{Morning}
Uh… where am I? Oh right, I came home. But how? Wait—after that rejection, I chased that weird light and—was it a dream? I glance to my side and—holy crap—he's right there. Lying next to me. With real antennae. What?! Did I seriously bring home an alien?
I stumble out of bed, heart pounding.
If you're expecting me to wake up like some romance heroine with magical amnesia, forget it. I'm not that girl. I don't black out emotional trauma. My brain boots up before I do—especially after something this insane.
So yeah, I'm awake. But I haven't opened my eyes yet. I can feel someone watching me. And yeah, I remember. I brought that home.
And don't judge me, okay? I know I acted like one of those girls in a horror movie. But come on—it was dark!
Last night was a mess. First I roamed around like a heartbroken zombie, then I chased some glowing freak up a mountain. Then I had to drag myself all the way back home—in that ridiculous red dress and heels. My legs still feel like cooked noodles.
After I got home last night, I tried calling Mr. Xian—my sort-of mentor slash maybe-government-contact—but he wasn't picking up. So, naturally, I chugged seven cans of beer and passed out on the couch with my shoes still on.
Ugh. Well, at least this thing seems harmless.
Okay. I just have to wake up, act like last night wasn't a total mess, re-establish dominance as the superior Earth species, gain this alien's trust, extract some juicy intel, and then call Mr. Xian. Yeah. That sounds like a plan. Perfect. Alright—rise and shine, Yunhua!
I open my eyes and, without moving my head, glance at him and smirk. "Oh, I see. So you're an early riser."
He's sitting on a stool beside the bed, staring at me with confusion. "What is 'early riser'?"
I sit up and stretch, trying to look casual. "It means you wake up early in the morning. You know—like a person. Or, uh, whatever you are."
His antennae blink twice. His silver eyes catch the light. "Firstly, I am not... 'whatever.' I am Velqouri. My designation is Vaelor Krynn." His antennae blink again, brighter this time. "Secondly, I do not sleep. We Velqouri have long abandoned such biological inefficiency."
Wow. Okay. This guy's on another level. His species has evolved way beyond anything I imagined.
Nobel Prize… here I come.
I slide the blanket off and get up. "Cool. So you guys don't get peaceful dreams? That's kinda sad," I say, tossing in a little human flex.
He looks up at me and tilts his head. "But how can sleep be peaceful… when it's just an escape from the hardships of your life?"
Gruhh. Right in the chest. Like a sucker punch from an emotional ninja.
I walk a few steps away, not acting scared, not on guard—just cool, in control of my space. I reach for the clutch bag I left on the shoe table by the entrance last night.
"Uh… whatever you… You good? Need anything? Like, hmm?" I ask, taking out my phone.
He stares at me, and his antennae light up, twitching bright. "I need to know… what is 'I just want someone to love me'?"
I freeze. My heart drops right into my stomach.
I stare at my phone screen as it unlocks.
47 missed calls. 99+ message notifications.
[Tang Shixiu – 29 missed calls]
[Zhang Yuyu – 8 missed calls]
[Unknown – 10 missed calls]
What the hell?! I glance at him, then the doorbell rings.
Ding-dong.
I jolt hard. Shit, shit, shit—who is it?!
I look down at myself—still in that stupid red dress. Then at him. Oh no. No no no no!
I rush to him, putting a finger over my lips. "Shhh," I whisper, panicked. He just blinks at me, confused.
Ding-ding-ding.
The doorbell rings again. A voice from the other side:
"Miss Ling Yunhua? Are you in there? It's the police. Please open the door. If you can hear us, answer. Otherwise, we may be forced to enter."
Shit shit shit no no no no—how did they find out?! Already?! What do I do?!
I glance around wildly, then yank open the drawer beside my bed. I grab a headband—the kind singers wear across their foreheads.
As I'm about to put it on him, he grabs my wrist. His antenna tips glow faintly, twitching. He looks concerned.
Oh. Right. No touching the antenna or whatever, huh?
