Mr. Lizard Outside the Window - Chapter 58
Chapter 58: Time Runs Out
Banxia sat on the steps behind Bluegrass Cafe, listlessly playing Mozart on her violin.
Xiao Wu, the barista, looked at her in surprise. "Xiaoxia, what are you doing here? Didn't the owner give you some time off?"
Banxia shrugged. "Just needed some… peace and quiet."
It was early evening, the calm before the storm of Bar Street's nightlife.
Traffic roared past the front entrance, horns blaring. In the back alley, delivery trucks were unloading supplies, the workers shouting to each other.
A few young women, their faces illuminated by the glow of their compact mirrors, touched up their makeup, gossiping and giggling.
It was the heart of the city's bustling nightlife, the opposite of peace and quiet.
Xiao Wu gave her a curious look, then went back inside the cafe.
A young woman, huddled in a corner, her voice choked with sobs, was talking to her friend.
"It's just a man! There are plenty of others! Why are you crying?"
"Don't worry, you'll probably be back together tomorrow. You work at the same bar. You'll see him again. There's plenty of time."
Plenty of time…
There are plenty of others…
Banxia's violin music, slow and melancholic, drifted through the noisy alleyway.
Tomorrow was the seventh day. And it was also the day of her recital, her final exam.
No matter how hard she tried to stay positive, a sense of unease, of impending doom, weighed on her heart.
Xiao Lian hadn't come to school with her today. And after class, instead of going straight home, she had found herself drawn to this familiar place, this alleyway behind the cafe where she had often busked, her music a solace in her loneliness.
Back then, it had been just her and her violin, her heart free from worries.
Now, under the setting sun, the music was a lament, her heart heavy with longing.
In her rented room, a phone screen lit up, and Xiao Lian, working at his computer, crawled over to it.
A message from "Xiao Xiao Loves Music" popped up, the profile picture animated with excitement.
"It's a hit! 'Chasing Fish' is number one on the new song chart!" the message exclaimed.
The song, written by Red Lotus, arranged and produced with Xiao Xiao's help, a collaboration between just the two of them, had reached the top of the charts on the largest music platform in the country, a feat even major record labels struggled to achieve.
Xiao Xiao was ecstatic.
"Our VP, the one who rejected your demo, is kicking himself now! He's too embarrassed to admit he was wrong, so he's been sulking in meetings ever since. You should see his face! It's priceless!"
"Our director wants to talk to you about a collaboration. I would love for us to work together, but honestly, with your current momentum, you should wait. You'll have plenty of offers, much better platforms. Choose wisely. I heard that VY Group, the company behind V-Station, is also interested in signing you."
Red Lotus's voice was calm. "It doesn't matter. We can talk about it later."
"How can it not matter?! Ah Lian, do you even know what VY Group is? They're the biggest entertainment company in the country! They control almost every aspect of the music, film, and animation industries!" Xiao Xiao exclaimed. "If you sign with them, you won't just be a musician! You'll have opportunities in every field! You'll be a superstar!"
He paused, then added, his voice almost pleading, "Ah Lian, do you understand what this means? How much it could change your life? There are people who would kill for this opportunity!"
But Red Lotus seemed indifferent to the good news.
His low voice finally replied, "Can I… ask you a favor?"
"Of course! Anything!" Xiao Xiao said, surprised.
"I just finished a new song…" Red Lotus began.
"OMG! Another one?! You work so fast! Do you even sleep? Do you have 48 hours in a day?"
"…"
"Sorry, sorry, I got carried away. So, what about the new song? Do you need help with… wait, you want me to upload it to V-Station for you? Tomorrow?"
"Yes," Red Lotus said quietly. "And I've created a sub-account on V-Station, with administrative privileges, so you can receive a share of the revenue. I'd like to give you access to this account. In case… I'm not available… perhaps you could manage my songs on the platform for me."
Xiao Xiao was speechless, stunned by his unexpected generosity.
He understood that artists like Red Lotus often preferred to focus on creating music, not the business side of things. They weren't interested in, or good at, self-promotion.
He had been helping him as a friend, a fan, wanting to see his talent recognized, not expecting anything in return.
And now, with his new song climbing the charts, Red Lotus was offering him a share of the profits, essentially hiring him as his manager.
Xiao Xiao felt a surge of gratitude, a deep sense of loyalty.
"Of course! I'd be honored! Just leave everything to me! The commission… thank you, brother," he mumbled, touched by his trust. "But why can't you upload the song yourself?"
"I have… some things to take care of," Red Lotus's voice paused, then became more serious. "I'm entrusting my music to you. If you can… please, help me… make sure they… earn a lot of money."
"Don't worry, brother! You're underestimating yourself!" Xiao Xiao declared. "As long as you keep creating music like this, you'll be rolling in money! I'll even help you save for your wedding!"
A long silence, then a soft "Mm-hmm" from the other end.
"Thank you," Red Lotus whispered.
When Banxia returned home, Xiao Lian was still working on his music.
He turned to look at her, a happy smile on his face, the sound waves on the screen reflected in his bright eyes.
"Is the new song finished?" Banxia asked, kissing him gently.
"Almost. Just the final mixing," he said. "How are your exams going?"
"I'll be fine. I'm a good student," she said confidently.
"Banxia, can you help me transfer the money from V-Station?" he asked.
"Sure," Banxia said, taking the mouse.
