'SEE YOU MORNING' 021 The Great World

'SEE YOU MORNING' 021 The Great World

Waking to broad daylight, Li Haojun found Qin Wenjing gone. Clean underwear lay prepared for him on the bedside table. He changed quickly, stepped out, turned left, and saw her figure in the kitchen preparing breakfast.
Li Haojun approached, gently wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, touching her skin, feeling her tangible presence. Qin Wenjing merely glanced back with a smile, silent as she continued her tasks.
Soon, fried eggs and quick burgers were ready, set on the dining table. Qin Wenjing then carried hot orange juice toward it.
Her uplifted hands accentuated the familiar curve of her waist and the rhythm of her stride. She still wore the same strapless nightgown, hanging naturally at her hips, swaying with each step. Li Haojun couldn’t resist pulling her closer, slowing her pace, matching her stride as he once had, tenderly keeping pace.
“Hey, don’t tease,” she said softly, carefully placing the hot drink on the table before turning. Her hands brushed his chest, feeling his warmth, his rising breath, even his heartbeat—where she resided.
Before breakfast could begin, their lingering gaze refused to part. Outside, the whir of an aerial taxi’s motor and propellers landing on the road cut through the quiet.
A faint smile played on Qin Wenjing’s lips.
“You’re a busy man now,” she murmured, still nestled in Li Haojun’s arms.
“I’ll head out again. Back in two days.”
“Mm. Rest tonight. Don’t exhaust yourself.”
As they spoke, Li Haojun held her tighter, breathing in the scent of her hair.
“Alright, go prepare. I’ll pack your breakfast for the road.” With that, Qin Wenjing gently pushed him away…
Riding the vehicle arranged by Malaya, Li Haojun arrived at the Spokane branch of Elegant Charm Hall. Unusual—it stood in a remote spot by Newman Lake. Smaller and simpler than others, the wooden building resembled a private residence in scale.
Past the entrance lay a reception hall with a compact front desk. Malaya chatted with a local employee. Seeing Li Haojun, she rose to greet him.
“Fully recharged?”
Caught off guard by the blunt question, Li Haojun hesitated. Since scheduling relied on her, he decided honesty was best and shared every detail.
“Sorry, not really. Got home late yesterday—she was already asleep. I was exhausted too. This morning I overslept.” He lifted the takeout bag for her to see. Breakfast had been eaten midair.
“Hmm, the schedule’s tight,” Malaya nodded thoughtfully.
Li Haojun softened. Why burden a girl? He added, “But mentally, I’m eighty percent charged.” To ease her discomfort.
Malaya rarely smiled. “Love’s power is mighty, huh? Today and tomorrow: Seattle and Portland. Seattle this afternoon or tonight, then Portland tomorrow?”
“Ha, thanks for the hassle. Still afternoon Seattle, morning Portland tomorrow. I want to head home early.”
“Got it,” Malaya replied, already working efficiently—a trait that had impressed Li Haojun from the start.
A woman emerged from the hallway. Dim vintage lighting obscured her face, but her silhouette was striking: tall, unnaturally thin. Li Haojun wondered if she’d over-restricted her diet. Dressed in a loose T-shirt, shorts, and sneakers, her elbows and knees jutted sharply; thighs and arms seemed skin stretched over bone, like a frame holding up clothes. He guessed she might be a model. She walked slowly, the hallway lights tracing her form—shoulders and hips swaying gently with each step. Her chin-length hair fluffed at the ends, its triangular front profile harmonizing with her proportions.
Watching, Li Haojun saw her exit the hallway into the living room. Now visible, she was an older woman: pale skin, black bangs, bold crimson lips contrasting her snow-white complexion, dramatic dark eyeshadow. Deep-set, large brown eyes, wider-set than average, high cheekbones tapering to a narrow, pointed jaw. A small mouth with thin lips, a petite nose with a slender bridge.
“Hello, Ethan. I’m Emma Gyllen, the store manager.” She extended her hand.
“Hello, a pleasure. I’m Ethan Li.” Flustered by his earlier staring, Li Haojun bowed slightly and brushed her fingers with his lips.
“Haha,” Emma’s voice was warm, elegant. “Malaya mentioned your recent amnesia. Seems you remember certain courtesies—flattering older ladies.”
