Life: A Black and White Film (一生一世，黑白影画)

Chapter 5.1 - The Wrath of Gods and Buddhas (1)

The door behind her closed.

She could not help turning around for a look. It was as if they had finished their lovers' rendezvous, and now they were immediately going their separate ways. There were times when he simply gave a feeling of distance and cold detachment.

His words floated in Wen Han's mind and left her unsettled. Knocking on Agnesa's door, she asked whether Agnesa wanted to go find something to eat. Agnesa had just had a nap and caught up on some sleep. Now that she was awake, she was hungry as well, so she gladly slipped her arm through Wen Han's and headed downstairs with her.

However, the lobby before their eyes had unexpectedly become a whole other world.

Everywhere, there were people.<>This is an UNAUTHORIZED copy, taken from hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com

Wang Wenhao, surprisingly, was standing by the door, wedged in amongst the throng.

The ethnic-Chinese owner of the inn was so busy perspiration dripped from his forehead. One moment he was speaking the local language, the next moment, English, then Japanese, Korean, etc., etc. All types of languages were rotated through, one after the other, as he continuously explained to everyone, "We really have no rooms left."

The owner was kept busy for a long while until he finally was able to send away a batch of people.

When he heard Wen Han say that they wanted to have dinner, he cried a tearless cry. "Sir and madams, the people of Nepal are all already meditating in their dreams, yet all of you are just now wanting to have dinner. Ah, there's nothing left, nothing left." He pointed at the empty cupboard behind him. "I've got absolutely nothing."

Wen Han's stomach was growling hungrily. She wanted to go outside to see, but the inn owner stopped them. "The general strike is not a joke. Don't go wandering about."

Remembering that Cheng Muyun had said the same, she, too, felt that it was dangerous outside. "Forget it. There are crackers in our rooms anyway. We'll just make do tonight."

"But I want to eat something hot." Agnesa shot a pleading look to Wang Wenhao for help.

Wang Wenhao seemed somewhat preoccupied. With a glance at his watch, he told Agnesa, "I'm going out for a look. If there is food, I'll bring some back for you guys."

Pulling Wen Han along, Agnesa chased after him. "Let's go together. The atmosphere here is too suffocating."

Wang Wenhao frowned, wanting to turn her down.

The light bulb in the lobby went out with a pop. There had been no warning at all.

"God!" someone shouted. "The power's gone out in this damn hellhole again."

"It's such a hellhole here! What decade are we living in, still having general strikes?"

"Yeah! If I had known, I would have just stayed in India!"

"I just came from India. Indian hotels are so shabby and rundown! But I never would have thought it's even more annoying here! There aren't even any rooms."

All complaints.<>This is an UNAUTHORIZED copy, taken from hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com

"Let's go. Don't stay here. There's going to be a fight." In the darkness, Agnesa towed Wen Han with her and squeezed their way out of crowd. Jogging out to the alley, she exhaled a deep breath. "I swear, we absolutely have to go back to Kathmandu tomorrow. Let's go find something to eat first."<>Copyright of Fanatical, hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com. If you are not reading this from hui3r[dot]wordpress[dot]com, the translation has been taken without consent of the translator.