CHAPTER TWO

Midnight City technically wasn’t “home” for Ao Bing, although it might as well have been. Located on the bay across from the Eastern Sea where Ao Bing was born, Midnight City was the place on the Mortal Realm where Ao Bing would retreat to when the neverending demands of being a member of the Crystal Palace’s royal family proved to be overbearing--which it often was. After leaving the small bar in the Southern Sea District with his brothers, at Ao Bing’s request, they dropped him off at Midnight City.

It had been over a hundred years since he last stepped foot there, so as expected, things were very different. The city he once knew, characterized with quaint streets and traditional architecture, was now a metropolitan cityscape. Everywhere he looked, there were high-rise buildings, bright lights, neon signs, and busy streets. After having spent the better part of the last century on secluded beaches surfing with locals, Ao Bing quickly decided he needed a place to stay outside of the city—close to the water and away from the hustle and bustle of the crowds. 

Since it was still technically winter in Midnight City, there were plenty of available vacation rentals on the beachfront. Ao Bing signed a short-term lease for a modest condo close to the water. Ao Bing explained his situation to the leasing agent, that he was in town for a family member who had fallen ill, and indicated that he needed somewhere to stay for at least two weeks, maybe more depending on what happens. The leasing agent expressed his condolences and said it would be no problem at all. Ao Bing scanned the lease, his eyes lingering on the term “month-to-month,” his heart heavy thinking about how much longer his uncle had left. 

The leasing agent handed over a set of keys to Ao Bing with an explanation of how to find the condo, and asked if he needed help unloading his stuff. Ao Bing said no, and thanked the leasing agent for the offer since he only brought a backpack with him when he left the island that morning with his brothers. Ao Bing didn’t own much—after leaving the extravagance of the Crystal Palace, he was quite happy owning very little. However, Ao Yi, immediately after finding out where his little brother was staying, sent an aide over to deliver food, furniture and clothing, as well as a new smartphone. 

It’s creepy that you still have a flip phone, was the first text message that came through to the new phone. 

Ao Bing, still not used to modern technology, texted Ao Yi back on his “ancient” flip phone to stop sending him stuff. Ao Yi texted back on the new phone, with what looked to Ao Bing to be a cartoon rendering of a hand with its middle finger up.

Equal parts annoyed and endeared by his brother’s actions, he assembled the new couch Ao Yi sent over and fished around the boxes until he found a pillow and some bedding. It had been a long day, he was both physically and emotionally exhausted. He washed up and plopped himself on the couch, falling asleep almost immediately. 

***

Like clockwork, Ao Bing woke up at dawn. He had to remind himself where he was—it was disorienting waking up to a cold winter morning in the city when he spent the last hundred years waking up on various warm sandy beaches around the world.

He made himself a cup of coffee from the care package that Ao Yi sent over, and sat on the deck of his condo which overlooked the beach. In this part of the Mortal Realm, he was still able to watch the sun rise—something he had grown accustomed to enjoying while living among humans. It was part of the reason why he only wanted to live on beaches—to be close to the water, and to be able to watch the sun rise every morning

This morning in particular, as he watched the sun slowly peek out from behind the horizon, his eyes caught some movement beyond the shore. There was a solitary surfer out on the water, paddling into the rising waves. Ao Bing was a bit surprised to see someone out on the water in the off-season, knowing well how cold the water gets during this time of year. But Ao Bing also knew if the waves were good, a little cold wasn’t going to stop someone who truly loved to surf.

With a large wave fast approaching, the person effortlessly stood up on their board, which seemed to be emitting a red-orange glow with the sun now rising behind them. Ao Bing watched as they glided into the large wave, riding it smoothly as it began to crest. The surfer leaned forward, perfectly balanced and fluid, carving sharp turns with ease. As the wave disappeared, the surfer glided towards the calmer waters and moved out back to the lineup of waves with a few strong paddles, positioning themselves to catch the next series.

