Xiao Xiao wasn't annoyed by He You's unnecessary question.
He gave a slight nod.
"Mm."
"Then..."
He You took a deep breath. "Can you tell me what it looks like?"
He had imagined that one day, he might really encounter the things others considered nothing more than fiction.
Aliens, for example. Ghosts, or... monsters.
After all, there was nothing wrong with fantasizing.
What was wrong with imagining something that made him happy?
But before, he had never truly thought it would happen.
One day, a monster really did appear by his side.
And he couldn't see it.
He was simply...
The frustration in his heart made him feel awful.
"A butterfly."
Xiao Xiao smiled.
"It looks a lot like a butterfly."
"...A butterfly?"
He You looked at Xiao Xiao uncertainly.
Xiao Xiao nodded.
"It's beautiful."
The Hundred Illusions Butterfly was undeniably a beautiful monster.
He You's mouth fell open.
Gu Xiao Tang was a little surprised, too.
So it was a beautiful monster.
He had thought most monsters were hideous, with blue-green faces and fangs.
No, that wasn't quite it.
He'd just thought... they would have some distinctive feature that made you think of monsters as soon as you saw them.
Fox spirits were the exception.
Fox spirits were supposed to be beautiful.
After all, in every story about fox spirits, they were naturally the epitome of beauty.
So fox spirits weren't the only good-looking monsters?
The regret in Gu Xiao Tang's heart suddenly deepened.
Oh, man.
A beautiful monster... He wanted to see one, too.
The corners of He You's mouth slowly lifted.
He smiled for the first time since Xiao Xiao had met him.
Though it was a bitter smile.
"A monster that looks like a butterfly..."
He You sighed