Main Story Ch. 3-20 - The Seawaters and The Flames (海水与火焰) | Light and Night 光与夜之恋

Read 3-19's LIGHT END here and NIGHT END here

Two days later, I've contacted Lin Yao, and have made an arrangement to meet in a coffee shop.

She looked a little tired, but her clear eyes are still sparkling brightly, and have been staring close at me. I took out an envelop from my bag and handed it to her.

You: I was requested by someone to pass this to you.

Lin Yao receives the letter, and looked at me in confusion after seeing the contract for termination agreement.

You: There's your mother's... I mean your manager's signature.

Lin Yao's lashes trembled a little. There's something sparkly dangling from the corner of her eyes, making me to feel a little sad too.

At this moment, an orange paper butterfly fell out from the envelope.

Lin Yao: Where did you get this? He... Where is he now?

I stayed quiet, unsure of how I should answer her.

Lin Yao: Big Brother Bai Mu...Will he not return anymore?

Bai Mu? Is this that person's name? I suddenly remembered that he said he has forgotten his name long ago, but Lin Yao has always remembered.

You: He left...

Lin Yao: ... I understood now. Thank you.

I think she probably have guessed the meanings in my words, but she didn't cry. The expressions from this girl that have always been fragile right now is something that I have never expected - brave and strong.

She smiled as she touched the wings of the butterfly.

Lin Yao: Thank you... Whether it's during the times in orphanage when we were young, or this time. From now on, I will never let myself be manipulated by others, I will listen to my own heart.

I wholeheartedly feel happy for her, but the sense of soreness suddenly gushed up to my nose. She kept the letter, stood up, and was about to leave. But after a few steps, she suddenly turned around, with the sunshine shining onto her smooth face, making her smile to look so ever gentle.

Lin Yao: I really hate acting, but I can see that you really like designing, you will be able to make clothes that are even better-looking in future.

The door of the coffee shop is pulled open. Under the clear blue skies, a group of birds are flying towards the end of dazzling lights.

Osborn: Passed it out?

I've returned to my senses, and looked towards the Osborn that is standing by the shop's entrance.

You: Thank you for waiting.

Osborn: Not at all, let's go.

You: Lin Yao will have a free life.

After a moment of silence, Osborn suddenly spoke.

Osborn: Actually, I admire that person quite a lot.

You: Ah?

Very quickly, I understood that he meant Bai Mu.

Osborn: After Lin Yao was adopted by the manager, she quickly became famous in the entertainment industry. As for that man... I've made some investigations last night. After he's left the orphanage, he has been working as a screenwriter for a couple of web dramas, trying to enter the entertainment industry. Although he had been gradually parting from Lin Yao, but he has never gave up to chase after her. If I were him, if I've missed out, then I'll miss out, and never look for that person again.

You: Why?

Osborn: It's like a form of disruption.

You: But whether it's a disruption or not, you'll have to confirm it by yourself, isn't it? Osborn, you're so brave on the race tracks, why are you such a shrinking violet in such matters?

He widened his eyes with surprise. It's the first time I've seen him turning speechless, and I actually found it a little cute. Very quickly, his gaze turned serious and firm, even with a tint of unwillingness to admit defeat.

Osborn: Shrinking violet? It's just that I have yet to meet that person. When I finally meet that person, I will definitely confirm it in person.

Within a high rise building in the other end of this city, Evan quietly sits in front of the giant French windows. The door is pushed open, with a man respectfully walked before him, lowering his head.

Zhou Yan: HCP18407 has been retrieved, and the scene has been camouflaged completely.

Evan: Very well.

Zhou Yan: There's one more thing.  HCP18407 has also went into an abnormal berserk during daytime. The cause is currently unknown. Should we report this to master?

Evan turned over, looking towards the misty scene outside the window.

Evan: No need. Keep investigating.

