"Let's go!"
Si Chen didn't respond to the man's words. He took Tong Yao's hand and left, bypassing the man.
Thinking Si Chen hadn't heard his question, the man caught up and asked again, "Excuse me, where are you two from?"
Tong Yao remained silent, looking to Si Chen. The man's wife caught up and, although she too found her husband's actions strange, she chuckled and explained, "He's from Li City; perhaps he thought your accents were familiar and was curious if you were fellow townspeople."
At these words, Si Chen's frown deepened. In a low voice, he answered, "Kyoto."
Once he finished speaking, he took Tong Yao's hand and quickly walked away.
The man wore a mixed expression of disappointment and relief upon hearing 'Kyoto,' his look becoming increasingly complex and hard to read.
