White Moonlight
by M1zushiBai Ling usually hears bad news first.
[Mentor-Anna]: The bad news is there are 76 sponsors expressing strong interest, but most are unknown small businesses.
[Pilot-Bai Ling]: Isn’t that good news? The more the better, I’m not picky.
[Mentor-Anna]: Fledgling, you don’t understand. In this circle, it’s not about quantity, it’s about quality. The bigger the brand, the better. Taking small ones lowers your rank. If you take too many at once, those major manufacturers won’t look at you later. However, the good news is that a big fish has already approached us, and it’s an old-school manufacturer.
Bai Ling’s heart stirred.
Anna was efficient, and without another word, she sent over a draft contract.
[Mentor-Anna]: Imperial Gorgon Aircraft Weapon Design Bureau. How about that? Not bad, right? (Thumbs_up.jpg)
[Pilot-Bai Ling]: Mm. I’ll look at the contract terms first.
Meanwhile, Uriel, who was waiting nearby, asked Anna anxiously: “Did he agree? Did you tell him he can sign today?”
Anna glanced at him sideways: “What’s the rush?”
Uriel choked up a little, then he stuffed his hands into the pockets of his white lab coat as he paced back and forth.
Of course he was in a rush!
The Big Boss had given him the task of representing Gorgon to sign an exclusive sponsorship with the little white bird. He was terrified that if he slipped up, some other manufacturer would snatch him away, and then it would be game over.
However, looking at the situation right now, it seems almost certain that he’ll sign with them.
Uriel comforted himself, but then Bai Ling proposed to talk directly to the contact person and asked if he should come over.
Remembering what his Imperial Uncle had instructed, Uriel grabbed the comms: “No need to come over. The contract can be signed electronically. Don’t come out if you have a cold.”
Bai Ling was surprised for a moment. “How did you know I have a cold?”
Uriel went quiet for two seconds, then bluffed: “I could hear it.”
That was close. The Big Boss had specifically reminded him that before the contract officially took effect, his identity had to be kept secret.
Fortunately, Bai Ling didn’t press the issue and shifted back to the contract: “The terms of this contract are very generous. A base sponsorship of 50 million. Advertising revenue split 80/20, with 80% going to me. Besides that, I don’t have to pay astronomical penalties for breach of contract; I only need to give one month’s notice.”
Uriel said confidently: “True. Gorgon has never offered such good terms before.”
So sign it already!
Bai Ling pondered for a long time. “With such good terms, why did they choose me?”
Uriel was stumped.
He found it difficult to explain the reason.
At its root, it started with the Big Boss’s dream. He said he dreamt of a close old friend who had passed away, and he wanted to do something to commemorate them. Thus, he started the project and found this experimental pilot, the little white bird.
But later, the Big Boss had met this bird through some unknown way.
Their relationship seemed quite good.
Now that the little bird wanted a sponsor, the Big Boss Yu Chen of course wanted to open his coffers. The problem was, the little bird had no idea Yu Chen was the owner of Gorgon, let alone that the man had a “White Moonlight” in his heart…
Furthermore, that White Moonlight was also a bird and also had a leg disability.
Yu Chen memorialized the White Moonlight first and promoted the little white bird second.
— No matter how you spun it, it sounded like he was using the little white bird as a replacement!
Uriel was torn, but he finally decided not to tell Bai Ling for now.
Bai Ling said flatly: “Please excuse my bluntness. If you cannot give me a proper reason, I will not sign this contract.”
After saying that, he decisively hung up.
Uriel nervously wiped the fog from his glasses with his tentacles as he reported to Yu Chen with a trembling heart.
“He won’t sign?” The sound of a fountain pen tapping rhythmically against the desk echoed.
“Yes… he thinks the contract is too good and suspects our intentions.”
A cautious bird.
However, refusing to eat suspicious, unfamiliar food is an adorable act of self-preservation.
Yu Chen let out a laugh of pleasure and instructed Uriel: “Tell him that I will personally discuss the contract with him.”
Bai Ling wasn’t arrogant enough to think that, as a newcomer, he deserved the favor of a legacy military manufacturer.
In the past, the Revolutionary Army also had to find investors. He hadn’t understood these things back then and had suffered many losses in secret.
Even if a contract looks fine on the surface, after a while, numerous additional clauses will pop up, making it impossible to guard against.
In short, traps don’t fall from the sky for no reason.
Experience told him the investor definitely had ulterior motives. It was better to be careful.
Bai Ling thought for a bit and decided to ask someone in the industry.
Aside from Anna, the only person he knew in the association was Lu Xun. He searched the list for a while before remembering he hadn’t even added the guy. So he took the initiative to send a friend request from the main group.
Once the request was accepted, Lu Xun acted very excited, sending an emoji of himself appearing with a rose in his mouth.
Bai Ling stated his needs, and Lu Xun understood immediately.
[Striving to be Stronger]: Oh, that’s normal. Before signing, we pilots in the mercenary circle always swap info to see if a manufacturer is reliable.
Usually, people only ask those they are close to.
