Bai Heng hung up.
The jade communicator's screen dimmed into darkness.
She stared at it, palm still burning from where she'd gripped it too hard—yet cold sweat slicked her fingers.
She slumped back onto the stone stool, eyes fixed on the empty cup across from her, heart hammering like it wanted to break free.
What the hell was wrong with her?
Jing Yuan was sharp. Of course he'd get suspicious.
That entire phone call—every dumb syllable—might as well have been her holding up a sign that read "I'm hiding something."
But… why couldn't she say it?
Why couldn't she just spit out "Wei Qing is back" like a normal person?
That bastard… did he leave some kind of speech-lock curse on her before he went?
Bai Heng grabbed at her hair in frustration, fox tail smacking against the stone in a frantic rhythm.
Then she stopped.
Stopped thinking.
Stopped trying.
Fine.
She wasn't dealing with this. She wasn't.
Let Wei Qing handle his own mess.
She, Bai Heng, was done babysitting!
On the other side of the night, Wei Qing didn't actually go back to bed either.
He wasn't even trying to pretend he was sleepy. As an emissary, staying awake wasn't exactly difficult—and even most Pathstriders could go a long time without food or sleep.
So instead of sleeping, he went out to listen for more wind.
The day ended like that.
The Next Morning
Wei Qing returned to the little courtyard in high spirits, carrying freshly bought Mo-Mo rolls from Aurum Alley and a warm bottle of floating goat milk.
He pushed open Liu Ying's door—she never locked it.
Inside, the girl was sitting by the window, knees hugged to her chest.
It looked like she'd been sitting there all night.
At the sound of the door, she whipped her head around.
"Senior…"
Her voice was muffled.
"You didn't come back last night?"
"Morning, A-Xing!" Wei Qing grinned, waving the oil-paper bag like it was a trophy. "Look what I brought you."
Liu Ying's eyes swept his face once, twice—like she was trying to read something between his eyebrows.
In the end, she only took the still-warm goat milk.
Like a wronged little wife, she muttered softly:
"…Thanks, Senior."
Wei Qing sat across from her and slid the Mo-Mo rolls forward.
"Try it. I queued forever for these."
She took a small bite.
Crisp skin, sweet filling—genuinely good.
But her mind wasn't on the food.
She chewed slowly, as if she were building courage.
Then she looked up, staring straight at him.
She didn't say anything—
but it somehow felt like she'd said everything.
Wei Qing paused mid-sip. He set the bottle down, then sighed, the smile fading a notch.
"Yeah. I went to see an old friend," he admitted.
"Why didn't you take me?" Liu Ying pressed immediately.
Wei Qing looked at her for a long moment. Something softened in his eyes.
He flicked her forehead lightly.
"Don't overthink it. It was just… catching up. Talking about old history that wasn't exactly pleasant."
"If I brought you, you'd get bored. And it would've been awkward."
Liu Ying covered her forehead, but her voice didn't retreat.
"I'm not afraid of boredom. I'm not afraid of awkward."
"Senior. We agreed—when we act, we act together."
Wei Qing blinked, caught off guard.
That was the first time she'd said it so directly—so stubbornly.
For a second, it hit him with a weird, almost ridiculous feeling.
Like his "daughter" had finally grown up.
"…Alright," he said quietly, then nodded. "Next time, I'll bring you."
Liu Ying's eyes lit up—then narrowed suspiciously.
"Really?"
"Really." Wei Qing nodded, then stuffed another Mo-Mo roll into her hand. "Eat. It's worse once it cools."
"After breakfast, I'll take you somewhere."
"Where?" Liu Ying asked reflexively, attention already snagged.
"A good place." Wei Qing smiled like a criminal. "A place that might help you understand the old me… and the Luofu now."
Her curiosity ignited instantly.
They finished eating, pushed open the courtyard gate—
—and nearly got tackled on the spot.
A figure barreled toward them, so fast she almost collided with Wei Qing's chest.