I hand him the headband instead, whispering, "Put this on your forehead. Hide those tiny antenna thingies. And whatever happens—do. not. let. them. light up. Got it?!"
His antennae blink twice as he slips the headband on. Great. Did he even understand what I said?
"And, uh, blue eyes again, please. Also face. Like last time."
Ding-dong. Ding-dong.
"Miss Ling Yunhua? Please answer if you're inside!"
Okay okay okay. Breathe. Calm down.
"Yeah! Coming! Just—give me a second!" I yell back, then glance at him. The antennae are hidden. Good.
I lean in and whisper, "Listen. No matter what happens, don't let those things blink or show. And do not speak. Not a word. Got it?"
He blinks twice. Just with his eyes this time.
"Good. And no matter what—do NOT tell anyone you're not from Earth. Understand?"
Another blink. Eyes only.
"Good, good. And stop blinking your eyes—just nod to whatever I say, okay?"
He stares at me, confused. "What is nod?"
Gruhh. Dumb species!
"Listen—this is nod," I say, nodding twice. "Got it?"
He watches me… and then nods.
Sigh. Finally!
I check myself quickly, then rush to the door. One deep breath—calm down. I open the door slowly, just enough for them to see me.
Five police officers stand outside.
And there he is—Tang Shixiu—shoving past one of them, stepping forward like he owns the place. He looks me up and down, eyes full of concern. He pushes the door open wider and half-steps inside.
"Are you okay, Yunhua? Are you hurt? You good? Where were you the whole night?—"
But one of the officers cuts him off. "Mr. Tang, please let us speak to her first."
The officer looks at me, then behind me into the room—at him—then back to me.
"Um, Miss Ling Yunhua," he begins. "Mr. Tang Shixiu reported you missing. He explained what happened and was worried you might have… taken any wrong steps. Or harmed yourself."
He's always done this—acts close after hurting me. Like trying to undo the damage with kindness. But I'm not falling for it this time.
I take a deep breath and put on my best I-don't-care face.
"Sorry for wasting your time, I guess. But I'm totally fine. Not planning to harm myself over something that stupid. And I'm clearly not missing—since I'm right here at home."
The officer nods as another notes something down.
"Miss Yunhua," the first officer says again, "Can you tell us where you were last night?"
He glances into the room again. "And who's that person sitting there?"
I hold the door a bit tighter and close it slightly more.
"I was just out drinking with a friend."
"May I ask if it's the same friend currently inside? Can we speak with him?"
I glance back at him, then at the officer. "Yes, he's the one. He's my friend. And no, you can't talk to him. I don't see a reason for that. This was a missing report about me, and now I've been found. Congrats."
The officer adjusts his belt. "Yes, ma'am, but Mr. Tang told us you live alone. And we'd like to confirm your version of last night's events—with him."
I frown. "Like I said—I was with him. I'm not missing. I'm safe. He's my friend. I know him. Everything's good. So… can you leave now?"
The officer sighs. "Apologies for the trouble, ma'am. If you say so… Though we'll still need you to come to the station later today. Just some formal paperwork."
Nice. Good job, Yunhua.
"I'll be there when I can. Thanks," I say, starting to close the door.
The officers turn to leave—but Tang doesn't. He steps closer, almost pushing inside again.
"Yunhua… who is that guy?" he asks. "Are you really okay? Why didn't you pick up any of our calls? Did he do something to you? Where were you last night? I came by—your lights were off. I called Zhang Yuyu too—you weren't at her place. I thought… I thought you'd done something to yourself."
His voice sounds so genuine, his face full of concern.
Why now? Why pretend to be nice? Don't give me false hope. Don't mislead my heart. Don't ask me if I'm okay like you don't already know how much that night hurt me.
Breathe, Yunhua. Don't cry. Don't break.
I take a deep breath and force a smirk.
"It's none of your business who that guy is or where I was. And don't flatter yourself. Don't think I'm so weak I'd end my life over something so small and silly."