Lu Xun was flattered that Bai Ling had come to him, so he went all out to help.
He asked around his merrymaker friends and actually found someone who was a developer at Uriel’s studio.
This buddy was serious and responsible at work, but he had a big mouth, which was now an advantage. With the promise of buying him next month’s midnight snacks, the guy eagerly added some color to the story and delivered the latest gossip.
By the time it reached Lu Xun’s mouth, it became:
[Striving to be Stronger]: Uh, I’d advise you not to sign with them. The major shareholder of Gorgon… it seems he’s looking for a stand-in.
[Pilot-Bai Ling]: A stand-in? Like a ghost possession thing?
[Striving to be Stronger]: …Not that supernatural. More like a romantic replacement?
Then, Lu Xun solemnly described the events.
Rumor has it that the “Rattlesnake” production line was started by the owner of Gorgon to commemorate his beloved late wife. Later, he even planned to make a mass-produced model and take it to their grave to burn it.
Bai Ling felt something was off.
This Big Boss seems a bit mentally unstable?
But whatever, as long as he didn’t burn Bai Ling’s own Rattlesnake.
[Striving to be Stronger]: But my buddy said the late wife was a retired veteran and also a bird with a broken leg.
[Pilot-Bai Ling]: A coincidence, probably.
[Striving to be Stronger]: A strange alpha suddenly showing favor to an omega definitely has no good intentions. I’m an alpha; you have to believe me on this.
Bai Ling, however, was dismissive.
In the weapon manufacturing industry, investing in a production line to commemorate an old friend wasn’t strange at all.
From the last century until now, many imperial aircraft carriers and starships have been named after people. Some aircraft were even made by designers to honor family members.
If the big shot behind the scenes was doing it for his late wife, Bai Ling actually felt the man was loyal and sentimental, and inexplicably gained some goodwill towards him.
Besides, the man had never seen him; at most, he knew he was a disabled bird.
There was no need to maliciously speculate that the man wanted to use him as a stand-in.
With that thought, Bai Ling felt much more at ease.
The Wi-Fi in the stairwell wasn’t great. Bai Ling hid there for a bit before deciding to find a spot with a better signal.
As he passed the base of the wall, Sava called out to him: “Where are you going now?”
Bai Ling made up an excuse: “Stomachache, going to the bathroom.”
“Perfect, me too.”
The two headed toward the end of the corridor, only to hear footsteps behind them. The Crane had actually followed them.
Sava was about to glare fiercely at him, but he saw Lin He biting his lip with reddened eyes, making him freeze.
Sava said stiffly: “What are you crying for? Keep it up and see if I don’t pluck your head-feathers out.”
He sounded like he was the one bullying him.
Lin He rolled his eyes with resentment and pride. “None of your business. Don’t block the bathroom door, roll.”
Sava immediately went to roll up his sleeves, but was blocked by Bai Ling’s hand. Bai Ling cleared half the doorway. Lin He snorted and pushed the door open without a glance at either of them, only to come face-to-face with a pair of obsidian, indifferent eyes.
It was the Raven.
One person inside the bathroom, three at the door, and the four stared at each other.
The Raven lowered his eyes nonchalantly, his finger tapping as cigarette ash fell into the marble sink.
Bai Ling saw his pockets were bulging and nodded casually: “Brooding?”
Clenching the cigarette in the corner of his mouth, the Raven let out a leisurely “Mm.” He habitually took out his cigarette case and popped the lid: “Want a couple?”
Bai Ling waved him off: “Thanks, I don’t smoke.”
The Raven lifted his eyes, a faint, cold smirk on his lips: “A good student, then.”
Bai Ling held up his index and middle fingers, mimicking the smoking motion by his lips: “No. I quit. If I start again, I’m afraid I won’t be able to stop.”
The Raven gave a subtle smile, the cigarette dangling from his teeth as his right hand went into his large pocket to rub the smooth eggshell.
Suddenly, a lonely voice sounded from behind: “Give me one.”
Raven spun around abruptly to face Lin He. He knew this dorm supervisor; the guy was always walking around the residential area for inspections.
Lin He walked over on his own, pulled a cigarette from the case, and looked down, rummaging through his clothes. Once he found a lighter, he lit up, took a drag, and then leaned against the marble counter with one arm folded across his chest.
Noticing Raven staring at him, Lin He said flatly, “I won’t report your egg.”
Raven kept staring, then countered with: “What are you crying about?”
Having his sore spot stepped on repeatedly, Lin He finally snapped. He bit down on the cigarette filter, his teeth chattering. “I got dumped. Happy now?”
Raven asked with bored curiosity, “Dumped by whom?”
Lin He pursed his lips and said with difficulty, “A scallop.”
“A very precious scallop?”
“Not some rare high-end scallop,” Lin He recalled, his voice trembling with sadness as he recalled. “Just the kind… the kind you get at the roadside, three for ten credits with vermicelli included. A cheap but delicious scallop.”
“HAHAHAHA! A scallop! Hahaha!” Sava roared with laughter.
