At Wen Qimo's shameless insistence, he finally stayed behind. Not in Lin Qiye's bed, though—he made himself a bedroll in the living room.
Seeing his radiant smile, Lin Qiye silently rolled his eyes, beginning to wonder whether this guy had truly stayed to protect him...
"I'm going out for a walk." Lin Qiye briefly packed his things, glanced at the sky outside, and spoke.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Hong Ying looked up and asked.
Lin Qiye hesitated for a moment. "No. The place I'm going isn't convenient for girls."
Wen Qimo froze, his eyes lighting up. "Then... should I come with you?"
"...I'm just going to the hotel to see a friend. What are you thinking?"
"Oh, then forget it."
Lin Qiye intended to visit Baili Pangpang at the hotel. After all, as Cangnan's host, it would not be very polite to just leave him hanging. If he took Hong Ying along, he worried she might accidentally see something eye-searing...
"It's an extraordinary time right now. Is it really safe for you to go alone?" Hong Ying asked hesitantly.
"It'll be dark soon. I'm actually safer going alone." The corners of Lin Qiye's mouth lifted slightly. "And didn't the vice-captain say so? There's no need to take too much care of me. The current me... can actually fight pretty well.
Besides, there are plenty of instructors lying in wait throughout the city, and Leng Xuan is probably hiding somewhere too. Nothing will happen."
Hong Ying nodded. Then, as if remembering something, she carried a Black Box out of the room and handed it to Lin Qiye.
"Take your blade with you."
"Mm."
Lin Qiye went inside to change out of his military uniform and into casual clothes. He found a black gentleman's hat in the closet