In the dimly lit corner of the bar, a small candle flickered on the table. The lights in a quiet lounge like this were always subdued.
“So… the friends you had left back then…”
Xu Wanyue had expected to hear the tale of the dragon-slaying youth from Lin Cheng’s lips—a boy who endured countless hardships, grew stronger step by step, and finally slew the evil dragon. It did seem to be that kind of story, but by the end, the youth was nearly all alone.
“Pretty much all of them died.” Lin Cheng cradled his glass and took a sip, though his face betrayed little overt sadness now. That faint trace of grief lingered only in his eyes. He didn’t smile; to smile would dishonor those old friends from the story.
Xu Wanyue fell silent for a long moment before murmuring softly, “This isn’t at all like I imagined…”
“What kind of story did you think it would be?” Lin Cheng asked, curiosity lighting his voice.
“I thought…” Xu Wanyue took a sip from her glass and continued, “The records I saw were all about Si Ming joining the Alliance. He completed every mission nearly flawlessly, fended off Catastrophes time and again, rising from S-rank to SS-rank, until even SSS-grade threats were no match for him. In the end, he grew as powerful as a creator god, venturing alone into the Abyss to seal its rifts…”
Hero tales made for captivating listening, yet it felt like only his name endured in the end. Lin Cheng spoke softly. “In the beginning, it was the seniors who looked after me. Because my ability showed such immense potential, they deliberately shielded me. For Si Ming’s story to reach this conclusion, they mattered far more than I did—but now, they’re all gone.”
“So why retire?”
Rumors swirled endlessly about the true reason for Si Ming’s retirement, but Xu Wanyue hung on his every word, eager for the real answer. Lin Cheng pondered seriously for a moment. “I’m no good at navigating conflicts between people. If I’d stayed in the Alliance, every choice I made would hurt someone. I didn’t want that burden of responsibility. That’s one part of it. The other… if my power kept growing, bad things would happen.”
“Bad things?”
Lin Cheng raised a finger to his lips in a shushing gesture. “Speaking it aloud might make it real.”
“So… what exactly is Fate?” That was Xu Wanyue’s second burning question.
Si Ming’s registered ability with the Alliance was [Fate]. Yet in battle, he wielded only pure Energy and overwhelming force. Mission reports also noted him employing Instant Step, clones, elements, mental assaults, and more besides. To this day, no one truly knew what his power entailed.
“Fate is just… fate.”
“Why go all cryptic on me now?” Xu Wanyue’s eyes dimmed with mild exasperation.
“It’s hard to put into words. Every ability runs on a specific flow of Energy. My eyes can pierce through anyone’s Energy flow and reveal the shape of their Energy Core. Fate lets me mimic those shapes, so in theory, I can wield any ability.”
Lin Cheng scratched his head. “My power isn’t that vast right now, though, so I can’t use many of them—and I rarely bother anyway. Mostly, I rely on Mimicry Abyss. That’s not even part of Fate; it’s a prize I claimed from the Abyss itself.”
“What’s really inside the Abyss?”
“Ah…” Lin Cheng scratched his head again. “That’s a secret.”
Si Ming’s story ended there.
Lin Cheng had little desire to dwell on the past. Those early memories, from the first couple of years especially, haunted his dreams countless times, always laced with wails and screams.
Xu Wanyue settled beside him on the plush sofa. They were on their third round of drinks now. Her head swam with a pleasant buzz, drawing her body closer to his. Lin Cheng heard her whisper, “Lin Cheng.”
“Hm?”
“There’s something super important!”
“Shoot.”
“If… later I get too drunk and hug you, suggesting we do something naughty… you absolutely can’t.”
“…”
Lin Cheng turned to regard Xu Wanyue with a wry, lingering gaze. “What even is that?”
“Because I still wanna have a couple more drinks.” Her reply came out aggrieved.
“Got it.” Lin Cheng watched her, torn between laughter and exasperation. They finished the glass, then ordered another. Xu Wanyue held her liquor decently—far better than Lu Xiaoxiao, at least. After two more, her soft form slumped fully against him. Lin Cheng gave her leg a gentle pinch. Xu Wanyue blinked open her bleary eyes and peered at him. “Drank too much.”
“Then why these last two?”
“Felt like… you wanted just a bit more. So I kept you company.” She murmured her answer, then suddenly looped her arms around his neck, pulling him tight. Her cheek nestled into the crook of his neck, her warm breath cascading down.
What a dummy.
