A Deer and A Baozi

It has been a year and a half since Ling left Korea for her training in America. Her English has improved greatly since then, to the point that she could carry a normal conversation with ease.

She stayed with her cousins for the duration of her time in a small apartment located about an hour's drive from the studio she had her training at. It was a hassle to get to the classes, but she maintained her dedication to the program.

This particular morning, she woke up to the smell of the sweet and sour pork that her cousin, Gabby's mother was making. She crawled out of bed and let the smell lead her to the kitchen where she leaned lazily on the wall, watching as her aunt plated the food.

"You're up," She said beaming at Ling. "I thought you'd want to sleep more since it's been ages since you slept in."

Ling shook her head, remembering all the mornings she had to wake up before dawn to get to her acting classes. "I've gotten more than enough sleep."

"That's good to hear." The older lady said just as Gabby ran down the stairs.

"Mom, where is my cap!" She whined, stomping her feet on the ground. "I was going to wear it on the flight tomorrow!"

The older lady clicked her tongue in annoyance as she wheeled her daughter back to her room to help her find the cap. Ling puffed her cheeks and took a pair of chopsticks from its holder. She glanced mischievously at Gabby's direction and stuffed a piece of pork into her mouth. She stood there with her eyes closed marveling at the flavors that filled her mouth.

Her phone rang, startling her, and she pulls it out to see who it was.

Kim Young Min

Ling tilted her head curiously and answered it.

-----
In the dark office located in the heart of Seoul, Young Min sat with a phone pressed to his ear. He smiled as the person on the other end answered.

"Ling! How are you?" He said happily.

"Fine."

"Are you all set for tomorrow's flight then?" He clicked his pen on his desk patiently.

"Packed and ready!"

"Great! There will be someone there to bring you to me, so make sure you look for your name when you leave the terminal."

And with that, the call was over. Young Min leaned on his desk and looked at the figure sitting in the room with him.

"You know the plan right?"

The girl smiled and brushed her blonde bangs out of her eyes. "Of course."

"Good." Young Min's voice droned on. "I don't believe I've thanked you for your wonderful work from a year ago."

"A year and a half," The girl corrected him but bowed her head all the same. She rummages through her bag and passes a USB stick to him. "I didn't get a chance to return these photos to you."

He nods and puts it in a drawer before turning back to her, motioning her towards the door. "Borin, I expect to see great things from you."

The girl, Borin, nods and excuses herself from the room leaving Young Min to sit in the darkness, marveling at the documents on his desk with a crooked smile.

"Ling's coming back, are you ready?"

-----
Ling stepped out of the plane with a yawn. The flight was long and exhausting. There wasn't even the food to look forward to. She shudders as she recalls the weird brown mush that was on her plate at lunch.

"Never again," She mutters under her breath and follows Gabby as they walk through the airport towards the terminal exit.

The minute she stepped out of the terminal she heard it. The roaring of a crowd, louder than anything she's ever heard before. She exchanges a confused glance with Gabby and continue to walk cautiously towards the exit.

"Gabby, what is happening?" She muttered under her breath but before her cousin had time to explain, a group of people stopped her.

Ling looked up at the familiar faces of nine of the boys from EXO. Luhan, Baekhyun, Xiumin, Lay, D.O, Chen, Sehun, Kai and Suho. Before she even had the chance to react, they rushed to her and pulled her into a group hug, yelling happily to one another.

"Ling!

"Ling, you're home!"

"Finally!"

"You look so different now!"

A smile crept up Ling's lips as she felt the tickle of their hair against her face. "It's good to be back!"

She pulls them away from her and giggle to herself as the boys stared at her expectantly. She looks at them with a smile and bows ninety degrees out of respect.

"I'm sorry sunbaes but, have we met?

Notes