“I’m all ears.” I lift my can of Asahi beer from the coffee table and pull at the finger-grip of the tab but it breaks off. “Shit!”

We are in the living room of her condo, munching groundnuts, dried meat, cookies and sweetmeats on the second day of Chinese New Year.

Jessica rises and takes my beer can. “Let me help you.”  She returns to her chair, sits ramrod straight and puts the can of beer between her thighs. My eyes span wider in surprise. As she snaps her thighs together, at the same time, she slaps their sides with both palms. The tab of the can pops open! My surprise turns to shock.

“Holy cow!” My jaw sags a full inch.

“Here you are!” She hands me the beer can with froth brimming at its opening. “I’ll clean the carpet later, enjoy your drink.”

I chugalug my beer, reach into a platter for some cashew nuts and chug them into my mouth. “Dragon story?”

Jessica leans back in her chair. “One day the Sea Dragon King was afflicted with pain at his waist. He consumed all the medications in his underwater kingdom but wasn’t cured. His court officials advised him to consult a traditional Chinese doctor in Earth.”

“The Dragon King Turned himself into an old man and visited a sinseh. The sinseh felt his pulse. He gasped in horror—you’re not a human! The Dragon King turned into his original form.”

“The sinseh was in awe-and-shock but the Dragon King assured he meant no harm. The sinseh checked the Dragon King’s pulse again and examined his waist. Then, he performed a minor surgery. After a short stay, the Dragon King’s surgical wound healed, and he was cured.  Before the Dragon King left, he announced that—as a token of appreciation—any mortal who displayed symbols of him would enjoy power, good fortune and bountiful harvests.”

“Yup, but that’s just a fable.” Jessica lifts her glass of baijiu. “Cheers!” Her throat vibrates as she drinks.

/end