Lost in the Otherworld

"…It’s nothing." Gao Yang massaged his temples and turned toward the police car.

…

Officer Huang was driving steadily, the car moving at a slow, even pace, while soothing music played on the radio. One hand on the wheel, the other holding his phone, he was speaking with his wife.

"Someone at the bar got drunk and started a fight. I just handled it… Yeah, I’ll be home soon… Don’t wait up for me, honey, go to bed… Can’t sleep? Hungry? Alright, I’ll bring something home for you… It’s no trouble, just tell me what you’d like."

Hanging up, Officer Huang hummed happily along with the radio.

In the backseat, Gao Yang and Qing Ling sat quietly. After an intense battle, Qing Ling was utterly exhausted, and she soon fell asleep against the car window. Not long after, a sudden sharp turn caused her head to loll onto Gao Yang’s shoulder, her long hair spilling into his lap, carrying a faint, delicate fragrance.

"No need to thank me," Officer Huang grinned at Gao Yang through the rearview mirror.

Gao Yang, half exasperated, half amused, responded, "We’re not what you think."

"Oh?" Officer Huang’s tone suddenly took on a paternal air. "She’s been through a lot."

"Who?"

"Qing Ling," Officer Huang said softly. "I heard she awakened when she was just ten."

"Yes, her cousin told her."

"Ten years old… she must have faced so much hardship in such a terrifying world without even understanding it."

Gao Yang tilted his head slightly, gazing at Qing Ling. She looked far more relaxed in sleep, her brow unknotted, her long lashes resting peacefully. He had always seen her as beautiful, cold, and fierce, but at this moment, he glimpsed the fragility and softness of a young girl.

"We were lucky by comparison," Officer Huang remarked thoughtfully. "By the time we awakened, our minds were more or less mature, and we’d already experienced love in this world."

"That love is an illusion," Gao Yang added quietly.

"No, it’s the world that’s false. Love, though, love is real."

Gao Yang fell silent, contemplating this.

"It’s like falling in love with someone, and then breaking up. You might tell yourself that the relationship was meaningless or fake, but the emotions you felt were real. Those feelings are yours, and no one can take them away. You can carry them with you until the end of your life."

"…"

"But Qing Ling… she never had that. When she dies, she will die alone." Officer Huang paused, then added solemnly, "Perhaps that’s why she’s so obsessed with becoming stronger. She fears dying alone more than anything, as if she never truly lived."

Officer Huang smiled sadly. "I love my wife, and I always will. Even if one day she’s consumed by the beast within her and kills me, or if I’m forced to kill her, it won’t matter. To me, the person she was hasn’t disappeared or changed—she’s just… gone. Everyone dies, right?"

Gao Yang, not entirely sure if he understood, said nothing.

Those who survived in this world all seemed to have their own philosophies. Qing Ling’s was to grow stronger. Officer Huang’s was love. But what was his own philosophy?

For now, Gao Yang had no answer.

After a while, Officer Huang pulled up to a bustling night market. He got out of the car, saying, "I’ll just grab a bowl of spicy and sour noodles for my wife—won’t be long. Do you and Qing Ling want some too? This place uses the best sweet potato noodles; I’ve been coming here for over a decade."

Gao Yang nodded. "Sure… add another bowl."

His sister was probably still awake by the time he got home.

His phone rang, and he looked down to see the caller ID: Gao Xinxin.

Speak of the devil, Gao Yang answered the call, "Hello?"

"Brother! Where are you? Come quickly…" His sister’s voice broke into sobs.