Fang Lian leaned back in the glowing spirit pond, arms resting behind her, gaze locked on the rippling reflection of the ceiling above.
"…I want to stay here forever."
Fang Yuan's brows knit. "Don't be stupid," he said calmly, folding his arms.
"If you stay here forever, how are you going to heal others?"
She didn't answer immediately.
Then, without looking at him, she whispered, "I don't need to. They all look down on me anyway. Why should I help people who don't even treat me like a person?"
Fang Yuan's gaze deepened, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes.
He was silent for a long breath.
"…Fang Lian," he said at last, voice lower, gentler. "You've taken a wrong turn somewhere."
His words didn't hold blame, only quiet concern.
"Come here."
Fang Lian blinked up at him, confused.
Her violet eyes shimmered, not with defiance, but with something quieter… something more fragile.
"…Master?" she said softly.
