暗影的面纱 (Veil of Shadows)

Chapter XXI (Illusions)

Vibrant lights of the city accompanied them as they walked together through the night. They passed by high-rise buildings and chaotic, streets with honking cars and chattering crowds. The stalls lining the sidewalks were packed with people, yet it felt as if the two lovebirds were in a world of their own. The prosecutor, carrying their haul of cute plushies and souvenirs from the theme park, walked beside the mayor, their hands intertwined.

"Baobei" 

"Yes?"

"Salamat" Xiao Ya Tou said out of nowhere, her voice soft

"For what?" Stacey asked, slightly amused as she chuckled, not fully understanding why Alice was thanking her.

"Hmm, for this?" Alice replied.

"Silly! Of course, I'll do this kind of thing for you, especially spending time with you," Stacey responded with a warm smile, playfully ruffling the mayor's hair before gently tapping her nose.

As they walked back to their hotel, their conversation flowed easily, filled with laughter and light teasing.

But the older woman's phone kept buzzing inside her pocket; the rapid vibrations were clearly annoying. Alice fished the phone out and glanced at the screen. She suddenly stopped walking, changing the atmosphere between them. Her eyes widen as her gaze wanders around the place, searching for something.

Stacey noticed the change in the mayor's mood, and her laughter faded away. "What's wrong? " She asked, and her voice sounded worried as she looked at her girlfriend.

"Wala," the small woman said, glancing at Stacey with a reassuring smile. She wanted to ease any concern and make it clear that everything was fine.

"Can you buy me some dānggāo?" she requested, tilting her head and making a cute gesture.

"What's that?" the prosecutor asked, her smile widening as she appreciated the adorable sight of her girlfriend. Making her heart melt.

Mayor Tan pointed to a food stall with a long line. "It seems nice," she said.

"Fine! Wait for me, don't go anywhere," Stacey replied with a playful grin before heading towards the stall.

As soon as the prosecutor was out of sight, the older woman's phone started buzzing. A local number kept messaging her, and soon it rang.

"Wéi?" Alice answered the call.

"Xiǎo húlí, nǐ zài nǎ?" ("Little fox, where are you?") A woman with a southern accent spoke her voice familiar.

The chinita woman stayed silent.

"Kàn lái nǐ zhèngzài xiǎngshòu nǐ de suǒwèi nǚ péngyǒu de péibàn?" ("It seems you're enjoying your so-called girlfriend's company?") The woman on the other end of the line laughed.

"Wǒ zài lùshàng." ("I'm on my way.") Alice simply replied.

"Hǎo, wǒ děngzhe nǐ." ("Okay, I'll be waiting for you.")

As the crowd around the street thickened, creating a barrier between the two woman, Alice quickly walked through the busy streets alone and headed to a nearby tea shop that the woman sent her.

"Nǐ gàn ma ne!" A man exclaimed

"Duìbuqǐ, lǎobǎn" She responded

She then found herself in a quiet place where only her footsteps could be heard, far away from the chaos. 

"Xiǎo húlí!" ("Little fox!") The woman greeted her with a hug and a fake smile. The woman's smile was polite but cold.

"Qǐng?" ("Sit?") The woman gestured for Alice to sit down at a table, facing her.