It's been a while. Sorry for the long wait. Too many things happened, fandom and motivation was killed. Here is finally part 4/5. Hopefully it was worth the wait.

Many thoughts raced through my mind while I watched this grown man dug through his powder blue coat pockets very flustered for something.

Why was this happening?

Did I done something different or wrong this morning?

I had done the same morning routine as long as I could remember. Even though everyone walked with phones in their faces, everyone seemed to have a pre-programed route and moved in an orderly fashion everyday. Running into another person just doesn't happen in this world. Like a computer met with an unexpected error, I didn't know how to proceed with the interaction and froze in place.

x

"I'm so sorry." The tall male with an umbrella thankfully spoke first. His voice helped to bring my attention back to our current situation. "Are you okay? Were you burnt by the coffee? Here take these." He held out a packet of tissue.

I covered my ears with my hands in panic. The sounds coming out of the man's mouth were so...loud.

No one talked. Well, it isn't a law, but that's just how things are in this world. Everything was communicated quietly through texts and emails. I looked hurriedly around my surroundings to see if anyone else had noticed the abnormality in our world. However, everyone went on with their day, phones up to their face and headphones in their ears, like usual.

"Are you okay?" The man repeated in a more worried tone than before.

I pressed my index finger to my lips immediately to tell him to be quiet. The man's face just twisted into more concern and confusion.

I blinked blankly up at the man. Doesn't he know the norms of the world? Why is he acting like I'm the weird one here?

"Hey. You zoned ou-." The man waved his hand in front of my face and drew my attention back to him.

Before he could finish, I pressed my hand to his mouth to silence him. Doesn't he get that he has to be quiet!?

"Mmm! Mm! Mmmmm!" The man made some incomprehensible noise while peeling away my hand. In the end, I lost in this battle of strength. "Why is everyone here have to be so weird!?" He gasped after breaking free.

I glared up at the man. He was the alien in this world. If anyone else would just look up from their phones for a moment, they would have noticed too. The most obvious reasons? He was in color and loud in this silent greyscale world. He also had an aura that was warm and bright unlike anyone or anything in this cold and mechanical world.

x

"Look." The man sighed heavily while ruffling his brown hair in frustration. "I'm really sorry. I'm in a hurry. I will treat you to another cup of coffee some other time. Here." He forced the pack of tissues and a business card into my hands before rushing away.

I examined the tissues and the card. My face scrunched up in confusion as I stared down at the items. What did he want me to do with the tissues? Did he want me to text him for something using the number on the card? I was not taught on how to deal with this type of situation. Should I looked up a solution on online? But that would leave a search history on my phone, and it could be traced back to me.

According to his business card, the man's name was Su MuQiu. His name and phone number was printed neatly in black lettering on a white card. A strange name for a strange man. A name that invoked images of orange, red, and brown leaves raining in autumn.

I frowned at the mental image. I touched between my brow and felt a slight crease. Oh great, I was now expressing emotions. I was supposed to be an emotionless citizen in an emotionless world.

This man had brought colors and emotions to a world that was colorless and unfeeling. He was like a virus in the world and was already spreading fast. I looked down at my hand that had covered his mouth. My light grey skin was starting to gain a light peachy hue. I could also feel a lingering warmth spreading from the point of contact.

I was contaminated. What if someone found out I got contaminated? What would the world do to me? I didn't want to think about the consequences. I got rid of the tissues in the nearest trash can and hoped that I would never run into that unlucky star (1. 扫把兴) that had appeared in this world again.

I tried to go on with the rest of my day like usual after that. But every object I touched with that hand seemed to gradually gain color, and the colors just kept spreading until eventually it took over everything.

I was edgy for days. I waited for the world government to take me away, but they never came. Besides there was color in the world, everything else stayed the same. Eventually I adapted to the new norm. I even had a couple peaceful days before SuMuQiu showed up again. This time, he appeared in the convenience store near my apartment.

x

"Hey, it's you." Su MuQiu recognized me first. His voice sounded even a little happy.

I didn't respond. No one around me seemed to have noticed him, so I copied their actions. Any ununiformed behavior could put me at even more risk of being shipped off to the rehabilitation center. It was rumored that people go in, but no one comes out.

I kept my gaze down and pretended to be concentrated in the bento selection. I had hoped by displaying a disinterest in him, he would leave me alone. But, he did the complete opposite of what I had hoped.

