The Creatures That We Are

Chapter 152: Fireworks

Gao Yang’s chest tightened, and adrenaline coursed through his body. The instinct to fight compelled him to gather energy in his palms.

Two seconds later, he caught a good look in time and quietly pulled back the energy.

The silver hair looked white under the moonlight, and the eyes were crimson. Although she was hanging upside down, her beauty was apparent.

Fresh Snow?

What’s this?

Fresh Snow grinned at Gao Yang in obvious joy. Thud, thud, thud. She knocked on the glass as she mouthed words at him.

Still reeling from the shock, Gao Yang remained unmoving.

Fresh Snow hurriedly pressed her face against the glass, her delicate nose squashed into an upturned one like that of a pig, breaking the tension with her amusing display.

Thud, thud, thud.

She knocked again and fogged up the glass with a breath. Then she drew a smile with her finger—an upside down one, of course.

Finally, Gao Yang broke out of his reverie. He quickly stood up and made gestures at her nervously. Don’t move. I’m going to you!

He rushed out of the cabin to the deck on the side.

Like a cat, Fresh Snow perched on the railing, wrapped in an oversized cloak with her pale collarbones and delicate calves and feet revealed. Her silver hair danced along the night wind while her crimson eyes curved into crescent moons, adorable in the harmless way that small animals were.

“Gao Yang!” she called out to him happily.

“Quiet!” Gao Yang rushed to muffle her.

Although there was no other passenger on the yacht, there must be someone at the helm.

“Tee-hee.” Fresh Snow lifted Gao Yang’s hand and took out a firework shooter from her cloak with a mischievous look.

“This is...fireworks?” Gao Yang asked.

“Yeah! You put on a show for me last time. It is now my turn.” Fresh Snow nodded excitedly. “Friends share.”

Gao Yang met her innocent, expectant eyes. Was she being serious?

A few seconds later, he decided it was best not to go against her wish.

Although she seemed like an innocent girl right now, there was no telling whether she would lose her temper the next second and become a vicious ghost who didn’t even blink as she took a life.

“Alright.” Gao Yang looked around as he agreed. “But not here.”

“Why?”

“Because...” Gao Yang said the first reason that came to mind. “There is someone else on the ship, and we can’t let them see the fireworks.”

“Do they not like it?”

“That’s not the case,” Gao Yang continued to expand on his lie. “But last time, we were the only ones who saw the show. This time, we should keep it the same. That’s what we call being consistent.”

Fresh Snow’s large eyes rolled around like she was learning something impressive. “Being consistent! I get it now!”

“Come with me.”

Grabbing Fresh Snow, Gao Yang made it to the stern.

He found a small lifeboat and quietly untied the rope to drop it to the river. Then he and Fresh Snow jumped onto the boat.

Gao Yang rowed toward the center of Li River with the oar.

It didn’t take long until the yacht became a small black spot. Gao Yang let out a sigh of relief.

I’m sorry for taking the lifeboat, Mr. Yan Feng. Please deduct the cost from my salary next month if you are holding me accountable.

Gao Yang put down the oar and looked up. Sitting at the head of the lifeboat, Fresh Snow was looking at him with her hands cupping her face, her legs pressed together. She looked visibly excited, and she was still muttering, “Fireworks, fireworks, fireworks.”

Gao Yang picked up the firework shooter in the boat. It was a small, commonplace one.

“Where did you get it?” Gao Yang asked.

“Haha, I borrowed it.”

“Borrowed? From whom?”

“The fireworks shop.” Fresh Snow blinked with her big eyes.

“You borrowed it from the shop owner?”

“No.” Fresh Snow smiled. “I kicked the door open and broke the glass cabinet to borrow it.”

That’s not borrowing it, but straight up robbery!

Gao Yan suppressed an eyeroll and mustered the courage to ask, “Are you going to return it?”

“Return it?” Fresh Snow looked confused. “Why should I? Sister told me that we don’t have to return anything we borrow.”

“Why?”

“Because the world owes us.” Fresh Snow said something edgy in a lighthearted tone.

Gao Yang wasn’t at all surprised.

The Spectres wouldn’t be the Spectres if they abided by the mainstream moral codes.

“Ahem.” Gao Yang cleared his throat and changed the subject. “Let’s light the fireworks.”

“Yeah, yeah!” In excitement, Fresh Snow stepped on the boat like a kitten kneading.

“Don’t move around.”

Gao Yang rested the firework shooter on the stern and glided his finger along the wire before quickly moving to the bow to join Fresh Snow. The other side of the lifeboat tipped up immediately, but thankfully, neither of them was particularly heavy, and the boat remained afloat.

Sizzle.

Crackle.

A few seconds later, branching silver flowers crackled and bloomed in the dark, casting scintillating light on the river.

“Whoa!” Fresh Snow gaped. It was her first time seeing fireworks in person. “It’s so beautiful.”

It was beautiful, but Gao Yang wasn’t in the mood to enjoy the view. What should he do once the fireworks ended? Would Fresh Snow leave? Should he drive her away?

Would he even be able to?

Fresh Snow wouldn’t chase after him, would she? It would be a huge problem for him to have a member of the Spectres following him around.

And there was her sister to consider.

If she showed up, would she kill him in the heat of the moment?

Gao Yang agonized about what to do. When he looked up again, the fireworks were already coming to an end.

He turned to see Fresh Snow stare at the sky, seemingly lost in the view; her fair face was like that of an angel, yet the crimson eyes gave her a devilish look.

When the light and sparks of the fireworks died down, the surroundings turned dark and silent again.

“So pretty!” Fresh Snow stood up happily and swung her arms around. “I’m gonna borrow it again!”

“Careful, you’re moving too much—”

Gao Yang was going to stop her, but it was too late. The lifeboat had already lost balance and was tipping to one side.

Splash!

Gao Yang and Fresh Snow fell into the river.

“Ah! Help, help me...” Fresh Snow swung her arms around senselessly as she sunk deeper and deeper into the water.

You’re a member of the Spectres, the living nightmares of all, yet you don’t know how to swim? Really? Are you not putting up an act?

“It’s okay. Relax and lift your face to breathe.” Gao Yang slowly swam to her and held her up from behind.

Fresh Snow popped her head out of the water and gasped for breaths. She quickly forgot about her fear and broke into giggles. “You saved me, Gao Yang.”

“Well, we’re friends.” Gao Yang had an arm around her as he peddled toward the lifeboat.

“Yeah, I’ll save you next time!” Fresh Snow said seriously.

Gao Yang smiled bitterly. No need. I’ll be thankful as long as you and your Spectre friends don’t kill me.

He flipped the lifeboat upright and lifted Fresh Snow with both hands on her waist. She was so light that he had to wonder if she was all feathers.

Once Gao Yang got back onto the boat as well, they each took a side of the boat, and Gao Yang slowly rowed toward the riverbank.

Fresh Snow crouched like a cat with her legs split to the sides and her hands tucked before her. She kept shaking her head to dry her hair, but to no avail. The drenched silver strands stuck to her face.

Gao Yang almost laughed. If only Fresh Snow would continue to be the approachable and harmless girl she seemed to be now.

Ten minutes later, they reached the riverbank.

Fresh Snow sneezed, and her petite body trembled under the drenched cloak.

Gao Yang was a little surprised. You’re a Spectre. How can you be this fragile? Is this part of the act?

He looked up to see the clusters of villas boasting a riverside view. In the quiet neighborhood, one particular villa claiming a prime spot was still well-lit, and from there came the faint sound of singing.

Gao Yang recognized the place immediately and broke into a smile.

“Come with me, Fresh Snow.”