REDPEAFOWL, Chapter 14: Detox Week and Paechikchik Flirting
Hong Kongque’s age has always been a mystery, even evolving into a legend that he is immortal and a blood-sucking vampire. However, in reality, Hong Kongque is just an ordinary human with a unique way of taking care of his physical health that sets him apart from the rest.
Aside from consuming Chinese herbal medicine to nourish his body and practicing Muay Thai in the mornings, every three months, Hong Kongque fasts for a week. During this time, he only drinks special herbal concoctions prepared for him, in order to recalibrate his body and prevent regeneration of cells.
In that week, Hong Kongque will avoid meeting people outside, avoid going out to sleep in places, just sitting and lying in the courtyard, soaking in warm water, getting a massage, alternating with answering the phone. During this one week, Hong Kongque will also reject calls, calling it a full week of rest.
Today is the third day that Hong Kongque has been fasting. He is lying down for a massage on a special bed in a room. The masseur is a blind massage therapist that Hong Kongque has trusted and been massaging for many years.
While dozing off comfortably, Li Kong slowly opens the door and speaks softly, “Kongque, a phone call from Inspector-Lu.”
“Um…” Hong Kongque replied disapprovingly, “I already told him that no calls this week.”
“Yes, but Inspector-Lu said there’s an important matter he needs to discuss with you.”
Hong Kongque opened one eye and replied, “Then ask him. If I can’t talk to him today, will someone die?”
Li Kong walks out of the room briefly, then returns, “He said no one will die, but there’s a matter concerning Paechikchik.”
Hong Kongque raises both eyebrows in surprise, “Then get the phone.”
Li Kong hands over the phone and stands quietly as Hong Kongque answers,
“Is there anything else, Inspector-Lu? You know you’re not supposed to call. If there’s no good news, just speak.”
Lu Yipeng’s voice comes through the phone, “Um. I know I am not supposed to call, but the case is urgent. Do you know about the A32 gang?”
“Um…” Hong Kongque sighed before responding, “What does that have to do with Little Paechikchik?”
“Oh, actually. It’s got nothing to do with anything like that.” Lu Yipeng says before rushing to continue, “But regarding your cockatoo. Can you answer my questions first?”
“Let’s get to the point.” Hong Kongque says, moaning once again, “I’m aware. Just speak quickly. I’m busy.”
“Um.” at the end of the phone line, and then proceeded to tell him in detail about the case. Hong Kongque listened intently. As the conversation came to an end, he was shocked.
“Oh, um… I will send Little Zi to help too.” Hong Kongque said and heard a voice at the other end of the line replying, “I didn’t call to ask for help. I just want your opinion. What do you think?”
“Oh…” Hong Kongque dragged his voice, then spoke, “Sorry, Pengpeng. I’m not feeling well and not really familiar with the situation. Could you tell me again?”
Lu Yipeng was silent for a while. Hong Kongque heard what sounded like someone yelling, “What are you doing?”
“Oh. I’m driving to chase after the A32 gang thugs. They kidnapped Mister Cheng’s son and hope to ransom him. I’m chasing them now, Captain Duan fasten your seat belt.”
“You’re driving and talking on the phone at the same time.” Hong Kongque moaned, “Mister Cheng’s son, oh, Cheng Yin, um… You don’t need to chase after them. Radio your department and say that they’re heading towards the old Pengkong warehouse. They’re probably trying to head someone there, then you, the police, can handle it.”
“Oh, thank you.” Lu Yipeng said. Then there was a loud bang followed by an “ouch” as the car swerved and hit the front window.
“Well… that’s it. I wish you a safe journey back.” Hong Kongque said, then hung up the phone. He let out a sigh.
…
After finishing the massage, Hong Kongque went to soak in a warm bath to relax his muscles. Then he lay down to enjoy the balcony breeze, sipping a special herbal drink and listening to classical music, feeling content. Just as he was relaxing, Li Kong walked up and whispered in his ear, “Kongque, we’ve caught the intruder at the left wing corridor.”