"It matters to me, Yunhua. You're very important to me. You're like… my family."
Ah. Again with that word—family?
Please, I can't take this anymore.
"Tang, I've had enough talking. So if you don't mind, please leave," I say, and slam the door shut in his face.
"Yunhu—"
He doesn't push it any further.
"…Take care," he says quietly.
I lean back against the door and slide down to the floor.
I can't help it. The tears just spill out.
How can he act like that and expect me not to get the wrong idea?
How can he stand there like nothing ever happened?
I cry like a baby. My chest aches. I hug my knees to stop myself from falling apart.
Then I feel him—Vaelor—step closer.
He doesn't say anything. He just rests his head gently over mine.
I gasp and look up at him, but he doesn't pull away.
His two glowing antennae light up even more, glowing softly under headband
After a few minutes, he steps back and sits down in front of me. His antennae stop glowing.
He looks at me with those wide silver white eyes. His face still doesn't show much expression, but… there's something in his eyes. Some emotion I can't describe.
I hold my head. "What… what information did you take out of my brain this time? What did you copy?"
He looks right into my eyes and says, "It's the first time I've seen someone cry. Our history says we—Velqouri—had these emotions thousands of years ago."
Wait… they don't have crying anymore?
Then how the hell do they survive heartbreak?
He tilts his head slightly, still watching me.
"I just copied the reason why you are crying now. I saw many emotions our kind left behind. Your brain has memories of care, kindness, attraction, attachment, loneliness, jealousy, lust… all mixed together over years. They all formed into one thing. Your kind calls it… love. That's what made you cry."
Please don't. My heart already feels stupid for loving someone half my life and getting nothing back. Don't spell it out like that. It hurts.
He blinks, confused. "Will you answer the question I asked earlier? What is 'I just want someone to love me back'? Is… love something that hurts?"
I let out a soft sob. Damn it, it hurts so much.
But… this is the perfect chance. I can ask him something too. Trade answers.
"Yeah, sure. But before I answer, you answer mine first, okay?" I sniff and wipe my tears.
He nods.
Oh wow. Look at him! He figured out how and when to nod. Smart little alien. Quick learner.
I raise my finger. "Okay. First question: What do you mean your species left behind all emotions?"
His antennae glow a little. "Yes. Our kind chose to let go of emotions. Over time, through evolution and technology, we reached a state of harmony."
Huh? Evolution in just a few thousand years? And they chose to get rid of emotions?
Isn't that… kinda dangerous? I mean, even animals have feelings.
I get up and walk to my wardrobe. He follows behind, quietly.
"But how does your species survive like that?" I ask, pulling out some clean clothes and a towel. "Don't you think emotions are necessary? Like… seriously important?"
He stands behind me. "Yes, they were necessary. Until the Revolutionaries created harmony."
Revolutionaries? Harmony?
Okay, what is this? A sci-fi history lesson?
I shut the wardrobe door and sit down on the bed. He sits back on the stool.
"Revolutionaries? Harmony? You need to explain that in detail," I say, pointing at him like a teacher.
His antennae glow brighter. "Yes. Our species had emotions and we—"
Riiing~
My phone buzzes loudly.
It's Zhang Yuyu calling.
I quickly look at him. "Don't say anything, okay?"
He nods.
I pick it up.
"Hello?" I answer the call, only to hear loud screaming from the other side.
"YUNHUAAAA! Are you okay??? Tang just told me you're fine and got home! What the actual hell—how did that piece of trash reject you?? Are you okay, baby? Should I come over??"
Ughh. Poor Yuyu must've been worried sick all night.
"Um, no no, please don't! You don't have to, Yuyu. I'm really okay. Sorry for worrying you."
"Are you really okay? You sure?"
"Yes, yes. Don't worry."
"Where were you last night? Tang said you weren't home when he checked. Even the police said you weren't home when they came."
Guhhh… What do I say now? Should I tell her what really happened?
Wait—no. I should tell Mr. Liang Xian first.
