Xiang Yu folded his arms across his chest, his gaze steady and inquisitive. "What did you do just now?" he asked, his voice calm but carrying an undertone of authority.
Lian and Mei shook their heads in unison, their expressions innocent. Lian, the more adept liar, spoke up first. "We were sleeping and then heard Brother Bai screaming."
Xiang Yu's eyes narrowed slightly as he noticed bits of ketchup still clinging to their hair. The evidence was right there, but he chose not to expose them immediately. He was curious to see what tale they would spin. "What's that in your hair?" he asked, his tone deceptively casual.
Lian and Mei instinctively touched their hair. Mei stammered, "There… there is nothing."
"Where, Master? There is nothing," Lian added, but when they saw the ketchup on their fingertips, they quickly hid their hands behind their backs.