Hong Kongque frowned but didn’t forget to raise his eyebrows, “Gouge his eyes and throw him in the bay. If he survives, let him go. If not, so be it.”
“He’s the second son of the Tian family. They want to negotiate business directly with you.” Li Kong continued. This time, Hong Kongque raised his eyebrows, “Oh… wants to compete with his brother, huh…”
Speaking, he sat up straight. Then he leaned back down, “Um… I still don’t want to go underground right now. Tell him to write the same letter on his skin with a hot poker. If he can write it, wait another four days. I will talk to him. Um… in four days, the wound should heal just right, but if not… contact Mister Tian and ask how he wants his son to be sent back in thirty-two different ways without a sound, or should I just leave something here, and send him two things.”
“Alright.”
Hong Kongque sighed again. After Li Kong walked out
…
Waking up on the fourth day, Hong Kongque’s physical condition was getting closer to being sick again. His body was still trying to expel waste that had been stuck since three months ago. When he woke up in the morning, his nose was running, his stomach was upset, and he had a fever. He had to lie in bed until noon before getting up to take a warm bath, and then continue with herbal medicine. Then he went to the sitting room to relax and watch videos to relax muscles, brain, and nerves. Fell asleep again, woke up to the sound of a masseuse, who this time focused on massaging his face, which usually took extra time. After the massage was finished, he had to do acupuncture and then leave the herbal medicine for another two hours.
After the massage and acupuncture were done and he was about to leave the herbal medicine, Li Kong walked in with the phone.
“Little Zi said that Inspector Lu had crashed into a gangster’s car during a gold shop robbery case that was on the news a moment ago. He is now in the hospital. Kongque is going to…”
Hong Kongque tried not to frown or show any emotions on his face. Then he spoke out, “Call him.”
After waiting for a while, Lu Yipeng answered the phone.
“You are not dead, right?” Hong Kongque lowered his voice while the herbalist gently pressed his forehead. He heard Lu Yipeng responding back,
“No, just a slight head injury. Are you not feeling well yet? I have never seen you sick in hundreds of years.”
“It’s my quarterly sickness time now.” Hong Kongque said, and then sighed, “When will the police department take away your driver’s license so you won’t endanger others on the road anymore?”
Lu Yipeng groaned and hung up the phone, “I caught the thief, not racing. What about you? Do you have a driver’s license or not? I’ll check later. I’m going in.”
“Oh… alright then, you should consider moving to the traffic department.” Hong Kongque said before continuing, “That’s all for now. I have to hurry to my appointments.”
“Hmm…” Lu Yipeng responded, wondering what this peacock was up to. One day he had a fever, another day he had errands to run. At first he said he was busy, but something seemed to be happening this week.
…
Hong Kongque put on a face mask and fell asleep and woke up feeling a bit confused. He opened his eyes and went to wash his face. After that, he took a warm bath again and prepared to go to bed. Li Kong walked in again.
“Kongque, Tie Bai came to see you yesterday. He said he really wanted to meet you. He didn’t want to wait for four days.”
“Oh. Has he written a letter already?” Hong Kongque asked surprisingly, and the other person replied, “Yes, but it’s not as beautiful as Inspector-Lu’s.”
“Oh…” Hong Kongque sighed, “Tell him to wait then. If he can’t wait, he can go home first. If he complains, sprinkle some salt water on him again.
Otherwise, smash it and tell him to choose for himself which option he prefers.”
“Okay.” Li Kong received the instructions and left, leaving Hong Kongque sighing.
What will happen this week?
…
On the fifth day, Hong Kongque stayed in bed all day, alternating between going to the bathroom and getting acupuncture. He expelling out old things from three months ago and refused everything and everyone who called or wanted to visit him, but there were still things to be done.
“Kongque.” This time, the person who opened the door was Luo Songzhi,
“The leader of the Golden Dragon gang has sent an invitation for a challenge.”