She was surprised to see how much he had earned in just a few days. "Chasing Fish" had reached number one on the charts, and his account balance was substantial.
She quickly transferred the money for him.
"Do you remember how to do it?"
"Yes."
"You should… check your account regularly," he said, his voice barely a whisper, as she clicked the mouse.
Her hand froze. After a moment, she nodded silently.
There was no moon tonight, the wind howling outside, rattling the windows.
Banxia sat beside Xiao Lian, watching him work, her presence a silent comfort as he finalized his new song, the repetitive loops of the individual tracks filling the room.
She closed her eyes, her mind drifting, a pair of arms wrapping around her, pulling her close, a warm breath on her neck, turning, her arms tightening around his waist, her face buried in his chest, the warmth of his skin against hers, the steady beat of his heart a comforting rhythm, and then… darkness.
Banxia slept soundly, Xiao Lian watching over her from his perch on her pillow.
The room was dim, the wind howling outside, the branches of the longan trees rustling in the darkness.
The faint glow of the computer screen illuminated her face, softening its contours.
As the final hours ticked away, Ling Dong felt a strange sense of calm, his fear of the unknown fading, replaced by a quiet acceptance.
Thank you, Banxia, he thought, for being here with me, for your unwavering love.
Banxia stirred in her sleep, her hand reaching out, resting on the pillow.
The little black gecko crawled closer and gently kissed her hand, his tiny lips brushing her calloused fingertips.
Be strong, Banxia, he thought. No matter what happens to me, be strong. Be happy.
A sudden gust of wind rattled the window, and Banxia woke from a nightmare.
She had dreamt of Ling Dong, standing in a dark forest, his body suddenly covered in a strange, white film, like the shed skin of a gecko, his black hair turning white, his bright eyes fading to a dull grey, his gaze lost and confused, dark vines creeping up from the ground, coiling around his arms, lifting him, a pale sacrifice, onto a giant piano, a faceless deity appearing in the sky, the hands of a clock merging, a mournful chime echoing through the forest, a gleaming scythe descending, towards him, trapped and helpless.
Banxia sat up, her heart pounding, and frantically searched the bed, her hand finding Xiao Lian, curled up beside her, his scales gleaming, his breathing slow and steady, his tail twitching slightly in his sleep.
She breathed a sigh of relief, clutching him close, his small body a comforting weight in her arms.
It was the morning of the seventh day.
The final exams for the second-year violin students were being held in the concert hall.
Each student had to perform a fifty-minute recital. With the breaks between performances, the exams stretched over several days.
In the waiting room, Shang Xiaoyue, her violin in hand, approached Banxia. "I'm almost on. When's your turn?"
Banxia, sitting listlessly in a chair, Xiao Lian clutched in her hand, looked up, startled. "Oh, I'm last. Not until this evening. You go ahead."
Time passed slowly in the waiting room, the music from the stage a constant backdrop, the other contestants gradually leaving after their performances.
The sun began to set, and still, nothing had happened.
Maybe… maybe it was all a dream, Banxia thought, a flicker of hope. Maybe he won't shed his skin again, maybe his time won't decrease. Maybe he'll stay like this, with me, forever.
She looked down at Xiao Lian in her hand. He flicked his pink tongue against her palm.
Banxia smiled. "Tonight, we'll…"
Her voice trailed off.
Xiao Lian's black scales were suddenly covered in a pale, milky white film, a ghostly shroud that made him look… strange, unsettling.
Xiao Lian, seeing her shocked expression, looked down at himself, then, his mouth opening slightly, he gently pulled at the film, peeling off a piece like a glove, revealing the skin beneath.
The newly exposed skin wasn't black, but a shimmering, iridescent swirl of colors, like something not of this world.
He flexed his fingers, and the glowing hand dissolved into tiny motes of light, swirling around Banxia's hand, rising, fading, disappearing.
Xiao Lian looked down at his hand. The flesh was gone, from his wrist to his fingertips.
The raw edge shimmered with the same otherworldly colors, a thin, white membrane clinging to it, fragile as glass, dissolving into nothingness.
His time had run out.
He looked up at Banxia, her eyes filled with tears.
"It's your turn. You should go," he said, smiling gently.
"No," Banxia said, her voice trembling, her jaw clenched. "I'm not going anywhere. Not now. Not for a stupid exam, a stupid competition. I'm staying here. With you."
"But I want to hear you play," he pleaded. "Please, Banxia. Just… one last time. Your music… it makes me happy. It gives me strength."
Banxia's hands, usually steady even after hours of playing, now trembled uncontrollably.
"Go," he said, his voice soft, his gaze unwavering. "Let me see you, on stage, in the spotlight. Let me hear your music. It will… chase away the darkness. It will give me… peace."
"Thank you, Banxia, for everything. This is… the last time. I know it's hard, but please… be strong. For me."
The announcer called her name.
Banxia, her eyes brimming with tears, her hands shaking, carefully placed Xiao Lian on the table by the door.
Even with her gentle touch, a few motes of light, iridescent and shimmering, escaped from the dissolving edges of his arm.
His form blurred, his colors fading, the shimmering lights like distant neon signs in the fog.
She wiped her eyes, her vision blurry with tears.
"Go," Xiao Lian whispered, his voice fading, his image dissolving into a kaleidoscope of colors. "Don't look back. I'll be watching you. Always."
This can't be the end QAQ
ReplyDeleteI'm not crying, you are!!
ReplyDelete