From the triad-run orphanage out to the streets, Ren had quickly honed her wits to survive amongst the desperate and depraved, lurking within the shadows of Republic City. Like many urchins, she grew accustomed to resting on hard surfaces, learned (and was still learning) how to balance risk and reward, and understood that everything came at a price.

Everything.

Food. Safety. Tolerance. Pride. Trust.

Everything involved an exchange. Ren knew that.

She just wasn't too good at figuring out the exact cost of everything yet.

Too much effort might waste a whole day's toiling for bruises and a pinch of coins. Too little would result in sloppiness, which made for a lousy trade in anything except for punishment.

What made things trickier was that not everything had its cost made immediately obvious. A simple sneak-and-grab on a hideout carried the risk of being caught or losing the prize throughout the operation, but back then neither Ren nor Kai had figured out that there was a delayed consequence to the job in the form of angered triad members. Hardened as they were, they were still too young and inexperienced to understand the dangers of being pawns.

Their employers had gloated over the marks, proudly showing off the stolen treasure and gleefully proclaiming how impotent they were for letting mere children get the better of them.

For the Triple Threat Triad, it was a good investment, of course. For a hundred measly yuans they humiliated and distracted their rivals, allowing them another inch of advantage in the incessant shadow wars between gangs.

For Ren and Kai, they learned that week that a hundred yuans, whopping as the sum was at that time, wasn't worth the wrath of the Agni Kai triad. A hundred yuans was not enough to rent sanctuary, nor was it nearly enough to hire any assistance. Only Lidai's selfless intervention stopped Kai from being gutted and Ren from being dragged into a whore den.

He was a complete stranger at the time, yet he willingly bought off the Agni Kai's wrath with his own dignity and well-being. While younger and stronger passersby simply turned away, the old fisherman had bartered the two children's lives for his.

It was a selfless act that had shamed and awed the two urchins, and saw them cling to Lidai protectively. It was a near impossible thing, but both Ren and Kai had resolved themselves to pay off their debt to the kind old man. Gramps was too gentle and generous for the shadows, but Ren started to learn that some softness wasn't too bad. Having the undeserved sense of belonging Gramps gave was nice, just as it was being able to really relax around an adult.

Things were going well in the two years after the trio became a sort of family. There were always enough opportunities and jobs that Ren and Kai could make sure that Gramps wouldn't go without a meal a day at least, even on the stretches where his fishing resulted in nothing but lost bait. They were planning on saving up for a comfier mattress for him as well.

And then Xing came along.

Try as Ren might, she couldn't find any ulterior motives in his generosity. He was nice like Gramps, and despite being a White Lotus he also had an understanding of how the world beyond the shine and glimmer of Republic City worked. Asami was nice, but Ren only trusted her because of Xing. It was still hard to believe that a pretty and rich and clean lady wanted to do anything with people like Ren, Kai or Gramps, let alone throw money at them so freely.

Xing on the other hand worked in more familiar terms, instantly understanding the importance of transactions, even if he was a tad bit generous with his side of the exchange. He was also honest with what he wanted, putting up front the price for a good meal and yuans without any hidden fees or favors.

Ren came to understand why he valued information of the shadows of Republic City so highly at first, but it was surprising when Xing quit the White Lotus that the price didn't change. If anything, it seemed that he managed to turn a bigger profit off the information than before working for Asami.

It must be nice, having a rich girlfriend.

Still, even when the big payday came for what seemed to be a small bit of drama, Xing remained honest and understanding. He not only gave Ren and Kai their hefty finders fee with Asami's well wishes, but did so by taking them to Republic City Bank to set up their own accounts.

There was no need to warily search for a hole big enough to stuff all the money, or was there any worry of being robbed. The two of them instantly entrusted their account books in Xing's care, though not before agreeing to his plan of bringing Gramps to the healers. It was a hefty fee, but one that both urchins - and Xing, at his insistence - were willing to pay.

It was only a thousand yuan to get Gramps walking straight and smiling so brightly. A cheap enough price, a trivial thing compared to what Ren owed him.

Then Xing had the gall to surprise them by introducing them to their new home after dinner. A proper, honest apartment near the docks four floors up. It smelled a bit from the fish factory a few blocks away, but Ren's jaw still dropped when she saw the four furnished bedrooms, one of which she'd be sleeping in. Richer people like Asami might consider the rooms too cramped, but to the girl it was a wonder being able to have such a private space at all, her own physical sanctum.

"Rooms for factory workers…" Gramps said with some amazement. "The rent for each room is supposed to be pricey, nevermind the whole floor."

"That's why I bought this whole unit rather than rent it," Xing responded with a rare cheeky smirk. "The owner was willing to let it go for a discount in exchange for membership to the Fire Ferrets' official fanclub."

"There's a fanclub?" Ren asked as Gramps balked.

Xing shrugged nonchalantly as he answered. "There will be. Future Industries will be exploring merchandising and other tie-in options, but so far subscribing to the fanclub would at least offer a meet and greet with the team during the official announcement, and maybe during a pre-game hype event."

