Yang suddenly turned toward the voice. His body moving before his mind caught up.
The voice was coming from the window.
Cheng Mo leaned against the window frame. Relaxed. Casual. Like suddenly appearing in second-story rooms was the most natural thing in the world.
Yang immediately sat up. His hand dropping to his dagger. But something made him hesitate. Some instinct that told him even if he held that dagger to Cheng Mo's throat, the painter wouldn't be scared. Wouldn't even flinch.
Cheng Mo looked different than he had that night three weeks ago. It was the same face. The same weathered features. Yet something was completely off about him.
He looked brighter. Lighter. His movements were fluid in a way that seemed almost unnatural. Like he was floating through the motions instead of actually moving. Like gravity affected him differently than normal people.
"How did you get in?" Yang asked quietly. "You weren't there before."
Cheng Mo just smiled. Kept looking at him with those knowing eyes. He ignored Yang's question entirely.
"What do you see in this?" Cheng Mo asked instead. Looking at the painting.
Yang turned to the painting. Then back to Cheng Mo. "Don't you see it yourself? What did you do to me? To make me so ensnared by the painting?"
"Ensnared, you say?" Cheng Mo asked. Laughing. The sound was genuine. Amused.
Cheng Mo looked at him and his expression grew serious. "I didn't do anything. Whatever is happening between you and the painting is between you and the painting alone."
"What does that mean?" Yang demanded.
"Whatever you want it to mean."
Yang's jaw clenched. Frustrated by the circular answers.
Cheng Mo looked directly into Yang's eyes. "Do you know that each painting shows something different to everyone? Because every gaze is different. If this painting has ensnared you, it doesn't mean I charmed it somehow or that there's something wrong with it. Rather, it's how you look at it. What you see in it."
"How I look at it," Yang repeated slowly.
"Every painting has a thousand meanings," Cheng Mo said softly. "And none of them belong to the painter."
Yang went quiet at that. Processing. Then asked, "What are you doing here? How did you get here?"
He fell silent. Too many questions crowding his throat.
Cheng Mo smiled. "Ask away. Why did you stop? Ask everything that's on your mind all at once. I may answer you."
Yang took a breath. Then said the words he'd been refusing to say. "What are you?"
Cheng Mo smiled at that. "What do you think I am?"
Yang refused to answer. Refused to voice any impossible thoughts.
"Your eyes see more than most," Cheng Mo said. His tone matter-of-fact. "I don't know what secret you have and I don't really care. But surely it's discerning since it saw something in my painting. Since you can already see, why don't I give you an opportunity to see more?"
He straightened from his relaxed position against the window. "Come with me and you will not regret it."
Yang's inner instincts gave a jolt. Sudden. Intense. Yang was suddenly sure he wanted to go with this man. Needed to go. But caution still held him.
"Where?" Yang asked.
Cheng Mo refused to answer. Just said, "You can come with me or not. I will not force you."
"How will I know you won't harm me?"
"I give you my word I won't harm you," Cheng Mo said. His expression serious. "But I can't guarantee you won't meet your end where we're going. That depends on you."
Yang's heart pounded. "Can my brother come?"
"Your brother?" Cheng Mo's eyebrows rose slightly.
"Yes," Yang said firmly. "I will not leave without him."
And in his heart, Yang knew it was true. He would not abandon Li San. Not even for an opportunity that might be the best thing that ever happened to him. Not even for answers about the unknown path forward.
Li San had stood by him. Left his home with him. Had supported him through his obsession with the painting. Had worked extra shifts without complaint. Had taken days off to keep Yang company during his search.
Yang would not repay that loyalty with abandonment.
"Are you sure?" Cheng Mo asked. His gaze piercing. "What if I refuse?"
Yang met his eyes. "Then I'll have to refuse as well."
Cheng Mo studied him for a long moment. Then smiled. "You're surely loyal."
Before Yang could respond, Cheng Mo continued, "Fine. I'll take you both. But after this, what you make of this chance depends on you and your brother. I can give you only this opportunity. Nothing more."
"I understand," Yang said.
"Then gather anything you don't want to leave behind," Cheng Mo instructed.
Yang moved quickly. The first thing he grabbed was the painting. Carefully wrapped it in cloth. Then their saved coins. The pouch heavy with months of careful saving. Their better clothes. The few possessions they'd accumulated during their time in Sun City.
It all packed into two packs. Everything they owned in the world.
"We'll have to go to the warehouse area to pick up my brother," Yang said. "He'll be working there now."
Cheng Mo nodded. "Lead the way."
They left the inn. Yang walking in front. Cheng Mo following behind.
Yang noticed something strange as they moved through the evening crowds. People stayed away from Cheng Mo. Even in the packed streets where Yang had to push his way through, crowds parted for the painter. Like an invisible barrier surrounded him.
It was like they weren't even seeing Cheng Mo. But something unconscious made them avoid him. Step aside without knowing why.
They reached the warehouse area. One of Li San's colleagues spotted Yang. Waved.
"Yang! What are you doing here? Li San's shift isn't done for hours."
"Where is he?" Yang asked. Urgency in his voice. "It's an emergency."
The guard's expression changed. "I'll get him."
He called into the warehouse. Moments later, Li San came running out. He took one look at Yang carrying all their stuff. Shock crossed his face.
"Yang? What's going on?"
Yang just said, "Li San, we're leaving. Right now. Take anything you can't leave behind."
"What are you talking about?" Li San looked confused. Worried. He didn't even notice Cheng Mo standing a few paces behind Yang.
Finally Yang said simply, "Li San. Trust me. Come with me."
Li San quieted down. Looked deeply at Yang. Reading something in his face. His posture. Then he turned to his fellow guards.
"Brothers, I'll be leaving now. My brother needs me. Hopefully we'll meet again in the future."
He stepped next to Yang. Ready to follow wherever they were going.
Yang passed the pack he'd made of Li San's things. Li San took it without question.
They walked together. Cheng Mo now in front. Yang in the middle. Li San behind him.
Yang followed Cheng Mo through streets. Then side streets. Then into an alley that grew narrower with each step.
They came to a dead end. A wall blocking further progress.
Li San asked, "Yang, where are we going? What's in this alley?"
Yang turned toward him. Put a hand on his shoulder. "Trust me, okay?"
And suddenly Li San froze. His eyes widening. Looking past Yang.
Li San lunged backward. Puling Yang behind him. His body positioning itself protectively.
Cheng Mo had appeared in Li San's line of sight. Visible for the first time