Chapter 96: The Third Movement: March (VII)

Sunlight struggled to pierce through the thick, viscous clouds, leaving only a few frail rays slanting across the window.

Her forehead pressed against the glass, eyes lowered, the dying light falling upon her face, casting thin, delicate shadows.

"Rovina?"

The soft voice behind her stirred her slowly from the depths of memory.

"Is it time?" she asked quietly, her voice hoarse.

"Four more hours…" Melissa shoved the steaming cup into Rovina's hands, "Drink some water first, rest a bit…"

"Mm…" Rovina took a small sip; the warm water slid down her throat, slowly moistening her withered, exhausted shell.

"Why did the Company…"

"That's not our concern…" Rovina shook her head, cutting off Melissa's unfinished words, "We only need to bury Bit and Beros."

"Rovina…" Melissa lifted her head, studying Rovina's profile closely, lips parting but words unspoken.

"What is it?"

"Are you alright…?"

"I'm fine…" Rovina shook her head toward the gloomy sky, gulping the hot water like it was scalding liquor.

Broken light brushed her red hairtips—once a fiery hue, now dulled to the color of dried blood.

◎

"How about this one?"

Yahweh watched Hita lift her skirt and turn slowly; the dark woolen gown wrapped her like black petals cradling a pure white core, unfolding as she spun.

A black silk veil draped over her silver hair, revealing glimpses of the girl's flawless, unadorned face.

"Perfect fit," he murmured, gently steadying his swaying girlfriend after the spin.

"Good," Hita tapped her foot lightly, "Except my feet hurt a little…"

Yahweh's gaze followed her words, settling on the leather cat-heeled shoes, playfully bobbing with each movement of the hem.

"Same here—I'm not used to high heels," Lucy pushed aside the curtain of the adjacent dressing room and stepped out, stumbling on her stilettos.

"How do I look?" she whispered, grasping the hand Hita offered to steady her.

A long coat draped over her shirt, white flowers blooming at the collar; tailored pants traced every flawless curve of her body.

"Beautiful," Yahweh nodded, reaching out to take Lucy's discarded clothing bag.

"Should we buy flowers?"

"A bouquet of pure white fresh flowers costs more than all three of our outfits combined…" Lucy answered Hita's question, brushing her slightly disheveled hair.

"Then forget it…" Hita, accustomed to hardship, preferred frugality.

After all, it was the funeral of a stranger—no need for unnecessary expenses.

"Let's go back, put away these clothes, then head to the funeral," Lucy glanced at the mall clock—three hours left, more than enough.

"Yahweh? Come on, stop zoning out—we'll let you stare all you want when we get back…" Hita waved her hand before her boyfriend's blue eyes.

Yahweh snapped back to attention, reaching out to gently brush a broken strand of hair from Hita's shoulder.

"Alright…" he murmured, glancing at the torrent of data swirling beside him, his face showing no trace of disturbance.

◎

"Mr. Paul, what do you think of my plan?"

Zhang Xian'an bowed low, speaking with utmost deference to the man seated above him.

Paul slowly sliced his medium-rare natural steak, listening silently to his audacious plan.

The sharp silver knife cut through tender flesh, leaving behind a trail of crimson blood, one drop after another.

"Try it…" he said casually, as if dozens or hundreds of living lives were nothing but meaningless numbers.

"If it succeeds, with so many experimental samples…"

"Don't imagine results before success," Paul softly interrupted Zhang Xian'an's fevered enthusiasm, "Now sit down and eat. There's still plenty of time."

"Yes, Mr. Paul."

Zhang Xian'an sat obediently, snatching food from the table and wolfing it down in huge, ravenous bites, like a starving ghoul.

The noon light, after enduring great hardship, breathed weakly upon the face of this demon—yet had lost all power to judge.

Zhang Xian'an wiped the crimson from his lips, squinting as if the sunlight hurt his eyes; after seeking Paul's permission, he pulled the restaurant curtains shut.

"Aren't you concerned about your family?"

Darkness, heavy and creeping, swallowed the light; Paul set down his knife and fork, asking calmly.

"Family?" Zhang Xian'an sneered, "I have no family—only a woman I've chased endlessly but never reached, and a group of obedient tools."

Paul nodded, saying nothing.

"Mr. Paul, have you read the Bible?" Perhaps due to the oppressive silence, Zhang Xian'an volunteered to continue.

"I've skimmed it…" Paul gripped the warm drink beside him, answering softly.

"My favorite is Revelation Chapter Six…" Zhang Xian'an licked his dry lips, a mad gleam lighting his face.

"Revelation?" Paul picked up a napkin and wiped his mouth.

"'I watched as the Lamb opened the First Seal…'" Zhang Xian'an nodded uncontrollably, chanting the ancient passage in the cadence of Ancient Hebrew.

"Enough, enough…" Paul frowned, tapping the table three times slowly.

"Sorry—I lost control…" Zhang Xian'an snapped back to himself, frantically wiping sweat from his face.

Paul gave a slight nod, paying no mind to his disgrace.

"If there's nothing else, may I leave?" Zhang Xian'an asked quietly; upon receiving confirmation, he turned and hurried out.

He violently shoved open the wooden door—unaware someone stood behind it.

The heavy door sliced through the air, striking the woman in red and sending her crashing to the floor.

"I'm sorry..." He quickly helped up the woman he had been longing for, continuously expressing his apologies, "Why are you here?"

"Ow..." Her beautiful face twisted slightly as An Xianyuan kept rubbing her back, speaking in fits and starts, "I'm hungry..."

"Next time, just ask logistics to deliver your meal to your office..." Zhang Xian'an sighed helplessly and sent a quick message to the Company's logistics department.

"Then I'll go back to my office?" An Xianyuan studied this man who had become so unfamiliar to her and sighed.

"Mm..." Zhang Xian'an nodded, releasing his hold on her, and turned to walk toward his own office.

Just as he was about to leave, as if remembering something, he halted his steps, turned his body, and softly warned An Xianyuan, who had not yet left: "Don't leave the Company today... Stay safe."

"What does that mean? Hey!" An Xianyuan wrinkled her nose and called out several times to the man's retreating back, but received no reply.