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"Does that include autographs?" Kai asked, and Xing nodded.

"We'll be asking the team to sign some stuff during the big reveal."

The boy's eyes went wide with excitement, and Ren could pretty much guess what he'd ask next. So could Xing, who answered it before Kai could voice the question.

"I think I could use more people to smile for the cameras as they receive some exclusive membership goods… They'd get to keep the merchandise, of course."

"You're serious?"

Kai received a grin in return, which was swept across to Ren and Gramps. "Showing that there's already a bunch of eager members of the Fire Ferrets fanclub, and the fact that they're receiving exclusive items, should be good for publicity. If done right, the subscription scheme would allow the team to pay for itself after a while, while a good merchandising model should net a decent profit without interfering with their training for the coming tournament."

That made sense, and Ren suddenly wondered why only Xing was doing such a thing.

"That's quite a task you've taken upon yourself," Gramps commented, earning another shrug from Xing.

"Both Hiroshi and Asami Sato have agreed that this option was worth exploring. In the grand scheme of things, Future Industries doesn't have that much to lose in exchange for publicity and a potential new avenue for profit. And it is a good way to prove my abilities to my employers."

And to show off to his girlfriend, Ren didn't quip.

Gramps gave a grunt of agreement as he glanced down at his legs. "I suppose I can't complain. Though with the money you've spent already… You'll be staying with us, of course?"

"Yeah, you own this place, right?" Kai chipped in. "Doesn't make sense to keep staying at that inn when we have an extra room here."

Gramps' head immediately snapped to Kai on hearing that, and then snapped to Xing. Ren knew that admonishing look, and she started to feel a bit bad for her benefactor. "You've no place of your own yet?"

"I…was planning to look for a separate residence once my salary came in. I have enough to stay at the inn-"

"Nonsense!" The two urchins flinched as Gramps fixed a resolute, almost oppressive gaze of a disapproving elder on the young man. "If you're trying to save money, then there's a room here. You can find a better place later."

Xing's head bowed with surprising hesitation. "I…wouldn't want to test your patience. My duties would see me cause a commotion at odd hours."

"We've been living in an alleyway up until now," Gramps replied. "That's about the norm for us. If privacy is what you need, or more space, we can arran-"

The younger man's hands quickly came up. "No, no. It's not that. I just do not want to interject myself in your lives more than necessary."

Ren found the way he said the words to be odd; They were sincere, and also carried with it a familiarity of a well-used excuse. Then a thought flashed through the girl's mind.

Was it a White Lotus thing?

Xing used to guard the Avatar or something, right? Maybe he had to get up to all sorts of things for his bodyguarding, and White Lotus bodyguards weren't supposed to get in the way of everyone else, or something like that?

Even if that was the case, he shouldn't have to worry about such things now, working for Asami, right? She looked like the type who would rather have Xing obviously around rather than have him out of sight.

Xing eventually relented under Gramps' nagging, though he conceded with a small smile, and the four of them proceeded to pick their rooms. As the sun fully set, Xing left to check out of his inn, Kai helped Gramps with some basic leg exercises and Ren enjoyed a proper bath in probably forever. As she soaked in the wooden tub, the girl found the lack of noise to be unsettling.

She could hear the water ripple and drip, as well as Kai and Gramps outside, so clearly. There were no garbled cries of stall vendors hawking, or the groans of the opium huffers, or the constant thuds and clattering of footsteps. There was a very faint commotion in the floor below and the world outside, but it was not enough to be comforting.

The girl looked up to the plastered ceiling, and then to the walls around her. She was now in a bathroom larger than the ramshackle hut she shared with Kai and Gramps. This room was far stronger and more secure than that hut at the end of a dirty alleyway. The whole apartment was clean, safe, and comfortable.

Ren sighed before sinking into the tub. It'd take a while to get used to this.

That night, as nice and soft as her bed was, Ren found herself slipping into Kai's room. The boy was also awake, in the midst of tossing and turning. They shared a silent look, and then Kai easily shuffled away to make room for her. The two children found comfort and reassurance in having their backs pressed against each other like they always did, the blanket on the floor simulating their old bedding well enough.

They'd learn how to enjoy their privacy later.

The next morning, Asami showed up, smiling brightly as ever, with Xing carrying another stack of dim sum again. The breakfast was nice, with the rich lady finally meeting Gramps and greeting him with all the warmth as she greeted the two barely-teens. She was more excited than everyone else about the new apartment, pointing out how well situated the apartment was and offering recommendations to upgrade the place (what's an armoire, and how thick do mattresses really get?)

Then before Gramps went off for sleep, Asami placed sheets of paper onto the thin plank table, and pushed one each to Ren and Kai.

"Now, while my trusty personal assistant has offered brilliant ideas, I realize that Xing might be taking on more than his fair share of work ensuring that his ideas bear fruit. It seems my assistant could use assistants of his own. And while Future Industries does not condone heavy child labor, we don't mind providing less strenuous opportunities to bright talents."

Ren stared at the contract before her as Asami grinned cheerily at them. "So, would either of you be interested in part time jobs?"