The Creatures That We Are

Gao Yang looked at Fresh Snow. It might be inappropriate, but he realized that Fresh Snow was too much like a pet of his.

He was reminded of a line: one may have many friends, but a pet only has its owner.

However, Gao Yang didn’t want Fresh Snow to be like a pet. It might seem like kindness, but was actually condescension.

Fresh Snow was a higher life form of blood and flesh, emotions, intelligence, and soul—his equal.

Although it might be a little difficult, Gao Yang decided to explain the complicated concepts to Fresh Snow, helping her grow.

“Fresh Snow, human emotions are complicated...”

“I’m not human.” Fresh Snow pouted, cutting him off petulantly. “I’m a ghost!”

“Um, humans or ghosts, our emotions are all complicated.” Gao Yang explained patiently. “Familial love, friendship, romantic love, and many other types of bond. For example, your older sister and you are family, while you and I are friends.”

Fresh Snow didn’t understand fully.

“In our lifetime, we encounter many people and develop different feelings. No matter how much you care about someone, you shouldn’t monopolize them. It’s not right.”

Outside of romantic love, of course. That was too complicated for Fresh Snow, though, so he shouldn’t go into it.

“But, but...”

“Fresh Snow, if I force you to make a choice between your sister and me, the other leaving you forever, who would you choose?”

Fresh Snow imagined the scenario earnestly and immediately frowned, struggling with great agony. “No, I don’t wanna choose...”

“If you want me to choose between you, Wang Zikai, and Qing Ling, it’ll be difficult for me too...”

Fresh Snow lowered her eyes, nodding. “I, I think I understand.”

But why did she still feel a little unhappy about it?

“Hmph!” Fresh Snow turned away, pouting. “Then I want new friends too!”

Gao Yang smothered a laugh. What a kid. She’s throwing a tantrum.

“Sure.” Gao Yang wasn’t opposed to it.

“Hey, pretty girl.” At that moment, a blond man in fashionable, extravagant style came over. “Is this your boyfriend?”

Fresh Snow glanced at Gao Yang and shook his head. “No, we’re good friends.”

“Oh, friends.” The man’s eyes glinted with unreadable emotions, his smile suggestive. “I’d like to be your friend, too. Is that okay?”

Fresh Snow paused for two seconds before nodding with a smile. “Sure.”

“You aren’t a student here, are you, pretty girl? With your looks, you would’ve become famous if you were, and I would’ve seen you around.”

“Yeah, I’m...I’m from a nearby school,” Fresh Snow lied, still smiling.

Seeing his chance, the man’s smile deepened. “Hey, isn’t it said that the best time is now? Are you free tonight? I have a few more friends. Why don’t we go to a bar together...”

“A bar?” Fresh Snow had never been to a bar. She took a step forward. “Sure.”

Gao Yang pulled Fresh Snow behind her with a cold look on his face, facing off the blond man.

“What about next time? We have other things to do.”

The blond man hid his irritation and put on a forced smile, taking out his phone. “Sure, pretty girl. Why don’t we add each other as contacts? Let’s take a raincheck.”

“No need.” Gao Yang shot him down again.

The blind man was at the end of his patience. His smile dropped and he pushed Gao Yang away. “Who the fuck do you think you are, getting into business that isn’t yours? You’re too much of a wuss to get the girl, but you dare stop me...”

“Don’t bully Gao Yang!”

Fresh Snow rushed up and pushed the blond man away.

The blond man staggered to the ground. He didn’t expect Fresh Snow to be so strong.

He scrambled to his feet angrily. “Drop your act, bitch! I’ve slept with enough sluts like you...”

He wasn’t able to continue. Gao Yang leveled an icy gaze on him, eyes flashing with a hint of true killing intent.

The blond man was suddenly stricken with overwhelming fear. It felt like an instinct of sorts, beyond reason or logic. He shouldn’t be this afraid, but he was, so much so that his body trembled and his teeth clattered.

“Fuck off,” Gao Yang spat.

“Just, just you wait...” The blond man bit back, but he ran faster than a dog.

Gao Yang watched him flee, making sure that he didn’t show any signs of transformation. He was likely a simple wanderer.

He sighed in relief and turned to Fresh Snow, warning her seriously, “I’m not against you making friends, Fresh Snow, but you have to be picky. There are many bad people in the world...”

“I know he’s a bad one.” Fresh Snow smiled mischievously, her big eyes curved into crescents.

“Huh?” Gao Yang was caught off guard.

“He smells bad.” She hooked an arm around Gao Yang’s elbow and buried her face into his chest. “You smell good.”

Realization dawned on Gao Yang. He almost forgot that Fresh Snow’s second form was a cat, and cats had their own way of detecting danger and differentiating between good and bad people.

“Why did you agree to his invitation then?”

“I did it on purpose.” Fresh Snow snickered.

Gao Yang gaped. Dear Fresh Snow, so you’ve not only gotten taller in the past three months, but also gotten shrewd.

He ruffled her hair. “There’s no next time.”

“Yeah.” Fresh Snow was still holding onto his elbow. She said petulantly, “Gao Yang, you had hot pot with her! I want to have hot pot too!”

Really? You’re still on that?

Gao Yang sighed inwardly. I don’t mind treating you to hot pot, but I’ve just had dinner. I can’t stomach more.

“Next time, yeah? I’ll treat you to roasted fish.”

“Okay!” Fresh Snow agreed happily. Then her eyes twirled around. “I want something now too. I don’t care! Whatever she has, I want it too!”

Gao Yang knew she wouldn’t drop it without getting something.

A thought occurred to him.. Gao Yang took out two mint candies from his pockets. “Here.”

Fresh Snow took them excitedly. “What is this?”

“Candies, for you.” Gao Yang assured her. “She hasn’t had it. It’s only for you.”

“Yay!” Fresh Snow tore a pack open and popped it into her mouth.

“Hm...so good. It’s refreshing and sweet!” Fresh Snow balled her hands into fists, leaping in place happily, her silver braids following the movement.

After having hot pot, Gao Yang had the habit of grabbing two mint candies at the counter to cleanse his mouth.

But Qing Ling didn’t like mint, so the candies were only for Fresh Snow. Gao Yang didn’t lie.

Sorry for humoring you this time, Fresh Snow, Gao Yang thought as he watched Fresh Snow jumping up and down. I’ll buy you a big meal next time.

Fresh Snow said with a candy in her mouth, mumbling, “Then I’ll be off, Gao Yang.”

“Already?”

It was Gao Yang’s turn to be disappointed. You always stay for a while when you visited me before. Why did you leave after only a short chat this time?

“Yeah.” Fresh Snow nodded seriously. “I’m going around the world with Sister, Master Spring, and Uncle Waking Insects. I’ll come back and seek you out after that.”

“Go...around the world?” Gao Yang thought he had heard her wrong.

“Master Spring wants to show us the world.”

The Mist World isn’t that big. What is there to show?

Hm, I suppose I shouldn’t say that. If the world only has two years left, it makes sense to take a good look around, our once home.

What a surprise, Master Spring. You’re a hipster boy—no, hipster elderly.

“Okay. Godspeed,” Gao Yang said genuinely.

“Yeah, I’m already learning how to write. I’ll write you!” Fresh Snow promised him and extended her pinky.

Gao Yang extended his pinky too. “Alright, I look forward to it.”

They made a pinky promise.

Fresh Snow still had the mint candy in her mouth. She was reluctant to swallow it.

She smiled with her lips pursed and waved at Gao Yang, skipping away happily like she was simply a lovely high school student.