Thirty Days of Classes, part 14 (before battle)
Ya know something? Everyone communicates with their eyes even before they talk.
So... ya better pay attention to what their eyes are saying.
Great, that's really great, but... I dunno, it just kinda feels like an oddly specific subject to be talking about, especially when we're sitting around a gambling table...
Sinclair.
Given the time limit, this just happened to be the fastest and clearest method of demonstrating and training your abilities to control your emotions. I swear, I had no other ulterior motive. I was practically forced to do this.
Ah, Wei! Stop glarin' at us like that and join us at the table!
I am only briefly visiting my lady to pick up some paperwork... As there is still much work to be done, I'll be leaving in no time.
C'mon, guy. You know this game needs four players~
I refuse your invitation. I must say, it's ridiculous of you to force my lady to partake in such a base activity - and what audacity to invite me as well!
Ohhh~ So ya think you don't have a chance, huh? Wow, and here I thought you'd at least be better than me at this game...
Fine, fiiine. I get it. Don't play a game you have a snowball's chance in hell of winning. It's a good philosophy, I subscribe to it.
... Do you seriously think your shallow, obvious attempts at goading me into playing this game will work?
Huh? Huh? What? Sorry, scrub says what?
…….
So Wei joined the table.
Alrighty. The lesson's pretty straightforward.
You three'll work together to ensure that I don't win this game. In other words - make sure I'm not #1 by the end of it.
Well, that seems... easy enough...
Buuuut... be warned! I have this special power to read into your minds without hearing even a word out of your mouths.
Lemme give ya a demonstration. Let's see... ah, Sinclair. I can see the corners of your lips twitching while your eyes are suspiciously wandering over there...
... You're looking to form a Peng(碰), aren'tcha?
Oof...!
And Xichun, you...
…….
…!
…….
…!
…….
And you want this Dong(東) tile I've got. Now I know to never, ever discard this tile.
H-how'd you know?!
... Honestly, it would've been tougher for us to not know.
You can let yourself be anxious, sure. But don't ever, ever let it peek through. The moment someone smells your weakness, they're going to eat you right up.
And Wei, you...
…….
Hmph, using the glint of your glasses to hide your eyes, huh... whew... This isn't gonna be easy.
Your greatest mistake tonight was allowing me a seat at this table.
I already know the ready hand you've got there.
Oh, ya do? Not bad. But you're just as much of an open book, my guy.
You just need that one Zhong(中) tile... don'tcha?
... Hm.
Sorry not sorry, you're not getting that tile. 'Cuz it's not there.
... Gang(槓).
I see... you called Gang meld so you can claim the Zhong, which was the rearmost tile, didn't you?!
Heh.
Does that, by any chance, imply that you somehow know the location of every tile in this game?
Nahh, no way. I just have this sixth sense for bad vibes.
Hmmh... very well.
Never once did I think I would ever step back into this dark world of shadows, but...
Hup...! Very well, then I'll be setting this Hua(花) aside, and...!
Whew... I'm impressed.
T-they're way too intense... I can hardly get involved...
Guys, isn't this... isn't this supposed to be a class for us...?
Shh, my lady... The importance of this moment could not be overstated.
…….
I see... swapped out your ready hand, didn't ya?
... What do you think?
Three Hua(花) tiles in a row, huh...? I see you've got some innate luck, too.
Very well, then... I'll have to wager it all on this Wan(萬) suit...!
…!
Hu... I won...!
HU(胡), HU(胡), HU(胡)!!!!!
THAT'S A Qing Yao Jiu(清幺九) HAND! Your downfall was written the moment you forced me to discard Zhong(中)!
Aw, darn... I lost that, huh? Well played!
DID YOU SEE THAT, MY LADY?!!!! HU! HU!! HU!!!!
…….
Ahem... I apologize for that vulgar display, my lady...
I will... bring some tea.
Wei, victorious, stumbles out of the room with his shoulders slumped.