"Hey, what's going on with you?" Ye Chenfeng finally asked, trying to get things back on track.
"Nothing, just thinking about the past," Ying Su replied, wiping her eyes and trying to appear calm. Be strong, girl! What doesn't defeat me only makes me stronger!
Ye Chenfeng sighed in relief, glad to see her recovering. It's really tough dealing with someone like this, he thought. He explained to Ying Su what he had discovered about the supposed victims.
"Oh? Then I guess I'm one of them," she said, comparing her circumstances to what he described. Does this mean I'm the chosen one? Her eyes sparkled with sudden excitement. Yes, everything so far was just a test from the heavens! Someday, I'll rise to greatness!
She couldn't help glancing at Ye Chenfeng, wondering if she might even be the heroine in a sci-fi story. A grin crept across her face, and she laughed to herself. Ye Chenfeng let her enjoy the moment, thinking she deserved a break from all the hardship. Life has already made her suffer enough; a little joy wouldn't hurt.
Then, a scene from an anime he'd watched flashed in his mind: the unsettling story of a child pulled between hope and despair. Why am I even thinking about that? Ye Chenfeng quickly dismissed the thought, deciding it was time to set Ying Su straight.
"Sorry to interrupt your dreams, but I need to tell you something," he said.
"Huh? What's up?" Ying Su asked, still beaming.
"The Holy Court—the world's top magic organization—is hostile to anyone associated with disaster. They usually imprison or execute those they consider a threat."
"Huh?!" Ying Su's smile faltered, her face clouded with confusion. What the hell?!
"I… I can control my magic! I won't use it, I promise!" she said, almost pleading.
Ye Chenfeng raised an eyebrow. "Oh? That's good news," he replied. "But unfortunately, it won't work for you."
"What? Why not?" she demanded, panicking. Why is it different for me? I'm a good person!
"Think about what kind of magic you use. It's a curse, right? Curses are a form of dark magic, which is generally seen as evil."
"But… I'm a good person," she insisted weakly, realizing how little those words would mean to him. Ye Chenfeng sighed. This magic has marked her as a natural demon—a target for the Holy Court and a companion of evil.
"A… demon?" Ying Su whispered, feeling a deep, sinking dread. Her eyes dimmed, and her spirit seemed to drift from her body. I was so thankful to the heavens, thinking I had the heroine's path... but instead, I got the villain's story!
Ye Chenfeng watched her collapse inwardly, relieved he had taken a gradual approach. If I'd told her everything right away, she'd have lost all hope. Good call, Chenfeng.
"All right, time to move," he said, patting her shoulder to signal they needed to go.
Ying Su turned to him, startled. "Move? Like, send me on my way?" she asked, her expression shifting to one of suspicion.
"…Forget it," Ye Chenfeng muttered, realizing she wasn't thinking straight. "No, I mean we're leaving the cave. I'm taking you to my place."
"Really? You're still willing to take me in?" she asked, her voice filled with a flicker of hope.
"What are you talking about? Didn't we already agree on that?" he replied, baffled. "I just need you to be cautious, don't cause trouble, and stick around here."
"Oh… okay," she responded, still a bit uncertain. Despite the risk, she wanted to follow him, feeling that staying close might reveal some solution.
Yes, she thought, deciding to embrace whatever came. Who knows? Maybe I can turn this around.
As they prepared to leave, Ying Su turned to him. "I actually have two last questions."
"Sure, what's on your mind?"
"Ah, just one thing—call me Master," Ye Chenfeng said, waving her off with a smirk.
"Master... Master~" she replied, a mix of amusement and disbelief lighting up her face.