“Oh, it’s only right. You’re very graceful.” Li Haojun thought:She’s right—I never considered this before. Without past memories, some habits remain. Strange.
“We women discuss everything. Don’t mind us.” Emma pulled a chair, joining him.
Seated, her height made her limbs appear even more delicate. Li Haojun struggled not to stare. Noticing his discomfort, she smiled indulgently, chatting about daily work and life.
Only two other staff worked here. Li Haojun sent Kesiya to brief them while Malaya stayed with him and Emma. The store seemed less about customer feedback, more like a retirement haven for Emma. He didn’t pry. Soon, business concluded, they took their leave.
Before boarding the car, Li Haojun glanced back from the parking lot’s far side. Emma sat on a sunlit bench outside, sunglasses hiding her eyes.So thin. May this elegant lady live long and well. Though he couldn’t see her eyes, he sensed her smile. He nodded in return before driving off.
At Spokane’s outer airport, Malaya chose a biodiesel-powered fixed-wing plane—her preferred transport, flying direct to Seattle. Reaching cruising altitude, Li Haojun ignored the view, reviewing new data on his work laptop. Spokane’s metrics showed slight deviations, likely from small sample sizes. He skimmed production management logs, gathering items to delegate to Kesiya—a chance for her growth.
Unaware, the plane neared Moses Lake. Li Haojun peered out, but the window angle blocked the ground below. Behind him, the girls’ chatter resumed. He ignored it, texting Qin Wenjing instead:
“What are you doing? Flying to Seattle now.”
“Working. No worry—Don’t let your new assistant charm you.” Qin Wenjing replied instantly.
“No chance. Not my type. Relax.”
“Good. Focus on your work.”
“Yeah, back tomorrow evening.”
“Okay.”
“Okay.”
After sending, Li Haojun felt lighter. He looked out: noon sun blazed on white clouds, the deep sky vividly blue.
“Thinking of her?” Kesiya’s voice, soft and slow. She rarely spoke, never gossiped. Her question surprised him. He turned, smiling.
“Yes.”Better answer when a lady speaks.
“What’s it like?” Kesiya asked calmly, her measured tone making Li Haojun wonder if she lacked Malaya’s sharpness—though he’d never say so. Malaya nudged her side, giggling like a drumroll.
“Wondering what she’s doing right now. How she’s faring. If she feels lonely without me.”
“And doyou feel lonely without her?” Malaya jumped in eagerly.
“Depends. If I’d never met her, alone by nature, I wouldn’t care. If I loved her but she didn’t love me back—I wouldn’t expect miracles. But now? Sometimes I wish she were here, sharing my experiences.”
“Whysometimes? So when we’re with you, you don’t need her?” Malaya’s sharp tongue struck again.
“Yeah, you want us to flaunt our romance in front of you?” Li Haojun shot back, joking.
Kesiya smiled at him, pushing Malaya’s shoulder. Malaya swayed, pouting.
“Sis, didn’t you pick this internship because you like him?”
Flushed, Kesiya lowered her head. When she looked up, her cheeks were crimson. To ease the tension, Li Haojun offered his hand.
“My honor.”
Kesiya’s fingertips barely touched his. “I reviewed your and Qin Wenjing’s past company records. You seemed stable, reliable—that’s why I chose this internship.” Her voice stayed gentle despite her blush.
“Earlier, Malaya said… Are you two sisters?” Li Haojun deftly changed the subject.
“Yes.”
“But…” He glanced at Malaya. “Your appearances differ so much?”
“Half-sisters. DNA tested when we were adopted into the same public welfare institution. That’s how we reunited.”
“Oh, I see.” Li Haojun looked away, touched. Two radiant girls, raised alone without parents, now stepping into the world.
When he turned back to comfort them, he caught Malaya flashing Kesiya a mischievous grin.
“Your lives are just beginning. Both beautiful—you’ll have many suitors, people who’ll cherish you.”
After this platitude, Li Haojun saw Kesiya nod gratefully. Malaya stared blankly, eyes darting between them, as if reading every thought.
Awkward silence drifted away with the clouds outside. The plane landed at Paine Field. A taxi awaited. Malaya outlined the next itinerary—her efficiency still impressive.
“Why become a private assistant? With your talent, you could excel elsewhere,” Li Haojun asked the Malaya facing him. She’d chosen a business-class taxi; he sat facing backward, offering the forward seats to the women.