"You know. It's all the same type of bento." He walked up and reminded me.

My plan had failed, and I had no back up plan. So the only thing I could do was to keep on ignoring him and get out of here as fast as possible. I quickly grabbed a bento box and paid the clerk on the way out.

"Please wait. You were the one I ran into the other day right?" He pleaded after me like kicked puppy, but I kept on walking. "Please tell me…."

I only dared to look back at him after I exited the store. He had a defeated look on his face. The look he gave me through the automatic glass sliding doors could break hearts. I felt a discomfort in my chest like my heart had skipped a beat.

The moment I made eye contact with Su MuQiu, I knew it was a mistake. He suddenly perked up and had a glimmer of hope in his eyes. He must have noticed that I recognized him too. This man was too dangerous! With one last look to make sure he stayed in place in the store, I dashed off towards the safety of my apartment.

x

I panted in front of my apartment door. I never ran or exercise a day in my life. There was simply no need to. Running, even for a short distance, hurts. My lungs felt like they were on fire. My limbs felt like noodles. Keys jingled noisily as I attempted to unlock my door.

"Hey. It's you right?"

Somehow the man followed me back! This is the time to send a SOS text to the world government right? I took out my phone. Just as I unlocked my phone, a hand snatched the device away.

"It's not what you think." Su MuQiu must have guessed my thoughts based off the horrified look I had on my face.

I tried to get my phone back, but our height difference was too big. When he held the phone above his head, I couldn't even touch it when I jump as high as I could. I also tried to pry his arm down, but the guy was solid. By the end of the attempts, I was the only one tired out.

"Finally out of energy? Look, I live next door. Just moved in today." He inserted a key into the apartment next door and unlocked it.

Okay. So he maybe he didn't follow me back, but I still need my phone back. I held out my hand, demanding that he give my phone back with my eyes.

"Is everyone a mute in this world? Can you at least ask?" He dangled my phone in front of my face as bait. "All you have to say is, 'please give back my phone.' Then I will give it back. Simple as that."

I contemplated his request. Simple my butt. I jumped for it again when his defense seemed down, but he reacted faster than expected.

"Just you know, you don't jump very high." Su MuQiu grinned at my attempts. " Oh, you don't run very fast either. It wouldn't have been too hard to follow you if I tried."

I wasn't sure what kind of expressions I was showing him, but Su MuQiu let out a deep chuckle.

"I'm sorry. I can't help myself. You are just too easy to tease."

I rolled my eyes and held out my hands again.

"Fine. Only because I feel bad for you."

'Thank you.' I quickly flashed the words to him on my phone before disappearing into my apartment.

"You are welcome! See you later neighbor!" Su MuQiu yelled through my door, and then I heard his apartment door closed.

Even though, his actions were a bit childish, it did bring a small smile on my face.

x

For the next couple days, I didn't run into my new neighbor again. He seemed to head out before me and came home after me each day. It wasn't until more than a week later that I saw him again. This time, I noticed him first. I found SuMuQiu sitting on the floor by his door with his face hiding in the crook of his elbow. His appearance looked more ragged. His usual happy, carefree aura seemed to have been replaced by a cloud of gloom.

Su MuQiu didn't seem to notice my approach at all. He didn't look up even when I walked passed him. I bit the inside of my cheek debating if I wanted to make my presence known or try to sneak into my apartment without him noticing. If I approached him, I would open a can of worms that I won't be able to close. Against my better judgment, I knelt next to him and shook him lightly on the shoulder.

"Oh. Hey. It's you." Su MuQiu mumbled. He sounded very tired.

'You okay?' I typed on my phone.

"Yea." He answered half heartedly and fell back into a depressed trance.

Not well versed in conversing or comforting another person, I could only sat next to him. I hoped I could offer him some company this way. I snuck a glance at Su MuQiu. He just stared at the wall ahead with a distant look on his face.

"I'm looking for someone, but I'm running out of time." Su MuQiu let out a heavy sigh that he had been holding in for a long time. He was mostly ranting to himself, but it sounded like he needed someone to listen to his story. "It's beginning to feel impossible to find her in this world. No offense to you or anyone else in this world, but you are all weird. No one talks, ever! It's so quiet. Everyone is so robotic and attached to their phone. Have you ever noticed, all the females have the same face, and the males too. It's like everyone came out of the same two molds! So far, you are the only one here that I could interact with; I'm just air to everyone else. Even when I bump into other people, they just sidestep me like they hit an invisible wall. Hey. Maybe you would know her. Do you know anyone by the name of Wang JingChun?"

