Upon hearing footsteps of strangers from behind, Zhu Shi and I turned around, and Mazao, after hurriedly putting on a cat-whisker mask, turned as well.
Deep in the grove, where few ventured, stood a young man in deep blue attire mixed with some elements of ancient style, his features refined and amiable.
It was none other than Lu Youxun.
At the sight of the visitor, Zhu Shi furrowed her brows.
She took a step or two forward, intentionally or otherwise, positioning herself in front of Mazao, and then casually asked, "Lu Chan, what brings you here?"
"I sensed some commotion of battle here, so I came to have a look," Lu Youxun responded offhandedly, while thoughtfully glancing behind Zhu Shi.
Last time I simply took a longer look at Lu Youxun's Black Rope Heart-locking Ring, he had gifted it to me to gain favor, revealing his keen sensitivity to speech and expression. Zhu Shi's act of shielding Mazao in front of him might seem to him somewhat like a giveaway.
