Tell me, okay? Yae?

"Oh, then we'll split..."

Dong Moxuan's expression froze, and he finally reacted.

"Eh?!"

"Mei, Mei,"

Looking at the girl in front of him, Dong Moxuan even stammered.

"Splitting up..."

"Mei, did something happen to you?"

"No!"

Mei's answer was very firm.

"Mei just feels that having Jun Xuan by her side will only drag Mei down."

"Drag you down?"

Dong Moxuan couldn't quite believe Mei would say such a thing.

"That's right, Jun Xuan is just a normal person, isn't he?"

"In a place like Changkong City, what else can you do besides be a burden?"

Perhaps feeling this reason wasn't strong enough, Mei continued, "Also... Jun Xuan, you... seem to know that woman who controls the mecha, right?"

"That's right, Cocolia was my former superior."

"You once told me you were my father's friend. But is that really the truth?"

"Mei, what do you mean?"

Dong Moxuan frowned slightly.

"What do I mean?"

As Mei spoke, lightning crackled around her.

"This power, surely many people would want it?"

"Dong Moxuan..."

"Your true identity..."

"Are you my father's friend, or..."

"A mole sent by that woman to wait for an opportunity to steal my power?"

"Mei..."

"I'm sorry..."

Mei turned her head slightly, not daring to look Dong Moxuan in the eyes.

"Jun Xuan... there are just too many suspicious things about you."

"I can't... convince myself to believe you."

"Hoo..."

Dong Moxuan took a deep breath and looked at the girl, his tone completely flat.

"Is this what you think?"

"Is this how you see me?"

"Y-yes,"

Hearing Dong Moxuan's cold voice, Mei's heart trembled slightly.

But she still gritted her teeth and said, "Because, Jun Xuan, you yourself are quite suspicious, aren't you?"

"Suddenly saying you knew my father and wanted to live at Mei's place."

"How can such a Jun Xuan make Mei trust you?"

Dong Moxuan "..."

"I didn't expect it to be like this..."

A bitter smile appeared on Dong Moxuan's face.

"I'm sorry, Mei, I was just being wishful."

Saying this, Dong Moxuan got up and walked to the entrance.

"Finally..."

Opening the door to the house, Dong Moxuan cast one last look at Mei.

"Mei, you... take care!"

With a loud bang, Dong Moxuan slammed the door and left.

"..."

Mei sat in her chair, gazing in the direction Dong Moxuan had left, silent for a long time.

Finally, unable to bear it any longer, she ran to the entryway and opened the door.

However, the street outside was deserted, save for a few scattered Honkai-infected creatures.

"Jun Xuan... he..."

"Really... left?"

Whispering softly, Mei slowly squatted down, burying her face in her arms.

This was a decision she had made.

She had prepared herself to face everything alone.

But why?

Why did her heart feel so lonely, so pained right now?

"Jun Xuan..."

Mei sobbed quietly, crouched in the entryway.

She had overestimated her own strength, or perhaps, underestimated the young man's place in her heart.

It was only when the sorrow surged within her like a tsunami that Mei understood how fragile she was without the young man.

"Jun Xuan..."

Was she alone again?

Mei had thought that, accustomed to loneliness, she could endure living by herself.

However, after getting used to the young man's companionship and tenderness, the girl realized...

She could never go back to how things were!

"Jun Xuan..."

Mei's cry was choked with sobs, the bitterness in her heart growing stronger.

She felt like she was starting to regret it.

But she was the one who had angered Jun Xuan and driven him away, wasn't she?

How could she, after saying such hurtful things to Jun Xuan, have the right to beg for his gentleness?

It's just that...

"Jun Xuan..."

"Mm, I'm here!"

Mei: "..."

Hearing the familiar, gentle voice by her ear, Mei looked up in disbelief.

Then, she saw the young man with deep, gentle blue eyes, as vast as the ocean, standing outside the door at some point. He offered her a complex yet gentle smile.

"What's wrong? My little princess Mei?"

The young man said gently, bending slightly to stroke the girl's smooth hair, then caressing her cheek to wipe away her tears.

"You're crying like a little kitten?"

"If Big Brother Ryoma saw you like this, he'd probably think I bullied you and try to fight me."

"Jun Xuan..."

Looking at the young man before her, Mei didn't know why, but the bitterness in her heart intensified.

"You, you didn't leave? Wh-why..."

"Mm, I did leave just now, but I thought about how a certain little dummy probably wouldn't sleep well, eat well, or even wash her clothes properly without me!"

"I couldn't rest easy, so I came back!"

"That's not true, Mei... I can take care of myself..."

Mei straightened up, wiping her tears as she spoke with a slight sob.

"Mm,"

Dong Moxuan nodded gently.

"Mei, don't cry, I'm here!"

Dong Moxuan's words seemed to flip a switch. Mei first froze, then could no longer contain her emotions and threw herself into Dong Moxuan's arms.

"Waaah... sob..."

She was crying her heart out.

"Jun, Jun Xuan..."

"Mm, I'm here!"

Dong Moxuan gently stroked the girl's hair, his voice tender.

"I, I thought you had really left..."

"I thought I'd never see you again..."

"How could that be?"

Dong Moxuan gently patted Mei's head.

"I promised Mei I'd always stay by her side!"

"B-but..."

Mei gently pushed Dong Moxuan away, her eyes darting away.

"Mei said such harsh things to Jun Xuan..."

"Mei..."

Dong Moxuan sighed softly, a look of helplessness on his face.

"You really didn't think your clumsy acting could fool anyone, did you?"

"And that excuse..."

As he said this, Dong Moxuan seemed to find it amusing.

"Cocolia's spy? You weren't a Herrscher when I met you, were you? That excuse is a bit too convenient, don't you think?" Could it be that you knew Cocolia would make you a Herrscher?

"Besides,"

Dong Moxuan's lips curved into a confident smile.

"I don't believe Mei would say such cold words to me!"

"So, there must be a reason, right?"

Dong Moxuan said, gently stroking the girl's head.

"Will you tell me, Mei?"