It wasn’t until Ao Bing’s new phone went off with a string of beeps and buzzes that he realized he was almost in a trance, watching the surfer on the red surfboard rhythmically riding the waves. He finished his coffee and went inside to check his phone—it was Ao Jia asking if he was going to their uncle’s this morning. 

More messages came through, this time from Ao Yi asking if there was anything else he needed.  Ao Bing fumbled with the phone for way too long, determined to figure out how to put it on silent. He was not a fan of modern technology and longed for the quiet isolation of the wi-fi free beaches he visited. Once he finally succeeded in turning the phone off, he made himself another cup of coffee. 

When he went back out on the deck, the surfer on the red board was gone. 

***

Ao Bing let his brothers know he’d join his uncle for a late breakfast. Ao Jia had matters to attend to at the palace and Ao Yi was tied up all day teaching at the Naval Academy. Ao Bing was a bit relieved that he would be with his uncle alone. Not that he didn’t miss his brothers—obviously, he had—but there were still many things that needed to be discussed, and he wasn’t exactly eager to do that just yet. 

Unable to head back to his Uncle’s villa in the Southern Sea on his own—he chose to keep his powers still sealed for the time being—Ao Yi’s aide, who delivered the provisions from Ao Yi the day before, met him outside of his condo to assist with travel logistics.

"Your Highness," the young aide said, saluting and bowing low. "My name is Lu Wen. Admiral Ao has instructed me to assist you in any way necessary and to procure any supplies you may require."

Ao Bing nodded, feeling very uncomfortable with the formality Lu Wen was showing him. “Thank you, but please, there is no need for formalities.” 

Lu Wen chuckled nervously and shook his head. "I apologize, Your Highness, but if word were to reach Admiral Ao that I was not addressing His Highness appropriately, I would surely lose my position."

Ao Yi, Second Son of Emperor Ao Guang and Admiral of the Four Seas Navy, was a staunch traditionalist—even in these modern times. Recognizing he would not prevail in this matter with the young aide, Ao Bing decided to drop it. Lu Wen then summoned a simple spell and transported them to Ao Qin's residence.

“I programmed my number into your phone, Your Highness. When you’re ready to go back, just call or text to let me know.” 

Ao Bing couldn’t help but laugh to himself. When he left the Crystal Palace one-hundred twenty-five years ago, mobile phones weren’t around yet. The juxtaposition of this young Eastern Sea aide telling Ao Bing to “call or text him” when he needed him was quite amusing. Ao Bing felt it would take some time to get used to this. 

Before Lu Wen excused himself, Ao Bing thought of something. 

“Would you be able to pick up a few things for me back in the city?”

Lu Wen said, “Yes, Your Highness, of course.”

“Great. I’ll message you later with a list.”

Lu Wen nodded, and excused himself. Ao Bing then made his way into his uncle’s house and found Ao Qin in his study, removing books from his shelf and reorganizing them. Once he heard Ao Bing’s footsteps approaching, the old man’s face immediately lit up.

"Jianyu, come, come,” Ao Qin said, gesturing for his nephew to take the stack of books from his hands. “Help this old man organize this library.”

Ao Bing happily took the stacks from his uncle’s hands, and over the next hour, he followed whatever instruction Ao Qin gave him, organizing books according to the year they were written, then changing course halfway through when Ao Qin decided he actually wanted the books grouped alphabetically. 

A few times, Ao Qin took a book out of Ao Bing’s hand and asked Ao Bing to read a passage from it. Ao Qin’s eyesight wasn’t completely lost, but it was getting hard for him to read small print these days. The next time Ao Qin asked his nephew to read something, he motioned for the two of them to sit down. They made their way to the armchairs by the entrance of the study room.

“I read this book many times when I was a young soldier on the battlefield,” said Ao Qin, feeling the leatherbound edges of the book with his fingers. “There should be a bookmark where my favorite passage is.” He handed Ao Bing the book. “Why don’t you read it, and then we’ll go have breakfast.”

