Location: Wuhan, Hubei Province, ChinaTime: September 2025
The western outskirts of Ezhou... The sun cast its final blood-red rays across the mountain peaks. The waves of the Han Jiang River danced with shimmering reflections, teasing the sunlight one last time before slithering and winding along the mountain ridges, like the body of a giant serpent vanishing into the deep forest.
Amidst a vast, heavily fenced area, The Triple Monolith stood with daunting majesty. This fifteen-story circular glass building did not look like a corporate office; instead, it resembled dark pillars propping up the secrets of the world. The structure was encircled by a blackened bronze sculpture of 'Leviathan,' the legendary sea serpent. Its bronze scales reflected the sunlight, appearing almost alive as they constricted from the top floor down to the base. The head slithered downward, its mouth agape to reveal razor-sharp fangs over the pool.
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The silence of autumn was torn apart by the sound of a heavy object violently striking the water's surface... "Splash!"
A slender, long-haired young woman surged out of the water. She bolted with the maximum speed a human could muster. Her pale eyebrows and upturned nose on her ashen face trembled with terror.
“Thud!” She tripped over her own feet and tumbled. The wet footprints on the concrete floor showed the distance she had fled—only halfway. Her panicked eyes turned back to look at the glass building with dread.
“Splash! Splash!” The sound of the water in the pool echoed in quick succession.
Her eyes widened as if she knew her fate. The young woman sprang up from the ground, quickly stripping off her water-soaked white cloak and tossing it aside, leaving only a tight black T-shirt that accentuated her physique. She patted her backpack before gritting her teeth and sprinting toward the main road.
Suddenly, the automatic doors of the building behind her slid open. Three burly men in suits rushed out to join two others who had just emerged from the water.
A thin man with a toothless grin raised his gun to aim. A fat man running alongside him swiped his hand away...
“Ah Long, don't!”
“Bang!!” The roar of the gun tore through the atmosphere, sending a flock of birds scattering in panic.
Jiang, a large bald man in a dice-patterned suit, slapped the subordinate who had fired until he collapsed. “Who ordered you to fire! If the contents of that backpack are damaged, you're dead!...”
“I was going to shoot her leg,” Ah Long replied in a weak voice, giving a sheepish grin that revealed a completely toothless front row.
The leader turned to the fat man whose shirt was so tight around his belly that the buttons seemed to be begging for their lives...
“Ah Tue... did you see anyone else?”
“I only saw one person...” Ah Tue's voice wheezed, his fleshy face drenched in sweat.
At that moment, the two men soaked from the water arrived. Jiang immediately pointed and ordered...
“You two, run after her. Don't let her out of your sight!”
“I’ll go help them myself,” Ah Tue said, his belly wobbling as he moved.
Jiang swore loudly. “Can you even run fast enough, you fatass! Look at these subordinates... this one is fat, that one is toothless, and that other one stutters!” He raised his hand to slap, but Ah Tue ducked quickly.
“Go get the car! She’s already disappeared at the intersection!”
Ah Long, the toothless one holding the gun, ran after her for a few steps. Jiang shouted after him in a rage, “Ah Long! Put that gun away right now, or your father will show up!”
Jiang, frustrated and stressed, turned to order the subordinate beside him.
“Ah Tao! Call the boys. Order them to lock down the city for the hunt.”
“Y... Y... Yes, sir.”
“Sigh!” He looked at the man's face and shook his head in weary disgust.
Suddenly...
“Vroom!” The roar of an engine thundered from the building. A flame-red car emblazoned with “Wuhan Dragon” stickers surged out of the building and pulled up beside them. They all piled in, and the car sped off to hunt its prey.
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Part II: The Dinner
POV: Pai Pai | September 2025Fairy Sportswear Shop
The sound of sizzling oil hissed, interspersed with the clatter of a spatula hitting the edge of a wok. Mama brought a bowl of hot lotus root soup and placed it on the wooden table, followed by a plate of Mianwo—round fried dough with a hole in the middle. The fragrant aroma of fried rice and soybeans wafted through the air. In the steamer, the rising clouds of vapor were mouth-watering. I closed the back door of the shop, stopped to scatter some fish feed, and then shouted into the kitchen.
“Mama, did you hear a gunshot?”
“It was probably firecrackers! Come and eat dinner now.” Mama kept her head down, busy seasoning the food.
