Xuán Wěi raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "You don't look fine. That wound isn't something you just walk off." His tone wasn't harsh, but it carried a weight of authority, like he was used to assessing people on the battlefield.
"I'll manage," she bit out, trying to stand straighter despite the pain. "I don't need help."
He took a small step closer, his expression softening just slightly. "How did you get hurt?" His voice was still steady, but there was a genuine curiosity there, as though he wasn't just asking out of concern but because he was piecing things together.
JJ hesitated, her mind racing. She couldn't exactly tell him the truth, not fully. "I was... out doing research," she finally said, her voice tight. "Something personal. Didn't expect to run into trouble."
"Research?" Xuán Wěi's eyes narrowed slightly, though not with suspicion—more with a quiet understanding. "Whatever it was, it led you into something dangerous."