Ao Bing carefully opened the weathered book, its cover adorned with intricate patterns reminiscent of the ocean. He turned to the marked page, where the poem was inscribed in elegant calligraphy. His eyes scanned the passage, and he slowly read the words aloud:

"On the seventh day of the seventh month, in the Palace of Long Life, Midnight, we told each other secretly in the silent hall. 

In Heaven we wish to fly as twin birds, On Earth we wish to grow together as intertwined branches. 

Heaven lasts, Earth endures, but there is a time limit, 

This grief lasts forever, endless and unrestrained." 

The two sat in silence for a short while. There was a weight in the room after Ao Bing read the last line of the poem. Sensing this, Ao Qin suddenly reached for the book in Ao Bing’s hand.

“Bai Juyi wrote this back in the Tang Dynasty, he always so sad,” Ao Qin said solemnly. “I wonder who broke his heart when he wrote that.” The old man flipped through the rest of the pages in the book. “Beautiful poem, yes? But, that wasn’t the passage I wanted you to read.”

“Oh? Was that the wrong book?”

Ao Qin nodded. “Yes, there’s an erotic novel that was banned when I was a kid that I absolutely loved and wouldn’t mind reading again—”

Ao Bing’s eyes narrowed as he shook his head and laughed. “Alright, Uncle,” he said, as he took the book from Ao Qin’s hands and helped him up. “Let’s have breakfast now.”

***

Ao Qin’s attendants brought out two steaming bowls of congee with chopped scallions and preserved vegetables, along with plates of fresh dumplings stuffed with pork and chives. Ao Bing missed eating with his uncle like this, and when Ao Qin’s attendants saw how much the youngest Dragon Prince was enjoying the food, they brought out seconds, this time adding more of the small dishes of pickled radishes and boiled peanuts he kept reaching for. 

Ao Qin asked about Ao Bing’s travels and the countries he had visited. He genuinely enjoyed hearing Ao Bing's stories about teaching surfing lessons to young kids and the elderly on the various islands he had explored over the last century. Ao Qin kept his questions light and surface-level, deliberately avoiding anything too probing. Ao Bing recognized this and deeply appreciated his uncle's sensitivity.

However, Ao Qin did ask about one elephant in the room as the attendants were clearing the table.

"Are you planning on seeing your father?"

Ao Bing waited until the attendants had finished clearing the dishes and served another pot of tea. Looking down at his steaming cup, he finally answered, "Eventually."

"You can't put that off forever, you know."

Ao Bing nodded, watching the few loose tea leaves swirl around in his cup. "I know."

After breakfast, Ao Bing stayed around and continued to help Ao Qin organize the library. In between moving books and reading more poetry, he got around to sending Lu Wen a list of the items he wanted him to get. When he noticed his uncle getting tired, he helped him to his bedroom so Ao Qin could rest. He told his uncle he would be back soon and thanked the attendants for their hospitality as he left the villa.

Lu Wen met him outside and teleported them back to the condo, apologizing for the fact he had to leave immediately since Admiral Ao needed Lu Wen to help with an urgent matter at the Naval Base. Ao Bing thanked him for his assistance and told Lu Wen to give his regards to his brother. 

Ao Bing opened the door to his condo and was pleasantly surprised at what he saw. 

Inside, laid out in the living room were the two things he asked Lu Wen to find: a wetsuit and a FireWire Seaside Model surfboard. 

Author’s Notes

A Song of Unending Sorrow: The poem quoted here is from "A Song of Unending Sorrow" (长恨歌, Cháng Hèn Gē) by Bai Juyi, a renowned poet of the Tang Dynasty. This classic poem tells the tragic love story of Emperor Xuanzong and Lady Yang, weaving themes of devotion, loss, and eternal longing. The lines spoken by Ao Bing—wishing to remain united as twin birds in Heaven and intertwined branches on Earth—symbolizes a love that transcends mortality.

Ao Bing Character Design: Here's a skech of my Dragon Prince in our current timeline.