“I like it,” Malaya replied absently, locking eyes with him. Li Haojun turned to Kesiya for confirmation.
“That’s just her,” Kesiya said gently.
“Hmm. She’s young. Could explore other paths…” He hesitated—too unfamiliar to probe deeper, hoping Kesiya would guide her sister. Maybe she truly loves it. With her will, no one could sway her.
Paine Field was remote; reaching downtown required more travel. Western Washington’s coast, spared major quakes, retained its original residents. With declining populations and improved welfare, people clustered by shared values. Basic housing and income were guaranteed, allowing free movement between communities.
For nearly two centuries, technological and regional disparities had widened social stages. Governing this fast-evolving society demanded higher citizen literacy—you couldn’t expect those unversed in tech, economics, or critical judgment to steer societal progress. Many lived under the “tech-age pacifier,” content as residents. Some citizens lived among them to prevent societal fracture.
Beyond urban residential edges lay zones for those unwilling or unable to abide by resident/citizen rules: freedom under natural law, no representation, taxation, or welfare, barred from external tech—only federal enforcement preventing large-scale humanitarian crises.
Li Haojun’s group headed downtown: a quasi-interstellar tech free zone, where biological or human modification tech, restricted elsewhere, flourished.
Humanity learned from history: advanced civilizations must restrain interference with less developed ones. Initially grasped through interstellar contact, Earth’s own journey revealed similar errors—North American pioneers overwhelming Native Americans with firearms, African tribal genocides from imported blades and guns, Israel’s state machinery crushing Palestinian militias, Third World conflicts with Eastern intervention. Each a product of jungle law—but jungle law wasn’t civilization’s path. Nor was reverse selection. Balance was key.
The world had grown more tolerant, granting soil to every social diversity. Li Haojun’s work advanced one such path. As they neared downtown, buildings and streets grew vibrant. Seattle’s Space Needle district hosted quasi-interstellar services. Elegant Charm Hall’s branch stood here, radiating urban energy: ivory curved eaves, semi-transparent steel-glass frames echoing a spaceport, harmonizing with the distant Space Needle.
Malaya guided them past the bustling lobby—guests entering, chatting, or making new connections. Co-owned by Paris Splendide, the store attracted models, performers, and politicians—a social hub.
Malaya excelled: the manager was too busy, so she coordinated with staff, shared a working lunch, and delegated tasks efficiently. By sunset, they boarded the Portland flight.
Cramped but manageable, dinner finished as the right window framed sunset over ocean, the left revealing sky and stars. Li Haojun thought of Qin Wenjing. Not a workaholic, he cherished twilight’s peace—but missed her.
“You’re thinking of her again?” Malaya’s youthful voice broke the quiet. She always disrupted his calm—avery personal assistant. Yet he couldn’t complain; only closeness enabled true support.
Li Haojun turned, catching Kesiya nudging Malaya, who giggled unbothered.
He smiled but didn’t answer. Young girls relished such topics—understandable. Their lives, just beginning, brimmed with hopeful uncertainty.
Night had fallen in Portland. Entering his hotel room, Li Haojun collapsed onto the bed, easing fatigue. His body wasn’t high-energy—more steady flow.Hope that means longevity. Longer to stay with Qin Wenjing. He couldn’t imagine her life without him.
A knock at the door.
“Come in,” he called from bed.
Malaya pulled Kesiya inside. Kesiya carried her work laptop.
“Haha, no need to push so hard,” Li Haojun said.
“Sorry—I couldn’t read today’s data correctly.” Kesiya handed him the laptop, sitting beside him. He caught her breathing rhythm, the scent of youth—distracting. Malaya wandered the room, lost in thought.
“Sorry for the late intrusion. Didn’t want to delay tomorrow’s work,” Kesiya apologized again.
“No problem.” Li Haojun scanned the screen.
“See? These figures seem off.” Kesiya leaned in, pointing. Her bangs swayed, revealing flushed cheeks. Fighting distraction, Li Haojun analyzed the pattern: cyclical errors, periodic.
“Could their data structure differ?” He cut a segment, forcing a manual type conversion. “See? Structures don’t match. Try this next time.”
Kesiya studied the screen, hesitant. Li Haojun contrasted the data segments.