“Mianwo and lotus root soup, all my favorites. My stomach is definitely going to burst today... Mama, tomorrow morning I’m going for a three-day bicycle race.” I walked in and peered at her.
“Still playing like a child. When will you grow up? I steamed Wuchang fish today, too.” At 45, Mama still looks stunningly young. Many customers who come to buy clothes think we are sisters.
I hurried to take the steaming plate of rice and set it on the dining table, then grabbed a piece of Mianwo and popped it into my mouth...
“So delicious!”
On the dining table was more food than the two of us could ever finish. Mama never let me go hungry. The stir-fried purple bok choy stood out vividly at the center of the table, catching the eye.
“Eat a lot... Jie Hui at the market vegetable stall saved these lotus roots for me. She said they are very soft this year. I’ve been simmering them since this morning...” She used her chopsticks to pick up a light pink lotus root, blew on it gently, and fed it to me.
“Mmm! It really is soft.” Just a touch of the tongue and I could taste the flavors created by nature. I used my chopsticks to pick up some ginger from the steamed Wuchang fish plate and put it in my mouth—the spicy, hot flavor was truly satisfying.
“Sigh!” She let out a long sigh while picking up her chopsticks to put some lotus root into her own bowl.
But I could sense something unusual... “Is something wrong, Ma? Have you gone to get the vaccine yet?”
“I’m waiting for the next round so we can go together. White Silence is still spreading heavily these days. Be careful wherever you go. You must wear a mask at all times.” She sighed once more.
“Don’t worry about that.” Nowadays, mask fashion is trending. Anyone not wearing one is seen as a social freak and faces pressuring stares.
“Today, I have something important to tell you.” Her expression immediately became serious. I grew up in her warm embrace... just looking into her eyes, I knew what she was thinking.
“Is there something wrong? You look uneasy.” I used my chopsticks to put a stalk of purple bok choy into her bowl.
“Lately, I haven’t seen you go to any modeling shoots. Are you bored with it?”
“Mmm... bored! But I’m not bored with the work, I’m bored with people... bored of those powerful men who are constantly eyeing to haul me away. Being beautiful is quite a struggle too, hahaha!”
With every job I accepted, strange offers always followed. I have to use the word "weary" for having to face the agencies' questions. An invitation to dinner was like a veiled threat; as soon as I refused, saying it wasn't convenient, the job would be canceled immediately. The dream of doing the work I love has to face obstacles from those in power. It’s so boring.
This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
“Eat this. It’s satisfyingly spicy.” She used her chopsticks to offer me some stir-fried chili tofu. I opened my mouth to accept it.
“Working with people is just like this. Learn as you go.” She smiled faintly as if she understood my problems.
“I never complain about how hard or tiring the work is, but those old men have nothing to do with the job. Once they have money and power, they destroy kids' dreams.” I stood up and walked to grab a bottle of drinking water.
“You never give up easily on anything, do you?” She smiled, and the stressed expression from a moment ago vanished from her face.
“I don’t have a personal manager, and those guys like to bully me. I don’t like adults with bad habits. The older they get, the more lecherous they become.”
“Explain it to me,” she smiled, her eyes mischievous and curious.
“When the agency couldn’t force me, they bullied me by giving me only difficult jobs—always meeting tough customers. They said if I wanted easy work, I had to accept ‘outside jobs,’ like having dinner with ‘elders’—those old, lecherous creeps.” Just speaking about it made me feel suffocated.
“And how did you solve this problem?” She nodded, waiting for the answer.
“..............”
“I couldn’t! I’m not going to take any more jobs from this agency. For a beautiful person, there’s always work, but I’m going to put it on hold for now.”
“Just sell clothes at our shop then. No need to beg anyone.” She smiled knowingly, well aware that I wouldn't just sit around and watch the shop.
“But didn’t you say you wanted me to see the world, Ma? I’m not sitting around watching the shop. Let Long San do it. I think it would be good to just give the shop to her; she’s been working with us for so long now.”
“Hahaha! If you don’t want it, one day I will give it to Long San. She has been loyal to us all along.” She was the one who told me to travel far away so I could keep up with people.
“Mama, would you mind if I had a girlfriend?” I just asked for the sake of it, having seen the new trends on social media and not being serious about the question. I think love doesn't have to be limited by gender, as long as there is understanding.
