Soon, there was a set of footsteps heard behind her. He looked a bit puzzled..

She looked fine to him?

"Hey hey...what's wrong? You okay?"

Walking up to her, hands on her shoulders to turn her to him, glancing from her to Xue Ying, then back to her.

"What's the matter? Sorry for the delay...."

"Your life is what you make it. Good things are deserved, and will happen. That's nothing to take insult in. Don't worry, there's other ways to enjoy this time of year, you know."

Headpat..

Shaking his head, though a smile formed after.

"I get it. It's mocking, right? I don't blame you. I guess I'd be offended and annoyed too."

“..Any reason why?”

He teases, reassuring her.

“I know a way to lead it out though. Come on, let’s keep going. There’s a wide open space coming up..”

“I…actually. Yeah. We can. For someone so creeped out, you’re really thinking like a hunter, aren’t you? That’s something we can do. It seems like it’s aware of our presence. Though what’s off is that it seems reluctant to show itself outright. Hesitant, almost.

Dunno. Maybe you frightened it.”

—

like, but I know it’s been extracted from human essence. Something that lurks here often. Chances are, it knows we’re here. So. Let’s just keep walking.”

“No, you picked the best night. Because I’m the best sort of protection to have. You don’t need to help or do a thing. Just flee or stay behind me, and I’ll handle the rest.”

Sighing.

Though he did feel bad. He didn’t account for meeting anyone tonight..

“And also, no. No idea what it looks-

And she’s choosing him? Strangely, he’s flattered.

whatever he was tracking had only temporarily hidden itself, and was watching them both..

A long siiiiigh, hands sliding into his jacket pockets.

“Nothing gets past you huh? Yeah. I’m working. I lost track of what I was pursuing. Can’t go home until I get it under control, but for now, this is fine. Doesn’t look like it wants to be seen right now.”

He’s partially right. But really, —

|| I lied, but it’s still coming.

pockets, and there is when he cleared his throat before speaking again:

“Let’s start with a name. Ye Shen. Sorry for startling you.”

“Trust me…I won’t.”

A bit taken aback by the circumstance he’s found himself in, yet, he nods to agree.

Still, he’s vigilant. He doesn’t feel they’re out of the woods just yet. What happened to his target?

It still just vanished mid turn. That concerned him.

For now, hands shift to his

pretty foolish.

I get it.”

A deep sigh.

“You’re making several good points. And…yes, I do. But they’re for…something else. Something hostile I was tracking. When you showed up, I think I lost it.”

Raises hands.

“I’m not interested in hurting you. Quite the opposite. But truthfully. Repeating back my suggestion did sound-