Lin Cheng brushed her cheek—it burned hot. He sat still and compliant for a good while, until she stirred and lifted her head a fraction clearer. Only then did he rise, steadying her by the shoulders. Xu Wanyue had already paid the tab. They descended to hail a cab. In the back seat, she pillowed her head on his lap and shut her eyes.
“Gonna go to your place!” she slurred suddenly.
“Why my place all of a sudden?”
“See Black Cat.” She flailed an arm upward.
“…”
Half an hour later, Lin Cheng eased Xu Wanyue from the cab. Her legs wobbled unsteadily, so he scooped her up entirely. She clung to his neck, eyes closed.
At his door, Lin Cheng unlocked it. Black Cat lay quietly on the living room table. He lowered Xu Wanyue, and she beelined for the cat, scooping it into her arms.
Lin Cheng’s cat was impeccably well-behaved. It offered no protest even as Xu Wanyue ruffled its head. But one step later, her foot skidded out from under her, sending her pitching forward with cat in tow.
Right—high heels.
Lin Cheng caught her mid-fall and carried her to the sofa. He knelt to slip off her shoes, then went hunting for the pink slippers. They were gone.
Huh? Odd.
Wait…
A faint splash echoed from the bathroom. Lin Cheng scratched his head—was the booze playing tricks? He patted Xu Wanyue’s shoulder. “Hang tight. I’ll check something…”
The bathroom light glowed, water running within. Lin Cheng rapped on the door. “Who’s there?”
One second. Two. Then it swung open.
Jiang Lingxue stood bathed in the light, water droplets tracing her porcelain skin, those pink slippers on her feet.
“You’re back?” Her gaze met his evenly.
“Why are you here?”
“Rain. Too loud. Couldn’t sleep.”
Her explanation cut straight to the point. She caught the alcohol on his breath. “Bad timing?”
She brushed past him into the living room and spotted Xu Wanyue, slumped dazedly on the sofa. Footsteps rousing her, Xu Wanyue lifted her head languidly.
There stood Jiang Lingxue, utterly bare.
Xu Wanyue rubbed her eyes, then called out, “Lin Cheng! Lin Cheng…”
“Right here.”
“I’m seeing things!” Astonished, she lurched to her feet barefoot and tottered over, poking tentatively at Jiang Lingxue’s breast.
Huh. It jiggles.
She looked up, mind sharpening slightly. Her cheeks bloomed red moments later, words tumbling stuttered. “Y-you… how are you here?”
“Bad timing?” Jiang Lingxue glanced back at Lin Cheng.
“Perfect timing, actually.” He patted her shoulder. “Be a good girl and help me get her bathed.”
“Drop her in your bed after?”
“Nope. Sofa for me.”
“Oh.” Jiang Lingxue offered her hand to Xu Wanyue. “Come on. Bath time.”
Xu Wanyue took it blankly and got tugged inside. Lin Cheng sank onto the living room sofa, mind a whirl. Half an hour passed before Jiang Lingxue emerged carrying Xu Wanyue—two girls’ porcelain, flawless forms on display. Eyes front no more, Lin Cheng squeezed them shut. Jiang Lingxue crossed the room, deposited Xu Wanyue on Lin Cheng’s bed, and drew the covers over her.
Xu Wanyue shut her eyes obediently. Jiang Lingxue exited; the living room stood empty—Lin Cheng had gone to bathe. Undeterred, she strode into the bathroom. Lin Cheng was gleefully lathering bubbles when she appeared, his face freezing in shock.
“What’re you doing?” He eyed her warily.
“Need a hand?” She cocked her head.
Lin Cheng gaped. “Can’t picture those words from you.”
“Mocking me?”
“…Nah.” He scratched his head. She’d already circled behind, slathering body wash across his back. It felt off—weirdly intimate. Young Lady Jiang usually bossed him into scrubbing hers, but her returning the favor? First time ever.
And not with her hands.
Soft. Warm. Foam thickened lushly. Cold shower spray pattered down. Lin Cheng heard her ask flatly, “Wrong timing again?”
“Nah. Nothing was gonna happen.”
“A woman gets drunk, follows you home—nothing happens?”
“She swore me off before blacking out. No moves on her.”
“Scared you’ll tire of her and toss her aside. Do it anyway drunk, and she hooks you with your guilt.”
“Wait—you get it so well.”
“Women know women. Weird?”
“Kinda makes sense.”
Lin Cheng spun around. Foam blanketed the girl’s skin too—teetering between enticing and outright erotic. Rinse it clean: merely enticing. Leave it: pure temptation.
