The forest had gone quiet again. Only the chirring of insects filled the gaps between their breaths. Lin Fang seemed like he had fallen asleep.
But Nixian still couldn't. After hesitating a bit, she spoke. "Alpha-gege?"
"What?" A quick response came to her.
That's when she realized that Lin Fang wasn't asleep as she thought.
Taking a pause, she asked. "Why do you sleep even while wearing that mask?"
He gave a small hum before answering calmly. "To protect my identity, naturally."
"But we're alone," she said, turning on her side to face his back. "There's no one else here."
"But you were here, weren't you?" Lin Fang replied quietly, "I don't want the things from here following me outside." He paused briefly. "It's better if you don't know my name or my face. Better to take me as some mysterious travel companion."
