The Creatures that We Are

“You’re looking for me?” Dust’s voice was gritty and staticky, but still noticeably female.

“You’re thirteen minutes late,” Ke Yo said irritatedly.

“I have to make sure you haven’t set up an ambush.”

Ke Yo scoffed. “To make things short, I didn’t lose my memory. This is all part of the plan.”

“I’m the real leader of the Tails. The plan was put into motion when Archbishop Black Tortoise died. Although there were some hiccups here and there, I managed to join the Qilin Guild and became the new Black Tortoise.”

Ke Yo lifted her chin. “Moreover, I’ve already become the new archbishop. You are to listen to me from now on.”

“There’s no proof for that. How are you going to prove that you haven’t defected?” Dust was unconvinced. “Perhaps you’ve turned to Qilin’s side for real and are now coming after me.”

“I’m the only one outside of the Heavenly Godbearer who knows your identity, Dust. How is that not a good enough proof?” Ke Yo huffed. “If I wanted to take you out, I could just expose you, and Qilin would reward me.”

Dust pondered.

“Are you not going to show even the basic etiquettes to the Archbishop?” Ke Yo reprimanded.

After a few seconds of silence, Dust nodded slightly. “What can I do for you, Archbishop?”

“Kill the Divine Scion. If he can’t do it, you will.”

Dust didn’t immediately respond. She seemed to find the order difficult. “I can’t do what Luqi failed at, ma’am. I can’t even find Gao Yang. And given my identity, I don’t have the ability or the opportunity to find him.”

“Don’t worry,” Ke Yo said with certainty. “There will be a perfect chance to assassinate him in three days.”

“What exactly should I do?” Dust asked.

“Wait.” Ke Yo smiled cryptically. “You’ll know when the time comes. Remember, that’s going to be your only chance. You should know the consequences of failure.”

“Worry not. I will not disappoint you.” Dust became increasingly differential.

“Good. You may return.”

Dust raised her hand to her chest and bowed slightly. “May the Heavenly Godbearer bless you.”

“May the Heavenly Godbearer bless you.” Ke Yo remained where she was.

Dust slowly retreated into the depths of the forest, her light fading. A gust of wind swept into the woods, rustling the trees and instantly putting out the colorful particle fire.

…

December 24th, Li River Community.

Within one of the villas, Gao Yang was woken up by Fresh Snow’s cries of delight. He had been on watch duty for the earlier part of the night and didn’t rest until the latter half. When he woke up on the sofa, it was nine in the morning.

He slowly opened his eyes, looking into the backyard outside the floor-to-ceiling window.

“It’s snowing! It’s snowing so much!”

Fresh Snow had turned back into a young woman. Dressed in a beige sweater, jeans, and winter boots, she ran around in the heavy snow with a pair of white rabbit fur ear muffs, looking like a silly deer.

She was joined by Nainai in her joyful outburst. Nainai wore a blond wig tied into large braids and a blue princess dress, layered with a chiffon shawl sewn with what seemed like diamonds. She grabbed a handful of piled-up snow from a branch and threw it toward the sky, singing a foreign song she had translated literally from the source language.

“Let go, let go. Not gonna stop me anymore.”

“Let go, let go. Turn around and slam the door.”

“Tonight the snow will paint the forest white. No footsteps will be left behind.”

“This is an isolated kingdom, and I will be the queen…[1]”

Gao Yang was amused. His lingering sleep faded, and he found himself relaxing.

He had always hoped for a moment of serenity that would make him wish for time to linger for a little longer, and this was such a moment.

Soon, Fresh Snow noticed his presence even though she was going wild in the snow. She turned around and immediately abandoned Nainai, rushing toward the house.

“Gao Yang!”

Nainai lost her audience while she was immersed in her signing, and she said with disappointment, “Hey, don’t go! Stay until this Empress finishes the tune!”

“Go on. I’m listening.” Qing Ling, who had recovered, was standing under the eave of the house, holding a cup of hot tea with a trace of mockery in her cold eyes.

Nainai froze, feeling like she had been struck by lightning. This, this this this this woman. Why does she always show up suddenly like a ghost?!

Fresh Snow opened the window and rushed into the house. She almost threw herself into Gao Yang’s arms, just like how she had done every time they met.

She stopped at the last moment and stood before Gao Yang with an awkward smile, however, and her voice was softer when she said, “You’re awake, Gao Yang.”

“Yeah, I just woke up.” Gao Yang smiled. He had actually noticed Fresh Snow’s change when he sought out Waking Insects before the mission.

How should he put it? Although Fresh Snow was still innocent and outgoing, sweet and lovely, she didn’t seem as carefree as she had been.

Gao Yang complimented her for getting prettier at the time, and she was embarrassed.

“Making a wish works, Gao Yang!” Fresh Snow sat down beside him with uncontainable excitement. “I made two wishes. The first is for snow to fall today. Because it’s Christmas Eve.”

“You know Christmas Eve?” Gao Yang chuckled and brushed off the snow on her head.

Fresh Snow lowered her head and smiled, allowing the touch but not leaning into it and nuzzling his hand like before.

“My second wish, Gao Yang, is for you to spend the night with me.” Fresh Snow looked up at him, clutching the sofa without realizing it. “Will…will you?”

Gao Yang paused. Fresh Snow had indeed grown up. She even asked for agreement now.

He readily accepted the invitation. “Sure.”

“Really?” Fresh Snow didn’t expect things to go so easily. She added, “Just the two of us.”

“Sure.” Gao Yang smiled.

“Yeah!” Fresh Snow jumped to her feet happily. “Then…I’ll see you tonight. I’m going home first.”

I’m gonna change into a pretty dress and ask Sister to braid my hair prettily. I’ll also prepare a Christmas gift for Gao Yang. He’ll like it.

Fresh Snow thought happily, her joy visible in the way the corners of her lips crept up.

“Sure. What time during the night? Where are we meeting?”

“I…I don’t know yet.” Fresh Snow had to ask her sister. It had to be a beautiful and meaningful place. “I’ll have Sister send you a message.”

White Dew had Gao Yang’s emergency number. Gao Yang nodded. “Alright. Since Waking Insects is resting, I’ll walk you home.”

“It’s fine, it’s fine!” Fresh Snow quickly waved her hands. “I’ll return on my own. I’ll be careful. It’s gonna be fine!”

“Alright.” Gao Yang wasn’t too worried about Fresh Snow since she was strong.

“Okay! We’ll meet come rain or shine!”

“Rain or shine,” Gao Yang responded.

Fresh Snow skipped away. Gao Yang stood before the window, watching her disappear into the snow.

Meanwhile, Can was holding two cups of coffee at the kitchen entrance with a smile, frozen in place for a long while.

1. It’s obviously a reference to Frozen’s Let It Go. I didn’t use the original lyrics since it’s supposed to be Nainai’s own rough translation of the song. ☜

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