The Creatures That We Are

Chapter 921: Pro Slacker

Qing Ling’s gaze turned complicated. “She blacked out after cleaning up the fridge.”

"Young people these days are too delicate. Fainting over housework?" Dr. Jia picked up his welder. "We'll talk later."

Qing Ling masked her guilt behind a blank expression. Let her be chuuni to her heart's content these next few days.

"War Tiger wanted me to ask if the weapon that bombed the Millennium Tower was yours," she said.

"Yes," Dr. Jia admitted. "Sir Jiang called it a spatial bomb."

"Can you make another?"

Dr. Jia considered this. "That would need Sir Jiang's vital energy and Wandering Tune’s Portal. Everything else has substitutes, but not Sir Jiang's energy. So no, not now."

Qing Ling nodded. "Understood."

Dr. Jia continued working. "I'm hungry. Make me something."

"I brought food. I can make instant noodles. Where's the kitchen?"

"No kitchen, just a rice cooker. Find it yourself." He didn't look up.

"Right." Qing Ling turned away.

Once certain she was gone, Dr. Jia quickly opened his Black Gold briefcase. He pulled out a small Black Gold battery labeled "Jiang" and burned off the label with his welder.

Relieved, he returned the battery to the briefcase and sealed it.

Hiss, hiss—

He resumed working as if nothing had happened.

...

Southern Suburb of Nanji District, Li City, four o’clock in the morning.

The night sky hung like undilutable ink, sprinkled with wandering snowflakes, not knowing where they came from and where they were going.

Deep in the snow-blanketed forest, a firelight wavered. A small bonfire, contained by a circle of stones, supported a rack where a kettle released the aroma of warming milk.

Liao Liao and Hong Xiaoxiao sat in folding chairs by the fire, their down jackets and winter boots warding off the cold as they watched the kettle with intense focus. Firelight danced across their faces.

"Ready." Liao Liao, hands gloved, lifted the kettle. She opened her thermos, revealing instant coffee powder, and poured in the hot milk. The fragrance of latte rose in white wisps through the cold air.

Liao Liao inhaled contentedly before glancing at Hong Xiaoxiao. "Want some?"

"Yes, yes!" Hong Xiaoxiao nodded eagerly, hugging her legs.

Liao Liao poured coffee into the thermos lid and passed it over. "Here."

"Thanks!"

Hong Xiaoxiao took a delighted sip, her eyes lighting up as she stomped her feet in excitement. "This is amazing! Best latte ever!"

"I used a secret ingredient." Liao Liao smiled mysteriously.

"What is it?" Hong Xiaoxiao asked.

"Cold."

"Oh, you're right!" Hong Xiaoxiao's admiration grew. "Sister Liao Liao, you're incredible! You really know how to enjoy life."

"This isn't enjoying life. It's finding joy in sorrow." Liao Liao waved her hand. "Corporate slaves have to slack off sometimes. Otherwise depression's inevitable."

"That makes so much sense!" Hong Xiaoxiao felt she'd gained another piece of wisdom.

When the scouting team deployed, most carried only basic gear. Liao Liao, though, had lugged a massive mountain climbing backpack, stuffed full.

Hong Xiaoxiao had wondered if it was necessary; maybe just a new leader trying to prove something?

Now, three days into their surveillance mission on the Ocean River Union, she understood. Necessary didn't begin to cover it. The city's mountainous outskirts offered no hotels, no convenience stores, not even toilets. Their four-person team worked rotating shifts through the brutal winter, maintaining constant surveillance. The reality proved far harsher than anyone had imagined.

Liao Liao sipped her coffee while adjusting the firewood. Embers sparked and danced in the night air.

Hong Xiaoxiao cradled the thermos cap like a treasure, latte leaving a trace at the corner of her mouth as she savored each sip.

Finally, she gathered her courage to ask what had been weighing on her mind. "Sister Liao Liao, you were in Zhong He's group back in the Hundred Rivers Union, right?"

"Yeah, why?"

"Were you...close to him?" Her voice dropped.

Liao Liao tapped the thermos with slender fingers, considering. "How to put this... I could chat with anyone on the team, but I wasn't really close to any of them."

"Oh." Hong Xiaoxiao's eyes fell, lips turning down.

"Hong Xiaoxiao." Liao Liao's lips curved. "Are you interested in Zhong He?"

"No, no!" Hong Xiaoxiao waved frantically, face reddening in the firelight. "I'm just worried about him. Aren't you?"

After the Qingyang Bridge incident, Zhong He's physical wounds had healed quickly. His psychological ones, though, had only festered. He'd withdrawn completely, locked in his room, drowning in alcohol.

Liao Liao sighed softly. "He and Lotus were close. Her death hit him hard. And if I remember right, he was good friends with Nomad and First Firelord too. Nine Frost told me he killed Nomad himself, and watched First Firelord die."

Hong Xiaoxiao fell silent, heart constricting.

"Little Hong." Though they were similar in age, Liao Liao's tone turned maternal. "I think he needs time. Some battles can only be fought alone. When he needs support, he'll show it. You'll know immediately when that happens."

Hong Xiaoxiao mulled this over.

Whoosh. Wind gusted through the forest canopy, shaking snow from the branches.

Moments later, Heavenly Dog landed by the fire with Chen Ying.

Chen Ying immediately crouched by the flames, rubbing her hands together. "God, it's freezing." n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Heavenly Dog removed his headphones and squatted beside her.

Even with their awakener abilities and thick clothing, enduring the night wind in this cold proved challenging.

"Here, warm up." Liao Liao produced two paper cups, filling them with latte.

They accepted eagerly.

Heavenly Dog sipped with narrowed eyes, thumb coming up in approval. "Cool."