After Reincarnating, My System Quit!

Chapter 56  At The Long Table! by Harem-Fan

     Sure we could have walked to the restaurant, but the Star University is much bigger than you can imagine. Plus it is better to arrive without being tired, and after you're full from a big meal, who wants to walk?

     As I found a good parking spot I noticed something that shows this place caters to the high-class... Parking spots for limos. They are normal spots that don't have the middle line and take up two spots longways.

     I got out and went to the higher door to help Linda out, and James jumped out himself with a cheerful smile. I noticed he did not race to open the door for Linda and made me do it. This is part of the bro-code if they think you or a girl likes a bro.

     James may look like a lecherous playboy wannabe, but he is just an awkward geek trying to live life like a cool man. He is that always cheerful fellow that acts goofy to put smiles on others faces.

     Why is James my friend? Because out of the entire high-school, he was the only person who bothered to get to know me and did not care about others scorning him for hanging with the school outcast. He too got beat-up a couple times to try and help me out. So if that is not a loyal friend what is?

     I have mentioned it before, but he even flirted with Mary growing up, but this was never serious and he only did that to practice his pickup skills. Mary always shit canned him but pointed out his flaws in pickup lines. I even mentioned that James was the one to tell me I loved Mary before the two of us confessed! Now only a real brother could notice that.

     So why am I still friends with him after I get my Skills? Because I am loyal to the ones that are loyal to me. I will always look out for James even when he does silly things like inviting random girls to hang out.

     This is a world of two women for every man, so for Jim to look for a second wife is normal. Only monogamous men are seen as poor in this world. A Lion with only one mate is an abnormality and the same is seen in Pangaea Earth. That's why the memories of the other Earth confuse me a lot.

     James puts on his sunglasses and waits for me to help Linda. And she put her hand out for me to help her down so I did.

     She is wearing white strapped sandals with a slight heel to them, and she has a sleeveless white-dress that goes down to her knees and looks like a proper noble lady. Her hair is done in a ponytail with a white-ribbon holding it together. She has pearl accessories to give her a pure and clean look.

     I then close the door and lock it up.

     James trying to embarrass or just be funny says.

     "Teacher Long, the twins, Linda, Tina, and you are all wearing white like you all planned it or something! Damn if I would have known Monday is white-day I would have done it too, oh well there is next week, lets go guys!"

     Now that I think of it, James is right and both Linda and I look at each other awkwardly.

-

     When we entered, the music was playing the top recent songs and had a special sound system that adjusted the ambient sounds based on the noise level of the guest eating. So when business is slower, the sound goes down accordingly and up if it's noisy like right now. This is a cool feature added for guest satisfaction. Also the time of the year will change the music playlist to match the weather and time.

     I asked the attractive hostess about our table.

     "Hello we are 3 for the Victoria Long table."

     The woman's expressions brightened and her friendliness meter went up as she asked us to follow her.

     Soon we are brought to the rear right of the dining area and see an automatic sliding glass door connected to a party room. The party room also had an automatic sliding door with frosted glass to give the occupants some privacy from the normal dining crowd.

     Why the fancy doors? Because it allows the servers to carry trays of drinks and food in with ease, on top of seeming fresh and new aged.

     Seems we are the first to arrive due to me skipping class and Linda and James getting to the car quickly, oops.

     So the table in here is like the one at Linda's home. It has two seats at both ends with six seats on each long side.

     I guess we need to choose a seat, but I don't know where I should sit? Linda points to the farthest seat between the two on the end and says.

     "You are the teacher's assistant so you should sit there right?"

     Thinking of sitting next to Victoria sounds a bit distracting so I sit at the closest end to the entrance instead. Linda looked at me funny and only sat to my left on one of the long-sides.

     "Rick, is there something wrong with you and the teacher?"

     "Someone in her family tried to have me killed, but it's over now."

     Both Linda and James froze at my words like I said it was nice weather today. Well the eldest sister wanted me crippled not dead, but Ashley's mother changed the order from cripple to kill behind everyone's back and that's why Kimberly is sulking because only she was criminalized while her middle sister got away with it.

     I confirmed that Ashley was not a part of it and also was against her mothers order, but was helpless to stop her. Ashley and I can never be close, due to her mother and our pasts, we can only avoid each-other to not become mortal enemies and that's why she is nervous around me.

     Is crippling any less? No I still hate Kimberly Long for it, but it is still different from kill. But right now I can't touch Laura Long because she is hiding in the Mountain Temple and they don't have an internet system and live like true monks.

