nina chuckled, tension breaking. "Boys these days. Okay—why not? Go ahead."
Zuane saluted dramatically. "I will be chaperoning you kids and watching over you - strictly."
Ethan, not wanting to be left out, "I'll go too. I know some Feng Shui"
Cillian smirked. "Weirdos and even worse weirdos"
Ishaan pouted. "I wanna see too!"
Nina shook her head. "You just stay here."
Upstairs, Cat's room was a cozy sanctuary: animal posters, veterinary textbooks, a cluttered desk, and a small jewelry box on the dresser. She crossed her arms. "Okay, Feng Shui Master. Investigate away. But if you start chanting, I'm calling it."
Zuane leaned against the doorframe. "Yeah. And if you try anything weird, I've got a hockey stick downstairs."
Ethan hovered near the bed. "This is normal for him. Like… he meditates at dawn. With his eyes closed. On the lawn. Neighbors think he's summoning aliens."
Xuan sighed, "Can you all give me a minute?". Everyone became silent. Xuan then closed his eyes, hands extended and fingers moved in shapes none of them understood.
He opened his eyes and pointed directly at the jewelry box. "There, there is something there. Can you please open that box?"
Cat's eyes narrowed. "My jewelry box? You sure you're not just a very polite thief?"
Zuane laughed. "Good call. Empty your pockets, Xuan."
Xuan opened his eyes fully. "I assure you, my intent is pure. There is a special item in there - Earth-grade imperial jade. It's not a simple item, it should have a history. If I can see it, I can know more"
Ethan whistled. "Whoa. Like, ancient treasure vibes?"
Cat hesitated, then sighed. "Fine. But if you break anything…"
She opened the box, rummaging quickly, trying to hide a small cloth bundle. Xuan's hand moved—politely, precisely—and lifted it out. "This."
Cat's eyes widened. "Hey!"
Xuan slowly opened the cloth bundle- now everyone could see what lay inside. A pendant, jade and gold, clasp broken. Half-moon shape, lotus entwined with a lion rampant. It looked old.
Zuane leaned in. "I have seen that before, wasn't that with Nonno?."
Cat nodded slowly. "Yeah. Last visit to the UK, Grandpa—Dad's grandpa—gave it to me. Said it's ancient, from our Genoa side of family. Valuable keepsake. But with this weird family verse: never fix the clasp, never wear it. Give to a girl if one's born, in memory of 'one who was lost.' He didn't know the full story—just an old verse passed down. No one's followed it for two generations; it was just inheritance. But he wanted me to have it- guess he wanted to follow the instructions in that verse, so… yeah, secret gift. He just wanted me to keep it safe, you know how Uncle Lorenzo wants everything? So he asked me to keep it secret."
Ethan's eyes went wide. "Whoa. So only for girls? But why with a broken clasp? Means none can wear it right? So what's supposed to be for?"
Xuan examined the pendant closely. "I am not sure..but it feels like a vessel. It holds… memories. Echoes. Secrets."
Zuane crossed his arms, now interested. "Memories? How can it have memories? "
Xuan met Cat's gaze. "This one holds some secrets - this Imperial jade piece definitely has a Chinese connection. It's centuries old and for people like me.. We can feel it, we can - read it..Perhaps unlock what it guards.. but for that, I need to have it for some time - for three full moons"
Xuan didn't mention what actually caught his attention - the faint script on the jade that had a secret symbol, carried only by the senior disciples of his sect. When he briefly touched it, it feel like it had a message for him. With both of these signs, it is very clear to him that this Jade piece had something to do with someone from his sect.
Cat bit her lip. "Unlock? Like… magic?"
Ethan nodded eagerly. "Well, Xuan's legit. He does stuff I can't explain. Like, he once fixed my controller just by holding it."
Cat wasn't happy, "Okay, but am not handing over a family heirloom to anyone else. That too for three full moons!"
Zuane thought for a second. "Hmmm.. good point."
Xuan hesitated. "Can you bring it to our house then?
Ethan jumped in. "How about we meet somewhere outside? Like Starbucks?"
Before Cat could reply, Xuan said, "No, I have to be in a quiet space. Preferably my room."
Cat rolled her eyes but smiled. "Fine. I can bring it over if Aunty doesn't mind her house doesn't get invaded every evening. "
Ethan blushed and said, "No, I'd love it..I mean we'd love it..it will be great"
Zuane grinned. "Okay but no nightsies.. Catty, better clear it up with mom"
Downstairs, they announced the plan. Vinny raised an eyebrow. "Regular visits? Every night for 3 months"
Nina frowned and turned to Ethan's mom. "You okay with this? Will you be able to keep an eye? This looks like a lot of work for you! "
Mommy Wang nodded, "It's okay with me, I will keep an eye too, not to worry!"
Dad chuckled. "Kids these days. Alright, but no funny business."
Ishaan whined. "So I am the only one stuck at home now? "
Cillian smirked. "Keep waiting for another 3 years babyyyy brother."
The parents exchanged looks—reluctant, amused, slightly wary—and finally nodded. "Fine. But we're watching the clock. Cat, be back home by 9 on school night and 10 on weekends. No extensions. Got it?"
As the Wangs walked home later, Ethan whispered to Xuan, "I owe you for this - Cat visiting us every day! Big time."
Xuan bowed slightly. "Since this was done for my personal benefit, there is no space for gratitude."
Ethan laughed. "Dude. Seriously tone down on C-drama script, catch up with local lingo! You sound like a 130yr old grandpa in a 13yr old body suit!"
Across the street, Cat stood at her window, pendant in hand, watching the boys disappear down the sidewalk. *Weirdest dinner ever. But… interesting.*
She smiled to herself. Maybe Markham wasn't so boring after all.