"Senior."
Inside the Tanuki House, Zane called out softly. On the sofa, Qingyi turned to glance at him, a faint smile appearing on her lips.
"You're back."
Clearly, she had been waiting for a while.
"Mhm."
Zane nodded with a touch of helplessness. Of course Qingyi knew when he entered, yet she wouldn't so much as look his way until he called out first.
"Senior, when do we leave?"
Not knowing what else to say, Zane sat down beside her and asked.
Qingyi's expression didn't change.
"Now."
A short, simple reply.
Zane nodded. Qingyi rose and walked toward the door of the Tanuki House, and Zane followed close behind.
They got into Qingyi's car, heading out to attend Zhu Yuan's birthday celebration.
The sky was dark. The car moved at a steady pace through the streets, slow and deliberate, like something quietly inching forward.
"Senior..."
"Hmm? What is it?"
Zane's words reached her ears. Qingyi kept her eyes on the road, her voice soft.
"Ah... nothing."
The car drove on steadily. The words Zane had wanted to say caught in his throat, swallowed down into a faint murmur instead.
Qingyi said nothing more, only nodding lightly. But her eyes, in the dim reflection of the fading light, looked a little darker. In the left rearview mirror, Zane could see her resting one arm on the window frame, staring outside.
She drew her gaze back, watching raindrops streak the glass. Blinking, she broke the silence in the car.
"It's raining, Zane."
"Mhm."
A cold droplet landed on his hand. Zane looked up at the dark, heavy clouds. Weather like this pressed on the heart.
At the wheel, Qingyi's grip tightened slightly at his answer, her face half-hidden in the dimness.
The next instant, she suddenly spun the steering wheel and pressed down on the pedal. The car skidded beautifully, leaving a sharp tail mark before pulling up at the roadside just past the corner.
"Hm?"
Startled, Zane arched an eyebrow. A click sounded—the driver's door opened, and Qingyi stepped out, shutting it firmly behind her.
She took two steps, pulled open the rear door, and without hesitation reached in to grab his ear.
"You 'hmm' again?"
Her fingers twisted sharply.
"Hmm, right?"
She tugged upward with one hand.
"Hmm?"
A moment later...
"Hmm..."
Now far more obedient, Zane's expression softened, and Qingyi finally smiled faintly, nodding as if satisfied.
Back inside, Qingyi restarted the car. For some reason—perhaps the rain outside, or perhaps Zane lying flat in the backseat—the atmosphere felt different. Still quiet, yet no longer heavy or oppressive.
"Tell me. What's been going on lately?"
"I heard Belle mention the Defense Army, the Falkenhayn Mercenary Troupe, the Municipal Authority, and Hollow Zero..."
"Why don't I know anything about this?"
Her words revealed the real reason for her attitude back at the Tanuki House. As for waiting, waiting for Zane was no problem for her.
"Master, you already know some of this..."
"Some? That's barely scratching the surface."
Qingyi cut him off, her tone carrying the faintest trace of chill.
"Since the Dead End Hollow incident, you've barely gone to the Public Security Bureau. Half the time you're not even at the Tanuki House. A big shot's schedule must be so busy..."
"Whatever you're doing, at least tell me. Otherwise, I'm left knowing nothing, worrying for no reason."
"I am your master."
Others didn't worry about Zane because of their strength or perspective. But Qingyi was different.
To her, no matter how powerful Zane became, he was still a junior—a disciple. That instinctive concern was impossible to avoid.
For Qingyi, a teacher wasn't just a mentor—they carried the weight of family. And with Zane, the bond was even more complicated...
The "dream" in the Dead End Hollow—Qingyi remembered none of it. But even if the memory was gone, the feelings it left behind were not.
That strange sense of closeness, that experience, still weighed heavily on her heart.
With Qingyi's words laid bare, Zane had no choice but to explain himself and promise her reassurance.
He had thought keeping her uninvolved—even unaware—would make things easier. Instead, it had the opposite effect...
Her stance today wasn't sudden either—she had likely struggled with it for a long time before deciding to bring it up.
Her brief outburst faded, but after hearing what Zane had been through, Qingyi's frown deepened.
"Ethereal... so complicated. I didn't think you'd go as far as Hollow Zero's core today. I don't have any real intel on that place."
"Relax, Master. Hollow Zero's nothing..."
Zane waved a hand, speaking casually.
"Mm-hm. Hollow Zero's nothing... My disciple is truly incredible... And when you slip up, I'll mock you for it."
"I'll bring Zhu Yuan and the others to mock you too. Let's all laugh at you together."
Zane's confidence didn't reassure her. If anything, it made Qingyi turn sarcastic.
Her words—half like humoring a child, half like subtle jabs—made Zane's face stiffen.
How was he supposed to calm his master down when she was angry?
He had no experience with that...
...
The rain grew heavier. Snowmelt pooled and froze again, slicking the roads with ice and mud. In every way, the weather was awful.
The car stopped. Qingyi stepped out with an umbrella. Just as Zane was about to follow, she held it out to him.
"I can't cover both of us."
He took it, and the two walked together toward Zhu Yuan's home. Soon after, they entered the building and knocked at the door.
Voices came from inside. Zhu Yuan, dressed casually, quickly came to open it.
Light spilled out, warmth washing over them, chasing away the chill clinging to their bodies.
Zane lifted his gaze. The house was lively—not only Zhu Yuan's parents and Seth were there, but another familiar face as well.
It was Jane, wearing that same "innocent" look.
The Mountain Lion Gang had long since dissolved in the aftermath of past events, and that mission had ended there. Just recently, Jane had stepped fully into the spotlight within the Criminal Investigation Special Response Team.
Qingyi had mentioned it to Zane earlier in the car.
After stepping inside and changing his shoes, Zane easily struck up conversation with Zhu Yuan's parents, warm and natural.
Seth too greeted both Zane and Qingyi.
But when it came to Jane, something unexpected happened.
She stared fixedly at Zane. Yet she said nothing.
It wasn't truly their first meeting—last time, however, Zane had been wearing a mask.