     I would literally have to go and hunt her down to kill her. And yes, she is the one Long I will put a sniper-bullet in her head if I see her. Even Scott has not put a kill order on me.

     That was the reason I executed the Monk that night, his killing intent was there and when I feel that feeling going forward, I will just kill. To this day, I have not once regretted ending that monk's life.

     My left arm was tapped by Linda while my mind wandered and she then said.

     "You had that serious look in your eyes."

     She must be talking about the one my father had when he made up his mind, so I smile and assure her.

     "No it is fine, I am only thinking of ways to live a happy life and I just look serious."

     James sitting on Linda's left said to me.

     "Sorry about Cat Woo brother, I had no idea you guys had that messy of a connection. Seriously man, if I would have known, I would have rejected her asking. I only thought we would look less strange if two girls and two dudes were at a table and no third wheel. Plus anyone messing with big sister Mary can go fuck a duck!"

     I grin at Jim while Linda looks strange at our guys talk, so I tell him.

     "James, you just keep being your normal self, it's me that is getting into trouble all the time, but you always support me brother. So don't worry, I have business ideas so you can support your 20 wives, ha-ha!"

     James gave me a long-distance high-five and Linda said like we are serious.

     "You're getting 20 wives?!"

     I smile at this serious woman and explain. If this story is on any-other site than Scribble Hub, then it was stolen without permission!

     "Linda, when guys get together we exaggerate things to sound impressive, and when I said I would get only 10 wives, my friend had to double it, so I just told him he can just do it and I will give him ten dollars if he can satisfy that many wives, see guys are dumb!"

     "Rick you're going to have 10 wives?!"

     Okay my eye twitched hearing Linda say that, and for a genius she did not listen to my words! Linda then saw my look, only said.

     "I was joking with you Rick, lighten up."

     Yes her eyes look like she is having fun, even though her face looks serious, sigh. I just grin as the waitress takes our drink order. I order a beer because one won't mess with me especially while eating.

-

     After getting my Lite beer, I heard the sounds of many people coming in at once. Many of the sounds are high-heels on the wood floor echoing letting me know many women have arrived.

     To my surprise the seat to my right at the end of the table was pulled out by none other than Victoria?!

     An unamused redhead and her older blonde sister sat on Victoria's immediate right and then Tina gave me a face that said she was pissed she could not sit next to me. Jill Feng cheerfully said hi to me.

     "Hey Rick, sorry that little sister Tina is grumpy, my class ran late and she rushed me but now we are here, fufu. I just ate with you last night and now for lunch today, this is fate, right?!"

     Jill is a trickster type and is only saying this to make Tina seem close and the Feng as well. She is really a smart and practical woman. She may not be trained in fighting, but she will be a formidable Head in the future.

     Victoria greets Jill with a slight smile and asks.

     "Hello Jill, it's good to see you again, and how is your last year of University looking?"

     "Yes, seeing you is always a pleasure, and I will be spending most of my time in the Feng Corporation with my internship. It is natural since I will take over some of the businesses next year."

     This time it was Woo and Scott's group that walked into the room and he frowned, seeing only two open areas to sit on the left or right. Helen Tang Scott's older sister and the next head also was with them.

     She has long blonde-hair and brown-eyes like her brother and looks like my real mother except with brown eyes. She saw me and smiled. I only now realized, this woman is also my blood cousin.

     To everyone's horror and my shock, Helen Tang came up behind me and warmly hugged me and said in my ear.

     "Rick, I am so sorry. If I knew you were my cousin, I never would have ever let my bratty little brother touch you. Please forgive me."

     I feel this woman means it, and for some reason, I feel really touched. So I pat her arm and tell her.

     "Miss Tang it is fine really, how could you know? Not many did. So just treat me normal. I am not officially a Tang."

     She let me go and with a warm smile ruffled my hair like a little brother and said.

     "What not a Tang? Our DNA is still the same as cousins so don't listen to those old coots, you're my little cousin and that's that. Just let me know if you need anything in the future. And don't call me Miss Tang or I will be sad, just call me Helen"

     Scott woke from his stupor and protested.

     "Sister you can't!"

     Helen pointed to the end seat on the right side next to the two end seats and she growled.

     "You sit there and shut up! This is all of your and mothers fault, especially this latest stunt. Try me and the first act as Head of the family will be to remove your worthless ass from the roster."

     All I can say seeing my new cousin is... DAAAAAAAMN! Scott looks like he is eating shit at her public verbal slapping. I guess when Anthony is not around she really takes charge. I can almost imagine she is probably like my real mother in nature. She then tells the twins.