Main Story Ch. 3-19 (NIGHT END) - The Seawaters and The Flames (海水与火焰) | Light and Night 光与夜之恋

Previously on 3-16... (Read it here, or read the LIGHT END here)

Osborn: That's because you have yet to realize how dangerous I am. 

He suddenly leaned a little closer, opened my palm, placed a bunch sweet on it, turned around and suavely walked away.

Osborn: They are all yours.

I look at his figure gradually drifting away, and held onto the lemon-flavored sweets in my palms tightly.

The clouds with the colors of flames are now covered with the half-blue veil of the skies, night is coming.

Wen Wan: Wait for me a little at the entrance, I'll drive the car over.

You: Ok, sorry to bother you.

I took my gaze away from the distant skies, and looked towards the tattered shop, and for one moment I thought it looked like a background screen full of holes on the stage play of destiny. Groups of dragonflies flew past me lowly, and the sky is darkening. 

"Drip."

I can feel a drop of water fell onto my lashes.

You: It's raining?

The thunder sounded, followed by the crashing rain droplets. I quickly hid towards the eaves.

You: Why isn't Wen Wan back yet...

I was hesitating if I should look for him under the rain, but suddenly I noticed something bright-colored lying on the floor not far away from me.

That is an orange paper butterfly, just that the sides have been burnt.

I picked it up. At this moment, great sadness has almost drowned me. A grand parting has happened in my body, as if all of the regrets have turned into eternity at this very moment. I think, I will have this feeling carved into my mind forever.

At this moment, a footstep that is in no hurry could be heard from behind. I thought it's Wen Wan that have returned, but as soon as I turned around, something cold has covered my back.

Click clack, the sound of bullet being loaded could be heard.

You: !

I paused my breath, and when I was feeling at a loss, a familiar voice could be heard.

Evan: Close your eyes.

I'm now dragged into a wide embrace.

Until I'm surrounded with the familiar scent of silvery wormwood*, only by then I've realized that I've been trembling all over.

*T/N: The plant that Evan smells like is 苦艾草, or silvery wormwood. It's of the the Artemisia genus, usually found in east Asia. It has a little tint of spicy smell, and blooms in summer with little yellow flowers. The leaves has a scent of lemon. It's also said that if you place the leaves into the pillows it'll help you to sleep, as well as improve blood circulation.

Evan: Don't be afraid.

My vision is covered by Evan's palm, and everything before me is pitch black. I have no idea what happened, and I could only hear the sounds of metals colliding towards the floor.

After a moment, when the surroundings have turned completely quiet, the expected sounds of gunshots wasn't heard. Only then, Evan let go of me. He held an umbrella up, with a flash of scarlet in his eyes that he didn't manage to keep in time. 

Evan: Sorry, I'm late. Are you alright?

You: ... Why are you here?

Evan: I knew you are in danger, so I came.

You: How did you know?

He doesn't seem like he wanted to continue on this topic, putting on a look of resistance, but I don't know how I should understand this response.

You: No matter what it is, thank you.

Evan smiled, and his gaze fell onto the paper butterfly in my hand.

Evan: Is this yours?

You: No, it belongs to someone I know.

I carefully placed the paper butterfly into my pocket. Perhaps it's my instincts, perhaps it was just my wishful thinking, but I think that there will be a day I can meet Lin Yao again, and pass this to her.

Evan: That person seemed to really treasure this butterfly, the edges looked like it has been rubbed many times.

You: Yes, he treasures it very much. This butterfly... You can say that it gave him the strength to live on.

Evan have been quietly listening to me with a serious expression.

You: Do you not believe it?

He hesitated for a moment, and shook his head.

Evan: No, I believe it.

The rainwaters dripped onto the umbrella, and the sounds are gradually louder.

You: I kept feeling that there's another half of the sentence that you've left unsaid. 

Evan: The other half of the sentence may not be music to your ears.

You: It's alright, I'm just really curious.

Evan: I just think that the strength came more from imagination, rather than real feelings. Let's go, I'll send you home.

