The competition continued without him.
Luo Qingyan had been dismissed from further participation, a decision that satisfied nearly everyone present. The novelty of his failure faded quickly, replaced by more impressive displays of strength and skill.
He drifted to the edge of the platform and sat down, letting his legs hang over the clouds below.
"Well," he said to himself, "that went exactly as expected."
"You did poorly."
The voice came from behind him, calm and unembellished.
Luo Qingyan did not turn.
"I appreciate the confirmation."
Shen Wuyou stood there, as he always did, without warning or sound. His presence was not loud, yet it filled the space in a way that was impossible to ignore.
"You are not surprised," Shen Wuyou observed.
"I have cultivated realistic expectations," Luo Qingyan replied. "It prevents disappointment."
Shen Wuyou stepped closer, stopping just behind him.
"You are not useless."
Luo Qingyan tilted his head slightly, a quiet laugh escaping him.
"That might be the kindest thing you've said so far, but it is still inaccurate."
"It is not."
Luo Qingyan turned enough to look at him properly.
"Then prove it."
Shen Wuyou's gaze did not waver.
"You felt it."
"…Felt what?"
"The response."
Luo Qingyan hesitated, the memory resurfacing.
"For a second," he admitted. "Something changed."
"It was real."
"Then explain it."
Shen Wuyou did not answer directly. His attention shifted to Luo Qingyan's wrist, where the golden thread lay faintly visible.
"It is something that should not exist," he said.
"That is not an explanation."
"It is the truth."
Luo Qingyan exhaled slowly.
"That is not helpful."
Shen Wuyou remained where he was, unbothered by the complaint.
"You are not ordinary."
"I am extremely ordinary," Luo Qingyan corrected. "Painfully so."
"You are not."
The certainty in his voice was unsettling.
Luo Qingyan looked away, returning his gaze to the endless sky.
"…You keep saying things like that."
"And you continue to dismiss them."
"Because they make no sense."
"They will."
Luo Qingyan smiled faintly.
"You are very committed to speaking in riddles."
"I am speaking plainly."
"That is worse."
The wind moved gently around them, carrying the distant sounds of the ongoing competition.
"Did I embarrass you?" Luo Qingyan asked.
"No."
The answer came without hesitation.
"You did not even think about it."
"I do not concern myself with the opinions of others."
"That must be convenient."
"It is efficient."
Luo Qingyan considered that, then nodded.
"…That is a useful trait."
The conversation settled into a quieter rhythm.
"…Why do you watch me?" Luo Qingyan asked after a moment.
"I am responsible for you."
"That is not what I meant."
Shen Wuyou did not answer immediately.
Instead, he regarded him with an intensity that felt almost deliberate.
"I watch because I choose to."
The words were simple.
The weight behind them was not.
Luo Qingyan stilled.
"…That is new," he said quietly.
Shen Wuyou did not elaborate.
But the golden thread pulsed again, steady and warm.
And Luo Qingyan found himself not pulling away.