"Ah! Dot-Dao sir! Miss Xing! Good morning!"
Bai Heng greeted them with a smile so bright it looked weaponized—like the person who'd been spiraling last night didn't exist.
Her eyes flicked between Wei Qing and Liu Ying once, fast, sharp—
and lingered half a beat on Liu Ying's slightly sulky expression.
…Did these two argue?
Bai Heng's mind spun. She didn't know "Xing," but based on what Jingliu had reported from Jarilo-VI, this girl was very likely SAM.
Meaning the "brother" beside her…
Bai Heng's smile didn't change.
"Bai Heng?" Wei Qing frowned politely. "Good morning. You're…"
"Oh, I was worried you two might not know where to go!" Bai Heng clasped her hands, eyes curving into crescents. "So I came early to be your full-day, exclusive guide!"
Then she leaned closer to Liu Ying and winked.
"Miss Xing, did you have fun yesterday? Today big sister will take you somewhere even better. I guarantee you'll be amazed!"
Liu Ying stiffened under that aggressive enthusiasm, then subconsciously shuffled half a step behind Wei Qing.
"…Morning, Sister Bai Heng… we—" She hesitated, then glanced at Wei Qing for confirmation, silently asking: What is this situation?
Wei Qing understood immediately.
Bai Heng wasn't here to "guide." She was here to attach herself openly, like a cheerful parasite.
And judging by the fact she still hadn't reported him…
His little "invitation" last night had done its job.
"We really can't keep troubling Miss Bai Heng," Wei Qing tried to refuse politely. "You're busy with official duties. We can tour on our own."
"Not troubling at all!" Bai Heng shook her head like a rattle drum. "The Sky-Faring Commission is super idle lately!"
"And besides—properly welcoming two interesting guests is part of my job!"
She was absolutely determined to follow them.
Liu Ying stared at Wei Qing, then at Bai Heng's too-bright smile.
Her fingers tugged Wei Qing's sleeve lightly, eyes full of question marks.
Why is this fox even more enthusiastic than yesterday?
Did Senior… tell her everything last night?
Were they actually close before?
Wei Qing felt the tug and met Liu Ying's suspicious stare. He only gave her a helpless little smile.
Then he turned back to Bai Heng.
"Miss Bai Heng's kindness is hard to refuse. In that case—today, we'll trouble you again."
"Not trouble, not trouble!" Bai Heng beamed, teeth practically glowing.
"Then let's go right now! Do you two have somewhere you specifically want to visit? If not—then I'll arrange everything using my exclusive secret route!"
"We were going to wander casually," Wei Qing replied. "But if Miss Bai Heng has a secret route… then we'll follow the host."
Bai Heng's fox tail swayed happily.
"Perfect. Leave it to me!"
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 178)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 138)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League ( 126 )
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter110)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter160)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter98)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter175)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 77
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 163
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 150
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass 100
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 170
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 65
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 76
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 66
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 65
Uma Musume: The Dark Trainer 145
Uma Musume: A Calamity Born fr 125
I, a Reincarnation-Loop Player 69
The Violent Girl Group Is Beat 90
Uma Musume: The Horse Girl Who 66
Uma Musume: From Beginner 100
Becoming a Horse Girl, I Will 70
Uma Musume: I Want All 90
I Can Copy Unique Skills 65
Summoning an Evil God, but the 52
Supernatural Multiverse 65
My Harem Is Indescribable 55
Jujutsu Kaisen: Heroic Spirit 55
"I'm just a Valkyrie passing through." 66
Uma Musume: Today Is Another Romantic Battlefield 55
Still playing traditional Honk 35
The Most Filial Son Under Heav 35
What Should I Do After Switchi 24
Reincarnated as a Demon, Skill 35
Hell-Difficulty Dungeon? 27
Transmigrated as Sukuna 27
Checking In in Demon Slayer 32
The Reincarnating Trainer of Tracen Academy 44
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