The Creatures That We Are

After dinner, Gao Yang volunteered to collect the eating utensils and help Zhuang Mei clean up the kitchen. Meanwhile, Lin Yue and Gao Xinxin were supporting Gao Shou as he strolled slowly around the front yard for rehabilitation, which had the added bonus of promoting digestion.

The kitchen at the farmhouse was the old school type with an earthen stove. A large pot would be placed on top with fire started underneath, mainly with firewood.

Zhuang Mei cleaned the pot on the stove with a brush, while Gao Yang did the dishes on the side.

“It must be difficult to live on your own, Auntie Mei,” Gao Yang asked casually. “You have so much to do.”

“It’s a little difficult at first, but you get used to it,” Zhuang Mei sounded just as casual.

“Do you regret your divorce? I still think everyone should have a family.”

Zhuang Mei paused before continuing cleaning the pot, looking a little lonesome. “Not every married couple could stay in love like your parents, Yang Yang. Those like me aren’t fit for marriage, and divorce actually brought relief. I’m doing okay now. I’m free to do whatever or not do anything, and I don’t have to take responsibility over anyone. We all have our own way of life.”

“True.” Gao Yang smiled. “I’ve asked a silly question.”

Zhuang Mei chuckled. “You’re young. Of course your perspective would be limited. You’ll learn through experience.”

After doing the dishes, Gao Yang walked out of the kitchen and didn’t see Qing Ling around. He asked his father, who was in the front yard. “Dad, where’s Little Ling?”

Gao Shou answered, “She said she had eaten too much and was going on a stroll. She should be nearby.”

Gao Xinxin clicked her tongue with a disapproving look on her face. “They aren’t even married yet, and they already can’t stay far from each other. Brother’s gonna forget about us in the future.”

“Nonsense. That’s not the kind of person your brother is.” Lin Yue patted Gao Xinxin on the forehead. “It’s how it is with new couples. You’ll know once you get a boyfriend.”

“I won’t be like them,” Gao Xinxin insisted.

With a smile, Gao Yang walked out of the front yard. Soon, he spotted a slim figure by a nearby pond.

The full moon shone a clear light, its reflection floated on the pond. The night wind was gentle in this rural area, creating ripples in the pond. Qing Ling, standing by the pond, was awash in the gentle silver light, her long hair dancing in the air. Her profile was soft and serene, and a spot of light on the tip of her nose livened up her face.

She tilted her head slightly upward and closed her eyes, enjoying the caress of the wind.

Rustle.

Gao Yang rustled the grass as he took a step, and Little Qing Ling opened her eyes slowly, cocking her head to look over at him. When she saw that it was Gao Yang, her eyes sparkled like stars, and she smiled.

Gao Yang blinked. Although Little Qing Ling did smile on a regular basis, it was more often than not cold, mocking, taunting, disingenuous, or disapproving.

It was the first time he saw such a natural and gentle smile from her.

“Gao Yang.” Little Qing Ling waved him over.

Gao Yang walked up to her. “Yeah?”

“Close your eyes. Come on.”

Gao Yang didn’t ask why. He closed his eyes.

“Do you feel it?” Little Qing Ling asked quietly.

“The wind?”

“Yeah, the wind is best at times like this.”

Gao Yang savored the feeling without a word. The breeze on an autumn night was cool, carrying the scent of withering plants and trees, lonesome yet gentle.

“Yeah, it feels good.” Gao Yang nodded, keeping his eyes closed to enjoy the moment of reprieve.

“There’s a saying that Sister and I like a lot.”

“What is it?”

“The wind is rising, we must try to live.[1]”

Gao Yang’s heart trembled. A stubborn scar deep in his heart seemed to melt at that moment. He felt a serene beauty, and he was reluctant to lose it. It would be nice if time stopped then and there.

Suddenly, a hand took Gao Yang’s gently but determinedly, like it knew the right way to go.

Gao Yang shuddered, his heart skipping.

“This one is for free,” Little Qing Ling said.

Gao Yang didn’t respond. He didn’t want to let go of the hand, but he didn’t have the courage to tighten his grip, either.

He was afraid.

Strange, it was such a beautiful moment, and he had felt joy and even happiness a second ago, yet he was scared now.

Little Qing Ling let go of Gao Yang ten seconds later.

They opened their eyes almost at the same time and shared a look. Then Little Qing Ling looked away like nothing had happened. She tilted her head to tuck a strand of ear behind her ear. “Are you here for my sister?”

Gao Yang played ignorant too and nodded. “Yes, I have things to talk to her about. It’s a little urgent.”

Little Qing Ling pursed her lips and closed her eyes. “A minute.”

Five seconds later, Qing Ling opened her eyes.

Under the moonlight, she leveled Gao Yang with a cool stare. Gao Yang felt a little guilty under her scrutiny. Why should I feel guilty? I didn’t do anything wrong.

“Something you need to talk to me about?” asked Qing Ling.

“Yes.” Gao Yang’s voice lowered. “Something important.”

“Go on.”

Gao Yang looked back at the farmhouse nearby, a little worried. Without missing a beat, Qing Ling grabbed his elbow and leaned toward him. Although she didn’t do it as naturally as her sister, they looked enough like a loving couple from afar. “Let’s take a stroll.”

Gao Yang and Qing Ling walked across the fields and past a rural path, finally stopping at a small stone bridge over a ditch. They were far from Zhuang Mei’s farmhouse, away from unwanted ears.

Qing Ling let go of Gao Yang’s hand. “Talk.”

Gao Yang took a deep breath and said severely, “I’ll be frank. Don’t be too surprised.”

Qing Ling nodded.

Without making a sound, Gao Yang mouthed the words.

Qing Ling read it easily, and her eyes widened. “You sure?”

“I was only suspicious,” Gao Yang’s voice shuddered amid the night wind, “But now I’m basically 100% sure.”

“Why?” It wasn’t that Qing Ling didn’t trust Gao Yang. She simply believed that it was a matter that required careful confirmation.

Gao Yang nodded and shared his reasoning. “What happened when we ran into the cockroach No.10 the first time, the conversation we overheard between No.7, Hyena, and No.8, Blood Amber, back in the West Nation, what happened the time No.9, Edmond, and No.12, Ke Yo, ran into us in the escape room, and what happened today all led to one conclusion.”

“The Tails have been going on missions in Li City recently, but their targets aren’t the three major organizations. In fact, they are trying to stay away from the three organizations.”

“However, many members of the Tails harbor jealousy and resentment for us, so they easily lost control when they ran into us.”

“Including No.10, No.12, and the two members we met today, No.11, Xing Kong, and No.6, Madam Wu.”

“Edmond, Hyena, and Blood Amber should be the relatively composed members of Tails.”

“I understand all that.” Qing Ling nodded. “But what are you getting at?”

“I’m trying to say that Tails crossed paths with us so many times when doing missions for a reason. It’s not a simple coincidence.”

1. A line from the French poet Paul Valery’s work, Le Cimetiere Marin (The Graveyard by the Sea). It’s used in Miyazaki’s film, The Wind Rises. ☜

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