The piercing sound of sirens gradually faded into the distance on the tree-lined road, following the roar of the engine.
Early this morning, a cleaner in that villa area discovered dozens of cat corpses and the body of a mountain eagle, and, surprised, called 110[1].
Cangtong Kai[2] stood behind the French window, gazing at the departing police car from the second floor of the villa. The morning sunlight fell into his dark blue eyes, reflecting a cold glare.
Xuan[3] was dressed in all black as always, and stood hidden and alert in a place untouched by the sunshine, just like a specter with a breath.
"She’ll attract more and more intruders," Xuan said with a hint of concern, his sword-like brows slightly furrowing, a rare sight for him. "Sir will be back soon, and if he finds out..."
"It's your responsibility to deal with intruders, no matter how many," Cangtong Kai interrupted Xuan and brushed past him. "I'm heading to school. Get the car ready."
"Kai," Xuan stood still like a statue.
Cangtong Kai stopped and turned his face slightly.
Xuan remained silent for a while, as if making a difficult decision, and then spoke in a deep voice, "Send her away."
"If I can't protect even her, then I shouldn't be surnamed Cangtong. I'm not afraid of any intruders," Cangtong Kai patted Xuan's shoulder and smiled. "You're the same, aren't you?"
Xuan's brows suddenly tightened, and his shoulder twitched slightly.
"What's wrong?" Cangtong Kai sensed something was amiss. "Are you injured?"
"A minor injury. During the scuffle with that eagle monster early this morning, I was accidentally cut," Xuan returned to his usual expression. "I'll go get the car."
"You rarely make mistakes," Cangtong Kai winked at him. "Do you want me to help?"
"An accident," Xuan shook his head, smiling wryly.
"If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. I'm not afraid to break the family rules."
Cangtong Kai whistled lightly as he descended the stairs. Xuan's eyes reflected his retreating figure and a vague hesitation to speak.
Cangtong Kai stood in front of the bedroom mirror. His crisp white shirt carried a faint smell of shower gel, and his black school uniform jacket stubbornly refused to button up. The tall and handsome young man in the mirror looked at himself indifferently.
Behind the mirror, there was a protruding button. When pressed, the massive wardrobe against the wall would move half a meter to the side, revealing a hidden door in the wall.
That was where Cangtong Kai had been going every day for the past seven years.
Behind the hidden door, the secret room had marble flooring and walls so smooth they resembled mirrors, with even the marble's delicate veining on full display. Apart from a large water tank that stood about the height of a person, there was nothing else inside. The walls lacked windows but featured a huge oil painting. In the painting, the sky was a pristine blue, and there were vast, finely detailed stretches of beach with no one in sight, except for two sets of footprints extending into the sea. The entire painting was so lifelike that one could almost hear the sound of the waves.
Paint brushes and paints lay scattered on the ground, and the colorful oil paints had splashed across the white floor, looking prettier than flowers.
Cangtong Kai walked up to the water tank positioned opposite the oil painting and lightly tapped on the glass, like a courteous gentleman knocking on a door.
"You start school today, right?"
The tranquil water's surface rippled, and a fish about a foot long, with diamond-like white scales, gracefully moved its lace-like fins and tail as it gradually appeared from the other end of the water tank. It happily swam up to Cangtong Kai.
"Yes. What flavor of ice cream are you in the mood for today?" Cangtong Kai revealed a rare smile, and every line on his face softened at the sound of the crisp and melodious female voice. His tone was filled with affection and indulgence.
Tutu was a fish, but she could talk and had a fondness for ice cream. So, in Cangtong Kai's heart, Tutu was never an "it" but always a "she."
"I want vanilla chocolate!"
"Single scoop?"
"Double scoop!!"
"You'll get chubby!"
"I can always get a bigger water tank!"
Cangtong Kai shook his head helplessly and placed his palm on the fish tank. Tutu happily did a few spins and her pink mouth planted a kiss on his palm. Chu~
Between them, there was always a thick pane of glass, but it couldn't separate their small warmth.
"Please pay attention in class!"
"I know!"
"Don't get into a fight!"
"I know!!"
"Be sure to button up your jacket when you come home. Swine flu has been rampant lately."
"Alright…"
"And don’t forget the ice cream! Double scoop!!"
"..."
Cangtong Kai raised his hands in surrender, looking childishly dejected. "Fine, double scoop it is!"
Tutu triumphantly blew a string of bubbles, which formed a big V in the water.
Tutu was the only true friend Cangtong Kai recognized.
Tutu was also someone he had to protect at all costs.
Footnotes:
[1] Emergency number in China.
[2] cāng=blue-green/cold and tóng=pupil of the eye. kǎi=triumphant; victorious.
[3] xuán=black/mysterious.
Translator:
I forgot to add footnotes for names in the previous arc. I'll do it...soon.
No comments:
Post a Comment