Late Morning — University Entrance
Classes had barely settled when Violet stood up.
Qiū Huà Bǐ was mid-conversation with his laptop screen when he noticed her slinging her bag over her shoulder.
"Where are you going?" he asked.
"Leaving."
He blinked.
"Leaving… as in skipping class?"
"You're the student," she replied calmly. "Not me."
Yè Yī leaned back in his chair, already expecting this.
"Going back to the apartment?"
"Yes."
She looked at him.
"You'll keep an eye on him."
Qiū Huà Bǐ immediately raised a hand.
"Hold on. Why do I need supervision?"
Violet didn't even turn to him.
"Because ET is already circling."
Yè Yī sighed.
Then nodded.
"Fine."
Qiū Huà Bǐ leaned back in his chair dramatically.
"So now I'm being guarded."
Violet walked toward the aisle.
"No," she said.
"You're being watched."
She stopped briefly beside Yè Yī.
"Don't let him wander."
Yè Yī rubbed the bridge of his nose.
"I'm not running a daycare."
Qiū Huà Bǐ smirked.
"You already cook for us."
Yè Yī shot him a look.
"I'm starting to understand why older brothers drink."
Violet walked out without another word.
Yè Yī's Apartment — Early Afternoon
The apartment was quiet.
Sunlight came through the window in a straight beam across the floor.
Violet placed her bag down, removed her jacket, and sat cross-legged in the center of the living room.
No candles.
No rituals.
Just silence.
Her breathing slowed naturally.
Eyes closed.
Mind settling.
She wasn't praying.
She was searching.
Inside the Stillness
At first there was nothing.
Just darkness behind her closed eyes.
Then—
Movement.
Not a vision exactly.
More like watching through thin water.
Shapes formed.
Stone pathways.
Tall walls.
Ancient architecture.
A place she had seen before.