Nope. I shook my head.

"Oh wait, she told me she goes by Naomi now. Does Naomi ring a bell?"

Nada. I shook my head again.

"How about a XiaoBaiBai?"

I made a face. I'm not sure if that's a real name, but it sounded stupid.

Su MuQiu finally laughed. It sounded like his mood had improved a little. "XiaoBaiBai wasn't the biggest fan of that name either when I brought it up to her the first time." He looked at me thoughtfully. "You..."

x

His stare startled me. I pointed to myself in question.

"I just realize that I have been calling you, You. I don't even know your name. I'm MuQiu. What's your name?"

A name? Do I have a name? Should I have a name? I seemed to have realized that question for the first time. I tried to recall, but nothing comes to mind. In the end, I shrugged at MuQiu's question. If I can't remember then it must not be that important.

"Really? You don't have one? Maybe it says your name on your ID?"

I took out my ID. The card only contained my picture, an ID number, and a barcode.

"Pffhh." MuQiu bursted out in laughter when he saw my card.

'What?'

"You look like a flight attendant!"

'It's a standardized picture.'(2) I quickly put my card away with a huff.

"Well, I guess I will call you Xiao Wu (3. 小五) until you remember. It's better than calling you, You."

'Why Xiao Wu?'

"Well, it's because you live in apartment number 5. And it's better, and shorter, than calling you Toymaker# 14456208. Pretty neat nickname right?" MuQiu seemed to be delighted with the nickname he came up with on the spot.

It was strange to see how something so trivial can make someone brighten up so much. I didn't care for the name, but also didn't dislike it enough to complain about it. It felt good to have a name.

"It's nice to formally to meet you Xiao Wu." MuQiu held out his right hand towards me.

I blinked at his outreached hand.

"It's called a hand shake. It's how people meet each other formally for the first time where I come from. Try it."

Still confused about this custom, I held out my right hand too.

"Then you do this." MuQiu grasped my limp hand and gave it a firm shake.

'Why?' I questioned after the shake. I studied my hand. I half expected something to change this time around too, but thankfully nothing happened.

"You know. I really don't know. It's just something we do where I'm from."

'Where are you from?'

"Oh. Is Xiao Wu getting curious about me?" MuQiu grinned ear to ear, delighted.

I gave him an unimpressed look.

MuQiu would have teased me more. But, two rumbling sound reminded both of us how long we have been sitting outside of our apartments. When we were aware of our surroundings again, daylight was fading. It was already past normal dinner time.

x

"Do you want to talk more over dinner? I will cook?" MuQiu asked hopefully.

I showed him my usual bento box in a plastic bag from the convenience store.

"Food taste better when it's eaten with other people. I haven't had anyone to talk to for days. I feel like I'm going crazy."

'I don't talk either?' I typed the obvious on my phone screen.

"Well, you know what I mean. Besides, I think you could if you tried. I'm also getting pretty good at reading your body language. So please?" MuQiu gave me his best puppy eyes.

I sighed in defeat. For some reason, I can't refuse those eyes.

"Yes! I'm going to show off all my cooking skills tonight. You will be impressed." MuQiu bragged while dragging me into his apartment.

That night, I learned that MuQiu's impressive cooking skills consisted of boiling water. He was well versed in making cupped ramen. We shared the bento box and cupped ramen. As unimpressive as the meal was, it did taste better.

Instead of the usual tasteless ingredients, I could taste the saltiness of the ramen, umami flavors of the fried shrimp, and sweetness from the mochi. For the first time, I felt that eating was not a chore, and the food was delicious. It felt like I had forgotten food can be delicious.

x

For better or worse, things kept on changing the more time I spent with Su MuQiu. It felt like feel like I was relearning things I didn't know I had forgotten. I started to wonder what other things I had forgotten.

1. 扫把星 - Direct translation is a sweeping star. But usually used to say bad omen, bearer of bad luck.

2. The standardized picture for driver's license in China have very strict requirements. Sometimes, they will even make you rent a uniform. The female pictures looks a lot like flight attendants without the little hats, in my opinion at least.

3. 小五 - Little five

Part 5/5 will be...a while. I know how to finish up, but haven't wrote a word yet. =X sorry.