Main Story Ch. 3-19 (LIGHT END) - The Seawaters and The Flames (海水与火焰) | Light and Night 光与夜之恋

Previously on 3-16... (Read it here, Or read the NIGHT END HERE)

Osborn: That's because you have yet to realize how dangerous I am. 

He suddenly leaned a little closer, opened my palm, placed a bunch sweet on it, turned around and suavely walked away.

Osborn: They are all yours.

I look at his figure gradually drifting away, and held onto the lemon-flavored sweets in my palms tightly.

After sending the manager into the car, I turned back to look into the evening sky, and suddenly remembered the blue flames that have gently surrounding me outside the training field. Just leaving Osborn alone like this, is it really alright to do so?

Wen Wan: Let's go!

After hesitating for a moment, I closed the car door.

You: Please send her back first, I wanted to stay here to wait for Osborn.

Wen Wan: But Big Bro Xiao made me to send you back...

You: I'm just waiting for him a little, I'm not doing anything dangerous.

After Wen Wan left, I returned to the shop's entrance, waiting by Osborn's bike. On the top floor of the abandoned building lies a thrilling battle. 

A man in black is holding a cold machine gun as blue flames continuously appear from Osborn's palms, where the bullets disappear as soon as they reached the flames. Suddenly, the man in black was struck by the blue flame and flew a few meters backwards, with his gun now fell onto the floor.

Osborn took the opportunity to kick the gun away, and gazed at the opponent from above.

Man in Black: ... ?!

The man in black crouched his body, looking hideous, with a flash of scarlet flashing from his eyes.

Osborn: Did you guys capture this guy back then?

Osborn looked towards a side, the man just now is leaning against the rails on the rooftop, looking like he's about to fall down.

Osborn: Who sent you here?

Man in Black: I advise you to stop meddling into others' business.

Osborn squinted as he measures the man in black, full of thoughts.

Osborn: What kind of scheme are the Strains onto?

Realizing that single flash of astonishment from the black man, he sharply turned over, but realized that the rails have now turned empty, only a cloud of smoke slowly rising.

Osborn no longer put on a calm expression, and immediately dashed towards the side of the rails. 

In the shadows of building from afar stands a single person. He quietly witnessed everything, and turned around for his leave.

The sun has already set, and groups of dragonflies flew by my side. Looks like it's going to be a stormy night.

"Bang bang--!!"

A sudden sound could be heard from the top of the shop, and made me quiver.

You: It's... gunshot?!

I hurriedly looked into the distance, as expected, there are smoke coming out from the rooftop.

You: Is Osborn there?

My actions have acted faster than my thoughts, I immediately pushed the entrance of the escape room, wanting to look for the passage to the rooftop. A tall figure walked out from the depths of the darkness.

You: Osborn!

Seeing him being safe, the heavy feelings in my heart has finally been lifted, and I immediately ran towards him.

The moment he looked up and saw me, he frowned a little.

Osborn: Didn't I let you to go back?

You: I wanted to wait for you. Are you alright? I heard gunshots earlier, and I saw smoke too, looks like there was fire?

I examined Osborn in detail, noticing that there are a few burnt openings on his sleeves, and quickly held onto his hand.

You: Quick, let me have a look!

Luckily, it's only the sleeve opening that is charred, Osborn's hands are not injured. I let out a breath in relief. Osborn gently patted the back of my head, and did not say a single word.

Only then, I noticed that he's holding onto something else on the other hand -- it's a contract of termination agreement, and a orange paper butterfly. The edge of the butterfly seemed to have been burned by fire, despite looking tattered, it's still trying its best to retain its original shape.

You: ... Is it from that person?

Osborn: Yeah.

You: Then where is he?

Osborn's eyes gazed into somewhere distant, putting on a rare look of hesitation.

Osborn: ... Disappeared.

Osborn: Disappeared? Did he escape, or?

