Ningyan froze.
For a moment, he thought he had misheard Jun Haoxuan's words. Then the meaning settled. And everything inside him… dropped.
The warmth from moments ago vanished, replaced by sharp and tight worry mixed with rage.
His fingers curled at his side as he forced himself to breathe, shaking his head once as if to clear it.
No. No, this wasn't happening.
"Did you and Meishan plan to rip my heart out together?" he asked flatly.
The words landed harder than he intended.
Across from him, Jun Haoxuan faltered. "It's not like that."
Ningyan's eyes narrowed. "Then what is it like?"
His voice sharpened. "Why are both of you so intent on dying in the name of protection?"
The air shifted. Anger rose hot and fast.
He had just found a way... just found something to stop Lan Meishan from throwing himself into danger and now this?
"Ningyan," Haoxuan said quietly, "this is war."
Ningyan stepped forward, closing the distance instantly. "War that I can participate in."
