The Creatures That We Are

Chapter 856: Wind and Moon

Lying Wood interpreted the three men's silence as disappointment and, feeling embarrassed, said, "Forget it. I'll stop here."

"Don't, don't, don't. Say it. You must tell your story!" Zhang Wei urged impassionedly.

"Alright." Lying Wood smiled and began to reminisce.

"My first relationship was in high school. Back then, I was obsessed with an online game. I met a girl from my city while playing it. We had an online relationship for a year. After graduating, we met in real life. Haha, I was young and naive then. Even holding hands made me blush and my heart skip a beat. I couldn't sleep that night, I was so excited. Then she went abroad to a school in West Nation. I went to a local college. The relationship ended just like that."

Lying Wood took a sip of his orange juice. "The second relationship started at a New Year's Eve party in my junior year. A senior had her eyes on me. She was a pro at this. I was out of my league. Before I knew it, she had me drunk..."

He felt a little shy. "That was my first time. To be honest, I remembered nothing when I woke up. I dated that senior for half a year. Then I found out that I was the only one in love. She considered me a substitute. There was a man she loved, and they were in an on-and-off relationship. She sought me out to forget him."

Lying Wood sighed. "But then the man returned to her. She told me the truth afterward. I was so heartbroken that I couldn't move on for a long time after our breakup."

"After that, I was hesitant to enter another relationship. It wasn't until after college, when my family pressured me, that I agreed to a blind date. She was two years younger than me. She loved kittens and puppies. Gentle and kind. We started as friends. After half a year, we began dating. We fit well together, and we were talking about marriage... but then I awakened."

"I had no choice but to find an excuse to break up with her. She was hurt. She couldn't believe I'd had a change of heart. She begged me to tell her the truth. How could I do that..."

Lying Wood suddenly realized that the table had fallen silent. He looked up to find the three men gaping at him.

"What's wrong?" Lying Wood nervously smiled. "I told you my life was mundane. Don't look at me like you pity me."

Zhang Wei cursed in his mind, Pity your ass! You're the fucking winner in life!

Gregor clenched his teeth in jealousy. The details are authentic. It's clear that it's all real, fucker!

Wang Zikai was in disbelief. How did this nerd get three girlfriends? Is fate blind?

"Bro," Zhang Wei said nonchalantly, raising a bottled pineapple beer. "It's okay. I understand you. Here, drink. Drink it all away."

"Yes, drink. Let's not talk about the sad past." Gregor raised his glass of juice, his hand trembling slightly.

"Drink, drink! Women will only slow our punches down!" Wang Zikai slammed the table vehemently.

A gust of wind whooshed overhead. Heavenly Dog returned after scouting the enemies.

He landed at the table with members of the Twelve Zodiac Signs. War Tiger, White Rabbit, Adept Horse, Mischievous Monkey, Quiet Book, Muzitu, and Yellow Lotus were all there.

Heavenly Dog reported, "Uncle Tiger, I didn't see any movement at the Qingyang Bridge. There's no one from the Ocean River Union around."

War Tiger nodded, a lamb skewer in hand. "What else?"

Heavenly Dog thought for a moment. "It was quiet. No cars on the bridge."

"The Ocean River Union must have blocked off the road beforehand to clear the battlefield," White Rabbit said, his voice tinged with anticipation.

"So, the Union is going to accept the challenge?" Quiet Book said timidly. She had been hoping the Union would back down, allowing her to avoid reality a little longer.

Yellow Lotus patted her shoulder reassuringly. "Don't be scared, Quiet. You won't be on the frontline. You'll be okay."

Quiet Book nodded, then looked at Yellow Lotus worriedly. "But you..."

"I'll be fine, too. Everyone will be fine." Yellow Lotus winked confidently.

Adept Horse spoke up, "Gotta say Brother Yang played Qilin like a fiddle. He knew the man would accept the challenge."

"Gao Yang used to work for Qilin. He knows the man inside out," Mischievous Monkey chuckled.

"He's touching the tiger's butt every day. How can he not know the man?" White Rabbit laughed, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"Working for such a leader is truly like serving a tiger, haha." Muzitu shook his folding fan leisurely.

War Tiger lit a cigarette and took a long drag. He got to his feet, stretching his limbs before hollering, "Everyone! Good news! The Ocean River Union accepts our challenge! Let's have an epic fight tonight! And remember not to eat too much, or you're gonna puke."

Suddenly, the front yard fell silent. The air grew thick with tension, despite their preparations.

"Fuck Qilin!" Wang Zikai was the first to respond. He stood up, lifting one foot onto the chair and raising a corn for emphasis.

"God Kai is almighty!" Zhang Wei joined in and heckled. "Fuck Qilin!"

"Don't cower. Just do it!"

"The just will triumph, the light does not fear shadow!"

"Born in the dark, we chase the dawn!"

"Cheers!"

They all got to their feet, raising their drinks while chanting. The infectious heated mood overtook the group. Amid the hollers and shouts, Yellow Lotus looked around to find Zhong He gone. She nudged Muzitu. "Hey, Old Mu, where's Old Zhong?"

"Inside. Probably in the toilet," Muzitu answered with a knowing smile.

"Coward! He's still such a chicken after acquiring Phantom. Always running to the toilet when something serious is going on." Yellow Lotus made a face, but her eyes brimmed with soft feelings. "I'm gonna go grab him."

She stood up and left. The others continued their rallying cries, voices rising into the night air. Only Fat Jun looked at her retreating back, a myriad of thoughts swirling in his mind.

Although the others didn't know that Yellow Lotus had feelings for Zhong He, Fat Jun could tell. It was all in her eyes.

Fat Jun had long been hesitating to confess to White Rabbit. With an inevitable battle looming, he finally mustered the courage. He didn’t want to have lingering regret.

"White Rabbit." Fat Jun schooled his usually jovial expression into one of seriousness. It was the first time he'd ever called her "White Rabbit" instead of "Sister Rabbit".

"Yes?" White Rabbit tensed, sensing what was coming. The moment she'd dreaded had arrived.

"I'll borrow you for two minutes. I have something to tell you."

White Rabbit gently swirled the drink in her glass for a few seconds. Then she took a deep breath, set the glass down, and stood up. "Alright. Let's go."

As White Rabbit and Fat Jun left the table, the others watched them go, each hit with a tangle of complicated emotions.

A chill wind swept through the forest, bringing winter's bleakness to the mansion. Grill smoke drifted in a single direction, stinging eyes and blurring vision.

Muzitu leisurely waved his fan and looked up at the moon, his narrowed eyes reflecting its soft light. Like an old poet, he delivered a verse, "Lovers are born with sentimental hearts, neither the wind nor the moon takes in their grief."

"Another one is going to have their heart broken tonight." Mischievous Monkey laid down his chopsticks and shook his head slightly, a hint of empathy in his voice.

"Sir Monkey, I didn't expect you to know it so well!" Quiet Book exclaimed, surprise evident in her wide eyes.

"Haha, we were all young once." Mischievous Monkey chuckled, a touch of nostalgia in his tone.

War Tiger crossed his legs and flicked ash from his cigarette. He cursed disapprovingly, "That idiot. There's so much he could be doing, but he has to set a flag for himself right before a fight."