60 Memories (VI)

"Who we are will take a lot of time to explain. So, I'll make it simple. We are from the Yang Family, the creator of the portal. We are here to help her to help you," Granny Wu explained as her right hand rested on the other Fu Yixiao's shoulder.

"Why?" Fu Yixiao asked. "How and why did you create the portal?" she added.

"Personal reason," Wu Zhaoyi interrupted. He locked eyes with Fu Yixiao for a minute longer before looking away. Fu Yixiao blinked. For some reason, she could feel a longing in his eyes.

"Alright, should we get on business? I know you have lots of question to ask but we need to proceed with the plan," Granny Wu said as she walked toward the corner of the cave. She crouched down before reaching for one of the rocks available on the ground and proceed to dig the soil.

"Here, take this and always have it with you. This is the design of the Sacrificial Building. Once we are inside the building, this will come in handy," Granny Wu threw the soiled piece of yellowish paper to Fu Yixiao.

"You know. You guys are the most suspicious people in this place. You revealed that you created the portal and you said something about traveling the multi-universes just to help a Fu Yixiao? I'm not stupid. Even if Han Xiangzhi wants to use me or the other Fu Yixiao, honestly, you can simply turn a blind eye," Fu Yixiao said as her right hand caught the building design thrown at her.

"So, why are you helping us?" she pressured on. Her eyes wouldn't leave Wu Zhaoyi and Granny Wu who was now standing side by side. Behind them was the other Fu Yixiao who was hugging the book she read earlier closed to her chest.

"That's, we...she..." Granny Wu stuttered. She stared at Wu Zhaoyi whose eyes were admiring the girl in front of him. She elbowed the boy's shoulder and that had awakened him from his admiration toward Fu Yixiao. Smiling, he tried to give a satisfying explanation.

"That's because I need to find someone who-"

"We should be thankful that they're willing to help us," the other Fu Yixiao interjected and walked in between her companions. The sudden interruption stalled Wu Zhaoyi from explaining. He twitched when he realized that the chubby Fu Yixiao was purposely blocking his view of the other Fu Yixiao. He shifted his body to the left to allow himself taking a look but again, his line of sight was blocked by the same method. He frowned but decided not to say anything.

"You believe them?" Fu Yixiao stepped closer and whispered. The other Fu Yixiao nod lightly and held her hand urging her to do so. Fu Yixiao sighed. No matter how convincing the trio was, everything seemed improbable to her. But, she knew that choosing their side would help her to enter the building.

"What's the plan?" Fu Yixiao asked as she had a thorough look at the details on the building design.

"You're accepting all this?" Wu Zhaoyi's eyebrows crooked up. He was looking at Fu Yixiao, not believing that she would believe them. The rests were doing the same, all were staring at her, waiting for an answer.

"I don't know but I couldn't understand my life either and it's better to believe you guys than to believe nothing," she said calmly. An uncertain smile surfaced on her face which after a while became one that could mesmerize the people watching her. Even the other Fu Yixiao couldn't believe that 'she' could smile beautifully.

Granny Wu clapped her hand to wake the entranced audience. "Gather up. I'll explain the plan," she instructed. The Fu Yixiaos sat next to Granny Wu, taking one side each.

Wu Zhaoyi walked toward them as he heaved a sigh of relief. He peered over Fu Yixiao's face before paying attention to the same old explanation from Granny Wu.

Fu Yixiao tilted her head to one side with her left hand to support. "What are you thinking about?" Wu Zhaoyi asked, interested to know what she was pondering about. The other Fu Yixiao was slightly surprised to see him interested at Fu Yixiao. She bitted her bottom lips as her sweaty palm gripped on the book on her lap.

She had been traveling universes with Wu Zhaoyi and Granny Wu for as long as she could remember and this was the first time she saw such look from Wu Zhaoyi. All these while, she thought she had understood him well but since they arrived at this universe, somehow, the Wu Zhaoyi she knew was acting differently.

"Are you okay?" Fu Yixiao asked after seeing the sad look on the other Fu Yixiao's face.

Startled, the other Fu Yixiao stared at the one asking. She smiled confirming that she was okay. In the end, it was her who was closer to Wu Zhaoyi, she believed that even though everything was different in this universe, the ending would be the same. 'She' too would perish like the others. Her smile widened as the thought appeared on her mind.

Fu Yixiao noticed the expression on the face of the other Fu Yixiao and it formed an unsettling feeling inside her.

"Are you sure you're okay?" she asked to confirm the doubt on her mind. "I am," the reply was short but for some reason, there was animosity embedded on it. Fu Yixiao nodded slightly but her guard was up for the other her was definitely hiding something.

"Okay, let's go!" Granny Wu didn't realize the subtle changes in the atmosphere and excitedly gave the signal to set off. Fu Yixiao exhaled and slowly got up followed by Wu Zhaoyi and the other Fu Yixiao.