Before Gold Hair Boy and his bewildered subordinates boarded the ship and departed, a teenage boy carrying a suitcase stepped off the freighter that had arrived at Luo Island. He looked around at the unfamiliar scenery with curiosity. As he brushed past Riot Cat, he could not help reaching out to touch its metal shell.
Riot Cat paused, looked back at him, and a smiling emoticon emerged on the screen above its head. Then it pointed outside.
A car had long been waiting beside the pier.
It carried him past beaches and through the city, finally stopping halfway up the mountain. When the door opened, the boy saw that long-unseen figure standing atop the steps.
"We're all working for the Association. What's this about trouble or no trouble? As a master, I ought to set an example. It's only a trivial matter, so please don't dwell on it."
Ji Jue smiled warmly as he saw his visiting guest off. Then he turned to the boy waiting nearby, and the deliberate warmth and cheer in his smile abruptly vanished.
All that remained was the smile itself, pure and simple, needing neither politeness nor pretense.
"You've grown taller, Little An."
Seeing that smile again, Little An froze for a moment. The faint tension and unfamiliarity he had felt throughout the journey seemed to vanish without a trace, and he smiled as well.
"Long time no see, Brother Ji Jue."
"It's only been two months. How is that a long time?" He reached out and tousled Little An's hair. "Why are you being so formal? Come in. Are you hungry?" "I already ate."
"Have some more. I've got everything ready." Ji Jue rolled up his sleeves enthusiastically. "Braised pork noodles, no scallions—I remembered right, didn't I? Want shrimp?"
"Mhm, I do."
Little An's