The Creatures That We Are

Chapter 855: Men with no Women

Wind.

On Gao Yang's side, inside Fresh Snow's room, there was an unnatural current. He immediately extended his senses to the space on the other side of the wall. No movement now. Without hesitation, Gao Yang conjured a double and opened the door to Fresh Snow's room, flicking on the light.

The room was untouched, just as Gao Yang remembered it. Elegant wallpaper with bouquet prints, a bed covered in dolls with a white canopy, a deep blue ceiling painted as the night sky with winking stars and a smiley moon. Only one star remained between the brightest Fresh Snow Star and Gao Yang Star.

Gao Yang scanned the room. Empty.

But the window was open, curtains swaying in the night breeze—someone had been here.

A book rested on the vanity by the window. That hadn't been there before, if Gao Yang's memory served him right. He made a beeline for the vanity. The novel was both new and old—new because it showed little sign of being read, old because of its yellowed, aged cover.

The title was A Letter from a Strange Woman.

He started, remembering browsing this book while meeting White Dew in the library.

Gao Yang hesitated for two seconds before gingerly picking up the book and flipping through it. A postcard fell from the pages.

He caught it with quick reflexes.

As he read it, Gao Yang froze, silent for a long moment. The night wind carried the commotion of the barbecue party through the window, rustling his hair, coat, and rueful eyes.

A minute later, he slipped the postcard back into the book and placed it on the vanity.

Swoosh. Gao Yang vanished.

...

Around the round table in the backyard near the front door, freshly roasted food and drinks of all kinds were laid out. Four men sat there, exchanging boasts while devouring skewers.

Inevitably, the conversation shifted to women.

Wang Zikai fancied himself the actual founder of the Nine Scions, the reincarnation of God, the savior of humanity, the bane of lizard people, the Blond Grim Reaper, and the world's greatest all-rounder. He couldn't accept defeat in any aspect.

"Bros, I'm being completely honest here." Wang Zikai waved the skewered beef blade in his hand, lies flowing easily. "I've always been handsome. You know Capridio? They all call me his little brother. I'm the whole package. Of course, I've never been without female company."

"Of course," Zhang Wei agreed.

"Right!" Wang Zikai pounded his chest and smiled, making a gesture for eight.

Gregor's eyes widened, the chicken wing in his hand suddenly losing its appeal. "You've had eight girlfriends?"

"Eight?" Wang Zikai snorted. "I've been getting girls since I was eight. I've lost count of how many girlfriends I've had!"

"Holy!" Zhang Wei exclaimed.

Gregor wasn't convinced. "Then why are you single now?"

"I don't need them anymore!" Wang Zikai declared, his face a mask of sincerity. "How can I spend time chasing girls now? My focus is on the world, on the great problems concerning all humanity. Matters of the heart no longer concern me..."

He smirked and bit into his blade steak. "You won't get it. I'm no longer in the same world or league as you are."

Gregor blinked, unsure how to react.

"I hear you!" Zhang Wei chimed in, not wanting to be outdone. "I lost interest in women, too. Let me tell you, I was famous as the prince of nightclubs! I didn't even have to hit on women. They took me home."

"Seriously?" Gregor's eyes widened. Why didn't that ever happen to him?

"Absolutely!" Zhang Wei was on a roll. "And all those women who took me home were as pretty as Sister Ying, if not more!"

He took a swig of his drink. "Now that doomsday is coming, who's got time for women? Am I right, Mr. Gregor?"

"Yeah, yeah!" Gregor, never having had a normal relationship with the opposite sex, couldn't possibly back down now. "I've gained weight, but I used to be a young man with a fresh bod! I was just as popular with women as you guys. I've been with all types. Think about it. How could I write compelling stories without a rich love life?"

"Oh?" Zhang Wei smirked. "But I heard many novelists are social recluses. They either imagine everything or look online..."

"Well, not me!" Gregor puffed up. "I walk the walk and do as much as I've read. I burn my soul as I write!"

"Awesome! Nicely said!" Zhang Wei flattered him. "As expected of a published author!"

Gregor preened, getting ahead of himself. "I've had many relationships when I was young. I'll tell you about my first love. She was the most beautiful girl at school... no, in our town! We grew up together and fell for each other. Unfortunately, fate had a cruel plan for her, just like many other beauties before her. She was diagnosed with leukemia. Since she didn't want to be a hindrance to my future..."

When all eyes turned to him, Gregor quickly backpedaled, "Forget it, forget it. I've seen the vast ocean and thus look at no water. I've gone to Mount Wu and thus consider no cloud clouds!"

"Don't stop now! Give us the details!" Zhang Wei pressed.

"That's a bad topic when battle looms. Let's take a rain check. Later, I'll have made up... made a nice table with alcohol, and I'll tell you all about it." Gregor, worried about being exposed, quickly shifted attention. "How many have you had, Lying Wood?"

Lying Wood, quietly eating shrimp, didn't expect to be singled out. Bashfully, he adjusted his glasses. "My life is nothing to write home about compared to your wealth of experience."

"Come on, we're just shooting the breeze. There's no ranking here. Go on, we won't mock you," Zhang Wei said.

"That's right!" Wang Zikai agreed, eagerly awaiting Lying Wood's embarrassment.

"All lives are equally meaningful. Don't look down on yourself," Gregor comforted him, sounding superior.

"Well, if you insist." Lying Wood put down the shrimp tail and removed his disposable gloves, wiping his mouth with a napkin. He adjusted his posture and said, "I've had three relationships."

As soon as the words left his mouth, the smiles slipped from the faces of Wang Zikai, Zhang Wei, and Gregor.