The Creatures That We Are

Chapter 931: New Year Bath

In the taxi, Ting Ting kept one arm linked with One Stone while her fingers flew across her phone screen. Within minutes, she'd analyzed a dozen bathhouses and hundreds of reviews, securing a reservation at the highest-rated establishment. Her efficiency was remarkable.

Half an hour later, they registered at the front desk, changing their shoes and getting marked bracelets before entering the women's locker room.

It was considerately set up with stalls covered by curtains for those who got easily bashful. Ting Ting ducked into one, unaccustomed to changing in the open. She'd barely slipped off her down jacket when a metallic bang echoed through the room—the sound of a locker closing.

Ting Ting asked through the curtain, “You’re done changing into a bathrobe, Sister One Stone?”

"Just about." Fabric rustled against skin.

"You're quick!" Ting Ting forced a chuckle. "Go ahead without me. I'll catch up."

"Alright. I'll be in the bath."

Ting Ting pressed her ear to the curtain, holding her breath until One Stone's slippered footsteps faded away. With trembling fingers, she pulled out her phone.

The lock screen showed her only photo with Liao Liao and Liu Qingying—three girls on a park bench between busy streets, sipping milk tea and sharing gossip under the guise of a mission, bathed in warm sunlight. Whenever her resolve wavered, this image steadied her. She drew a deep breath, tucked the phone away, and quickly pulled her jacket back on.

The curtain whispered open. Ting Ting spun with a strangled cry, her heart leaping to her throat.

One Stone stood in the opening, her hair elegantly swept up, her loose white robe revealing long, graceful legs. Her bare feet pressed against the cool tiles. Though she smiled, the warmth had drained from her expression, leaving something sharp and calculating behind her glasses.

"Ting Ting," she said softly, "why are you putting your jacket back on?"

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"I—I just need the toilet..." Ting Ting's attempt at a casual smile felt like a crack in porcelain.

"Really?" One Stone's voice carried a gentle mockery. "It's warm in here. Surely you don't need such heavy clothes for a quick bathroom trip. Aren't you uncomfortable?"

"Haha, no. I get cold easily."

"You've never been afraid of cold." One Stone adjusted her glasses with deliberate precision. "You're planning to run, aren't you?"

Ting Ting's heart stuttered.

Activate Air—

A sudden rage consumed her thoughts, burning away reason until only the urge to kill remained.

"Ah!"

She lunged at One Stone, who caught her attack with fluid grace. One leg sweep, and Ting Ting crashed to the floor, her wrist screaming in protest. The murderous fury vanished as quickly as it had come. Seed of Resentment was deactivated.

Their physical contact rendered Air Man useless. Ting Ting lay there, pulse thundering in her ears.

One Stone crouched beside her. "You weren't decisive enough, Ting Ting. There were so many opportunities for you to vanish into thin air on our way here. Don't you think it's a little late now?"

Ting Ting trembled, her face draining of color as tears welled in her eyes.

"I use Condition on you." One Stone pulled Ting Ting to her feet, then released her hand. "My energy will linger in your system. Air Man won't work on me. Don't try anything foolish."

"Sister One Stone—" Ting Ting's voice cracked. "I've never wronged you. Won't you—"

"Undress." One Stone's voice cut like ice.

"Please let me go..."

"Undress." The word hadn't changed, but the threat beneath it doubled.

Tears sliding down her cheeks, Ting Ting began removing her clothes. The down jacket fell first, followed by her sweater and jeans until she stood shivering in her undergarments, arms crossed protectively over herself.

"Continue," One Stone said.

Ting Ting's head snapped up. "More...?"

This wasn't about checking for weapons, it seemed.

“Keep going,” One Stone said icily.

Ting Ting bit her lip and stripped further, each piece of clothing falling away with her dignity.

One Stone's gaze never wavered.

“Take off your socks, too,” One Stone ordered. “Remove the rubberband and let your hair down.”

Ting Ting stopped resisting or asking why. She followed One Stone’s orders and stood under the woman’s scrutiny without anything covering her body.

“Open your arms and turn around slowly.”

Ting Ting obeyed. She felt like she was receiving a full body checkup, or perhaps she was an animal waiting to be slaughtered.

“Alright.” One Stone grabbed a bathrobe and tossed it to Ting Ting. “Come to the bath with me.”

Ting Ting caught the robe, staring in confusion. They were actually going to bathe?

She didn't dare question it. Wrapping herself in the robe, she followed One Stone to the main bath area.

The noon hour left the large bathhouse nearly empty. Steam rose from the wooden barrel as they settled in. The peaceful setting made One Stone's cool voice all the more unsettling.

"Air Man doesn't make you invisible. It doesn't mask your energy signature."

Water lapped at the barrel's edges.

"Qilin's willpower blankets the entire hospital. His puppets are his signal towers."

“If you run, while Qilin wouldn’t know who it is immediately, he would know that an awakener has made an unauthorized move and grab you.”

"So you chose me. Used my official duties as your excuse to leave. Planned to slip away at the first opportunity."

Her smile held no warmth.

"You play the fool well, but there's quite the schemer behind that harmless facade." n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

“Sister One Stone...” Ting Ting broke down into tears. “I’m, I’m so scared. I don’t wanna die. And I especially don’t wanna be turned into a horrible puppet after death...”

“You know I’m useless, Sister One Stone. I pose no threat to anyone. Please let me go. I promise I’ll hide away from anyone and everyone. No one will ever find me.”

"I never should have joined any organization. I just want a normal life. If doomsday comes, I'll face it like everyone else. Is that so much to ask?" Her pleading eyes met One Stone's impassive gaze. "I know you're not cruel, Sister One Stone. Please... please spare me..."

One Stone's expression remained unchanged. "Turn around."