The Creatures That We Are

Chapter 581: Greatest of All Time

Gao Yang looked up to see Green Tea walking over from the entrance of the restaurant. The tall, strongly-built man was dressed in casual sportswear.

“Haha, I thought you looked familiar. So it is you.”

As he spoke, a few of his companions entered the restaurant too. Gao Yang recognized them as members of the fifth team of the Hundred Rivers Union. The one leading the group was a chubby guy wearing hip hop clothes and a baseball cap, Old Seven, with Talent: Finger Strength.

Following him was a young girl in an oversized sweater and jeans, her gray hair cut to medium length. Her facial features were delicate, but her lipstick of choice was a bold red. It was Citrus, with Talent: Slow.

Walking shoulder-to-shoulder with her was a girl with light blond hair, wearing a black octogonal hat and a retro brown corduroy suit. While she was skinny, she seemed mature and dependable.

Gao Yang remembered that her name was Rain River, with Talent: Plasticine, serial number 87, Life-type.

They were followed by an older middle-aged woman with a chubby figure, dressed in a classy cropped jacket and a long dress that went down below the knees. Her brunette hair was slightly curled, and her round face under heavy makeup looked personable.

She was Sister Ling, Talent: Praise, serial number 176, Support-type.

If Gao Yang remembered correctly, her Talent allowed her to give her teammates a boost in their confidence by praising them and in turn buffed all of their stats by a small margin. She could also praise her enemies to make them get complacent, slightly increasing their chance of exposing their weaknesses and making a mistake.

Back in the market for awakeners the Hundred Rivers Union organized in a haunted house, she was the one who sold Qing Ling the Twin Bracelet.

The last to enter the restaurant was a young man with an average build and narrow shoulders, dressed in a fitted black casual suit, wearing black sunglasses and a gold necklace. He looked like a thug full of himself with a hand in his pocket while chewing gum.

Gao Yang remembered something about him too. The man called himself “First Firelord”, with Talent: Six Senses Judge, serial number 154, Support-type.

The Talent allowed him to deprive his enemies within a certain distance of two senses at the price of depriving his companions with one sense, including himself.

All members of the fifth team were here. They must have sought out Nainai for a wanderer imprint given how openly they were acting.

“What a coincidence. You’ve come to have a meal too?” Gao Yang asked.

“Yeah, the team has a meal together every week.” Green Tea glanced at those behind him, making a simple introduction. “Old Seven, Citrus, Rain River, Sister Ling, and First Firelord. You’ve seen them before.”

“Seven...” Old Seven quickly corrected himself. “Evening, Brother Yang.”

The others greeted him too.

“And these are?” Green Tea looked at Fresh Snow and Wang Zikai.

“Wang Zikai, my best mate,” Gao Yang said naturally before turning to Fresh Snow. “This is Wang Xiaoxiu, his cousin. She grew up abroad.”

After two seconds, Gao Yang added in a lower voice, “They’re on our side.”

Green Tea heard the unspoken words and relaxed his guard.

Seeing the girl sticking so close to Gao Yang, Green Tea smirked. “You’re bold, Gao Yang, going after someone close to you like that. Aren’t you worried that Qing Ling will find out?”

Gao Yang was going to explain that he and Wang Xiaoxiu weren’t an item, but he and Qing Ling weren’t dating, either. Since he couldn't easily explain the situation, he chose not to waste his time.

“You’re all beautiful people,” Sister Ling said with envy. “Look at you, your faces are practically glowing, not lacking in collagen at all. It’s good to be young.”

Gao Yang knew she was simply flattering them, but it still made him feel good. As expected of someone with Talent: Praise.

“Friends! You came at the right time! Come on, share this with us!” Wang Zikai had just been concerned about the leftovers—not that he was worried about the waste. He simply didn’t want to admit that he had made the wrong order.

“Sure,” Green Tea agreed easily. “It’ll be a shame to not finish this much food.”

Gao Yang was a little surprised. He had expected Green Tea to take his leave after greeting him. After all, the fifth team was having a gathering tonight.

It seemed that Green Tea needed something from him.

“Waiter! Get us six more pairs of chopsticks and bowls. And we need the menu. We’re putting tables together!” Old Seven called out before quickly claiming the seat next to Gao Yang. The others each grabbed a chair too.

“Seven...Brother Yang.” Old Seven lowered his voice and spoke with an excited look on his face, opting to talk in metaphors. “I heard that you went one-on-one with a great boss in the game, and it was stronger than a birdy. Is that right?”

“I did,” said Gao Yang.

“Holy***! Mother****!” Old Seven couldn’t help but curse. There was no other way to express his admiration. “Brother Yang, you’re the GOAT! You’ve punched a doggy and kicked a bird...”

“Eat.” Gao Yang smiled faintly. “Talking about the game isn’t fun.”

“Okay, okay.” Old Seven understandingly dropped the topic.

Meanwhile, Wang Zikai was met with Green Tea’s enthusiastic attempt to befriend him. With an arm around his shoulder, Green Tea crowed, “You’ve got a good physique, bro. It’s clear that you’re talented.”

Wang Zikai smiled confidently, basking in the praise. “Of course. Who doesn’t know about my Talent?”

“I’m not talking about Talent with a capital T, but talent in physical training.”

Wang Zikai blinked. “Huh?”

“Weight training! Build your muscles!” Green Tea’s eyes glinted. “You know how popular shoulders as wide as a two-door fridge have become? If you can widen your shoulders through training, I promise that you’ll be the most popular guy wherever you go...”

Meanwhile, Fresh Snow had gotten caught by Citrus and Rain River.

“You've won a genetic lottery, Xiaoxiu.” Citrus stared at Fresh Snow’s face and couldn’t look away.

Rain River smiled like an aunt looking at her niece. “Yeah, you’re like a Super Dollfie.”

Fresh Snow was still holding onto Gao Yang’s arm. She blinked and swallowed what she wanted to say. Instead, she looked up at Gao Yang and asked, “What’s a genetic lottery, and what’s a Super Dollfie, Gao Yang?”

Gao Yang explained simply, “They’re saying that you’re pretty.”

“Oh.” Fresh Snow smiled happily at Citrus and Rain River. “Thank you, SIsters, you’re genetic dollfies too.”

“Oh my!” Citrus held onto her chest and pretended to be lightheaded. “I can’t. She’s so cute!”

Rain River laughed. “Same. I want to steal her.”

“Count me in.” First Firelord crossed his legs and smiled flirtatiously, still chewing his gum.

Citrus rolled her eyes at him. “Shut up.”

Then Green Tea seemed to remember something, and he rose to his feet. “I’ll get you some drinks.”

“Thanks.” Citrus extended a hand. “I want...”

“Avocado milk tea,” Green Tea interrupted her with a smile. “Rain River wants orchid latte, Old Seven, cola, Sister Ling, oolong tea, and First Firelord, honey pomelo tea. I’ve got all your orders.”

Gao Yang watched Green Tea walk away, sighing with feeling. “Your leader’s considerate.”

“Haha, yeah, Team Leader’s been treating us so well. Ever since his brother passed...”

Citrus froze and fell silent.