Mo Yan stood in the doorway.
"Xiao Long," the massive Serpent King said quietly. "Go practice your hunting forms. I will check your progress later."
"But Papa—"
"Now, little one."
The tone left no room for argument. Xiao Long looked between his father and Xin Yi, then sighed dramatically.
"Fiiiine." He hugged Xin Yi one more time. "Don't leave without saying goodbye, okay?"
"I promise."
The boy shifted into his small python form and slithered out, but not before shooting his father a look that clearly said You better not make her cry.
The door closed.
Silence.
Mo Yan didn't move from the doorway.
"Thank you for helping my people with your 'mud-paste,'" he finally said, his voice that low gravel rumble. "That was.….unexpected. I am grateful."
"Oh! That was nothing!" Xin Yi spluttered, scratching her neck nervously. Please don't talk about Qing Lin, please don't talk about Qing Lin.
"You're avoiding him." Damn it.
