Lingquan's words struck a quiet chord in her chest, not just because of the idea of him vanishing though she hated that but because he was right.
She had been alone once before. Dragged herself through betrayal and blood. And somehow, she had come out on the other side stronger.
But still, she couldn't deny how comforting his presence was now. The sense of balance he gave her. Of having someone who saw beyond the human complications and calculations.
Who saw her and her vulnerability. She knew no one knew her the way Lingquan knew her.
She blinked away the sting in her eyes and reached over, patting his silky side. "You're not allowed to go anywhere. Not yet."
[That's not up to me, remember? Systems are bound by our own contracts. Once your role reaches the final stage, I might be reassigned. Or… decommissioned.]
"Decommissioned?" Qingran's voice sharpened, her whole body stiffening. "That sounds like a fancy way to say killed."
