Shapeshifters

Chapter 19

The transformation ceremony quickly came to an end. I carefully examined Shui Sheng and found that he looked slightly similar to me. After checking myself again, I found nothing wrong.

“I didn’t go all the way with the mutation,” Shui Sheng explained. “Firstly, because if I were completely transformed into you, having two of you wouldn’t be fun; secondly, I could retain more of my underwater abilities.” “I didn’t want to end up with twins for no reason,” I laughed. “What abilities did you retain? Show me.” “Hit me.” He pointed to his chest with a mischievous grin. “I really caused you a lot of trouble this time, and I feel terrible.” “Hmph, well said.” I couldn’t help but laugh too, and punched the chest he pointed to. But to my surprise, my fist sank into his chest silently, and I couldn’t pull it out.

"How is it?" Shui Sheng asked.

I burst out laughing: "You're probably not even afraid of bullets anymore! You could be a bodyguard for the leaders in the Middle East!" We laughed heartily, and Shui Sheng threw the instrument back into the well. We didn't have the ability to determine what was wrong with the instrument or whether it would affect other organisms, but Organization X could. The rest would be handled by someone else.

Then came the simple wrap-up work. We placed all the unconscious construction workers around the well, pretending they had been drugged, including Ruan Xiuwen. Lu Yun told us that Ruan Xiuwen would wake up in an hour and then firmly believe that he had been drugged and lost consciousness.

And so, the archaeological excavation at the Zhidan Garden site came to a successful conclusion. Su Ying and Shui Sheng left me their phone numbers and then left the city together. I felt as if nothing had happened, and returned to my leisurely and comfortable life as a reporter.

Another month passed, and Liang Yingwu suddenly invited me to have tea.

"Stop pretending, kid!" Liang Yingwu, who wasn't good with words, sat down and bluntly said, "You've been behind this Zhidan Garden ruins, haven't you!"

Knowing my old friend's temperament well, I stuck out my tongue and made a face at him: "No!"

"Hehe, you're really something." Liang Yingwu chuckled. "I started to suspect you the day you asked me about Ruan Xiuwen."

"Hmm, you're truly a hindsight expert," I praised. "Don't slander people so easily. Do you have any evidence?"

“No.” He was quite straightforward. “However, the X Agency already suspects something went wrong that day. Ruan Xiuwen’s memory is a bit abnormal, and his family heirloom—those glasses—was broken, which is highly suspicious. But unlocking Ruan Xiuyi’s memory is something even our agency’s best hypnotist can’t do. So so far, there’s no evidence pointing to anyone. But I guessed it was you; Ruan Xiuwen mentioned you too. However, he doesn’t think you have that ability yet.”

"Then there's still no evidence."

"Do you want to know what happened to that instrument afterward?"

"……how's it going?"

"Actually, that instrument was already in terrible condition. Because it was so old, it became unstable. It broke down completely within a few days of us bringing it back to the lab, and all the prototype samples we used for experiments died."

"Oh." I thought to myself, feeling secretly fortunate, but also a little worried.

When I got home, I dialed that number.

"Hello?"

I could hear the sound of crashing waves on the other end of the phone, and I could almost feel the warmth of the sun.

"Hey, that many?"

"Yes, Shui Sheng, how have you been lately? Are you alright?"

"Normal? Yes, everything is normal."

"I just heard that the instrument was indeed unstable and has now been scrapped. Is your current...change situation okay?"

"Of course! We're all fine! Hahaha!" Shui Sheng laughed out loud, perhaps because she was so happy.

I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Oh right, Na Duo!"

"kindness?"

"Now, hehe..."

"What's wrong?"

Shui Sheng suddenly lowered her voice.

"Porn is no longer needed!"

This time, I couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Accompanied by the sound of waves, Su Ying's silvery laughter came through the phone. I imagined Shui Sheng and Su Ying enjoying the sea, the sun, and life together on some beach.

I smiled and hung up the phone. Looking out the window, I saw a group of archaeologists still pretending to inspect the construction site. I yawned and comfortably lay down on the bed.

(The End)