I took the paper butterfly over, and right then, feelings of extreme sadness and regret almost drowned me. The overly strong emotions made me top questioning, and remembering the expression of Osborn just now, my heart now feel even more at a loss.

What's with the sound of gunshot just now? Where did the man go? The hell that made them into blood-sucking beasts, where exactly is that?

I could faintly feel that the cloud of questions is surrounded by mists, and we are already involved into it from a long time ago.

Osborn: I know what you're thinking.

I turned over, and looked at Osborn.

Osborn: If you're acting like this, you'll make me really regret for bringing you here.

You: No, this is my own choice. It's just that there are too much that happened today that made me confused. I knew that this incident might not have an end yet, so I wanted to find out the truth behind it instinctively. However, life goes on... I will not let the unknown and fear to disturb my life, and affect my mood. Don't worry. In my eyes, you're only the racer Osborn!

I smiled hard towards Osborn, and on the next second, he smiled too.

Osborn: You said that.

You: Yeah, I said that.

Osborn: Alright, I'll monitor.

Suddenly, the sounds of thunders from afar could be heard. Before I could return to my senses, the raindrops have already started to fall along with the crackling sounds. 

Osborn raised an arm, opening his jacket and covered the top of my head.

Osborn: What are you spacing out for? It's already raining.

He pulled my wrist, and dragged me onto the bike, driving into the rain. The dense raindrops passed through his jacket and fell onto my body, bring some coolness.

You: Osborn, thank you!

Osborn: Do you plan to dismiss me by merely saying a 'thank you'?

You: Then... What do you want me to do?

Osborn: Next Sunday, come and watch me compete.

Osborn: Sure! Will you get the first place?

Osborn burst out in a laughter, then aggressively turned the throttle.

Osborn: How about giving it a try?

You: Ah---!

Main Story Ch. 3-16- The Seawaters and The Flames (海水与火焰) | Light and Night 光与夜之恋

Previously in 3-14... (Read it here)

Only seeing him to squat down, and pulling out a small and delicate tool from his pocket, and started to tinkle with the door lock.

As time passes, the movements from the inside has gradually turned louder. My heart is starting to feel a little uneasy too. In this quiet atmosphere, suddenly a click sound could be heard.

The door is opened.

The air was filled with the unspeakable smell of spoilt food, with hemp ropes, capsules, and tiny pieces of orange papers scattered around our feet.

You: This is...

Every piece of paper has a folding trace lingering on it, and some among them are folded into the shapes of butterfly. Paper butterfly, security guard, race car, a girl's figure immediately appeared in my mind.

Osborn: The sound earlier came from that side.

I look towards the corner of the room, there's a row of tall shelves that somewhat covers the person behind it. The rays of light shined from the back of the cabinet, leaving a shadow. I could hear the tearing and wrapping sounds of tape, mixing with the sounds of heavy breathing. The one that is being controlled sounded like they are in great pains.

??: I have no more time to mess around with you anymore!

Osborn turned over and exchanged glances with me. We quietly get closer to that side. Through the slit between the shelves, I can see the man that assaulted me. He's using a hemp rope to tie a woman onto a chair.

The woman whined and tried to struggle, but the angered man kicked the chair over!

You: !

At the moment where the chair falls over, I saw a familiar face. It's Lin Yao's manager?!

My heart felt cold. I gave Osborn a tug, and lowered my voice.

You: I know the one that's kidnapped. She's the mother of celebrity Lin Yao, and also her manager.

Osborn's lowered his gaze a little, then gesture a 'shh'.

Man: You should've think of your end since the very moment you locked her up in the attic and abuse her. Hurry! Sign the agreement... Can you hear?! Else... Else then I'll make you disappear forever!

The manager that's tied up nodded aggressively, holding onto the pen that is forced into her hand, writing with difficulty.

After a moment of silence, the man laughed. The laugh actually sounded a little tragic.

Man: That's right, finally the contract has terminated, she's finally free...

