Chapter 362: A Momentary Tenderness
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The family of three did not get angry. They chatted with Zhang Zian, asking him to take a few photos of the whole family, and left. They may have had doubts in their hearts. Why did this Chinese man stand in front of Bruce Lee's wax figure for such a long time? Was it really because all Chinese people have a Kung Fu complex?
Old Time Tea had been staring intently at Bruce Lee’s wax figure without blinking for a long time before moving its eyes away. It sighed deeply and said, "Zian, enough, thank you."
"Grandpa Tea, we are not in a hurry, you can watch it longer." Zhang Zian said sincerely.
Old Time Tea shook its head and said, "Time is passing quickly."
"Well, let's keep exploring around." Zhang Zian did not force it. Unlike Galaxy, Old Time Tea was mature enough and experienced, so its inner problems could only be solved on its own.
They didn’t go very far, and Fina, who had been grumpy all the time, was shocked and gazed at a gorgeous wax figure in front of her.
Her reaction was also expected by Zhang Zian, because it was the figure of Cleopatra played by Elizabeth Taylor.
Fina once said that she was ugly. Whether she really meant that was unknown—Zhang Zian was more inclined to believe that Fina just didn’t like others to pretend to be her previous owner.
However, the aesthetic conceptions of the modern and the ancient times were surely different. Besides, during the last two thousand years, the appearances of people had also been changing due to the continuous mixing of races. The real Cleopatra VII was of Greek descent, while Elizabeth Taylor possessed a quarter of Indian ancestry, so it was normal that Fina disliked her look.
Despite the above factors, at a cost of 44 million U.S. dollars, and taking into account the factor of inflation, this monumental movie, with the highest investment amount in the film industry, was impeccable in terms of background investigation. It collected all the materials on ancient Egypt that were available, except Cleopatra herself, and all other aspects were very close to the true ancient Egypt.
Elizabeth Taylor, or Cleopatra VII, was dressed in a fitted black robe, and was leaning against a soft, red velvet couch, gazing forward and smiling. Her posture was very feminine, showing a beautiful S-shaped curve, and the golden arm rings, bracelets and braid pendants added to her luxury and elegance.
Behind her was a scene of a starry night 2,000 years ago. The luxurious royal flat-bottomed boats were sailing in the Nile, while the soldiers and slaves were busy serving Her Majesty.
Farther away, a bright moon was shining.
The white pyramids were standing silently in the moonlight. Whether it was the moon or the pyramids, they hadn’t changed for thousands of years.
What was she looking at?
Overlooking the vast sacred kingdom like the pharaohs?
Waiting for the victorious return of Caesar or Anthony, like a wife?
Looking forward to her children growing up, like a mother?
Facing her death with an open mind, like a prophet?
Or was she looking at the Bubastis Shrine far away, missing the Bastet who was alone deep inside the palace?
Seeing Fina’s strange expression, Old Time Tea was puzzled and wanted to ask it some questions, but was stopped by Zhang Zian. Snowy Lionet wanted to approach Fina too, but it was also deterred by him. This was the first time he had stopped Old Time Tea from speaking, because now was not the time for inquiries, and Fina's temper was not as good as Old Time Tea’s. At this time, Fina must not want to be disturbed by anyone or anything, not even Old Time Tea or Snowy Lionet.
Fina froze there, and she was even more hesitant than Galaxy had been moments ago. Eyes wide open, she looked directly the figure’s gaze, her mouth moving silently, as if she was saying and asking something.
This was another reason Zhang Zian chose to visit the wax museum where there was not only the wax figure of Bruce Lee, but also presented the figure of Cleopatra—even if it was just an actress playing Cleopatra.
On the plane, when Fina asked him when they would be flying over the Black Land, he started to pay attention. If they were not able to go to Egypt for the time being, perhaps Elizabeth Taylor's wax figure could give her a little bit of consolation.
Different from Galaxy, Fina had a strong will and did not need Zhang Zian's encouragement. After a brief trance, she recognized that this was not the figure of the real Cleopatra, but instead was an actress she had seen before.
She walked very slowly and carefully toward her, as if in fear of waking up from this dream if she moved too much or too quickly.
Zhang Zian heard footsteps and talking behind him. He turned around and saw that a young couple was coming in this direction, holding cameras in their hands. It seemed like they were about to take pictures with Cleopatra.
He quickly approached them with a smile, "Hello! I am the commissioner sent by the Amazing Fate Pet Shop. Could you please lend me a lighter?"
Zhang Zian said these words in Chinese deliberately. The foreign couple didn’t understand a word he said.
The young couple made gestures, pointing to their ears and waving their hands, indicating that they didn’t understand Chinese.
Still, Zhang Zian continued to play dumb. He took out a tourist map and showed it to them, pointing around on the map casually, pretending to be asking for directions. He just would not let them pass.
The young couple were polite and nice, and even though they did not understand what Zhang Zian was saying, they still tried their best to show the directions for him. Sometimes Zhang Zian opened his eyes widely, acting like he had understood; sometimes he frowned, indicating that he was still puzzled. He thought to himself that it was a pity that no director or producer had found his talent in acting, or else he might have been an Oscar winner nowadays…
While he was besieging them, he also secretly glanced at Fina. He saw that Fina had walked up to the soft couch, looking up at Cleopatra's wax figure, with tears sparkling in her green eyes.
Zhang Zian was apologizing to the couple inside his heart. He tried so hard to keep them from moving forward, not just for Fina’s sake, but also out of concern for their safety. Who knew what Fina might do out of fury?
Old Time Tea and Snowy Lionet also seemed to have an understanding of what was going on. They were staring nervously at the tourists coming and going, in fear that someone insensitive might come and disturb Fina.
A few seconds later, Fina jumped gently up to the soft couch and looked even closer at the wax figure.
From the perspective of Zhang Zian, he suddenly felt that something was missing from the hand resting on the side of Cleopatra’s body. It would be even better if a wax figure of a cat was placed there.
Fina squatted and looked at her for a while, then closed her eyes and lay on the couch in front of her. She knew that the Cleopatra was fake: that she did not breathe, had no smell, had no temperature, and that her face was different from her real owner. Yet except for the above, everything else was the same.
She really hoped that the figure could suddenly start to move, gently placing a hand on her and say, "Fina, you have been waiting for me for so long. From now on, we will be together forever."
Fina knew that this was just a wishful thinking. The real Cleopatra, along with the immortal sacred kingdom, had vanished over 2,000 years ago. Not even a mummy of her was left behind.
After a momentary tenderness, she opened her eyes, which no longer had tears in them, and once again became the usual Fina.
Cold-faced, she jumped off the soft couch, stared at Zhang Zian and said contemptuously, "Stop playing your tricks! You are embarrassing me!"
Zhang Zian also could not hold on any longer. If he kept badgering the couple, they might call the police. He moved away so that the couple could finally take pictures with the wax figure of Cleopatra.
When the couple left, with inexplicable questions in their minds, the area around Cleopatra's wax figure became empty again.
"Do you want to stay longer?" asked Zhang Zian, pointing at the wax figure.
Fina swung her tail and turned away.
"Am I silly? Why would I want to stay longer? She’s just a wax figure," she said indifferently, "And an ugly one at that."