Hong Kongque was sipping herbal water and had acupuncture on his feet by
Li Kong. When he heard that, he raised his eyebrows and spoke calmly, “Tell him that this is the era of iPhones now. He should go buy one and use it, then come challenge me. Keep the challenge book for the kids to play with, it’s all the same.”
“Okay.” Luo Songzhi accepted the instruction and left. Then Hong Kongque fell asleep again, waking up in the afternoon feeling old. He opened his eyes and saw Li Kong and Luo Songzhi standing there. Seeing his boss wake up, Luo Songzhi spoke up.
“Liang Shuo sent a message through the iPhone, want to see it?”
Hong Kongque nodded in surprise, then handed the phone over. When it was opened, a video of a man in his fifties standing and chuckling appeared.
“Hey Hong Kongque, is this all that you can do, you are a homo? You can’t find a wife or a child, huh? Alright. I challenge you. Meet me next Wednesday at the bamboo garden near Cemetery A. If you’re a man, accept my challenge.”
Hong Kongque listened until the end and then raised his foot. He took a picture of his foot with the phone before dialing a number, “You just said I am a homo so you want to meet face to face next time. Oh, no need to show me your ugly face, because someone like you only needs to see my foot to feel blessed. In the future, take pictures of someone else. No need to show me your wrinkled face, it’s nauseating.”
After speaking, he sent a message and returned the phone to the surprised man before asking, “Anything else?”
“No, sir.” The surprised man replied before walking away.
…
On the sixth day, Hong Kongque looked much younger after bathing and massaging his face in the morning. He went outside to do some Tai Chi under the sun. Then, he came back to drink some herbal tea.
Today, Hong Kongque was feeling fresh when he saw Paechikchik, a white feathered sparrow, fly in and land on his shoulder in the room. Flapping its wings, it called out, “Kongque Kongque.”
It then fluttered over to cuddle Hong Kongque’s cheeks lovingly. Hong Kongque extended his finger to play with it for a while before remembering to call Li Kong, “Get Inspector-Lu on the phone for me.”
Lu Yipeng was busy interrogating a suspect in a case of kidnapping that had been caught two days ago. When Hong Kongque called, he said, “Kongque, I’ll call you back later. I’m in the middle of interrogating a suspect.”
After finishing the call, Hong Kongque blinked a few times before turning to
Paechikchik, “Look, the younger generation nowadays, they don’t take matters seriously. When they have a problem, they call and expect an instant solution.
But when it’s our turn to call, they delay and don’t pick up the phone. These kids these days don’t have any respect.”
Paechikchik looked at its own reflection before gently rubbing its head against Hong Kongque’s cheek again. The phone rang louder.
“What is up with you?” Lu Yipeng’s voice cut in, “I’ll excuse myself first.” “Oh…” Hong Kongque sighed and smiled, “I wanted to ask about Little
Paechikchik you mentioned yesterday.”
Lu Yipeng fell silent for a moment before speaking up, “Ah, yes. I’ll tell you, birds like yours may not want to have offspring because they don’t like their mate. I mean, it might like you instead. Some birds refuse to have a partner because they only love their human caregiver.”
“What?!” Hong Kongque exclaimed, then turned to Paechikchik. He then continued the conversation over the phone, “How come, did Paechikchik say so?”
“You can try giving it pretty ornaments to see if it picks them up. If it brings them to you, it means it likes you.” Lu Yipeng said, continuing, “Some male birds may like to pick up pretty things for their female companions. Who knows, it might think you’re a female.”
“Ridiculous, Pengpeng.” Hong Kongque replied, “Where do you get all this from?”
“From the internet.” Lu Yipeng said, then continued, “Your venus flytrap plant is looking nice. I brought it to the office. It had a big audience admiring it.
I’ll send you photos later.”
“Well, save the praise until I actually see it. Take the pictures and send them to me later.” Hong Kongque said, hearing Lu Yipeng chuckled. Then he spoke quickly, “Is there anything else, my boss is starting to look green.”
“Oh. That’s all, go back to work.” Hong Kongque said, then hung up the phone. The bird turned to him, looked at him, and spoke again, “Pengpeng,
Pengpeng. I miss you.”