He kidnapped the manager to terminate the contract for Lin Yao and return her freedom that she had? But I wasn't getting in touch with Lin Yao that much, so why did he assault me?

Before I can think it through, there's suddenly a bright knife in the man's hand... Oh no!

The shelf was suddenly kicked off, Osborn agilely threw a few pebbles over, and the knife fell down with a clang sound.

The man angrily stood up and turned over, wanting to know who's behind him, but he's already surrounded by the blue flames! He cried in pain and knelt onto the floor, but his gaze have been fixated towards the direction of the contract that fell towards, crawling as he reaches his arm towards that piece of paper.

It's as if he's laughing, but it's also seemed like he's crying, with those trembling hands fearfully picking up the contract, carefully folding it and place it properly in the inner pocket in his chest.

The manager twisted her body and let out cries for help, the face that was full of pride is now full of scars. I walked forward to tear the tape on her mouth.

Manager: He- Help me! He's a maniac! You're a policeman right? Hurry up and arrest him! Get me out of here! That maniac suddenly caught me here, making me to sign the agreement to terminate my contract with Yaoyao! Quick, tear the agreement for me!

Man: Don't even think about it! I will never let you to manipulate her again even if I had to die.

Manager: Stop dreaming! I'm Lin Yao's mother, whatever I say, she will listen to me.

Man: You aren't even worthy of that!

Hearing what the manager has said, his emotions suddenly became more agitated, with a completely heartbroken expression now written all over his face.

Man: What have you treated her as? Your cash cow?! I should've stopped her from going with you in the orphanage back then! She went to you so happily back then, thinking that she will be having a family from then onward...

Manager: Back then? You're from the orphanage too? You're a child from there!

Man: Not just that, I was so close to being adopted by you, mother.

These pieces of fragments have now connected in my mind, forming an outline of what has happened. Lin Yao is an adopted child from an orphanage, and has known this man since childhood. The racer friend that Lin Yao said she like is probably him. The man has disappeared for a long time due to an unknown reason. After his return, he knew that Lin Yao was being squeezed dry, so he kidnapped the manager and forced her to sign the agreement of contract termination.

The agitated manager stood up, as if she wanted to say something, but her body shook a few times, and fainted on the ground. Osborn picked up the knife that fell onto the ground, and held the sharp blade to the man's neck.

Osborn: From now on, all you need to do is to answer my questions.

Man: Osborn, this does not concern you.

Osborn: Don't talk nonsense. Were the assaults in the past few days of your doing?

Man: ... Yeah.

After a short silence, Osborn took out a bracelet from his pocket-- It's the double-headed patterned nameplate bracelet that I saw on the rooftop on the other day.

Osborn: This is yours, right?

The man's eyes showed shock and sense of desire, and immediately stretched out his hand to snatch it.

Man: My bracelet! Why is it with you!! It's you who put me into trouble!

Osborn: Don't move, explain your words. What does it do?

Man: To suppress us from turning berserk.

Osborn turned the bracelet to another angle, pointing to the back of the nameplate.

Osborn: HCP18407, what is it?

Man: This is, my name.

Osborn: The 'us' that you said, who are 'us'?

The man seemed like he wanted to laugh, but his skin is sticking to the bones as if it's being air-dried, making his movements extremely difficult, leaving with only both of his eyeballs that could turn freely. As he laughs, he shrugged, and started to let out a low cry.

Man: I don't know. We've been prisoned, and our existence and names have been wiped off, everyone has a code. Hearing, taste, sense of touch... All of our senses have been slowly taken away bit by bit, and in the end we become a beast that can only live through bloodsucking. 

He spaces out as he stares onto the floor, with his voice gradually becoming hoarse.

Man: I witnessed my closest partner becoming an empty shell, and I failed the experiment, and is discarded like a scrap. It took me great efforts to escape before I was destroyed, and all this was just to see Yaoyao! But I've lost the daily supplies, and I've lost the suppressing bracelet, that my condition gradually worsened. When it's nighttime, I can't control myself but to assault others...