She smiled and glanced at me... “Let me see that face!” She put down her chopsticks and turned to squeeze my face until my lips puckered. “You look like a kid who hasn't been weaned yet! Ha! Ha! Ha!”
“You’re not going to scold me?” I couldn't help but be surprised. Over things like this, many Chinese families have disowned each other.
“This is exactly the important thing I was going to tell you today. It’s good that you mentioned it, but... can two women really be a couple? How unsightly.” She raised her eyebrows, eyes wide.
“Whether it's a woman or a man, it's the same. I just want a partner to talk to about secrets that general friends shouldn't know.”
She frowned with deep suspicion... “If that’s what you think, then it’s up to you. But when it’s time to get married, you must marry a man. So I can hold a grandchild, and our house can have the sound of children.” She gave a strange, subtle smile. She didn't think of forbidding me at all? I was just joking.
“I want to have a partner too, but I don't see anyone hitting on me at all. Those men really have no eye for beauty!”
“Eh!... Then what about Ah Fong, Mu Chen, and Fu Hao? I haven't seen them come to see you at all lately. Don't you like any of them?”
“Those guys are still into playing mobile games. After talking for a while, we all just became friends. Being with them, I don't feel any excitement at all. Not even a single spark.”
She gently stroked my head...
“I won't force you to get married right now. You just graduated; don't rush into having a family, don't rush to buy a house, don't rush to have children. Your life will just be submerged in debt and lose its color. It’s not fun at all. Don't ever think or believe that having children is what makes you an adult.”
“Why do you think like that?”
But I agreed with the independent life she spoke of. Many people have partners who support each other and are happy, but many men end up becoming the biggest obstacle and sadly destroy the other person's dreams.
“I was forced to marry your Papa. Not long after living together, I got pregnant, and that’s how I got you. I didn't love your Papa one bit.”
“Oh! So I wasn't born out of love?” I sprang to my feet. She had never told me these stories before. Today was strange.
“I was in an arranged marriage. Do you think I could manage to love him? Ancient Chinese society was obsessed with sons, and then you turned out to be a girl. They were going to throw you into the river. I wouldn't let anyone touch you until I had a falling out with his family.” Her expression grew tense.
That’s right!... In the past, Chinese law restricted families to only one child. Society wanted boys. When a girl was born, the elders would take her and throw her into the river. The corpses of baby girls floated all over the South China Sea.
“It was fortunate that your Papa died less than two months after you were born. So, I took you and fled to live here in Wuhan
“What is love?” I just wanted to know from an adult’s perspective to add flavor to our conversation; the food today was very delicious.
She smiled, her eyes sparkling... “I think love is an emotion that is difficult to control; it is the beginning of all other evils. It starts from a vicious selfishness. Just listen to this.” She took a deep breath and slowly let out a long exhale.
I was quite surprised to hear an answer like this. I had only ever heard in dramas that love makes people learn to share, hadn't I?
“In our Asian culture, as soon as we start to love, we show possessiveness. We follow every footstep, interfering with the other person's private world because we think that intrusion is love. We try to force our own identity onto them.”
“Huh!...” I hesitated, thinking that they were like that because they wanted to take care of the other person and make them happy instead. Mama must be mistaken...
“Mama’s lessons are like no one else's. I asked the AI, and it answered something completely different from you.”
“Hehehe! Don’t forget that everyone has their own life. If you’re going to love, love like the Westerners; that's better. There's freedom and mutual respect.”
“How is that good? I don't see anything good about it at all. They live together like it’s a duty, separating what’s ‘yours’ and what’s ‘mine.’ There’s no such thing as eternal love; as soon as the love is gone, they kick each other out and sue the life out of one another.”
“Hehehe! Look at it this way: find someone who loves us for who we are, and we love them for who they are. If having love means losing your identity, don't choose that kind of person. But if you're in love and both parties are still too attached to their old social circles, don't take them either.” She smiled calmly.
I analyzed it, and it made sense. Jealousy, physical assault, bodily harm, suicide, murder, intimidation, and so many other things all stem from the same starting point: Love.
“So what should I do?” If love is that terrible, why do people crave it so much? Or do I have to go find answers from a priest?
“You don't need to find answers from love. Every couple that stays together until old age doesn't stay together because of love. They stay together because of understanding.”
“............” I stopped chewing and turned to look at her, waiting for the answer with curiosity.
