The Creatures That We Are

Chapter 273: Departure

[Willpower: 500 Charisma: 500]

[Luck: 454]

[You have a total of 50 Luck points.]

[Access ends.]

Gao Yang opened his eyes and felt the change happening to his body.

Soon, a numbness spread through his scalp. His ear rang faintly. There was a strange sense of stuffiness to his nose, and his tongue tingled with bitterness.

Moreover, there was an itch deep in his throat. His vocal cord seemed to be undergoing a transformation.

The skin of his entire body cooled like he had plunged into cold water. And his vision blurred before quickly recovering.

Although nothing seemed to have changed around him, there was an unfamiliar clarity to his vision, like a transparent glass had been lifted from before his eyes.

Less than a minute later, Gao Yang’s senses settled down.

He let out a long breath and got out of bed to turn on the light. Then he walked up to the mirror of the closet to check his reflection.

His facial features did remain the same, but there was more of a shine to his hair that made it seem finer, and his eyes looked brighter and sharper.

Gao Yang touched his face. His skin seemed fairer as well.

“Hello, greetings.” Gao Yang’s voice was the same as before.

Although he felt a little awkward, he sang to the mirror, “I am myself, fireworks of a different color...[1]”

As expected, his singing had gotten better.

If he ever comprehended a voice-based Talent, his higher charisma should increase its power significantly.

How about his hearing?

Gao Yang went up to the door and closed his eyes, focusing on the sounds outside.

Tick, tock, tick, tock...

He could hear the clock ticking away in the living room. His hearing had seen substantial improvement.

Gao Yang opened the door and headed to the kitchen.

Immediately, he was assaulted with the smells of food remains, which would be just that in the past.

Now, if he wanted to, Gao Yang could discern the smell of onions, pepper, egg, garlic, leftover rice, and dishwasher.

He opened the fridge and took out a small cup of yogurt drink. The texture of the cool plastic at his fingertips was now sharper and more immediate.

Gao Yang inserted the straw and took a sip.

Sweetness and sourness bombarded his taste buds, much richer and more layered than he had tasted before.

After all the testing, Gao Yang could be certain that the significant increase to his Charisma had enhanced his six senses, and the keener his senses, the more effectively he could resist illusion attacks.

The intensity and excitement brought about by his increased stat subsided gradually, replaced by a bone-deep exhaustion.

Let’s call it a day.

Gao Yang washed up and retired to bed.

...

Nine o’clock in the morning, Gao Yang woke up to find all his family already awake, sitting around the dining table and having breakfast.

“Morning, Yang Yang. You came home late yesterday, so we didn’t wake you up.” His mother was serving Gao Xinxin a bowl of millet porridge.

“Brush your teeth and clean your face. Then join us at the table.” His father was chewing on a youtiao in his wheelchair.

“Brother, you’re the only one who hasn’t packed up. You’re not running around outside today!” Gao Xinxin pulled a long face accusingly.

“I get it.” Goa Yang was just about to go to the bathroom when his grandmother came out of the door.

She was wearing a colorful dress with a retro sun hat and a pair of brown sunglasses, holding a small square bag in her hand. She couldn’t look trendier.

Despite her slight hunchback and the wrinkles and age spots covering her face, she didn’t look abashed at all, but instead wore her outfit with confidence like it was how elderly people should dress.

“Whoa!” Gao Xinxin gave her a thumbs-up. “You’re the coolest granny!”

“Yeah!” His grandmother cocked her head and made a peace sign like young people used to do.

“Mother, that’s outdated now!” His father made a heart with his thumb and finger. “Look, this is how the kids these days make a heart!”

“Loveya!” She mimicked the gesture.

Everyone laughed.

After breakfast, Gao Yang returned to his room to pack up.

Summer clothes, underwears, check.

Facewash, shampoo, toothbrush, soap, towel, check.

Cellphone, tablet, charger, check.

ID, wallet, passport, check.

He didn’t have a lot of things to bring, and he barely filled half of his suitcase.