     "I will sit next to sister Jill and you two can accompany your stupid husband between us, thanks."

     She patted my back and before sitting in her seat said softly to me.

     "Just like on the dance-floor, defend yourself and put him in his place, but try not to kill each-other. Scotty is a shit brother, but he is still my brother, okay."

     I just nod to her because I still have not yet decided to go that far yet. I think bully revenge is only good if the other guy is alive to suffer. Death only makes the pain stop.

     She nodded to mine and then sat next to Tina's sister and the two talked about their shared interests.

     Linda and Tina had curious expressions at our interaction I had never predicted. To have another family member alive that seemed to unconditionally care, really made me feel happy inside.

     I was so overwhelmed, I had not noticed the two newcomers sitting next to James. Cat Woo and Ashley Hue next to her. This should be everyone, a total of 12 people. Seeing the two farthest seats empty Linda pointed out now seems funny. If I sat there would Victoria still be next to me?

     Victoria said to everyone.

     "Please everyone, don't worry about the bill and order anything that looks good. This is my treat for everyone to spend lunch with the business class. Also, I would like our four houses to have better relations in the future, so let's start here today."

     With her words the servers worked fast to get all the drink orders and appetizers were already selected before we came and started to fill the table as the drinks came.

     I almost lost my appetite when I saw what Nadia did! She, while no one was paying attention, took Scott's fork and swirled it in a small plastic bag only I recognized and then put it back on Scott's silverware napkin, oh I am going to hurl if he uses that!

     Nadia seeing my pale looking face just smiles like she wants to be praised for doing a good chemical warfare job! Why do I think when I tell Scott about all the times he was tainted, it will break him more than a green-hat?! How did she do it? She waited for Scott to take a call in the hall, damn!

     James is talking to Ashley who is sitting next to him and the two seem to be getting along. If I told James she will be the next head of the Hidden Dragons, would he still talk to her?

     Linda was quietly talking with Victoria asking her some class related questions when I overheard Jill say to Helen.

     "I am going to cry Helen, Rick rejected me for a marriage proposal, I am so sad. He likes my little sister more than me."

     Helen looks at me and the two Feng women and grins. Then she looked at Victoria, her rival house and asked her when she stopped talking to Linda.

     "Teacher Long, are you really making Rick your teacher's aid? I am very surprised, especially for being from the Tang?"

     Victoria, still in the age range of the two future Heads, straightens her sitting posture and pushes up her glasses.

     "There are a couple of Long members that are not happy with my choice, but I don't care about last names or births. Rick is smart enough to graduate from University right now and even run a major company. So having him rot doing nothing productive would be bad for everyone. I see his talent not his background, is that sufficient Miss Tang?"

     Helen smiles at Victoria and nods.

     "If Rick is happy then I would not mind it then, nice to see a pragmatic Dragon."

     Tina with a grin of mischief said to Helen.

     "Teacher Long will have Rick intern in one of her companies next year, fufu."

     Helen's smile twitched hearing that. What was this, a Tang working for the Long?! No, her ears are not working right today. She said to me.

     "Rick, you can intern in one of my Tang companies so don't worry."

     Victoria, loving a business challenge, counters Helen.

    "Rick, we have an agreement, plus it would be nepotism for you to intern in a Tang company. Don't worry it is only interning with me not working for us. Your work experience will be more honest this way. And your skill and knowledge will grow faster."

     (A/N Nepotism: Favoritism shown to nephews and other relatives; patronage bestowed in consideration of family relationship and not of merit.)

     "Thanks cousin Helen, but Teacher Long is right on this one. I won't work for the Long but learn in an environment not in my best interest, so I will be challenged. And if anyone messes with me, he-he."

     Jill with a smile then said.

     "Then working for me is perfect, I will even make you my personal assistant."

     Tina jumps in and tells her sister.

     "You know he can't work for Feng after the game. So stop it already or I will tell mother you're harassing Rick!"

     Jill grins and says to me.

     "Sorry little brother, but sadly she is right, phew!"

     Linda is giving me sad eyes because seeing the other three families trying to recruit me is killing her due to the fact she can't get me to work for Lang. She really looks kinda cute when she looks bullied.

     Then my stomach churned as I saw Scot eating a grilled pork-strip and then licking his fork clean!

     "Oh God! I will be right back!"

     Everyone sees me rush out to find the nearest bathroom to calm my stomach!

     Nadia you're a demon!