Yè Yī's Apartment — Night
The room had grown quieter.
Outside, the city still moved—cars humming past, distant voices drifting up from the street below—but inside the apartment, the atmosphere had changed.
Qiū Huà Bǐ sat sideways on the couch now, one arm resting lazily over the backrest, though his eyes remained sharp behind the relaxed posture.
Yè Yī leaned against the kitchen counter, arms folded.
And Violet—
Sat on the floor again.
Like always.
Cross-legged.
Calm.
Watching both of them.
Not with pressure.
Not with intimidation.
Just… awareness.
Like she already knew the shape of the conversation before it happened.
A faint silence stretched between the three.
Then Violet finally spoke.
"From now on…"
Her voice was level.
"The way you've come to know things will change in ways you wouldn't have once comprehended."
Qiū Huà Bǐ blinked once.
"…That sounded dangerously philosophical."
Violet ignored him completely.
"I'm granting you this opportunity."
Her gaze moved between them.
"Ask."
A pause.
"Whatever you want."
The room fell silent again.
Because strangely enough—
That was harder than expected.
Qiū Huà Bǐ was usually quick with words.
Sarcastic.
Observant.
But now?
Nothing came out immediately.
Because where exactly did someone start?
With ET?
With the Arms?
With Violet herself?
The past few weeks had practically overturned reality.
And the annoying part?
Somehow Violet sat in the middle of all of it like she belonged there naturally.
Yè Yī spoke first.
Cold.
Direct.
"Who exactly are you?"
No hesitation.
No softening.
Violet met his eyes calmly.
"A Specialist."
"You know what I mean."
"I do."
Her tone remained even.
"But the answer doesn't change."
Qiū Huà Bǐ tilted his head slightly.
"You dodge questions professionally or naturally?"
"Naturally."
"That's terrifying."
Yè Yī's gaze narrowed.
"You know things before they happen."
"Yes."
"You know things people haven't told you."
"Yes."
"You knew ET was watching Qiū Huà Bǐ before any signs appeared."
"Yes."
"You knew about my ancestral house before I did."
"Yes."
Every answer came instantly.
No pause.
No dramatic mystery.
Which somehow made it worse.
Yè Yī frowned harder.
"That shouldn't be possible."
Violet tilted her head slightly.
"And yet."
Qiū Huà Bǐ let out a low whistle.
"See, this is why normal people stay normal."
He leaned forward now.
Expression more serious.
"Alright then."
His eyes fixed on her carefully.
"What does ET want with me?"
That question lingered heavier than the others.
Even Yè Yī looked toward Violet properly now.
Violet rested her chin lightly against her knuckles.
"You want the simple answer or the real one?"
Qiū Huà Bǐ sighed dramatically.
"That sentence alone ruined my peace."
"The simple answer," Violet continued, "is that they think you're useful."
"And the real answer?"
Her gaze sharpened slightly.
"They're afraid someone else reaches you first."
The joking atmosphere vanished quietly.
Qiū Huà Bǐ's fingers stilled.
"…Why?"
"Because your ability is dangerous."
"I read thoughts," he said flatly.
"No," Violet corrected calmly.
"You hear thoughts."
A pause.
"That isn't the same thing. Your eyes are what's meant for reading, isn't it?"
Qiū Huà Bǐ's expression changed slightly.
Subtle.
But noticeable.
Because the way she said it—
Like there was more.
A lot more.
Yè Yī caught it too.
"You're implying something."
"Yes."
"What?"
Violet looked at Qiū Huà Bǐ for a moment before answering.
"You currently hear surface noise."
Qiū Huà Bǐ's brows furrowed.
"Currently?"
"If it matures fully," Violet said, "you won't just hear thoughts."
The room quieted.
Then—
"You'll hear intent."
Qiū Huà Bǐ blinked.
"…What."
"The difference between words and truth," Violet explained calmly.
"The moment before action."
"The shape of a decision before someone makes it."
Yè Yī's eyes sharpened.
"That's absurd."
"Yes," Violet agreed.
"It is."
Qiū Huà Bǐ leaned back slowly now.
Actually unsettled for once.
"So ET wants a human lie detector."
Violet shook her head lightly.
"No."
Another pause.
"They want someone who can predict people before they move."
Silence.
Qiū Huà Bǐ stared at her.
Then pointed at himself.
"…I just wanted to survive university."
"That option is fading."
"Wow," he muttered. "Encouraging."