The Creatures That We Are

Chapter 615: House

“Ahhhh!!”

Yan Xiaofang’s scream rang in his mind. Mu Xing’s consciousness returned from “space” to his body, and he felt the unbearable pain of being lynched, but the pain was lessening.

His mother’s deadly hug was going slack.

The slick yet cutting tentacles detached from his body, retracting into her arms, which turned back into a regular woman’s arms in an instant. Yan Xiaofang bled from all orifices, the blood mixing with her hot tears, and her face distorted with despair, frustration, and confusion.

Mu Xing would never forget the face.

Two seconds later, Yan Xiaofang collapsed with a dull thud, dead at Mu Xing’s feet.

Clothes tattered and covered in blood, Mu Xing gasped for breaths, trembling in place.

“Dead yet, kid? If you’re alive, make a sound.” A man’s voice came from behind him.

Enduring the great pain, Mu Xing slowly turned around and saw a middle-aged man dressed like a farmer. The straw hat on his head covered half of his face. Topless and wearing a pair of blue flaxen pants, he stood barefooted, his skin tanned and his body thin but well-built. On his shoulder rested a hoe covered in dry yellow soil.

“Not...not...dead...” Mu Xing said in a trembling voice. His consciousness blinked on and off, and he thought he was having a nightmare.

“Didn’t expect you to awaken at such a young age. Your mother’s a devourer, and she was trying to kill you. Lucky for you, I saved you.”

Mu Xing’s expression remained numb. He didn’t understand what the man was talking about.

The man lowered the hoe. “Don’t blame your mother. It didn’t want to do that, but humans and monsters couldn’t coexist in harmony. You’ll know in the future.”

“I don’t blame Mom...” Mu Xing said, both his voice and gaze broken. Tears streaked down his face in two streams. “It was my fault. If only I could let Mom be with Dad forever...”

“Ha.” The man smirked. “How old are you, boy, and what’s your name?”

“Mu Xing, five,” Mu Xing responded honestly.

“What a miserable life you lead, kid.” The man sighed. “Yan’s my surname. You may call me Uncle Yan. You can’t survive on your own. Come with me.”

Mu Xing shook his head and looked down at his dead mother. “I wanna be with Mom.”

“Your mother’s gone the moment you used your Talent on her. What’s the point of staying with a body? With this heat, the body will quickly go foul and attract bugs, turning into a pile of flesh and finally bones...” Uncle Yan spoke bluntly. He didn’t treat Mu Xing like a child at all.

Mu Xing didn’t say anything.

“Your mother’s dead, no longer here. You hear me?”

Mu Xing stayed silent for a few seconds before looking up. “Will I not see her again?”

“Not necessarily. You’ll reunite with your mom and dad one day. We all will have a happy ending. Be patient.”

“Really?” Mu Xing’s gaze warmed again.

“Of course. I never lie.” Uncle Yan nodded, breaking into a smile. “So are you coming with me or not?”

“Where are we going?”

“Home...” Uncle Yan paused before shaking his head. “No, that’s not home, but we can find home.”

“Find...home?” Mu Xing didn’t entirely understand.

“Yes, find a real home, where everyone can reunite with their loved ones, hahaha!”

Uncle Yan laughed and strode away with his hoe, singing in a good mood, “The river flows into the east, and the stars point to the Polaris...”

Mu Xing watched the man leave. Then he glanced at his mother’s body. He clenched his fist, looking pained and troubled.

The man’s singing voice was growing distant quickly, and he would soon disappear into the forest.

Mu Xing unclenched his fists.

Wiping the tears and blood on his face, he stepped over his mother’s body and jogged up to the man.

...

Blue House Psychiatric Clinic, Li River Central Road, Feiyang District.

Qilin opened his eyes on the single sofa in his counseling room. He didn’t immediately get up, instead staying in a lying position with his clasped hands resting on his abdomen.

Every day after lunch, he would sit on the sofa and have a twenty-minute nap. He didn’t need to set an alarm. He always woke up on the dot.

It was the third day after Seven Shadow was put on the wanted list.

Qilin slept for a little longer today, to his surprise, and he had a dream.

Ten seconds later, Qilin sat up and glanced at his watch. Indeed, he had overslept for four minutes.

He combed through his fringe with his fingers and picked up the glasses hanging from his breast pocket to put them on, getting to his feet with his cane.

He walked out of the room and reached the front desk. Behind the desk sat a young brunette woman with a gentle face, Miss Qin the receptionist.

Legs crossed, she seemed to be chatting with someone on her phone, her fingers typing away on the screen in a flurry of movements. Every tap made a bright clack.

“Miss Qin,” Qilin called out to her in a soft voice.

“Yes, sir!” Miss Qin hurriedly put her phone away, caught red-handed for messing around during work. “What, what may I do for you, Doctor Su? Do you want coffee? Need to pick up a package? Pay the utility?”

“None of the above.” Qilin smiled. “Please cancel my future appointments for me.”

“Oh, of course.” She nodded and couldn’t help but ask, “Are you busy lately, Doctor Su?”

“Yes.” Qilin nodded. “You may pack up and go, too.”

“Huh?” Miss Qin panicked. “Doctor Su! I...I know I shouldn’t use my phone during work, but I’m finished with everything...”

Qilin interrupted her with a smile, “You do good work, Miss Qin, and you know how to deal with people. I’m satisfied with you as an employee. I see no faults in you.”

“You’re not the problem. I am.”

“Doctor Su, you...” Miss Qin couldn’t believe it. “You’re going to end your practice?”

Qilin nodded. “I need to rest for a year to rethink my life, or I’ll develop mental problems myself.”

“Oh, okay.” Miss Qin didn’t know what to feel or say.

“I’ll pay you three months' worth of salary,” Qilin said, taking a black velvet box from his pocket. “This is a little gift for you.”

Miss Qin was caught by surprise. “Doctor Su, this, this is too much...”

“It’s just a little something to show my gratitude. Please accept it.” Qilin smiled. “Please, I’m embarrassed already.”

“Alright, thank you!” Miss Qin took the box from him and opened it. Inside were a pair of beautiful, finely crafted emerald earrings, based after Jupiter.

“Whoa, it’s so beautiful! The design’s special!” Miss Qin was being honest with her appreciation.

“Thank God.” Qilin sighed in relief. “I was worried that you wouldn’t like it.”

“Why wouldn’t I? You’ve got good taste, Doctor Su. I like them a lot. I’ll put them on often.”

Moved, Miss Qin added, “Thank you, Doctor Su. I’m not a sweet talker, but you’re the most gentle and charismatic man I’ve ever met. I wish you a bright future where everything’s smooth sailing for you!”

“Thank you, and I wish you good luck too,” Qilin responded with a smile.

After finishing her work, Miss Qin completed the resignation process and took her leave.

At four o’clock in the afternoon, the clinic fell silent. Qilin returned to the counseling room and rummaged through the paper boxes in the storage, finding a classical music album. He turned on his turntable. Listening to the passionate and tragically stirring music, he ground coffee beans by hand. Time seemed to come to a half around him.

He took the time to make three cups of coffee. The rich aroma permeated the air.

Ring.

The wind chimes clinked. His visitors were here.