Su Youjin and Yinzi

"Yinzi, does Xiao Jin know you came to find me?"

Xiao Xiao casually stopped beneath a large tree, tilted his head, and asked softly.

"Eee-eee~ Eee-eee~"

No, I forgot.

Yinzi froze, then her voice took on a note of chagrin.

"I'll call Xiao Jin."

Xiao Xiao hadn't expected Yinzi to answer that way.

After all, Yinzi wasn't the sort to be so careless.

Although the youkai looked haughty and aloof, as if she were difficult to approach, she was truly gentle and attentive toward Su Youjin, the human girl she had accompanied for so many years.

It seemed something really had happened.

Still, Yinzi didn't seem particularly anxious, so Xiao Xiao thought that whatever had happened probably wasn't urgent.

"Xiao Xiao?"

Su Youjin's clear, cool voice came through the phone, but her usually calm, unruffled tone wavered.

Xiao Xiao could hear the worry and urgency beneath it, along with a hint of helpless panic.

He glanced at Yinzi on his shoulder.

A faint trace of guilt flickered in Yinzi's scarlet, slit-pupiled eyes. Her claws scratched at Xiao Xiao's shoulder a few times.

Fortunately, the youkai knew to keep her claws light and didn't tear his clothes.

Xiao Xiao raised an eyebrow. As soon as Su Youjin finished speaking, he said, "Su Youjin, Yinzi's with me."

For a moment, only Su Youjin's soft breathing came through the phone.

Then she asked, "Yinzi... is with you?"

"Mm."

Xiao Xiao kept it brief. He could imagine Su Youjin's expression right then: stunned by the unexpected news.

He couldn't help regretting that she wasn't there in front of him.

An expression like that was rare on the face of a national treasure beauty.

"Where are you?"

"I'll be right over."

Su Youjin was just as direct.