The Creatures that We Are

Ghost Horse was stunned for two seconds. Then he used Telepathy on Songstress.

[Was it inappropriate for me to ask you to a movie? I simply wanted to share it with you. I didn’t think it through. If you feel pressured, I’ll…]

“Don’t use Telepathy, Ghost Horse.” Songstress held his gaze. “Tell me, is this a date?”

Ghost Horse quietly looked at the beautiful woman before him.

“It’s a simple question.” Songstress tugged at her lips. “Is it so difficult to answer?”

“It’s not simple for me at all,” Ghost Horse admitted.

“Then I’ll put it this way.” Songstress pursed her lips, her heart racing. “Do you want this…to be a date?”

Ghost Horse was a little dense in terms of matters of the heart, but he wasn’t an idiot.

Songstress had made herself clear enough short of writing “Do you like me” on her face.

Ghost Horse hesitated. “But the organization forbids office romance.”

“I know.” Songstress smiled, showing a rare mischievous look on her gentle, serene face. “This isn’t the office, is it? This is a road. Outside the office. We can do whatever we want here. So, tell me, is this a date?”

“This is the last time I’ll ask you this, Ghost Horse, so tell me after thinking it through.”

Ghost Horse was going to say more, but he knew he had little time for that. He blinked and struggled to say, “I want it to be.”

Then he closed his eyes and toppled toward Songstress.

Songstress hurriedly opened her arms to catch him with difficulty. His chin fell on her frail shoulders. His breathing was heavy.

It didn’t take long for her to reach her limit, and she staggered. They both fell to the ground.

Oh dear, I spoke too much and hypnotized him. I’ll have to wait until he wakes up.

Songstress sat on the curb with Ghost Horse in her arms, filled with joy and embarrassment. Her heart pounded against her ribcage. She had never thought that this would be how her first relationship started. It was a little absurd, a little romantic, and a little unbelievable.

In her excitement, she started humming the upbeat yet bittersweet score from La La City. She hurriedly stopped herself after two verses. Oh, no! If I go on, Ghost Horse will never wake up, and we’ll have to stay on the road until the day breaks.

Beep—

A car horn broke Songstress out of the memory. She put down the broom in her hand and looked up outside. Parked by the curb was a silver car. The window rolled down to reveal Liu Qingying in sunglasses. She waved Songstress over.

Songstress hesitated for a few seconds and went out to the car. “It’s late, Miss Liu…”

“Get in,” Liu Qingying cut her off in a low voice, her tone urgent.

“Okay. I’ll close the shop…”

“Get in,” Liu Qingying interrupted her once more. “There’s no time.”

Songstress paused, realizing the gravity of the situation. She decisively opened the door and got into the passenger seat.

She lowered her voice and asked, “What is it?”

Liu Qingying closed the window and took a jammer from her pocket, turning it on. “Miss is watching your shop.”

Songstress started. “What?”

“He’s comprehended Plant.”

“Oh…” Songstress came to a realization in an instant. “So that’s what happened.”

A faint anger hit her first, but then she broke into an understanding smile of relief. That was better. It seemed that Qin You and her had been of different worlds long ago. She wouldn’t have to care about their shared history when facing him from now on.

Liu Qingying started the car. “I’ll make this brief. Qilin’s making a move against you tomorrow.”

Songstress’ face darkened. She had guessed that things must be serious for Liu Qingying to seek her out like this, but the extent of it exceeded her expectations.

“I don’t know the exact time and plan.”

“How did you learn about it at all?” Songstress asked.

“I got Clairvoyance. I’d been watching Qilin’s and Surnamed Li’s offices and reading their lips.” Liu Qingying took off her sunglasses. Her eyes shone a light blue as she glanced at Songstress. “You’re wearing white undergarments.”

After two seconds, Songstress cracked a resigned smile. “Alright, I believe you.”

Liu Qingying sighed. “To tell you the truth, I’ve joined the Ocean River Union to keep an eye on Qilin. I can’t tell you the exact reason, but I must stop Qilin from losing control. I didn’t expect him to unravel faster than I expected. Azure Dragon’s death hit him hard.”

Songstress’ face darkened. “I have to warn everyone.”

“Yes,” Liu Qingying said. “We’re going now.”

Songstress thought for a moment. “You’re not returning to the Union, are you?”

“Of course not.” Liu Qingying smiled bitterly. “You don’t know what happened to Vermilion Bird, do you?”

“What?”

“To my knowledge, Qilin put Vermilion Bird in a vegetative state just because he found out that she had leaked information to the Nine Scions.” Liu Qingying’s voice turned icy. “If I go back, I’ll fare worse than she did.”

“Don’t worry. The Twelve Zodiac Signs will protect you.”

Liu Qingying stared ahead as dim yellow light intermittently flitted across her face. “If I feared death, I wouldn’t have joined the Union.”

But if possible, I’d like to live a little longer to turn the chess match around.

That, Liu Qingying didn’t say out loud.

…

Let Life be Beautiful like Summer Flowers was close to the Millennium Tower. It only took three minutes for Liu Qingying to drive the car into the underground basement.

They entered the member-exclusive elevator and confirmed their identities, going straight to the underground sixth floor.

Once they made it to the front room of the base, Songstress pressed the gathering button at the door. Then she took Liu Qingying to the Mouse Room, the meeting room.

A few minutes later, the door opened, and some of the members walked in.

Leading the group was War Tiger, followed by White Rabbit, Dead Pig, Heavenly Dog, Mischievous Monkey, and Zhong He.

They didn’t even sit down before Liu Qingying shot to her feet. “The Ocean River Union is making a move on the Zodiacs tomorrow. I don’t know the details, but you must take action now!”

War Tiger heard her, but without sparing her a look, he continued to his seat and sat down slowly.

The others heard, too, but weren’t too surprised by the revelation as they each took their seats. It was as if they had expected it.

Resting his elbows on the table with his hands clasped over his mouth, War Tiger had an unreadable expression on his face. The others maintained a poker face and looked at him, waiting for him to make a decision.

After about ten seconds, War Tiger calmly said, “This is big. Why should I trust you?”

Liu Qingying sighed and held his gaze. “It’s only natural for someone in your position to suspect me, War Tiger. I established a connection with Songstress on purpose before joining the Union, and after only a few days, I suddenly came to your doorstep.”

War Tiger stayed in the same posture with his hands pressed against his mouth, his lips curling.

“But think about it. If I’m trying to rile you up, my lies will be exposed quickly. Then you can very well grab me and give me to the Union for your own good. If I’m not lying, and the Union is coming after you, however, you can move faster and dodge a bullet. What do you stand to lose?”

War Tiger was silent for another ten or so seconds. Then he said calmly, “We’ll have a meeting first.”

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