Osborn: Night? But you've assaulted her during daytime.

Osborn raised an arm and pointed towards me.

Man: I don't know, I just suddenly smelled a very thick smell of blood, it's, it's this smell.

The man raised his head and looked at me, with desires written all over his face. It's as if he's going to pounce over me in a second. However, he struggled as he chokes his neck, forcing himself to take a few steps back.

Man: Her blood has a special attraction, that will make me lose my mind, and by the time my senses have returned to me, I've already assaulted her! I know I'm committing a crime, but I have to live!

Osborn turned silent, and only resumed talking after quite a while.

Osborn: Who locked you guys up?

Man: I don't know... I only know we are the lowest beings that are existing. Not allowed to know any secrets. I only know that all those people who are locking us up are from the Strains.

Osborn: Have you seen a man that is about 40-years old, with a moderate height, wearing a pair of spectacles that has the same pattern as the nameplate? 

The man shook his head with no hesitation.

Man: There are only orphans that are around my age, I've never seen anyone more than 30 years old.

"Dong... Dong..." a few weird sounds came from the glass window above.

I turned over and have a look, it's a purplite bird*, pecking on the window with its sharp beak. Osborn stunned, with a heavy expression on his face that I've never seen, he let go of the man's collar, and immediately turned over and pounced towards me.

Osborn: Get down!

"Bang--!"

The window shattered to the sound, and the shards are scattering everywhere!

A flock of purplite birds* flew in, densely packing the space, and attacking towards us. I am securely shielded under Osborn, he releases the blue flames, turning it into a barrier before us.

The sounds of flapping wings, collisions, and the sharp chirps of the birds filled the entire dark room, making one's hair stand on end. The development of the current situation has completely exceeded our expectations. The sounds of vibration of the footsteps came from all over; the orange shreds of paper have been flying around along with the vibrations, like the butterflies that have their wings snapped off, blocking our sights.

*T/N: Crediting the term Purplite Bird to Ran, you may also refer to her translations here in her blog.

After quite a while, the noises have finally stopped. The man has now disappeared without a trace.

You: Osborn, he...

Osborn: Get out first.

I nodded, bringing the fainted manager along with Osborn, and ran all the way to the exit.

When we reached the outdoors, my eyes suddenly couldn't get used to the sunlight, the abandoned building before my eyes have gotten so unfamiliar, as if they came from another world. I can't help myself but to look at Osborn, he's holding onto a watch very tightly, with his gaze falling onto the double-headed snake pattern on the center of the dial. 

I've finally understood, no matter if it's the search of bracelet on the rooftop, or the time he asked me about the meaning of this image outside the museum, everything is probably related to this watch. He seemed to be asking about a man's whereabouts just now too. 

I wanted to say something to console him, but my gaze was attracted by a shouting sound in front of us. A chubby man is waving his arms as he runs over to us.

??: Big Bro Xiao, I've come over as soon as I received your message, what happened?

Osborn has kept the watch away and looked at me.

Osborn: He's Wen Wan, let him send you home.

You: Then how about you? Aren't you leaving together?

Osborn: I still have some things to do, that I have to make it clear.

You: ...... Are you going back to look for him?

Osborn: Did you forget what I've said again? The more secrets you know, the more you will---

He smirked, and quietly gazed elsewhere.

You: Alright then... Please be careful.

Osborn: These trivial things will not trouble me at all. You're this worried?

You: I feel that things might not be this simple, I'm just worried that there might be other dangers...

Osborn: That's because you have yet to realize how dangerous I am. 

He suddenly leaned a little closer, opened my palm, placed a bunch sweet on it, turned around and suavely walked away.

Osborn: They are all yours.

I look at his figure gradually drifting away, and held onto the lemon-flavored sweets in my palms tightly.