The Creatures That We Are

Chapter 548: Princess Malatang

Gao Yang nodded slightly, indicating for Chen Ying to continue.

“Maybe you can join us, and we’ll become stronger,” Chen Ying said earnestly. “The Hundred Rivers Union has always been democratic. You’re strong, Elder Seven Shadow, and you’ve established yourself. Once the time is right, Madam Li will give away her mantle as the leader. You must know that she’d wanted Alcoholic to take over the organization.”

So Chen Ying knew that the Hundred Rivers Union was weak, but she had a line she wouldn’t cross. That was why she came up with the middle ground.

Hah, and she recruited me instead.

“Okay, I’ll consider it.” Gao Yang now knew Chen Ying wouldn’t be a viable recruit, so he gave lip service.

“I hope you’ll consider it seriously.” Chen Ying paused before adding, “Don’t worry. I won’t tell anyone about tonight.”

“Thank you.”

—Activate Lie Detection.

Chen Ying didn’t lie, and she was benevolent.

“Since you’re here, you may as well have some food,” Gao Yang said.

Chen Ying hesitated. Late night snacks were always the best. She smiled bashfully. “Then I’ll have some.”

She split the disposable chopsticks and picked up a piece of steaming beef offal, putting it in her mouth.

“Hm!” Her eyes glinted. “It’s heavenly!”

“Isn’t it?” Gao Yang was pleased. “This is approved by Qing Ling, our certified Princess Malatang.”

Qing Ling didn’t even look up from her food and accepted the compliment easily. “I’m flattered.”

“Hmm, it’s good...” Chen Ying had the chopsticks in one hand and covered her mouth with her other hand, looking conflicted. “I feel guilty. All the exercises I’ve done tonight are moot.”

...

It was too late for Gao Yang and Qing Ling to return to their dorms after finishing the malatang, so they stayed the night at Amon’s shop. First thing in the morning, they went back to school.

Lin Dajian and Qiu Qiu were still worried about the missing Mi Shi. Gao Yang pretended to not know the truth as he worried and brainstormed with them.

Nothing happened in the morning. At noon, Gao Yang found time to be alone and accessed the system, checking his stats to prepare for the dangers that would come.

[You have accumulated 782 Luck points.]

[Constitution: 451 Endurance: 458]

[Strength: 1148 Agility: 1892]

[Willpower: 1837 Charisma: 526]

[Luck: 813]

[Teleportation Lv6]

[Replicate Lv6]

[Fire Lv6]

[Psychic Armor Lv3]

[Double Lv6]

[Lie Detection Lv4]

[Lucky Lv4]

...

In the evening, Gao Yang and Qing Ling headed to the Shanqing Hospital together to visit Ms. Su and meet up with Officer Huang.

Carrying some fruit, Gao Yang and Qing Ling walked out of the elevator into the quiet corridor. By the window at the left end of the corridor stood a young man and woman.

The man was dressed in dark-colored casual suits, looking slim and handsome with tanned skin and mono-lidded eyes. He had a hand in his pocket while he held a cigarette outside the window with his other hand to vent the smell. With his hip pressed against the window sill, he painted the picture of an effortlessly cool and frivolous man.

The woman was petite, wearing an ill-fitted office outfit with a satchel that seemed typical for an insurance salesperson. She had her hands behind her back like a star-struck fangirl.

“You’ve been single since your birth? No way. I don’t buy it...” Hong Xiaoxiao blushed, her eyes bright with excitement and a hint of nervousness.

“What? Do I look like a playboy to you? It’s wrong to judge a book by its cover.” Zhong He smirked charmingly.

“But you’re so handsome. There must be many girls chasing after you...” Hong Xiaoxiao was about to say something when Gao Yang and Qing Ling walked out of the elevator. She jumped, quickly standing in attention. “Elder Seven Shadow! Miss Green Snake!”

Gao Yang snorted silently. As expected of a salesperson. She memorized all our names after only reading the basic dossiers.

“Brother Seven, Sister Snake.” Zhong He put out his cigarette against the window sill and threw it into the trashcan nearby.

We’ve met during the Crimson Tide, but we aren’t that close, are we?

Gao Yang nodded. “Did anything happen the past few days?”

“Nothing.” Hong Xiaoxiao started her briefing. “All’s been well since what happened last time, and I’ve made a save to be safe.”

“Good.”

Gao Yang turned around and walked toward the VIP ward with Qing Ling. On the bench outside the room sat a silver-haired old man in training clothes, Mischievous Monkey.

It was deep into autumn, yet he still wore a single layer, looking spirited and hearty despite his age.

“Sir Monkey,” Gao Yang greeted him.

“Dark Horse, Green Snake, here you are. Did everything go okay?” Mischievous Monkey was still used to calling Gao Yang Dark Horse.

“It went well.” Gao Yang glanced at the door. “Is this a good time?”

Mischievous Monkey nodded.

Gao Yang went up to knock on the door.

“Who is it?” Officer Huang asked.

“Me,” Gao Yang answered. “Qing Ling too.”

“Come in.”

Gao Yang and Qing Ling opened the door and went in.

Inside, Officer Huang was helping Su Xi walk around the room.

“Slowly, slowly... Careful...” Officer Huang supported her like she was glass; he couldn’t be more gentle.

“Ah, we’re just walking a little around. I’m pregnant, not disabled. You’re overreacting.” Su Xi complained, but her voice was soft. Seeing Gao Yang and Qing Ling, she explained with a smile, “I’ve been sleeping after eating and eating as soon as I wake up. I’m gonna be bored to death.”

“Don’t say that!” Officer Huang said nervously. “That’s a bad omen. You’re giving birth soon. After that, the three of us will go wherever you want to go and have all the fun in the world.”

He only had his wife in mind, and he completely ignored Gao Yang and Qing Ling.

“Ahem.” Gao Yang reminded him of their presence awkwardly.

Only then did Officer Huang look up at him. “Sit. Why are you still standing? We know each other well. Just pour yourselves some water...”

Gao Yang smiled wryly, grabbing two chairs for himself and Qing Ling.

Officer Huang helped Su Xi walk a few times around the room before resting.

After having a short chat with Su Xi, Gao Yang and Qing Ling took their leave.

Officer Huang walked them out. To get away from unwanted eyes and ears, they stopped at a quiet corner in the stairway.

“I heard about what happened.” Gao Yang glanced at Officer Huang. “You were reckless. If not for Hong Xiaoxiao...”

“Alright. It’s all in the past.” Officer Huang smiled bitterly, unwilling to talk about it. His gaze became determined. “Two days, and my wife’s giving birth. I will not let anything go wrong again.”

“Aren’t you scared?” Qing Ling asked bluntly.

Officer Huang’s face darkened. He understood what Qing Ling meant.

“No.” It sounded like he had thought it through. “Be it a human, a monster, or a Spectre. Whatever my wife gives birth to, I’m prepared.”

He looked at the two of them and smiled self-deprecatingly. “I’ve always been worried and afraid, trying to find out the truth, but when the time comes, I become calm.”

“No matter what happens, it won’t change the fact that we’re family.”

Gao Yang nodded. “I understand your feelings.”

Qing Ling didn’t quite relate, but she nodded too. “If you’ve made up your mind.”

Gao Yang then said, “We’ll come here to help you tomorrow night, Officer Huang, until Ms. Su gives birth.”

Officer Hunag smiled. “Good. With you around, I can rest easy.”