“Ha ha.” Hong Kongque patted the bird’s head like patting a child in the womb, “I’ll bring him to see you in the evening tomorrow.”
Paechikchik nodded hesitantly, then gently kissed Hong Kongque’s hair,
“Love Kongque, love Kongque.”
…
Finally, after a week passed, today Hong Kongque took a shower and dressed up early in the morning. He was going to meet Tie Bai, who seemed stubborn and wouldn’t go anywhere unless he gets to meet him. As he stepped into the underground dim toilet, sat on the chair, ready, Tie Bai was brought in. He looked to be about thirty years old, in the prime of his life. Hong Kongque stared at the young man’s face for a while, then asked about the scar on his leg. Tie Bai spread his trousers to show it. Hmm… it was a small scar, but it was fully healed. Nothing was missing, and the appearance was acceptable. If he tried opening that part… it’s not certain that he might not have a good heart, but…
Hong Kongque sighed deeply, thinking that this guy was just another businessman hoping to use his power for personal gain. Sleeping beside him was not comfortable. Another thing… Lu Yipeng was more muscular, good looks and his demeanor… so-so. Even though he was not easy to sleep next to, he wasn’t as irritating and stubborn as this guy. He also knew how to quietly endure. And another thing, the Red Peafowl name on Lu Yipeng was the most beautifully written. As he thought about the young police officer’s face when he had just been scarred, Hong Kongque couldn’t help but smile. He pondered about Lu Yipeng for a long time until his mouth twisted up.
“What are you smiling about?”
Hong Kongque raised his hand to touch his face before smiling again, “I’m just happy. Tell me, what do you want?”
…
After concluding his business negotiations, Tie Bai left and Hong Kongque walked back up to the pavilion before sitting down to read the morning newspaper at his desk. Li Kong walked in, “Inspector-Lu wants to see you, sir.”
“Um… let him in. And tell Little Zi to bring Little Paechikchik out as well. Little Paechikchik wants to see Inspector-Lu.” Hong Kongque nodded.
“Of course.”
Lu Yipeng walked in with a large bouquet of red roses. Hong Kongque greeted him immediately, “Pengpeng, are you starting a flower business?”
“Not at all.” Lu Yipeng said before continuing, “I saw the Second Young Master of the Tia family driving out just now. He’s been missing for three or four days now. Did you keep him?”
“Just like the first time you came to me.” Hong Kongque replied. Lu Yipeng pursed his lips, “So he has a Red Peafowl on his legs too.”
“Um…”
“Do you want me to stay?”
“?”
Lu Yipeng pursed his lips, “He looks better than me by far. I guess I don’t need to come anymore.”
“Pengpeng.” Hong Kongque spoke with a strong voice, “If you speak like that again, I’ll pull your tongue out and use it to prop incense sticks, because I think you’re belittling me.”
“?!” Lu Yipeng raised his face to look at Hong Kongque who responded annoyingly, “I’m not favoring anyone or anything like that.”
For some reason, Lu Yipeng almost smiled, the young man trying to keep a grumpy face for a while. Then Hong Kongque asked Lu Yipeng, “Why do you have a rose with you?”
“I brought it to visit you, see that you’re not feeling well.” Lu Yipeng replied, then quickly added, “I wasn’t planning to buy a rose, but the other types of flowers at the store were sold out.”
“Oh…” Hong Kongque dragged his voice and smiled at the corner of his mouth, making Lu Yipeng seem to be more tense, “You don’t like roses?”
“No. If you want to give it to me should I have to come get it, will you catch it? Would you like me to try being a bride and catch a thrown bouquet?”
Lu Yipeng cast a sideways glance at Hong Kongque before walking away to find someone else.
“You look better now. You don’t look like you’ve just recovered from illness.” Lu Yipeng greeted as he handed the bouquet of flowers to Hong
Kongque, smiling, “Want to see the whole picture?”
Lu Yipeng looked at him, then shook his head, “Not really… I’m afraid of being sexually harassed.”