“There must be a middle ground. I observed it from your Waigong and Waipo.” Mama smiled shyly, talking about love even though she’s a widow. //Are you hiding something?//
“What kind of middle ground? What did Waigong and Waipo do?”
“The two of them never interfered in each other's private matters. They lived their own lives like Westerners, but Waipo was the boss of the house. If they were going to talk about love, they would start at the sofa.”
“Huh!” I snapped my head around, eyes wide, my hand accidentally brushing against my rice bowl and scattering rice all over the table.
“Pok!” She tapped my head with a chopstick and laughed heartily... “What did you understand by that?”
“.............” Talking like that, I couldn't think of anything else. I’m old enough to guess.
She gave a wide smile, tilting her head up with dreamy eyes... “If someone had a good story or something understood between the two of them that they wanted to share, they would go sit and read a book, waiting until the other party arrived. Once they finished talking, the four of us siblings would wait in suspense to see where they would walk off to next. Hehehe! They had no idea their children knew this secret code.” Mama looked up at the ceiling, blinking rapidly as she reminisced about the past. I saw tears welling up at the corners of her eyes. She must really miss her parents!
“How is that good? Just saying whatever you want to say is much easier!” I didn't agree one bit. It sounded so complicated.
“I never saw them fight until the final day of both their lives. After Waigong passed away, Waipo sat on that sofa all the time, and I brought it here to the third floor upstairs.” Mama’s voice softened when speaking of her parents. Her eyes were bloodshot, but I still didn't understand it deeply anyway.
“I’ve wondered for a long time... that strange leather upholstery and the retro shape.” I had seen that antique red sofa sitting in front of her bedroom since I was a child.
“That is the reason I never let you raise a cat.”
“Oh! So that’s why.”
“You are old enough to take care of yourself now. From now on, whatever you want to do, go do it. Treasure your dignity greatly. I have raised you well; be very proud of yourself.” She shifted her posture, her expression becoming serious.
“You’re being strange today, aren't you?” I looked into her warm eyes, suspecting she was definitely planning to run off on a trip again.
“You’re twenty years old. I’m going to transfer your portion of the savings for you to manage yourself. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. I won't interfere in your business anymore. You can date women if you want; that’s good too, so you don't have to waste time finding happiness.” She said this, making me grin widely.
I have gained my freedom. I’ve studied a lot already; it’s better to go out and travel to find real experiences. I still have another dream I must achieve: I’m going to be an idol in South Korea.
She stroked my head and looked at me with a smile; her gaze today was very warm... “I’m going to live my own life now. Twenty years of raising you is enough. Tomorrow, I’m going away on business for about two months as well.” She gave a subtle, knowing smile. So this was it... the reason she had been so nice to me all along.
“No wonder! You’re talking so much today because you’re running off to travel.” I chewed with my mouth full, pretending not to care, but I wasn't going to let this slide easily.
“That’s not related, dear. The reason I disappear for a month or two at a time is to train both of us to be apart. When the time comes, we’ll be able to handle it.”
“..............” My heart skipped a beat... or was this what she had been worried about all along?
I had heard that one day everyone must part; no one knows if it will be a parting while alive or through death. But!... I felt a nagging suspicion, like something was hidden within that smile.
“Is that really all?”
“Yeah!” She avoided my eyes—definitely suspicious.
Taking the opportunity, I sprang up and shouted in her face... “But the truth of what you’re hiding is...”
“Hey!”
She flinched in surprise, eyes wide, making excuses frantically...
“I... I... I have a man I'm hiding... wait, no!”
“Ha! Ha! Ha!”
“I'm sleeping with you tonight. Tomorrow we go our separate ways.”
“You must wear your mask at all times. Don't go into crowded groups, okay?”
“Yes, ma'am!... Today I met a strange customer who came to buy sportswear. They acted fidgety but were very arrogant. I tried to start a conversation, but they didn't answer and even gave me a sharp, piercing stare.”
“People come in many forms, you know that.” She didn't pay much attention, walking over to pick up the food cover to place over the leftovers.
“But I think this person was strange. Beautiful, too. She didn't look Chinese, but she spoke Chinese fluently with a perfect accent, yet her posture was stiff like a Westerner.”
“And?”
“Her words were too formal, more than what people in Wuhan
“Stop racing bicycles and go be a fortune teller instead. Hahaha!”
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