Lin He: “…………”
Raven turned his head and saw that the Crane’s eyes were even redder now.
Bai Ling’s face remained expressionless, though his lips twitched slightly. Is there not a single normal person in this palace?
He wasn’t exactly normal himself. He had lied about his stomach hurting, but now it felt like a genuine, twisting ache.
Bai Ling suspected that fish had poked something loose inside him.
The finger bones were so thick; he had felt like vomiting after they finished last night. Now his lower abdomen was pulsing with a sour, cramping pain, causing cold sweat to break out across his back.
He didn’t know what had been damaged in this wretched body of his…
Bai Ling slipped into a stall. Just as he was about to perform a self-check, a message from Uriel arrived.
[Uriel]: The Big Boss said this matter has been handed over to him. Regarding the contract, you can ask him anything.
Bai Ling thought to himself, That’s more like it. At least this sentimental bigshot has some sense. Just as he was about to ask Uriel for the boss’s contact info, a message popped up at the very top of his screen.
[Little Bird’s Dish]: Come to my place.
Bai Ling assumed Yu Chen was lonely again and replied lazily: Later.
[Little Bird’s Dish]: Alright. I’ll print the contract out; we can discuss it later.
Bai Ling’s instinct was to reply “Okay.” His finger tapped twice reflexively, then slowed down, eventually coming to a dead stop on the screen.
What… contract…
The slight damp heat from his fingertips left a blurred, trembling print on the cold screen.
He stared at the screen with dry, aching eyes, the characters swimming in his vision, yet he couldn’t seem to grasp their meaning.
That sentence was ordinary, yet it struck like a thunderbolt through his fragile defenses.
He dazedly looked up at the narrow confines of the stall, and heard an auditory hallucination like fingernails scratching a blackboard.
—The “Rattlesnake” production line is a gift for a lost beloved.
—You are very similar to that late wife; both are retired veterans, birds with broken legs.
So, in less than a month of knowing him, the reason that merman had been so infinitely gentle, so patient, cherishing him like a treasure in his palm… was all because…
Because…
He was merely a replacement used by the merman to fill a void.
Even his precious Rattlesnake was just a gift from his beloved he casually gave to him.
Bai Ling felt as if he were being strangled, unable to breathe.
What a stray dog regarded as a treasure was nothing more than a toy they had discarded in the trash…
His once-upright back bent, and his body huddled lower and lower, almost into the dust. He had never known what a broken heart felt like; he only touched his chest with a trembling hand, unable to feel the presence of a heartbeat.
No wonder that merman never bothered to notice what he looked like, and rarely called him by name, always “Little Bird, Little Bird”…
In the end, he wasn’t the little bird the man actually wanted to see.
He smiled at the floor with teary eyes.
A very stiff smile.
A stray dog, after being picked up, had enjoyed a brief period of happiness he wouldn’t have dared dream of in two lifetimes.
Now, it was time to wake up.
The stall door creaked open. A lean figure emerged; he looked as if he were on the verge of shattering, yet when he lifted his face, it was an expanse of cold, white desert—numb and desolate.
Bai Ling pulled a cigarette from the box on the counter.
“Need a light.”
The cigarette filter was caught between his teeth, his palm pressed against the edge of the counter. He tilted his slender, swan-like neck slightly as his breath suddenly drew near.
Raven stared blankly as Bai Ling leaned his cigarette against Raven’s own burning one. With a tiny hiss, the fresh cigarette ignited into a dull orange glow. He took a deep drag and exhaled a smoke ring with practiced ease. His trembling lashes appeared hazy and exquisite amidst the smoke, exuding a sense of desolation.
Flicking the ash with his fingertip, a distant look flashed across his eyes, and he casually said, “Smoking this stuff still feels the best.”
Sava frowned. “Didn’t you say you quit?”
Bai Ling brushed past him, waving the cigarette between his two slender fingers, leaving faint traces of smoke in the air. “My body hurts so I’m using some painkillers.”
Sava watched his retreating back, then turned to look at Raven in confusion. “Since when does smoking cure a stomachache?”
Raven brought his own cigarette back to his lips, his expression complex. “I was in pain before, too.”
As he spoke, he touched his egg.
From that evening until the early hours of the morning, Yu Chen never saw Bai Ling.
Messages went unread, calls went to voicemail. The AI rushed to the concubines’ dorms to find him, only to receive a cold reply from Sava:
“He’s not back. Don’t know where he went.”
Yu Chen’s little bird, was lost.
Author’s Note:
This foreshadowing has finally been unerathed! Actually, it was mentioned back in Chapter 8: the birth of Rattlesnake was an investment by the Old Merman to commemorate the “little bird in his dream.”
But the bird doesn’t know! And the Old Merman kept it a secret from him. Finally, once the sponsor’s identity was revealed, he couldn’t hide it anymore, hahaha. Actually, this isn’t a dog blood ex-lover issue; it’s a trust issue.
Things are going to get intense for a while.
In the next chapter, the Old Merman is going to look for the bird. Don’t let the updates sit; read them now! (Excitedly rubbing hands, locking the escape door tight).
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