No more lies

01

A crowded street. Honking, clamoring, clinging and delirious curiosity all at once. With rickshaws sliding through the ocean of people. With smokes of morning cheap breakfast zic zacking its way through the narrowly packed avenue. Bikes riding past, unbalanced in a way a snake writhes. People with vibrant clothes strangling their way out of the never-ending crowd.

Sunshine poured into the city, illuminating the dullness that had used to lurk in the deep corners. The day dawned crisp and clear. The early risers chirped, bringing bliss everywhere and then.

This is the opium-free Jingcheng, a place where Jiang Yue Lou had dreamed of having the most.

Sometimes, he would think that this is all just a dream that is waiting to be sweeped away, that would burst his bubble of delusional euphoria, that would ruin the glory of waking up beside Chen Yu Zhi on bed every morning. He was convinced. He had pinched himself so often, until his cheeks turned into an unflattering bluish red; before Chen Yu Zhi would look at him and wince, crow's feet around his eyes.

Jiang Yue Lou can still hear his hearty laugh. He can still feel the heat enveloping him when their hands entwined when they make love, spilling down through him like layers, each flaring up as their touch grow wilder. He can still observe the latter sitting upon the window, with dots of light streaming in to outline him with gold; quite a sight, as if he was his own painting.

He has always wanted to paint a few shots of those and hang them all over the walls of their house, as a vow of devotion for eternity.

It was unfortunate that the police officer isn't blessed with creativity. The calloused hands that had once never let go of the revolver can't hold a brush and palette insouciantly, as well as afraid that the strokes will not be able to capture Chen Yu Zhi's exquisite, all- embracing essence.

Now, life offers him the grandeur of fame. Reporters huddle in front of the police station everyday, eager to ask him questions and take pictures of the renown him. Little children parade on the streets, singing the songs of victory and asking him for autographs. Officials, both old and rising ones, try to curry favor with him, in hopes of gaining the peers' nimble attention.

Having Chen Yu Zhi is enough.

Jiang Yue Lou finds it amusing that people are willing to waste their time for fame and extravagance; two such ambiguous things. The first thing you know is that it leads to happiness, then it withers, as you loathe yourself for thinking that it will be fine to sacrifice everything you had worked so meticulously for for something so dubious.

He had put his all to Jingcheng in order to make it the city of his dreams, the place where he will gladly stay and protect as long as he stands, but now he imagines scenarios of him living in a simple cottage with Chen Yu Zhi and Ke Ying, watching the millions of auburn blooms preluding dawn and the stars twinkling on the night skies like scattered moondust in the countryside. Lush green meadows surrounding their place, meaning that they will have picnics quite often. Serenity as tranquil as a moonlit lake, following them closely like the gentle breeze.

Maybe both Jiang Yue Lou and Chen Yu Zhi can pick up a book to read while cuddling each other, and Ke Ying can plant her sunflowers in the garden. Xiao Bai can run its little legs everywhere, chasing timid butterflies and can laze around whenever.

The Deputy Commissioner has worked so hard for himself and his future, yet now all he wants is to enjoy the peaceful simplicity of life, appreciating the rare chance to live without the fear of days snatching the remnant happiness that was all left. Without fearing that he won't wake up the next day. Without being terrified of the idea that he will have to start all over again.

All is safe and sound.

The camera lights beaming so brightly, the sight making someone squint immediately marks the end of his epiphany. The hustle and bustle approaching him, with people barking questions and shoving their brand new D9A microphones down his throat.