"Um… yeah. I was just out having drinks. With someone."
"Someone?"
"Yeah, someone."
Her tone drops low. Uh-oh.
"Yunhua… don't tell me you did something stupid while drunk?"
"Ugh! No, no, silly! I didn't. Not at all. I was with a friend."
"Oh… okay. By the way, did you see the news?"
"Hm? What news?"
"You didn't?? The Ministry of Defence announced that a fighter jet test went wrong last night. There was a malfunction and the plane crashed near Xumiumugi Mountain—you know, the one in your city."
Wait, what?? How do they know something happened there?
Didn't he say no radar can detect his spaceship? So how are they even covering it up? Or… are they even aware it was a spaceship? Isn't it still trapped in that black hole-like wrist device?
"Yunhua?"
"Oh, yes, I'm here. What about that?"
"Yeah, people are questioning why they'd do a fighter jet test in the middle of the night, and some claim they saw something weird and bright in the sky."
"Eh? Seriously? What did the authority say?"
"They said it's a new, specially designed aircraft made for night missions."
"Haha, right. As if people will buy that."
"Exactly! Some people took pictures, but nothing's clear. And now the whole mountain area is sealed off by the Ministry of Defence."
Whoa. All this happened in just a few hours?
Am I… hiding a walking wanted alien right now?
"Uh, Yuyu… did Mr. Xian call?"
"Oh, not yet. I'm at the lab right now, but he hasn't shown up. Maybe he's involved too—no one's been able to reach him."
"Oh… okay."
Weird. That's not like him.
"Yuyu, can I call you back later?"
"Yeah, sure. I'm kinda busy anyway. Just please rest and don't let that jerk's rejection mess with your head, okay?"
"Yeah… Bye-bye."
I hang up the call and sigh.
Things are escalating way faster than I imagined...
Even if radars or signals couldn't detect his spaceship, eyes definitely can—just like mine did. No wonder the defense team saw the crash marks in the valley. Even if that ship got sucked into his wrist device, the evidence on the ground is still massive. You can't just sweep crater-sized holes under a rug. It's gotta be super classified by now.
And now that I think about it, without any real proof besides some damaged land, they probably don't even know what crashed there. That gives me a tiny bit of time. I have to get him to Mr. Xian directly—this is already beyond anything I can handle.
I did take two days off for... well, for a different reason. I thought maybe after confessing yesterday, I'd get a "yes" and we'd maybe... y'know... spend the night together. So today's still officially my off day.
But now? Since no one can even reach Mr. Xian, I guess I'm stuck hiding this thing—him—here in my apartment.
I look at him. "Um… do you wanna take a shower first?"
He looks shocked. "Your species still showers? We left that behind thousands of years ago."
Tch. What's wrong with this guy's species? Did they stop pooping too?! Every time I say something normal, he's like, 'Oh, you still do that? We evolved past that a thousand years ago!' Ugh!
"Listen, you little shit! Taking showers is about hygiene and feeling fresh, okay? Every decent civilization should shower!"
He just tilts his head, his antenna glowing a little under the headband. "We velquori are hygienic. We do not fall ill on our planet, or on other planets, as you can see."
Wait...
Wait wait wait—WHAT?
Did he just say they don't get sick?
I'm going to be rich. Like, golden-statue-in-my-name rich. My name's gonna be written in glowing letters in the Hall of Humanity.
But focus, Yunhua. Focus.
"Okay, I see. So, I'm going to take a shower. You don't make any noise, don't go anywhere, understood?" I grab my towel and clothes from the bed.
He nods.
"And don't take that headband off either! Got it?" I turn to head into the bathroom, but—
Wait.
I turn around.
"Why are you following me in?!"
He just stands there, tilting his head like a confused puppy. "Is it also part of your civilization's basic rules?"
"YES. Yes, it's the most basic of the basics, you little shit! Don't you dare try to come in while I'm showering!"
God. What a shameless species.
He just nods again.