“You really talk nicely. Don’t let anyone know how excited you are when you’re in bed.”
Lu Yipeng blushed and glared at Hong Kongque again, but before he could respond, a voice interrupted, “Pengpeng.”
Paechikchik flew over from Luo Songzhi’s shoulder to perch on Hong
Kongque’s shoulder. He then turned to look at Lu Yipeng and called out again,
“Pengpeng.”
Once again, Lu Yipeng had to force a smile at the bird. Then he spoke up,
“Seriously. Have you tried what I suggested, like putting up beautiful decorations for the bird to admire?”
“Not yet.” Hong Kongque heard Paechikchik’s voice again, “Miss you, miss you.” Then he flew down to grab the golden pen on Hong Kongque’s work desk before flying to Lu Yipeng’s shoulder, attempting to offer the pen to him.
Hong Kongque blinked rapidly, then exclaimed, “Oh no, Pengpeng…my
Little Paechikchik has fallen in love with you.” He then made a regretful face as if a father sending his daughter off to marry.
Lu Yipeng looked at Hong Kongque’s face, then took the pen from the bird and spoke gently, “Can you not decide everything on your own, it might just be a playful gesture.”
“Who was it that said the bird would give its belongings to the one it likes?” Hong Kongque retorted immediately. Seeing that the other person could not come up with a response, Hong Kongque continued, “Exactly, Pengpeng…you must take responsibility. Give me a grandson after sleeping with Little
Paechikchik.”
“You’re crazy!” Lu Yipeng exclaimed immediately, “I’m a person, how can I have children with a bird.”
“But Little Paechikchik loves you.” Hong Kongque said seriously, as he caught Lu Yipeng secretly wrestling his own daughter to his house. A young policeman had his eyes fixed on him for a long time, Paechikchik lightly tapped his cheek before flicking the silver button on Lu Yipeng’s shirt.
“Oh!” Lu Yipeng was surprised by this action and reached out to grab the bird, but it was too late as Paechikchik flew back to Hong Kongque, offering a button to him. Hong Kongque blinked again, “Like, like.” The bird chirped and flapped its wings lightly. It then bobbed up and down excitedly on Hong
Kongque’s shoulder, while both Hong Kongque and Lu Yipeng looked at what was in each other’s hands. Then Paechikchik flew to the button on the concept table, jumping around and chirping again, “Like Pengpeng, like Kongque, love Pengpeng, love Kongque.”
Hong Kongque was silent for a while before raising his hand to scratch his head, then turned to the bird, “Oh… Pechikchik, why did you just confess like this… in this case, I have to send Ma’am Chik back home.” Maam Chik was the name of the female bird that Hong Kongque bought months ago. Lu Yipeng, who was standing and watching, had to speak up, “I also thought it must be attached to you so much that it refuses to have children or a mate. You have pampered it too much.”
“Um, then it’s okay.” Hong Kongque said, “Paechikchik will stay with me until we grow old, staying single together until we die.”
Well, now he forces himself to have children with a bird and stays alone indefinitely. When he realizes what’s going on, he’ll come around for sure.
Lu Yipeng looked at Hong Kongque with great concern, “Don’t drag the bird into your troubles. Let it be with someone else, it might find a mate someday.” “If I am not here. Little Paechikchik will pluck his own feathers. It’s pitiful.”
Hong Kongque said, with a sad and despondent expression, “It’s true. We love each other here. Whenever Inspector-Lu catches me, he will catch Shi Qik too.
Shi Qik will be my friend in jail.”
Lu Yipeng began to think that Hong Kongque was really old this time, “You should stop acting like an old man. You haven’t been caught yet.”
“I am old now. Pengpeng, you want to jail me. How many years can an old man like me survive in jail? Let me die with the bird I love, Inspector.”
The parrot walked back and forth, calling out loudly, “Kongque, Kongque, go be with Kongque, love Kongque.”
Lu Yipeng looked at both the bird and the parrot, then blinked a few times.
