Although I didn’t bring back a skull or a crystal ball, I have my own way to commemorate this experience. The picture was printed out, framed in wood, and hung on the wall of my study. I see it day after day, perhaps in a few decades, I might comprehend something. I used this as a period to end this chapter, but soon after, a new chapter began. Less than a week after returning from India, Liang Yingwu’s mysterious vacation ended, and he reappeared before me. This old classmate, who uses his university lecturer position as a cover, often takes long leaves from school for various reasons. The reason he hasn’t been fired yet is due to his other identity — a researcher at Organization X. While having coffee with him, I didn’t ask what mission he was on this time, although I was very curious. He strictly adheres to confidentiality when it comes to work, which is quite dull. From past experiences, I only get to know some insider information when a study from Organization X involves me. In contrast to his tight-lipped nature, I often share my experiences with him in detail, like this trip to Mahabalipuram. Curiosity is something that needs to be shared to be enjoyed. Sharing is a joyful thing.
What puzzled me was that soon after I started recounting my story, the handsome, expressionless guy across from me began to look peculiar, and this strange expression did not fade even after I finished my story, parched. “Why that look? Is something wrong?” I asked.
“Your current conclusion is that the owner of the skull merely predicted the general geological changes, made a vague prophecy, and that the tsunami had nothing to do with him?” Liang Yingwu said slowly.
“Yes, I was initially misled into overcomplicating it, but it should just be that simple.”
“Do you know if it was a human, an alien, or another kind of Earth creature?” Liang Yingwu asked.
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly.
“Do you know why he descended upon that tribe and stayed there for so long?”
“I don’t know.”
“Do you know what question continually troubled him, and what answer he eventually found?”
“I don’t know.”
