Su Ruo rolled her eyes without slowing. "I wasn't causing trouble."
"You always say that."
"I just went to get something important."
The serpent beast opened his mouth to argue, then suddenly paused.
His expression shifted. His sternness dissolved into concern.
"...Were you crying?" He stepped closer, instinctively reaching toward her face.
Su Ruo's response was immediate.
She lifted one foot, Thud. Her kick landed squarely against his shin.
The young serpent hissed, hopping backward while clutching his leg.
"I wasn't crying!" she snapped. "Stop touching me!"
She rushed up the stairs.
The serpent beast rubbed his injured leg with an aggrieved expression before hurrying after her.
"But I'm your brother!" he called after her. "Why are you always like this?"
Their voices disappeared into the manor.
Ningyan remained perched upon the rooftop. To his own surprise... He realized he had been smiling the entire time.
"..."
The smile slowly faded.
