"Hold it!" Xian He shouted as he raised both hands to show he meant no harm.
Zheng Yue grabbed Xian He by the collar, her almond-shaped eyes wide as she snapped, "What trick are you trying to pull now?"
"I'm not pulling any tricks. Look who's over there." Xian He jerked his chin to the side.
Zheng Yue followed the direction he'd indicated and saw someone in a brand-new outfit smiling at her. She looked vaguely familiar.
"You are..."
"I'm Jingjing, Big Cousin!" Chen Jingjing sprang to her feet, overcome with excitement, tears brimming in her clear eyes.
Zheng Yue had been hunting monsters in the Endless Forest and hadn't returned in a long time. Jingjing had thought she'd died.
Big Cousin hadn't changed at all. She was still just as fierce.
"You're Jingjing? Chen Jingjing?" Zheng Yue let go of Xian He, pushed him aside, and excitedly took Chen Jingjing's slender, pale hands in hers.
"It's only been a little while, and you've changed so much! You're taller, prettier, and even chubbier."
Zheng Yue circled Chen Jingjing once.
"Sorry to interrupt!" Xian He cleared his throat. "Could you two go chat somewhere else? I still have flatbreads to sell!"
"Here's your money. Now get lost. Don't keep me from chatting with Jingjing!"
Zheng Yue untied her purse and tossed it to Xian He, then led Chen Jingjing to sit with her on the bench.
"Crazy woman," Xian He muttered. He picked up Zheng Yue's purse, tucked it away, then grabbed the linen sack of flatbreads and went to sell them at the next table.
Old Man Yun poked his head out of the kitchen and glanced at Zheng Yue and Chen Jingjing. Seeing them deep in conversation, he came out carrying a large wooden ladle.
"Brat, who's that young