"Sit down, Fei Yangyang," Clara said casually, then considerately refilled He Xi's mint water.
Fei Yangyang glanced at the silent rogue beside He Xi, who radiated murderous intent, then at the empty seat beside Clara. He swallowed and finally dragged a chair over from a nearby empty table, sitting awkwardly at the corner of theirs.
"Fei Yangyang, Mister Galen wants to know what you discovered at Shadow Rift Manor," Clara said in a commanding tone, pushing a slice of bread spread with rose-hip jam in front of He Xi. "Try this, Mister Galen. It's sweet but not too rich."
"Thank you." He Xi accepted the bread and nodded to Fei Yangyang. "Mr. Fei, I heard the Black Stone Squad was the last team to abandon that commission. I'd like to know what you encountered at the manor."
Fei Yangyang glanced at Clara. Seeing her watching him expectantly, he cleared his throat and immediately poured out everything he knew.
"That damned place! At first, we thought it'd be an easy job." A trace of lingering fear crossed Fei Yangyang's face. "We found the painting hanging in the main hall. One of my buddies, Rod, thought the frame might be worth a few coins, so he reached out to touch it...
He paused, his voice turning grave. "Goddess above! He fainted on the spot. That very night, he came down with a high fever and started babbling. He said the eyes in the painting were watching him, and that something wanted to kill him! We barely managed to drag him back to town. A priest was able to save his life, but only just. We all think that painting's cursed. No one should ever touch it!"
He Xi's heart tightened. This confirmed his suspicions.
He poured a glass of water and handed