Chapter 36: Old Tai’s entry.

The key to running a good city was being prepared for all surprises. But Weijun was not prepared for the sudden return of the sea before the dry land, where it used to be, was cleared up completely. Most of the land had been turned into parking car lots, fishing grounds, a training area for soldiers and a park.

More importantly, people had set up farmland and a market in the area. Suddenly being told to abandon all this starting that night because the sea was returning, was exciting and enraging at the same time.

Weijun was at the city council building, dealing with hundreds of angry residents, eager reporters and stacks of paper work.

Meanwhile, soldiers, working together with the police and other officers had already managed to help people move there personal property out of the few residence buildings in the area.

“Thank goodness the government did not approve of apartment buildings being constructed here. Imagine the disaster if people lived here. Where would they move to on such short notice?” A soldier said.

Another nodded, puffing on a cigarette slowly. He frowned when a drop of water fell on his nose. “Is it going to rain?” he asked the other.

“I don’t think so.” The other replied, watching the lights of the last moving van disappear into the gate of the city. He frowned as well when drops of water hit his face.

Neither noticed that the wind was picking up.

Later, at around midnight, when families had locked their doors, the sea arrived. It started with a trickle of water that seeped across the grounds of the old harbor. It was so faint, it could have been mistaken for spilled wine. But the trickle did not stop. It grew into rivulets, burying short vegetation, joining fish ponds, filling cracks of forgotten old boats ship wrecks.

Soon, the soldiers keeping watch noticed and sent word to Weijun, who was yet to sleep. Along with his men, he flew to the sea shore in a helicopter.

Word of the return had long spread and the sounds of the helicopter and sirens moving in the same direction awakened many that lived near the shore line.

An excited old couple got into their car, to drive to the scene and witness the return of the sea for themselves. They had been around when it was diverted.

By morning, the district was alive with murmurs, as was the rest of the city. The air was heavy with anticipation, gulls had returned and they circled overhead. People took pictures of them, some waved, some jumped. The birds had not been seen in the area for many years.

The distant but undeniable sound of waves echoed through the air, streets and high walls of the city. Former fishermen thought of tracing their old boats or buying new ones. The marriage alliance was loved even more because it had brought an unexpected gift. The sea had returned home.

This was exactly what the news was reporting and the chaotic wedding was replaying on a few news channels.

Liwu was outside like others, watching the waves, listening to people critic about this and that or discuss the business opportunities this change brought. For her, she kept an eye on her husband as he belted instructions in partially wet trousers that were rolled up to his knees.

But she had not come out to watch Weijun. She had come to see the building which would be the new 187th precinct. It would be her workplace, going forward. As soon as the transfer forms arrived; which they had not.

Also, she was waiting for the arrival of her great grandparents. At any moment, her great grandfather was going to make a ridiculous exaggerated entrance that the news drones and reporters on site would capture and discuss for weeks.

He was like that, Old Tai. He liked being and doing extra, even when no one asked for it.

The first sign of his arrival was the smell of sea salt and sea weed. A scent that Liwu had come to associate with her grandfather over the years. The second sign were the rolling waves, slapping against rocks in full force. One in particular was bigger than others, it rose majestically, carrying Old Tai and his massive trident that he wielded with ease.

His beard was flying in the wind, he was shirtless and his merman tail flicked slightly. Fountains of spray were shooting upward before bursting like fire works.

“That’s right, Old Tai is here One city, behold my glory!” he bellowed, his voice echoing across the beaches. “I bring you the lost sea.”

“Subtle.” Liwu mumbled. “He said he would be subtle. What is subtle about this?”

The reporters, cameras and news drones zoomed in, capturing every ridiculous detail: the ducks bobbing beside him, the crab clinging to his beard, the eels that were providing electricity like disco balls. The dolphins that were shooting water upward and Old Tai’s triumphant grin plastered across his old but somehow youthful face with only a few wrinkles.

He rose higher as the water surged, striking a pose like a surfer with the ability to tread on water without a board. Reporters shouted commentary and questions into the microphones, trying to decide if this was a political move or just entertainment.

Liwu buried her face in her hands, “Please stop pausing.”

But Old Tai was unstoppable. He waved his trident and fish leaped from the sea, falling on to the beach. Some, slapped cameras and reporters across the face. “Eat!” Old Tai cried. “I have been told that you are craving sea food. May your fish markets thrive, your children will learn to swim before they can walk!”

People flooded the beach to pick up the free sea food.

A woman screamed after a crab pinched her.

Old Tai continued to strike poses until his tail retracted and his feet touched the sand. Immediately, Liwu pounced on him. “Great grandpa, when you said you would be arriving with the sea, this was not what I imagined. You have started a brawl on the beach over fish!”

Police officers were trying to stop people from grabbing randomly but it was a struggle. Some of the fish Old Tai had delivered were worth a lot of money.

“And where is your robe?” Liwu hissed. Her great grandfather was not allowed to walk around in trunks! For heavens sake, people were taking pictures of places they should not have been capturing!

Liwu was glad she had prepared three emergency robes in her bag. She got the nearest, a neon blue cotton robe and helped him put it on. “I cannot believe great grandma allowed you to do this.”

Old Tai smiled proudly. “Have you ever seen a man my age, looking as good as me? Your great grandma is proud to show me off. It makes her friends jealous.”

Liwu rolled her eyes.

And Weijun, he stood on the beach, watching his men collect fish beside the people. He wondered what else Old Tai had in store for them. Just as the thought crossed his mind, a bubble of water rose from the sea and drenched him, leaving sea weed on his face.

The reporters were ecstatic.

Liwu was dismayed.

Old Tai was pleased, with his entry and himself.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep