Read Online Chook Chook by Wai Chim - Free Book Online Page B

throat. ‘Professor, if I may interrupt, I believe you have this all wrong.’
    â€˜I beg your pardon?’ His eyes widened even more behind the thick lenses of his glasses.
    We all turned to Cap. This was the first time he had spoken since the professor had brought us into his office.
    â€˜You see, I was born in the city too. Before he was a general, my father was a city official.’ I stopped myself from rolling my eyes at Cap’s boasting. ‘I understand the diseases birds can carry. And chickens from those dirty villages, why, they’re the worst!’
    I was ready to clobber him but kept my clenched fist down by my side. Professor Law was nodding in agreement.
    â€˜But, you see these chickens, they’re not village chickens at all!’ Cap winked at me.
    What was Cap up to?
    â€˜Surely,’ he went on, ‘you know the TV show Bet You Can’t ? Contestants take on crazy bets to win money .
    Professor Law nodded impatiently. ‘Yes, yes. My mother and I watch it together all the time. But, son, what does any of this have to do with these chickens?’
    Cap smiled broadly. ‘Why, I thought you’d recognise them by now. The birds you’ve captured are the famous Tic Tac Toe Champion Chickens!’
    Guo and I gawked at each other.
    Tic Tac Toe Chickens?

Chapter Eleven

    Cap stood and took a proud step forward, tilting his head up to meet the professor’s gaze.
    â€˜That’s right, Little and Lo, the famous Tic Tac Toe Champion Chickens . In their two years on the air, they have never lost a match.’
    The professor raised another eyebrow. ‘The Tic Tac Toe Chickensare both hens. One of your birds is clearly a rooster.’
    But Cap didn’t blink. ‘Everyone knows that roosters are impossible to train. Lo is Little’s travelling companion. The two are always together when they’re not on camera.’
    He turned to me and Guo. ‘Mei and her family are some of the best-known chicken breeders in southern China. They have bred and trained some of the most famous chickens in the country.’
    I was surprised. Cap was good, but I wasn’t sure if it would be enough to save my chickens from ‘disposal’. I gulped and silently prayed that Cap’s crazy plan would work.
    But Guo almost gave us up, right then and there. ‘Look, Professor, this boy is just a friend of Mei’s and he tells some good stories, but I can assure you that the chickens—’
    â€˜The chickens,’ Cap cut him off, ‘the chickens are in need of a good rest before the show tonight. And today’s events have been traumatic enough for them as it is. Listen!’ He made a show of cupping his hand to his ear.
    I craned my neck towards the door. Professor Law was listening too.
    But aside from a few snorts, there was nothing. I knew that meant Little and Lo had fallen asleep.
    â€˜There’s nothing,’ the professor said, reaching for his phone again. I felt myself sinking in the chair, wanting to disappear into the floor.
    But Cap wasn’t anywhere near finished. ‘Exactly!’ he said, throwing his hands in the air. ‘Usually before a show, they’d be full of energy. But they’re completely exhausted.’
    Guo rolled his eyes as he stood up. ‘Cap, that’s enough! Professor, I’m so sorry, I—’
    But this time, it was the professor who interrupted him. He held up his hand for silence before turning his attention to Cap. Cap stood tall, his arms folded over his chest, his jaw set. Guo sat back down and I sucked in a breath.
    â€˜Show me,’ Professor Law said, lowering his hand.
    Cap shifted a little. He swallowed. ‘I beg your pardon?’ he squeaked.
    â€˜Show me. Show me the famous Tic Tac Toe Chickens.’ The professor snapped his fingers in the air and leaned forward in his chair. His face was an unreadable mask. ‘Go on, bring them in.’
    I sat