Chapter 10
The grey-walled, black-tiled, three-story house in front of me is my home.
It is also the place I have planned to annihilate my target.
I don't have the keys. I gave them to my neighbor who is my third grandmother's younger sister.
The village is inhabited by the elderly and children which is good. It means regular life routines and rest times. It also means the chances I'll be spotted by others on the night I execute my plan will greatly decrease.
I got the keys from my third grandmother and gave her the milk and bananas I bought on my way back. My third grandmother is very old now, so old that she can't cook anymore. She just eats some milk and bread every day, occasionally cooking a meal or two.
The house feels icy cold with no human presence, and has a particular musty smell of stale air, like the smell of impending death that lingers around the elderly.
The only new thing in the house is the bathtub I custom ordered. I specifically ordered it from a German brand before preparing for action. Its advantage is high durability, rot-resistance and scratch-resistance. Even if I light a whole set of clothes on fire in it, it won't damage the tub at all. A clean rag is enough to wipe away most traces on the surface.
I just came back to check that the utilities, water tank on the roof, and sewer system have no issues.
At noon, I cooked braised pork for my third grandmother, enough for her to eat for a few days. I put it in small containers in the fridge, bought her rice and noodles, returned the keys and went back to the city.
I have the perfect location, just missing a few supplies. I've also rehearsed avoiding surveillance many times. It's close, really close now.
I'm having a little trouble controlling my heart. It seems to be speeding up uncontrollably.
I feel the impulse originating from the sinus node spreading through my whole heart, contracting, dilating, powerfully pumping blood out of my heart.
This excitement courses through my whole body. My fingertips tingle slightly from the blood flow.
Maybe I can go to the bar again tonight.
Black hair, red lips, little black dress.
Big wavy black hair, classic crimson lips, bare shoulder little black dress, women are born knowing how to disguise themselves, change up the look, aura on full blast.
Night falls, evil creatures begin to stir, the air in the bar throbs with pheromones, men's and women's, like cats in heat, one cry after another, shallow yet tempting.
I sit in my usual spot, order my usual drink, same posture. The shifting shadows of people around me have nothing to do with me. I just silently recite in my head: Viewing dragon light, knowing ancient swords, observing treasure air, discerning bright pearls. Therefore seasoned firewood is suitable for sale, if not bright day, how discover cave. His extensive learning termed magnificent, eloquence termed vigorous, analyzing treasure termed steady, also only morning star.
The cold beauty persona emerges. The rest is fishing, and those who take the bait can have it.
I'm only fishing for one.
He comes, pulling out the barstool next to me first: "We meet again, beauty."
I glance at him, still the same as 22 years ago, sincere smile, sincere lies, who knows underneath this face, what vicious arrogance is hidden, beneath the well-fitted clothes, what selfish, evil, cruel heart beats.
Stab a long stiletto between his fifth and sixth ribs on the left chest. Feel the heartbeat with your hand, twist the blade slightly, it will stop this heart from beating. Remember to leave the blade in the body. The heart will rupture between the left and right atrium, lose all vitality, but won't die immediately or have blood gushing out, just slowly seep a little from the wound at first.
He'll still think he can be saved, but his heart will soon cease beating, and he'll realize his life ends right at this moment.
Taking action this way would feel so gratifying, but with so many eyes around, people would panic and flee helter-skelter out of the bar. Police would arrive quickly, and even escaping the bar, the surveillance camera fifty meters to the right of the door would capture you clear as day. There'd be no getting away.
Only fools use this method.
I draw my gaze back.