The day was spent in collective anticipation and excitement.

Before they left home, Gao Yang’s mother checked and rechecked everyone’s luggage, worried that they would forget something. Then she started repeatedly checking the utility in the house and if the doors and windows were shut.

His grandmother returned to her room, speaking to his grandfather’s last photo.

Gao Yang didn’t need to hear her to know that she was asking her late husband to bless them for a safe trip and to protect their home from thieves.

Ten o’clock in the evening, they called a taxi for seven and went to the airport.

Entering the departure hall, Gao Yang led the way while pushing his father’s wheelchair. In the meantime, Gao Xinxin and his mother lined up with their IDs for check-ins.

As the treasurer of the household, his mother was naturally the one who booked the tickets.

His father praised his mother for booking a midnight flight. They could go to sleep on the plane, and when they woke up, they would be in Naldives, wasting no time.

In reality, of course, they all knew that his mother had picked the time for cheaper tickets.

Although his father’s factory with Uncle Qing had overcome a liquidity crisis, the family income had still suffered a serious blow after his father lost mobility in his lower body.

A one-week vacation in Naldives for the whole family cost a small fortune. That was why his mother had done her best to save money when possible.

“Gao Yang!”

Gao Yang turned around to see a blonde young man running out of the crowd of tourists.

He was dressed in a black t-shirt that said, ‘Invincible’. And he wore a pair of flamboyant shorts with flower patterns and a pair of crocodile slippers that caught the eye due to the unusual design. The suitcase he carried was a luxury brand that might as well be sparkling, and on his back was a big double-strap backpack.

“Haha, your brother is here!”

He ran up to Gao Yang as he called out. Although he radiated energy and looked handsome in a cheerful way, he also seemed...not terribly smart.

How should he put it?

Gao Yang felt warm and secure whenever he saw Wang Zikai, a dependable protector of his. But at this moment, he still felt like pretending to be a stranger when the idiot ran up to him in public.

“Dude!” Wang Zikai came up and gave Gao Yang’s suitcase a surprised glance. “That’s all you brought?”

“Yeah.” Gao Yang eyed him warily. “Aren’t you bringing too much stuff?”

“Really? There are many things I didn’t bring!” Wang Zikai looked disappointed.

“Brother, come check in your luggage!” Gao Xinxin and his mother were lining up for check-ins, and they were almost reaching the counter. She waved Gao Yang and Wang Zikai over. “You too, Wang Zikai. Come on!”

“Aye, aye!” Wang Zikai put an arm around Gao Yang’s shoulder. “Go, go, go!”

...

An hour later, Gao Yang and his family, plus Wang Zikai, boarded the plane. It was Gao Yang’s first time.

Although Wang Zikai had booked the same flight as Gao Yang’s family, his ticket was for the first class cabin, while Gao Yang and his family were sitting in economics, away from Wang Zikai’s seat.

Wang Zikai regretted his decision as soon as he got onto the plane. He hadn’t thought of this.

With the help of a flight attendant, Gao Yang got his father out of the wheelchair and in his seat.

Wang Zikai rushed to the economic cabin from the front and beamed at Gao Yang’s grandmother. “Why don’t we swap seats, Granny? You should go to the first class cabin. There’s more space and the flight will be more comfortable. You can even lie down to sleep.”

“Sure.” His grandmother agreed readily.

Wang Zikai helped Gao Yang’s grandmother to the first class cabin. Then a few minutes later, he rushed back excitedly with a handheld console. “Let’s sit together, Gao Yang. We can play games together.”

Gao Xinxin rolled her eyes at him before shooting her brother a pitying look, yielding her seat to Wang Zikai without needing to be asked.

Wang Zikai leaned over to speak into Gao Yang’s ear as soon as he sat down. Although he had lowered his voice, he was still quite loud. “Bro, I’ve made more progress with my training!”

Gao Yang jumped, but didn’t have the chance to stop him.

“What training?” Gao Xinxin, having overheard him, looked over with an inquisitive gaze.

1. Leslie Cheung’s I. ?