He sighed and said, “Let’s save this conversation for when you are really caught. Anyway, I’m here to thank you on behalf of the department for the information on the A32 gang.”
“Oh…I thought you might come to visit Paechikchik. Little Paechikchik, do you see how heartless Pengepeng is? Do you still love him?” Hong Kongque wondered.
Lu Yipeng silently pondered. If his own grandfather was still alive, would he be annoying like this peacock in the house?
The parrot flapped its wings and hopped back and forth on the perch, “It’s okay, it’s okay.”
The theory that the owner is like the bird seemed to be proven with Hong
Kongque and this chatty parrot. Lu Yipeng sighed patiently and finally spoke, “I came here to personally thank you.”
Hong Kongque turned quickly, but didn’t get a chance to say anything. The parrot chirped again, “Love Pengpeng, Love Pengpeng.”
Suddenly, Lu Yipeng’s face turned red. He spoke hesitantly, “Kongque, does he really speak according to his owner?”
Hong Kongque looked at Lu Yipeng with clear eyes, “Paechikchik is smarter than that. He doesn’t need to speak like anyone else.”
“Ah…” The young policeman hesitated before speaking, “Let’s clear this up…”
Hong Kongque looked at the young police officer standing there twisting and turning on one foot. He asked, “Is there anything else you need to do?”
“Um…” Lu Yipeng cleared his throat, “I have tomorrow off.”
“And?”
“…”
“Do you want to stay overnight?”
“Um.”
Hong Kongque looked at the person in front of him, who was blushing slightly before smiling, “If you want to examine my body to that extent, you better move closer.”
Lu Yipeng moved closer. As soon as he had the chance, Hong Kongque slapped him on the neck. The young police officer hurriedly dodged, but the plan was already in place. In the end, his neck was locked in a leather collar.
“Kongque!!! Are you still playing crazy like this?” Lu Yipeng said with no patience. Hong Kongque chuckled mischievously, “Well… you don’t have to pay for the accommodation yet, and you even get free advice. I’m willing to provide counseling outside of working hours, just a little like this Inspector-Lu will be embarrassed.” He finished speaking and pulled the chain on Lu Yipeng’s neck, “Today, we have the candles, handcuffs, and whips, Pengpeng. I think we’ll have a good time tonight.”
Lu Yipeng tried to remain calm, then his face became tense, “Kongque. I just remembered, there’s another case I need to summarize tonight.”
“No problem, stay and play with me for a couple of hours. I promise not to hit you too hard, just on the back, on the legs. That’s enough. When you put on a shirt, other people won’t be able to see it. Let’s go, I want to spank you until you can hardly stand it.”
Lu Yipeng wanted to scream out in frustration.
What kind of punishment is this!!!
…
Actually, at first, I intended to write only about Hong Kongque and
Pengpeng. However, as I write up to this point, I want to say that it’s close to being a full-fledged story, but I want it to be able to be combined into two volumes << for business reasons, of course! (got nudged)
In the laid-back chapters that were originally planned but not yet written, there might be a chapter where Hong Kongque meets Pengpeng for the first time (Wait, does Hong Kongque fucks Pengpeng?!) and a chapter where
Pengpeng goes with Luo Songzhi (which may have less of Hong Kongque’s role, but could show the cunningness of the peacock quite well). And then there could be a chapter where Hong Kongque visits Pengpeng’s house for the first time (I haven’t thought about what could happen yet, but should we write about it?) In summary, there are only past chapters. Who knows what will emerge anew. And a scene where someone goes to ask Pengpeng for a photoshoot…
(Maybe we’ll see the jealousy of Kongque << really jealous?) After all this, we should get to the main point that everyone holds the label of “Don’t want drama, prepare for our full commitment… (Stand by to face the challenge!!)
So, before getting into the main content, if there are any scenes you’d like to see written, feel free to suggest them and let’s see if they will fall into place (for the sake of the readers who are slipping… I might get into drama for real!! <<
Keep reading and you’ll know it for yourself)
Thank you for following and reading, dear readers.^^
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