“Oh, I get it.” She took the laptop, smiling thanks. “Thanks for the late help. I understand now.” Rising, she added, “Won’t disturb longer. Rest well,” then left, Malaya trailing.
Watching them go, Li Haojun felt infused with their energy—youthful again.Such a good feeling.
But Malaya hadn’t closed the door. She saw Kesiya to the opposite room, shut her door, then returned, closing his behind her. She grabbed a pillow, propped it against the headboard, and lounged beside Li Haojun.
“You need something?” he asked.
“Yes. To do my job well, I need to know you.” Her expression turned serious. Malaya was an enigma: skills beyond her years, yet childlike features paired with eyes holding seasoned calm—and occasional childish questions.
Unlike with Kesiya, Li Haojun felt no restraint with Malaya. He grabbed a pillow too, lying shoulder-to-shoulder, heads close.
“Alright. You’re passionate. Ask away.”
“Could you fall for my sister?”
“Honestly? She’s not my type.”
“What about me?”
“Sorry. Not you either.”
“And Qin Wenjing?”
“Hmm. Not exactly—but we share history.”
“I’ll schedule more time for you two.” Malaya stared at the ceiling. “You’re too kind.”
“Thanks. You’re thoughtful.”
“Then… does living with someone not your ‘type’ leave you feeling incomplete?” Malaya’s gaze stayed fixed upward, as if questioning herself.
“I’m unclear what type I prefer. Might only know when I meet her. But I’m good at spotting strengths. Qin Wenjing’s devoted, steadfast—especially toward me. Having her fulfills me. Life rarely grants perfect wishes.”
“Know the Law of Attraction?” Malaya turned, lying on her side toward him. Youthful face, an undeveloped young girl’s frame with delicate curves.
“Heard of it. But I’m not greedy—I’m content.”
“Low-desire type,” she mumbled, pale blue eyes locking onto his.
“Who doesn’t want good things? But life demands choices. I won’t buckle under excess burden.”
“Are you afraid of betraying Qin Wenjing?” Malaya slid her left arm around his waist, lips brushing his ear. “Is this wisdom… or fear?”
Li Haojun paused, speechless.A child saw this? She’s right—it’s fear.
Gazing at her small frame, he ached for her past: no parents, no family warmth. He took her left hand on his waist, slid his left arm under her neck, drawing her close. Meant to shower and rest. Guess I’ll sleep clothed tonight—else it’d be inappropriate…
The midnight train rolled silently. The carriage junction creaked; darkness filled the windowless cabin. A lone roadside lamp faintly lit the frame. Tracks transmitted rhythmic jolts.
“Wake up, Ethan. Wake up.”
A shaking shoulder in the dark. Li Haojun stirred.Dreaming—the dark carriage was a dream. He blinked awake. A long-haired woman shook him. Leaning close, her shoulder-length hair fell across his face. Through strands, morning light flooded the room. At the window, a girl faced outside, tying her hair into a high ponytail—Malaya. Beside him, Kesiya shook his shoulder again, her loose T-shirt neckline swaying with the motion. Li Haojun realized he’d overslept.Waking to two beauties—worth it. But my body’s still on ration… “Mm, yeah, okay… sorry I overslept,” he mumbled, eyes still heavy.
Rushed into a taxi by his assistants, Li Haojun had barely finished half his breakfast. Morning breeze cooled his face through the window. Behind him, the sisters whispered—Kesiya quiet, content to listen to Malaya’s chatter.Hope she doesn’t gossip about last night—how Malaya “conquered” me. Sigh. Mental conquest still counts.
The Portland Elegant Charm Hall visit proceeded smoothly. By late morning, at the airport, Li Haojun would part ways—they to Boise’s Eagle, he home.
“Where are you headed?” He glanced between them.
“Back to Eagle, Boise. I’m interning from school, living in staff housing. Malaya stays with me,” Kesiya replied, calm and soft-spoken as ever. “The company assigned us as your assistants. Notify us for any tasks—we’re at your service.”
“Thank you.” Li Haojun shook her hand. “Travel safely.” He turned to silent Malaya, her childish face unreadable.
“Will you miss us?” She cut straight to the point.
“I will.” He opened his arms, embracing her.
Walking separate paths, Li Haojun felt hollow. The two little angels who’d accompanied him were gone. Thinking of Kesiya and Malaya, he ached for their pasts.